Question 1

Karl Marx used the term sociological imagination to identify the relationship between personal troubles and social structures.

Accepted Answer

The term "sociological imagination" was actually coined by C. Wright Mills, not Karl Marx. However, the idea of the relationship between personal troubles and social structures aligns with Marx's overarching sociological perspective.

Question 2

The origin of the sociological imagination occurred in the historic events of scientific, democratic, and industrial revolutions.

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination was first introduced by sociologist C. Wright Mills, who argued that it emerged as a response to the historical events of scientific, democratic, and industrial revolutions. These revolutions created significant changes in society that required a new way of thinking about the social world, and the sociological imagination provided a framework for understanding these changes.

Question 3

There are three kinds of questions used in questionnaires: closed-ended, open-ended, and mixed mode.

Accepted Answer

There are three kinds of questions used in questionnaires: closed-ended, open-ended, and scaled-response questions. Mixed mode refers to the method of data collection, not a type of question.

Question 4

The French social thinker who coined the term sociology in 1838 was Émile Durkheim.

Accepted Answer

The term sociology was actually coined by Auguste Comte in 1838, not Émile Durkheim. Comte is considered the father of sociology and aimed to establish sociology as a legitimate and distinct scientific discipline.

Question 5

Jonathan believes that men are superior to women in every way. This would be an example of unquestioned male domination of women that stems from a system-called patriarchy by sociologists-that gives Jonathan advantages and privileges.

Accepted Answer

Jonathan's belief is an example of patriarchal thinking, which assumes that men are naturally superior to women and that this belief justifies male domination in society. Patriarchy refers to a system of societal and institutional practices that privilege men over women, such as unequal pay, limited political representation, and social norms that restrict women's freedom and opportunities. Jonathan's belief is part of a larger cultural and systemic societal issue that disadvantages women and reinforces male dominance.

Question 6

The study of the subjective meanings that people attach to their actions and social life is part of the functionalist theory.

Accepted Answer

The study of subjective meanings that people attach to their actions and social life is a key aspect of symbolic interactionism, not functionalist theory. Symbolic interactionism focuses on the symbols and details of everyday life, what these symbols mean, and how people interact with each other based on these meanings.

Question 7

Survey researchers must carefully select their sample so that they do not exclude part of the population.

Accepted Answer

This is true as excluding part of the population can lead to a biased sample and inaccurate results. Therefore, ensuring a representative sample is crucial in survey research.

Question 8

In an experiment, the experimental group is the group exposed to the independent variable, and the control group is the group not exposed to the independent variable.

Accepted Answer

This is a correct and accurate statement about experimental groups and control groups in scientific experiments.

Question 9

Karl Marx was known as an important early symbolic interactionist.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx is known for his contributions to conflict theory and is not considered a symbolic interactionist.

Question 10

One of the weaknesses of the analysis of existing documents and official statistics is that it is often very expensive.

Accepted Answer

The analysis of existing documents and official statistics is not necessarily expensive, as these resources are already available for analysis. However, the weakness of this method is that it may not provide a complete picture or may contain bias, as it only represents what has been officially recorded or documented.

Question 11

Dr. Smith is involved in a project to observe how college students interact with one another as they come from and go to their classes. He believes that students will deal with stress by engaging in boisterous behaviour. With permission from the university, he watches students and records the types of interactions they have as they walk past him. Because Dr. Smith is involved in a careful process of observing social reality and testing the validity of his ideas, he is engaged in research.

Accepted Answer

The passage states that Dr. Smith is engaging in a process of observing social reality and testing the validity of his ideas, which is characteristic of research.

Question 12

According to your textbook, the third level of social organization is called macrostructures. This is the level of society that comprises international organizations, patterns of worldwide travel, and communication.

Accepted Answer

The third level of social organization is typically referred to as "macrostructures," but it generally includes large-scale social processes and institutions within a society, not specifically international organizations or global patterns.

Question 13

According to your textbook, the third level of social organization is called mesostructures. This is the level of society that comprises international organizations, patterns of worldwide travel, and communication.

Accepted Answer

The third level of social organization, referred to as mesostructures, typically involves organizations and institutions that are smaller than international entities, focusing on structures like communities, organizations, and institutions that mediate between the individual and the larger society. International organizations and patterns of worldwide travel and communication are often considered part of macrostructures, which are the broadest level of social organization.

Question 14

To conclude that the relationship between two variables is causal, there must be an association between the two variables. The presumed cause has to precede the presumed effect, and when a control variable is introduced the original association has to disappear.

Accepted Answer

For a relationship between two variables to be considered causal, the association must not disappear when a control variable is introduced; instead, the association should remain significant even after controlling for other potential confounding variables. The disappearance of the association upon controlling for another variable might suggest that the original association was due to the confounding variable, not a causal relationship.

Question 15

The ability to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures (e.g., personal problems and public issues related to unemployment) is known as the sociological imagination.

Accepted Answer

The ability to see the connection between personal troubles and social structures is a key concept in sociology known as the sociological imagination.

Question 16

Max Weber argued that religious ideas could support the development of capitalism.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber's theory of the "Protestant Ethic" argues that Protestant religious beliefs, such as predestination and a focus on worldly pursuits, facilitated the development of capitalism in Western Europe. He believed that the work ethic and desire for material success embodied in these beliefs encouraged individuals to invest in and innovate within the economic sphere, ultimately leading to the rise of capitalism.

Question 17

Sociologists engage in participant observation when they attempt to objectively observe a social milieu and take part in the activities of the people they are studying.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists often use participant observation as a research method to gain a deep understanding of the social setting and behaviors of the people being studied. They must remain objective during the observation and participate in the activities of the group to get an accurate representation of their culture and norms.

Question 18

As long as researchers successfully ensure that their test subjects are unharmed by participation in sociological experiments, the sociologists have met all of their ethical obligations.

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the physical safety of test subjects is only one aspect of ethical obligations in sociological experiments. Other considerations include informed consent, confidentiality, privacy, and potential emotional harm.

Question 19

Aaron and Roberta dated for several years and fell in love. This social interaction would be an example of a microstructure.

Accepted Answer

The microstructure refers to the patterns of social interaction between individuals or small groups, such as families, friends, and romantic relationships. Aaron and Roberta's dating relationship falls under this category.

Question 20

The idea that patterns of gender inequality can and should be changed for the benefit of all members of society is one of the main features of feminist theory.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Feminist theory advocates for equality and justice for all genders and seeks to eradicate patriarchal systems of oppression that limit opportunities and access to resources based on gender.

Quiz 1: Introducing Sociology