Question 1

Social statics explores how individuals and societies change over time.

Accepted Answer

Social statics focuses on the study of social systems and structures to understand how societies maintain order and stability, not on how they change over time.

Question 2

Functionalism often glosses over the inequality that a handful of powerful people create and maintain.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism focuses on the ways in which different parts of society work together to maintain societal harmony and stability. However, functionalism often ignores the fact that this harmony is often maintained at the expense of marginalized groups, and that powerful individuals and institutions may exploit and oppress these groups in order to maintain their own power and privilege. Therefore, functionalism tends to downplay the role of power and inequality in society.

Question 3

Sociology is subjective.

Accepted Answer

False

Question 4

Which of the following is an accurate definition of sociology?
A) Sociology is the enigmatic study of social interaction at the micro level.
B) Sociology is the enigmatic study of psychological interactions of people with their society.
C) Sociology is the enigmatic study of phenomenal changes that occur in a society.
D) Sociology is the systematic study of human behavior in society.
E) Sociology is the systematic study of physiological changes that people encounter in a society.

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the study of human behavior in society, focusing on the patterns of social relationships, institutions, and organizations that shape individuals and groups in society. It is a systematic and scientific approach to understanding how society operates and how people interact within social structures.

Question 5

Because common sense is _____, there's little room for facts that might be disturbing or challenge cherished beliefs.
A) subjective
B) realistic
C) unaffected
D) logical
E) rational

Accepted Answer

Common sense is subjective, meaning it is based on personal beliefs and experiences rather than objective facts. Therefore, when presented with facts that challenge one's beliefs, there may be a resistance to accepting them because they do not align with one's common sense.

Question 6

The sociological imagination is at the center of the sociological perspective.

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination is a key concept that allows individuals to look beyond personal experiences and understand how larger social forces shape behavior and outcomes. It is central to the sociological perspective, which involves examining the influence of social structures, institutions, and cultural norms on individuals and groups. Therefore, the statement is true.

Question 7

Microsociology and macrosociology differ conceptually, but they're interrelated.

Accepted Answer

Microsociology focuses on small-scale interactions and individual behavior, while macrosociology looks at large-scale structures and social systems. Despite their differences, they are interrelated as individuals make up larger social structures and systems, and the actions and behaviors of individuals can have an impact on these larger structures.

Question 8

Conflict theorists see disagreement and the resulting changes in society as natural, inevitable, and even desirable.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists believe that conflicts arise because of the unequal distribution of resources and power in society, and that these conflicts can lead to social change towards greater equality and justice. Therefore, they see disagreement and conflict as natural, inevitable, and potentially beneficial for creating a more just society.

Question 9

Macrosociology examines the patterns of individuals' social interaction in specific settings.

Accepted Answer

Macrosociology focuses on larger-scale societal structures and processes, rather than individual interactions in specific settings. It examines broad patterns and trends of social organization and institutions, such as the economy, politics, and culture.

Question 10

The sociological imagination emphasizes the connection between men and women.

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination emphasizes the connection between individual experiences and larger social forces, not specifically between men and women.

Question 11

A researcher who is value free is one who separates her or his personal values, opinions, ideology, and beliefs from scientific research.

Accepted Answer

A value free researcher strives to stay objective in their research and not let their personal values influence their findings.

Question 12

Recognizing and understand diversity is one of sociology's central themes.

Accepted Answer

Sociology emphasizes the importance of recognizing and understanding diversity in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, religion, and other characteristics that shape individuals' experiences and perspectives. This theme is integral to understanding social inequality and the ways in which individuals and groups are impacted by social structures and institutions.

Question 13

The sociological perspective analyzes how social context influences people's lives.

Accepted Answer

The sociological perspective is focused on understanding how social factors and structures impact individuals and society as a whole. It emphasizes the importance of studying social context, institutions, and relationships in order to better understand human behavior and social phenomena.

Question 14

Émile Durkheim is known as the "father of sociology."

Accepted Answer

The answer of Émile Durkheim is known as the "father...

Question 15

When sociologists refer to the systematic study of behavior, they mean that social behavior is:
A) erratic.
B) clustered.
C) asymmetrical.
D) regular and patterned.
E) intentional and premeditated.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists study human behavior systematically, which means that behaviors are regular and patterned rather than erratic, clustered, asymmetrical, intentional, or premeditated.

Question 16

Sociology is also known as conventional wisdom.

Accepted Answer

Sociology is a social science that studies human society, behavior, and relationships, and it is not synonymous with conventional wisdom, which refers to commonly accepted beliefs or ideas.

Question 17

Social dynamics investigates how principles of social order explain a particular society, as well as the interconnections between institutions.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social dynamics investigates how principles of social...

Question 18

Sociologist C.Wright Mills called the ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social influences the _____.
A) sociological imagination
B) social stratification
C) enigmatic perspective
D) enigmatic behavior
E) conventional wisdom

Accepted Answer

C. Wright Mills coined the term "sociological imagination" to describe the ability to understand the relationship between personal experiences and larger social forces or structures.

Question 19

According to sociologist C.Wright Mills, a person's individual behavior is influenced by _____.
A) social factors
B) conventional wisdom
C) genetics
D) random thoughts
E) greed

Accepted Answer

According to C. Wright Mills, a person's individual behavior is influenced by social factors such as family, culture, social class, and historical context. This concept is known as the sociological imagination. Mills believed that individuals cannot fully understand their own behavior without considering the larger social forces that shape it.

Question 20

Microsociology focuses on large-scale patterns and processes that characterize society as a whole.

Accepted Answer

Microsociology is the study of small-scale patterns and processes that shape individual interactions and relationships within society, whereas macrosociology focuses on large-scale patterns and processes that characterize society as a whole.

Quiz 1: Thinking Like a Sociologist