Question 1

Sociology is:

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the study of how individual stories and relationships relate to larger, collective stories of social groups. It is not limited to mathematical modeling or experiments, and it is not solely for academic or professional research. While sociology is one way of understanding society, it is not the only way.

Question 2

Which of the following is a sociological explanation for the Columbine High School massacre discussed at the beginning of the chapter?

Accepted Answer

The sociological explanation for the Columbine High School massacre combines elements of choice "b" and "c". The two students were attracted to a subculture that deviated from the norm, but their violent behavior was also facilitated by external social pressures, such as violent entertainment and the easy access to guns. The sociological explanation does not rely solely on the idea that the students were depressed and chemically unbalanced (choice "a").

Question 3

Before and after Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, which factor(s) became apparent in the patterns of whether or not individuals were evacuated to safety?

Accepted Answer

All of the factors listed, including income level, educational attainment, and residential segregation, played a role in the patterns of evacuation before and after Hurricane Katrina. These factors influenced individuals' ability to access resources, information, and transportation, which in turn affected their ability to evacuate to safety.

Question 4

According to Chapter 1, sociology is like:

Accepted Answer

Chapter 1 compares sociology to storytelling because both aim to analyze and understand the human experience and the patterns and structures that shape our lives.

Question 5

Individual actions and behaviors are constrained by:

Accepted Answer

All of the above constrain individual actions and behaviors in different ways. Norms establish expectations for behavior in a given social context, values guide individual beliefs and decision making, institutions provide rules and regulations that shape behavior, and roles define expectations for behavior based on an individual's social position. Together, these factors act as constraints on the actions and behaviors of individuals.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is an example of a norm?

Accepted Answer

A norm is a cultural expectation or rule that guides behavior in a particular social context. Option B is an example of a norm because it is a widely recognized cultural expectation that individuals should stand when the United States national anthem is played. Options A, C, and D are not norms because they do not reflect widely recognized cultural expectations or rules. Option A reflects a sexist belief that is no longer widely held or socially accepted. Option C is a statement about the potential effects of exposure to violent media on children, but it is not a normative statement that guides behavior. Option D is a statement of fact about the effects of alcohol on cognitive functioning, but it is not a normative statement that guides behavior.

Question 7

Which of the following statements is an example of a value?

Accepted Answer

"All citizens should be equal before the law" is a statement expressing a value, which is a belief or principle about what is morally right or wrong. The other statements express facts or opinions, but not values.

Question 8

In his book The Sociological Imagination, C. Wright Mills observes:

Accepted Answer

All of the statements are true and accurately summarize Mills' observation in The Sociological Imagination. Mills argues that individuals often feel trapped by their personal troubles, but that these issues are connected to larger social and historical forces beyond their control. By developing a sociological imagination, individuals can better understand how their personal lives intersect with social structures and institutions, which can help them to overcome the feeling of being trapped and make meaningful social change.

Question 9

Which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

According to sociologist C. Wright Mills, troubles are personal problems that are experienced by individuals in their immediate personal lives, while issues are broader societal problems that extend beyond the individual and are institutional in nature. The increasing divorce rate in the United States may be seen as a personal trouble for the individuals involved, while breast cancer is an issue that affects many individuals and has larger societal implications.

Question 10

Which of the following are the four dimensions of sociological consciousness introduced by Peter Berger?

Accepted Answer

The four dimensions of sociological consciousness introduced by Peter Berger are debunking (uncovering the hidden or taken-for-granted aspects of society), unrespectability (being willing to challenge conventional or respectable beliefs), relativizing (understanding that different perspectives and societal contexts can shape beliefs and values), and cosmopolitanism (acknowledging the diversity and interconnectedness of the world and different societies). Option A refers to scientific methods rather than sociological consciousness, and option B refers to contemporary social issues rather than specific dimensions of sociological consciousness.

Question 11

The debunking motif, one of four dimensions of the sociological consciousness introduced by Peter Berger, focuses on:

Accepted Answer

The debunking motif involves seeing through the facades of social structures and official interpretations to uncover the underlying realities.

Question 12

The unrespectability motif:

Accepted Answer

The unrespectability motif can focus on views of society considered unrespectable or deviant, and is exemplified by the Chicago School's studies of the urban ghetto. It is not limited to studies of minorities or marginal groups, and can also apply to middle-class individuals who may engage in unrespectable behaviors in certain situations. The use of the motif could potentially explain the Columbine massacre, where the student killers were described as being from respectable middle-class families at home, but members of the so-called "Trenchcoat Mafia" at school.

Question 13

The relativizing motif:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The relativizing motif:
...

Question 14

The cosmopolitan motif:

Accepted Answer

The cosmopolitan motif was described in Georg Simmel's classic essay The Metropolis and Mental Life and is often linked to modern times, characterized by turbulent urban centers and knowledge of a variety of lifestyles and perspectives, as well as a sense of detachment from them. However, it does not refer to the sociologist's ability to be savvy and suave while conducting their research.

Question 15

As used in sociology, modernity refers to:

Accepted Answer

In sociology, modernity refers to a historical period characterized by a variety of historical processes that transformed the social order. These processes include industrialization, urbanization, secularization, and the rise of individualism. It is a period that is typically associated with the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries, and it marks a profound transformation in the way that societies are structured and operate. While modernity is sometimes associated with particular styles or fashions, such as those found in arts, architecture, and popular culture (A), it is much broader than these aesthetic concerns. Similarly, while modernity is clearly contemporary (C), it is not simply a matter of being current or up-to-date. Finally, while modernity is certainly associated with the cultural turn, derationalization, and globalization (D), those phenomena are all part of the broader historical processes that define modernity, rather than independent of it.

Question 16

Which of the following are examples of early sociologists of modernity?

Accepted Answer

Marx, Weber, and Durkheim are widely considered to be the founding fathers of modern sociology. They were all active during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and focused on analyzing the social, economic, and political changes in society during this time period. Freud and Foucault are important figures in their own right, but their work is located more within the fields of psychology and philosophy, respectively, than in sociology. Adorno, Wittgenstein, and Lukacs were all influential in the development of critical theory, but they did not focus specifically on understanding modernity in the same way that Marx, Weber, and Durkheim did. Similarly, DuBois, Smith, and Pateman were important sociologists, but they did not work during the same time period as the other figures listed and did not focus on modernity in the same way.

Question 17

Post industrial Economy, decentralized organization, new social movements and multiculturalism are characteristics of:

Accepted Answer

These characteristics are considered to be defining aspects of postmodernity, a period of time that comes after modernity. The post-industrial economy is one that is characterized by a shift away from traditional manufacturing and towards service-based industries. Decentralized organization refers to organizational structures that are less hierarchical and more flattened. New social movements emerged in the postmodern era as people sought to challenge traditional power structures and address issues such as gender, race, and environmentalism. Finally, multiculturalism refers to the recognition and appreciation of different cultures, which has become increasingly important in the postmodern era as globalization has connected people from all over the world.

Question 18

Feudalism, arbitrary, personal forms of authority, and a shared moral universe are characteristics of:

Accepted Answer

Feudalism, arbitrary, personal forms of authority, and a shared moral universe were characteristics of the premodern era, which ended with the onset of modernity in the late 18th century.

Question 19

Globalization refers to:

Accepted Answer

Option A is correct as globalization is characterized by the increasing interconnectedness across the world, which leads to a shift in sociological attention towards global issues. Option C is also correct as there is a debate on whether globalization represents a new era of modern progression or merely a new form of American imperialism. Option B is incorrect as it refers to the advancement of technology rather than globalization.

Question 20

What is the difference between a structural and a cultural approach in sociology?

Accepted Answer

A structural approach in sociology focuses on the macro-level structures such as institutions, groups, and processes, while a cultural approach focuses on the meanings and values of society. The cultural approach is concerned with symbolic and subjective aspects of social life, while the structural approach is more concerned with the objective and empirical aspects of society. Therefore, C is the best choice as it accurately captures the difference between these two approaches in sociology.

Quiz 1: Sociological Stories and Key Concepts