Question 1

Many people have marveled at the Great Wall in China and the Great Pyramids in Egypt. These monuments stand as evidence of the productive power of which type of society?

Accepted Answer

The Great Wall in China and the Great Pyramids in Egypt were built during the agrarian era, which was characterized by the widespread use of agriculture as the primary means of subsistence. The agrarian societies were able to produce vast amounts of food surplus, which provided the necessary resources for the construction of massive monuments and public works such as these. The hunting and gathering societies were not capable of producing such monumental structures, and the horticultural and pastoral societies were only able to produce smaller-scale monuments. The industrial era came much later in history, with significant technological advancements, which made the production of these types of structures easier, faster, and cheaper.

Question 2

In the socialist society Marx hoped to see, which of the following would be True?

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that the class conflict between the bourgeoisie (capitalist class) and the proletariat (working class) was the driving force behind history and that this conflict would ultimately lead to the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a socialist society in which classes would no longer exist. Therefore, in the socialist society Marx envisioned, class conflict would no longer exist. None of the other options are necessarily true in this society, as Marx did not advocate for all people to do the same work or for the technology of factories to be abolished outright. While he did believe in fair wages for workers, this would likely come as a result of collective ownership and control of the means of production rather than merely capitalists choosing to pay fair wages.

Question 3

As the suffering of workers became worse, Marx predicted that they would:

Accepted Answer

Marx predicted that as the exploitation and suffering of workers under the capitalist system continued to intensify, they would eventually become conscious of their collective interests and rise up against the system in a revolutionary movement. This is known as his theory of historical materialism and the inevitability of class struggle. He believed that the working class, or proletariat, would overthrow the ruling class, or bourgeoisie, and establish a socialist society based on collective ownership of the means of production.

Question 4

In terms of social inequality, agrarian societies generally:

Accepted Answer

Agrarian societies typically have more social inequality compared to less productive societal types due to the accumulation of land and resources by a relatively small elite, leading to significant disparities in wealth and power.

Question 5

To compare societies at different times in history, Max Weber made use of:

Accepted Answer

Max Weber made use of ideal types to compare societies at different times in history. Ideal types are analytical constructs that serve as a standard or reference point against which actual cases can be compared. Weber believed that using ideal types allowed for a more nuanced and comprehensive analysis of social phenomena, as it allowed for the examination of the similarities and differences across different societies or historical periods. Stereotypes and statistical rates may be used in social analysis, but they are not specific to the comparative method used by Weber.

Question 6

Industrialization changes societies in many ways. All of the following except for one are changes brought on by industrialization. Which is NOT such a change?

Accepted Answer

Industrialization actually creates more types of jobs and a larger portion of the population works for income. Therefore, there are more job opportunities and more people are employed.

Question 7

Compared to an industrial society, a postindustrial society is based on:

Accepted Answer

A postindustrial society is one that has moved beyond a manufacturing-based economy to one that is built around information and services. This is evidenced through the rise of technology and the growth of sectors such as finance, healthcare, and education. While a postindustrial society may still have some factories or manufacturing, it is not the primary driver of economic growth as it was in industrial societies. Choices C and D are not accurate descriptors of a postindustrial society, while choice B implies a continued reliance on factories as the basis for the economy, which is not the case.

Question 8

Marx described alienation as involving which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that alienation occurs in several forms, including alienation from the act of working, which happens when workers are not able to express their creativity and are constrained to follow certain routines; alienation from the products of work, which happens when workers do not have control over what they produce and what happens to it; and alienation from other workers, which happens when workers are pitted against each other in competition for jobs and wages. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Question 9

Marx described the widespread beliefs that supported the capitalist economic system as:

Accepted Answer

Marx used the term false consciousness to refer to the ways in which dominant social beliefs, values, and norms helped to maintain the economic and political status quo, even when they contradicted the interests of the working class. False consciousness is the idea that individuals and groups within society are deceived about the true nature of their social relationships and the structural sources of their problems. Instead of recognizing the exploitation inherent in capitalism, workers may believe that their low wages and poor working conditions are the result of their own personal failures or lack of effort. By accepting the dominant ideology of capitalism, workers unwittingly support a system that oppresses them.

Question 10

Karl Marx used a philosophical approach called _____, Max Weber followed an approach called _____.

Accepted Answer

Marx used a philosophical approach called materialism, while Weber followed an approach called idealism.

Question 11

Gerhard Lenski claims that the development of more complex technology:

Accepted Answer

According to Gerhard Lenski, the development of more complex technology has both positive and negative effects. While it can improve the standard of living and increase productivity, it can also lead to environmental degradation and social inequality. Therefore, the impact of technology is not entirely positive or negative, but a combination of both.

Question 12

Films about advancing technology, including "Frankenstein," make the point that advancing technology:

Accepted Answer

Films about advancing technology often highlight the fact that while technology can solve certain problems, it often creates new ones as well. "Frankenstein" is a classic example of this, where the creation of life through technology leads to unforeseen consequences and tragedy. While technology can certainly be a force for good, it is important to consider the potential downsides and unintended consequences as well.

Question 13

Karl Marx argued that the dominant social institution is:

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that the economy was the dominant social institution, as he believed that social relations were shaped by the mode of production, and that economic relations were the most significant of these. He argued that the relationship between the bourgeoisie (owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (workers who were paid a wage) was the most important in society, and that conflict between these two groups was inevitable. Therefore, the economy was the central institution that determined the social relations and structure of society.

Question 14

Which of the following types of society has the most productive specialization?

Accepted Answer

Industrial society has the most productive specialization as it is characterized by advanced technology, specialized labor, and mass production which all contribute to increased productivity and efficiency. In contrast, hunting and gathering societies rely on limited resources and subsistence living, while horticultural and pastoral societies rely on less developed technology and often inefficient farming practices. Agrarian societies have more developed agricultural practices but still rely on manual labor and limited technology compared to industrial societies.

Question 15

Assume you are studying a society that has just invented cities, has increasing specialization, and has just started using money to buy and sell goods and services. It is likely that the society is at which stage of sociocultural evolution?

Accepted Answer

The invention of cities and the use of money for transactions indicates a move towards a more complex and stratified society. This is typically associated with the agrarian stage of sociocultural evolution, which is characterized by agriculture as the primary means of subsistence and the development of social classes. The hunting and gathering and horticultural and pastoral stages are more primitive and do not involve the development of urban centers or a monetary system. The industrial stage is characterized by the widespread use of technology and machinery, which is not mentioned in the scenario.

Question 16

The driving force of social change, according to Marx, is:

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that social change is driven by the conflict between the ruling class and the working class, as the working class seeks to overthrow the dominant structures that oppress them. This conflict is at the heart of societal transformation and drives progress towards a more equal and just society.

Question 17

Karl Marx believed that the industrial-capitalist system was:

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that the industrial-capitalist system was very productive but also concentrating wealth in the hands of a few, and giving rise to two great classes: capitalists and proletarians. Therefore, all of the above choices are correct according to Marx's perspective.

Question 18

Marx called those who own and operate factories and other businesses in pursuit of profits:

Accepted Answer

Marx referred to the owners and operators of factories and businesses as capitalists. The term "capitalist" is central to Marxist theory, representing those who own the means of production and use it to exploit the labor of workers for profit.

Question 19

As Marx used the concept, alienation means:

Accepted Answer

According to Marx, alienation refers to the experience of isolation and misery resulting from powerlessness. This powerlessness stems from the fact that workers are often stripped of control over their work and the products they create, leading to feelings of detachment and estrangement from both their work and their fellow human beings.

Question 20

The birth of the discipline of sociology took place during the development of which type of society?

Accepted Answer

The birth of sociology took place during the development of industrial society. This was a time of rapid social change, urbanization, and the rise of complex institutions that required new ways of understanding social behavior. The transition from agrarian to industrial society brought about new social problems and issues that required examination and analysis. Thus, the need for sociology arose in this context.

Quiz 4: Society