Question 1

There is only one correct theoretical explanation for any particular social phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

Social phenomena are complex and multifaceted, and therefore can have multiple theoretical explanations. Different theoretical frameworks may focus on different aspects or causes of a phenomenon, providing a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding. Additionally, social phenomena are often subject to interpretation and perspective, leading to the existence of multiple valid explanations.

Question 2

How is hip-hop music an example of a postmodern art form?

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

The writings of Émile Durkheim,Karl Marx,and Max Weber were deeply influenced by their life experiences.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim, Marx, and Weber all had unique life experiences and social contexts that influenced their writing and sociological theories. Durkheim's ideas about social solidarity and the role of religion were shaped by his Jewish upbringing and his experiences during the French Revolution. Marx's critique of capitalism and focus on class struggle were influenced by his observations of industrialization and social inequality in 19th century Europe. Weber's emphasis on rationalization and bureaucracy was shaped by his experience as a scholar and his observations of the rise of modern capitalism.

Question 4

In what ways does queer theory suggest that no category of sexual identity is fundamentally deviant or normal?

Accepted Answer

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Question 5

Émile Durkheim's pioneering study Suicide used statistical data to look for correlations between demographic variables and suicide.In what ways is his work compatible with Auguste Comte's ideas about how society should be studied?

Accepted Answer

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Question 6

Which social theory focuses on micro-level interactions?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism is a social theory that focuses on micro-level interactions between individuals and how they use symbols to create and interpret meaning. It is concerned with the ways in which individuals construct and interpret their social world through their everyday interactions, and how these interactions shape their beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Structural functionalism and conflict theory, on the other hand, are macro-level theories that focus on the larger, institutional structures of society and the ways in which they shape social norms and behaviors. Pragmatism is not a social theory, but rather a philosophical approach to understanding knowledge and truth.

Question 7

According to conflict theory,how do most major social institutions remain integrated into the economy and therefore reinforce the class structure?

Accepted Answer

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Question 8

Symbolic interactionism argues that people act toward things on the basis of their meaning.According to this perspective,how does meaning arise?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism emphasizes that meaning is not inherent in objects or actions but is rather socially constructed through interaction with others. Therefore, meaning arises through negotiation and interpretation within social contexts.

Question 9

A sociologist's responsibility is to question everything the everyday person would take for granted.

Accepted Answer

A sociologist's job is to have a critical lens and analyze social phenomena instead of assuming their validity. This often requires questioning common assumptions and societal norms.

Question 10

Sarah believes that thanks to the ability of science and technology to create progress,problems will be solved and life will improve.Sarah would best be described as a

Accepted Answer

Sarah's belief in progress and improvement through science and technology aligns with modernist thinking, which emphasizes the power of human reason and scientific advancement to solve problems and improve life.

Question 11

What is a sociologist's theoretical perspective if he or she argues we have seen the "dissolution of master narratives or metanarratives"?

Accepted Answer

The idea of the dissolution of master narratives or metanarratives is a key concept within postmodernism. Postmodernism rejects the notion of one overarching truth or narrative and instead emphasizes multiple perspectives and interpretations.

Question 12

Why is the term "queer" used to describe queer theory?

Accepted Answer

The term "queer" is used to describe queer theory because it emphasizes the importance of difference and rejects a single gay or lesbian identity. This term challenges traditional notions of gender and sexuality and highlights the diversity of human experiences. While it does have a long history of use within the gay and lesbian community, the term has evolved to include a broader range of identities and experiences.

Question 13

The application of economic logic to human activity is known as

Accepted Answer

The application of economic logic to human activity is known as Weberian theory.

Question 14

Postmodernists are interested in ________,or taking apart and examining stories and theories.

Accepted Answer

Postmodernists are interested in deconstruction, which means breaking apart and examining stories and theories for underlying assumptions and meaning. They often reject the idea of a singular truth, and instead focus on the subjective interpretations and perspectives that shape our understanding of the world.

Question 15

The theory of symbolic interactionism was developed by

Accepted Answer

The theory of symbolic interactionism was developed by the Chicago School of sociology, particularly by George Herbert Mead, Herbert Blumer, and Charles Horton Cooley.

Question 16

According to symbolic interactionism,what is the relationship between the self and society?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism posits that the relationship between self and society is mutually constitutive. In other words, the self is shaped by society, but society is also shaped by the self. The self arises through the interactions an individual has with others and with societal institutions, but at the same time, those interactions are always subject to negotiation and reinterpretation by the individual. Thus, the self is not simply a product of socialization but is an active participant in shaping the meanings and values of society.

Question 17

What is the link between feminist theory and conflict theory?

Accepted Answer

Both feminist theory and conflict theory share a focus on analyzing power and inequality in society. Specifically, feminist theory emphasizes the ways in which gender inequality intersects with other forms of oppression, while conflict theory more broadly examines how economic and social inequalities create conflicts and tensions within society. However, both seek to not only understand inequality but also to remedy it, often through political activism and social change.

Question 18

C.Wright Mills described a process by which biography (individual lives)and history (larger social forces)are related.He argued that this process works in two ways: individual lives influence society,while society also influences individuals.

Accepted Answer

C.Wright Mills argued that there is a reciprocal relationship between biography and history, where both individual lives and larger social forces influence each other.

Question 19

A dishonest judge must pretend to be an honest judge,but even an honest judge must play the role of "honest judge" for an audience in order to interact and work with others effectively.This performance is an example of what theoretical perspective?

Accepted Answer

The concept of performing a role for the benefit of an audience is a key aspect of the dramaturgical perspective. This perspective views social interactions as a theatrical performance, where individuals play certain roles to achieve desired outcomes.

Question 20

Why do structural functionalists argue that dysfunction tends to create social change?

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 1: Sociology and the Real World