Question 1

Sociologists model social life with three levels that move from specificity to abstraction.Which words represent these levels,in order from the widest point of the triangle to the narrowest?

A)guess;hunch;theory
B)describe;explain;explore
C)theoretical;empirical;sociological
D)macro;meso;micro

Accepted Answer

The three levels identified by sociologists move from the widest point of the triangle to the narrowest and are commonly known as macro level (representing large-scale social processes and institutions), meso level (representing intermediate-level social structures and organizations), and micro level (representing small-scale interpersonal interactions and individual agency). Therefore, option D - macro, meso, micro - correctly represents these levels in order from the widest to the narrowest.

Question 2

Which of the following accurately describes the focus of the macro level of social life?
A)the structure,composition,and processes of society
B)the continuum between the individual and society
C)physical settings and organizations that link individuals to the larger society
D)face-to-face interaction and small group processes

Accepted Answer

The macro level of social life focuses on the structure, composition, and processes of society as a whole, including institutions, systems, and patterns of social behavior. It deals with broad social phenomena that affect large groups of people, such as social inequality, social change, and cultural norms and values.

Question 3

Amy applies status characteristics theory to student government at her university.This theory predicts that student government officials gain power and prestige when
A)they earn high honors in other areas of university life,such as athletics or academics.
B)their race,gender,and social class characteristics are highly valued in the broader society.
C)other student government officials endow them with titles,resources,and recognition.
D)they demonstrate a strong individual work ethic.

Accepted Answer

Status characteristics theory suggests that individuals gain power and prestige when their personal characteristics, such as race, gender, and social class, are valued by the broader society.

Question 4

Which approach to research refers to the translation of general theory into specific empirical analysis?
A)inductive
B)deductive
C)macro
D)meso

Accepted Answer

Deductive approach refers to the translation of general theory into specific empirical analysis. It involves deriving specific hypotheses from a general theory and testing them through empirical observation. Inductive approach, on the other hand, involves deriving general principles from specific observations. Macro and meso refer to different levels of analysis in research.

Question 5

Which of the following activities demonstrates empiricism?
A)observing and counting people who use cell phones while walking through a park
B)reflecting on the reasons why people use technology in the ways that they do
C)reading expert opinions about appropriate technology use
D)relying on common sense to make personal choices about cell phone use while walking

Accepted Answer

Empiricism involves gathering information or evidence through observation or experimentation. Observing and counting people who use cell phones while walking through a park is an example of gathering empirical data. Reflecting, reading expert opinions, and relying on common sense do not necessarily involve gathering empirical data.

Question 6

Which step of the scientific method demonstrates empiricism?

A)Step 1
B)Step 2
C)Step 3
D)Step 5

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which step of the scientific method demonstrates...

Question 7

Which basic question about social phenomena is asked by the structural functionalism paradigm?
A)Does it maximize benefits relative to cost?
B)Does it give some groups advantages over others?
C)Does it promote stability of society?
D)How does it play out in face-to-face interaction?

Accepted Answer

The structural functionalism paradigm is concerned with how social institutions and patterns contribute to the overall stability and function of society. Therefore, the basic question it asks is whether a particular social phenomenon promotes stability of society.

Question 8

A sociological theory must
A)link together a series of ideas that make an argument.
B)draw a conclusion that has predictive value.
C)show an earlier theory to be false.
D)elaborate upon unverified hunches or guesses.

Accepted Answer

A sociological theory should present a structured argument by linking together a series of ideas or concepts, which will help provide an explanation or understanding of a social phenomenon. It should not just elaborate upon unverified guesses or hunches. It may lead to a conclusion that has predictive or explanatory value, but it does not necessarily need to disprove or discredit an earlier theory.

Question 9

Miko tests status characteristics theory by documenting how dentists distribute resources and credentials through educational and professional associations.This study reveals new insights that influence the development of this theory.Which part of this scholarly process represents an inductive approach to science?
A)suspecting that status characteristics theory could be improved
B)testing theory with an empirical study
C)conducting a literature review before collecting data
D)applying research findings to the refinement of theory

Accepted Answer

Inductive reasoning involves developing theories or generalizations based on specific observations or empirical evidence. In this case, applying the research findings to refine the theory represents an inductive approach, as it involves using specific insights gained from the study to influence and develop the broader theory.

Question 10

Auguste Comte's view of social science as a study of patterns that can be objectively understood through logical analysis is known as
A)postmodernism.
B)deduction.
C)positivism.
D)structural functionalism.

Accepted Answer

Auguste Comte's view of social science as a study of patterns that can be objectively understood through logical analysis is known as positivism. Positivism is a belief that knowledge should be based on scientific evidence and empirical observation, and that social phenomena can be studied objectively in the same way as natural phenomena.

Question 11

A broad set of taken-for-granted and often unacknowledged assumptions about how social reality is to be defined is
A)a paradigm.
B)the macro level of social life.
C)part of the continuum of abstraction.
D)the scientific method.

Accepted Answer

A paradigm refers to a set of assumptions, concepts, and values that shape how social reality is perceived and studied. It is a shared worldview that guides researchers in their inquiry and frames the questions they ask. Paradigms are often taken-for-granted and operate at a subconscious level, influencing researchers' choices about what to study, how to study it, and how to interpret the findings.

Question 12

________ approaches move from the concrete to the abstract;________ approaches move from the abstract to the concrete.
A)Meso;macro
B)Scientific;empirical
C)Explanatory;exploratory
D)Inductive;deductive

Accepted Answer

Inductive approaches start with the observation of specific instances and move towards developing generalizations and theories. This is moving from the concrete to the abstract. Deductive approaches start with a theory or idea and then move towards testing it in specific instances. This is moving from the abstract to the concrete.

Question 13

Megan develops a sociological study that describes how caregivers give meaning to their experiences with vulnerable loved ones.Megan includes reflection on her own life experiences,because she believes her own experiences shape how she collects and interprets data.Megan's approach fits with which paradigm?
A)empiricism
B)positivism
C)conflict
D)postmodernism

Accepted Answer

Megan's approach fits with the postmodernism paradigm because she includes reflections on her own experiences and acknowledges that her experiences shape how she collects and interprets data. Postmodernism emphasizes subjectivity, multiple perspectives, and the importance of personal experience in understanding social phenomena.

Question 14

Thomas Kuhn's ideas about paradigms and paradigm shifts show that
A)scientists are predisposed to prefer certain theories.
B)inductive approaches are superior to deductive approaches.
C)scientists must choose whether to be objective or biased.
D)science will eventually result in a single view of social reality.

Accepted Answer

Kuhn argues that scientists are influenced by their existing paradigms, which shape the way they interpret data and develop theories. These paradigms are not necessarily objectively superior to other paradigms, but rather become dominant due to the social and institutional factors within the scientific community. This can lead to biases towards certain theories and resistance to change.

Question 15

Mark Regnerus and Andrew Cherlin disagreed about the meaning of trends regarding marriage.If they used the same paradigms to look at terrorism,how might their perspectives differ? Regnerus would likely look at ________;Cherlin would likely look at ________.
A)individual motivations (micro level);global economic and political factors (macro level)
B)communities (meso level);families (micro level)
C)explanations of behavior;descriptions of trends
D)postmodern subjectivities;positivist conclusions

Accepted Answer

Regnerus, being a sociologist who focuses on personal behavior, would likely look at the micro level of individual motivations to understand the causes of terrorism. Cherlin, on the other hand, being a sociologist who studies family and community issues, would likely look at the macro level of global economic and political factors to understand the societal and contextual factors contributing to terrorism.

Question 16

Kokimo uses Thomas Kuhn's ideas about paradigms to study success in the Olympics.Kuhn's framework leads her to notice that
A)outstanding Olympic winners have statistically unusual biology and anatomy.
B)Americans see success as an individual achievement,whereas the Japanese emphasize the role of the community.
C)gender,race,and social class influence athletic success.
D)an inductive approach will yield better results than a deductive approach.

Accepted Answer

Kuhn's paradigm theory is about the ways in which different cultures and communities have different ways of seeing the same phenomena. Kokimo's observation that Americans emphasize individual achievement, while the Japanese emphasize community, is an example of this. The other choices are not related to Kuhn's paradigm theory.

Question 17

Annette Lareau's inductive approach to studying social class and child-rearing meant that she
A)observed how parents interacted with their children,and then developed theories regarding child-rearing.
B)used the most credible theories of social class to develop a general argument about child-rearing.
C)relied only on empirical data.
D)developed a study that would test the credibility of dominant theories about social class and child-rearing.

Accepted Answer

Annette Lareau's inductive approach to studying social class and child-rearing involved observing how parents interacted with their children and then developing theories based on those observations. This approach is inductive because it starts with specific observations and uses them to develop more general theories.

Question 18

Larry records all of his dreams in a journal for 50 years.From time to time,he looks them over to see if he notices any personal growth over time.A sociologist would call Larry's approach
A)the scientific method.
B)the looking-glass self.
C)dust-bowl empiricism.
D)status characteristics theory.

Accepted Answer

Dust-bowl empiricism refers to a research approach that relies heavily on observation and personal experience, often without much theoretical framework or sophisticated methodology. Larry's method of recording and reviewing his dreams over time to observe personal growth aligns with this approach, as it is based on direct observation and personal insight rather than structured scientific experimentation or theory-driven research.

Question 19

The meso level of social life is associated with which example?
A)Officer Amy,an individual police officer
B)the national government of France
C)Auburn Elementary School
D)the incarcerated population of the United States

Accepted Answer

The meso level of social life refers to smaller social structures and organizations, such as schools, neighborhoods, and workplaces. Auburn Elementary School is an example of a meso-level institution. Officer Amy is an individual and not an example of a social structure. The national government of France is an example of a macro-level institution. The incarcerated population of the United States is a demographic group, but not necessarily an organized social structure.

Question 20

Eli is a family life educator and wants to intervene at the micro level to influence the issue of domestic violence.What should Eli do?
A)lobby at the federal level for new legislation
B)counsel a family affected by domestic violence
C)review available data regarding domestic violence in a particular zip code
D)reflect on his own attitudes and past experience with this issue

Accepted Answer

Counseling a family affected by domestic violence is an example of micro-level intervention. Eli can work with the family to address the issue, provide support, and offer resources for further assistance. This is a direct and immediate way to intervene at the micro level. Lobbying at the federal level (A) would be a macro-level intervention, while reviewing data (C) would be a mezzo-level intervention. Reflecting on personal attitudes and experiences (D) is important, but does not necessarily lead to direct intervention at the micro level.

Quiz 2: Research Foundations: Linking Sociological Theory to Research

Sociologists model social life with three levels that move from specificity to abstraction.Which words represent these levels,in order from the widest point of the triangle to the narrowest?

Which of the following accurately describes the focus of the macro level of social life?

Amy applies status characteristics theory to student government at her university.This theory predicts that student government officials gain power and prestige when

Which approach to research refers to the translation of general theory into specific empirical analysis?

Which of the following activities demonstrates empiricism?

Which step of the scientific method demonstrates empiricism?

Which basic question about social phenomena is asked by the structural functionalism paradigm?

A sociological theory must

Auguste Comte's view of social science as a study of patterns that can be objectively understood through logical analysis is known as

A broad set of taken-for-granted and often unacknowledged assumptions about how social reality is to be defined is

approaches move from the concrete to the abstract; approaches move from the abstract to the concrete.

Thomas Kuhn's ideas about paradigms and paradigm shifts show that

Mark Regnerus and Andrew Cherlin disagreed about the meaning of trends regarding marriage.If they used the same paradigms to look at terrorism,how might their perspectives differ? Regnerus would likely look at ;Cherlin would likely look at .

Kokimo uses Thomas Kuhn's ideas about paradigms to study success in the Olympics.Kuhn's framework leads her to notice that

Annette Lareau's inductive approach to studying social class and child-rearing meant that she

Larry records all of his dreams in a journal for 50 years.From time to time,he looks them over to see if he notices any personal growth over time.A sociologist would call Larry's approach

The meso level of social life is associated with which example?

Eli is a family life educator and wants to intervene at the micro level to influence the issue of domestic violence.What should Eli do?