Question 1

Because of his radical views and his emphasis on social action, not just the study of society, the work of Karl Marx has been largely discredited today.

Accepted Answer

While Marx's views and approach to social theory have been critiqued and challenged, his work remains influential in various fields such as economics, politics, and sociology. Many scholars continue to engage critically with Marx's ideas and find value in his analysis of capitalism and social inequality.

Question 2

Sociologist Talcott Parsons suggested that the division of household labor between husband and wife is one of the fundamental sources of conflict in industrialized societies.

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons suggested that the division of labor in a household between husband and wife, with the husband focusing on instrumental roles and the wife on expressive roles, was functional and contributed to the stability of the family and society, rather than being a source of conflict.

Question 3

Sociology emerged in Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Accepted Answer

Sociology emerged as a discipline in Europe during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, particularly through the works of early sociologists such as Auguste Comte, Karl Marx, and Émile Durkheim.

Question 4

Although he founded functionalism and its emphasis on social order, sociologist Emile Durkheim observed that rapid social change and a more specialized division of labor produced strains leading to a breakdown in traditional organization, values, and authority.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim did observe that rapid social change and a more specialized division of labor produced strains leading to a breakdown in traditional organization, values, and authority, even though he founded functionalism and its emphasis on social order.

Question 5

Sociologist Robert K. Merton stated that in order for social institutions and other social units to be considered functional, their functions must be intended and recognized by all participants.

Accepted Answer

Robert K. Merton introduced the distinction between manifest functions (intended and recognized) and latent functions (neither intended nor recognized), suggesting that not all functions of a social institution or unit need to be intended or recognized for it to be considered functional.

Question 6

All of the major theoretical perspectives in sociology focus analysis at the macrolevel, examining whole societies, large-scale social structures, and social systems.

Accepted Answer

While some major theoretical perspectives in sociology, like functionalism and conflict theory, focus on the macro level, others, such as symbolic interactionism, focus on the micro level, examining individual interactions and meanings.

Question 7

Sociologists understand that there are multiple causes and effects of social issues.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists recognize that social issues are complex and multifaceted, and can arise from a combination of factors such as economic, political, cultural, and historical influences. Similarly, social issues can have a range of impacts on individuals and communities, affecting their well-being, opportunities, and social relations. Therefore, sociological analysis of social issues provides a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the social world.

Question 8

The sociological imagination helps us place personal troubles, such as losing our job or attempting suicide, into a larger social context, where we can distinguish whether and how personal troubles may be related to public issues.

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination is a concept introduced by sociologist C. Wright Mills that enables us to understand how personal experiences and problems are shaped by larger social and historical forces. By using the sociological imagination, we can connect our personal troubles to larger public issues and see how they are related. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 9

Sociologist George Herbert Mead was one of the first scholars to note that a dual?heritage creates conflict for people of color. He called this duality double-consciousness-the identity conflict of being black and American.

Accepted Answer

The concept of double-consciousness, referring to the internal conflict experienced by subordinated or colonized groups in an oppressive society, was actually coined by W.E.B. Du Bois, not George Herbert Mead. Du Bois discussed this in the context of African-American experiences.

Question 10

Middle-income countries are nations with highly industrialized economies; technologically advanced industrial, administrative, and service occupations; and relatively high levels of national and personal income.

Accepted Answer

Middle-income countries are nations with economies that are not highly industrialized but are still developing. They have lower levels of national and personal income compared to high-income countries. Examples of middle-income countries include Brazil, China, and Mexico.

Question 11

All sociological theories and theorists may be categorized as functionalist, conflict, or symbolic interactionist.

Accepted Answer

While functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism are three major theoretical perspectives in sociology, there are other perspectives and theories that do not neatly fit into these categories, such as feminist theory, postmodern theory, and critical race theory.

Question 12

American sociology grew along with European sociology during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

Accepted Answer

American sociology primarily developed in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, while European sociology began earlier, during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Question 13

Although Weber emphasized that sociology should be value free, he did not believe that human behavior could be analyzed through application of the objective criteria used to study other natural phenomena.

Accepted Answer

Weber acknowledged that humans have subjective meanings and interpretations which cannot be reduced to objective criteria, and therefore sociology should be value free in order to avoid imposing the researcher's own values onto their analysis. However, he recognized the need for understanding and interpreting human behavior in its social and cultural context, which requires subjective interpretation and understanding.

Question 14

The first department of sociology in the United States was established at the University of Chicago, where the faculty was instrumental in starting the American Sociological Society (now known as the American Sociological Association).

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. The University of Chicago established the first department of sociology in the United States and its faculty played a key role in creating the American Sociological Society, which is now known as the American Sociological Association.

Question 15

According to Durkheim, social facts can only be explained by other social facts.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim believed that social facts were external to individual consciousness and that they could only be explained by other social facts. He argued that social facts such as norms, values, and institutions have a coercive power over individuals and shape their behavior in predictable ways. Therefore, to understand social phenomena, one must study the social facts that give rise to them.

Question 16

In regard to negative consequences of industrial society, sociologist Max Weber was more concerned about the impact of rational bureaucracy than of class struggle.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber's theory of bureaucracy and rationalization emphasized the negative consequences of excessive rationalization, such as dehumanization, bureaucracy rules, and routine behaviors. While he acknowledged the importance of social class and economic factors, it was not his primary concern in analyzing the negative consequences of industrial society.

Question 17

Sociologists are in agreement that sociological research can and should be value free.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists recognize that it is impossible to completely eliminate personal biases and values from research, but they strive to minimize their impact and remain as objective and neutral as possible. However, some sociologists argue that research should not be value-free, as it has the potential to uncover social inequalities and injustices that can inform policy changes and social movements.

Question 18

All conflict theorists regard class conflict as the central and most important source of social change.

Accepted Answer

Not all conflict theorists prioritize class conflict; some focus on other forms of conflict such as race, gender, or power dynamics as central to social change.

Question 19

The early sociologists were in agreement that human behavior could be studied using the same techniques used in the natural sciences.

Accepted Answer

Early sociologists were divided on this issue, with some, like Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim, advocating for the application of scientific methods to study society, while others, like Max Weber, argued that the unique aspects of human behavior required different, more interpretive approaches.

Question 20

According to the functionalist perspective, societies develop social structures (institutions) that persist because they play a part in helping society survive. These institutions include the family, education, government, religion, and the economy.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately reflects the functionalist perspective on society and its institutions.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Perspective and Research Process