Question 1

Which theorist developed the idea of a sociological imagination?
A)C.Wright Mills
B)Émile Durkheim
C)Karl Marx
D)Auguste Comte

Accepted Answer

The idea of a sociological imagination was developed by C. Wright Mills in his influential book "The Sociological Imagination".

Question 2

Which theorist is best known in North America for identifying how various societal institutions work together to create a smoothly running society?
A)Robert Merton
B)Erving Goffman
C)Talcott Parsons
D)George Herbert Mead

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons is best known in North America for his work on structural functionalism, which identifies how various societal institutions work together to maintain social order and equilibrium.

Question 3

Massimo has noticed that while universities are places where people learn specific skills that prepare them for the world of employment, they are also excellent places for meeting one's future mate.Which of the following best characterizes the "marriage market" role of the university?
A)evolutionary advantage
B)evolutionary disadvantage
C)overt function
D)latent function

Accepted Answer

The "marriage market" role of the university is a latent function, meaning it is not a stated or intended purpose of the institution but rather an unintended consequence. Universities are primarily focused on education and preparing students for the workforce, but a side effect is that they provide a large pool of young, educated individuals in close proximity, creating opportunities for romantic relationships to form.

Question 4

Jane believes that, in order to fully understand this domestic violence, she must look at the interactions between members of heterosexual couples and at the overarching gender ideology of her society.Which of the following theoretical frameworks are her beliefs most consistent with?
A)symbolic interactionism
B)feminist theory
C)queer theory
D)social constructionism

Accepted Answer

Jane's belief that gender ideology and interactions between heterosexual couples are important factors in understanding domestic violence aligns with feminist theory, which examines how gender and power dynamics impact social issues. Symbolic interactionism focuses on how individuals interpret and create meaning in their social interactions, queer theory examines issues related to alternative identities and sexualities, and social constructionism questions how concepts and categories are created and maintained by society. While these theories may also be relevant to understanding domestic violence, Jane's specific focus on gender and power aligns most with feminist theory.

Question 5

Which of the following theories is characterized by the study of macrostructures, shared values, and a focus on societal equilibrium?
A)functionalism
B)conflict theory
C)symbolic interactionism
D)feminism

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is a theoretical perspective that looks at society as a whole and focuses on the way that each part of society functions to keep the whole system in balance. It is interested in identifying the shared values and norms that hold a society together and allow it to operate smoothly. This perspective tends to emphasize the importance of stability and social order.

Question 6

Raj would like a job where he can work with people and create positive social change.According to the textbook, which of the following fields should he get a degree in?
A)political science
B)sociology
C)biology
D)women's studies

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the study of human society and social behavior, which includes examining social relationships, organizations, and social change. This field would provide Raj with a foundation to understand social issues and work towards creating positive change in society. Political science may also be relevant, but it primarily focuses on government and political systems rather than social issues. Biology and women's studies are not directly related to social change and working with people.

Question 7

According to the textbook, which theory has arisen in recent decades to correct some omissions in earlier sociological theories?
A)functionalism
B)feminist theory
C)conflict theory
D)symbolic interactionism

Accepted Answer

Feminist theory has arisen in recent decades to correct some omissions in earlier sociological theories, specifically with regard to the experiences and contributions of women in society. Feminist theory highlights the ways in which gender inequalities permeate all aspects of society and shapes our experiences, beliefs, and interactions. It also emphasizes the importance of intersectionality, recognizing that gender intersects with other social identities such as race, class, and sexuality to create unique experiences of oppression and privilege.

Question 8

Workers today are able to access employment insurance benefits, and they enjoy higher wages and less oppressive working conditions than workers in earlier centuries.What has resulted from this situation?
A)a critique of the inevitability of a worker revolution
B)a critique of the inevitability of a capitalist society
C)a critique of communism
D)a critique of capitalism

Accepted Answer

The fact that workers today are able to access employment insurance benefits, higher wages, and less oppressive working conditions suggests that the system of capitalism has evolved to accommodate the needs of workers to some extent. This undermines the Marxist notion that the exploitation of workers is inevitable and that a revolution is necessary to overthrow the capitalist system. Therefore, the result of this situation is a critique of the inevitability of a worker revolution (choice A).

Question 9

Which sociologist is famous for the work titled The Vertical Mosaic?
A)John Porter
B)Erving Goffman
C)Margrit Eichler
D)S.D.Clark

Accepted Answer

John Porter is the sociologist famous for the work titled The Vertical Mosaic, which is a comprehensive analysis of the class, ethnic, and regional divisions in Canadian society.

Question 10

According to the textbook, which of the following is a major issue of our time that sociologists should study?
A)the Industrial Revolution
B)globalization
C)the Informational Revolution
D)identity

Accepted Answer

Globalization is one of the major issues of our time that has significant social, economic, and political implications. Sociologists study globalization to understand its impact on societies, cultures, and individuals.

Question 11

Tanya is interested in the way people behave in public spaces.She spends one hour every day for a week at her office building riding the elevator, observing people's behaviour, and making notes.What type of scientific activity is Tanya engaging in?
A)speculating
B)theorizing
C)research
D)evaluating

Accepted Answer

Tanya is engaging in research by systematically observing and recording people's behavior in a public space.

Question 12

Why did Durkheim's contemporaries overlook social forces as possible causes of suicide?
A)because suicide was rare
B)because instances of suicide were concealed and their numbers were unknown
C)because there can be no social reasons for carrying out such an individual act
D)because suicide was considered an individual act of desperation, often resulting from a psychological disorder

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's contemporaries overlooked social forces as possible causes of suicide because they considered suicide as an individual act of desperation resulting from a psychological disorder. They did not consider the social factors such as society's norms, values, and social integration as significant factors in suicide.

Question 13

Jonah is researching the ways that the public education system has taken on the work of educating children that families and religious groups used to do.What theoretical tradition is he most likely following in his research?
A)feminism
B)conflict theory
C)symbolic interactionism
D)functionalism

Accepted Answer

The idea that the public education system has taken on responsibilities that were once the domain of other institutions fits with functionalist theory, which emphasizes the ways that different parts of society work together and contribute to the overall functioning of society.

Question 14

Which type of analysis concludes that the wearing of exclusive, expensive fashions serves primarily to make class distinctions obvious?
A)functionalist
B)conflict theory
C)symbolic interactionist
D)feminist

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which type of analysis concludes that the...

Question 15

Lori is interested in getting a job where she is most likely to have the same income as a man with a similar educational background.According to the textbook, what type of study program should she choose?
A)business
B)engineering
C)sciences
D)social sciences

Accepted Answer

The answer of Lori is interested in getting a job...

Question 16

Maya believes that although people's food preferences seem natural and innate, they are really prescribed by cultural norms.Which theory is her belief most consistent with?
A)feminism
B)queer theory
C)social constructionism
D)conflict theory

Accepted Answer

Maya's belief that food preferences are shaped by cultural norms is consistent with social constructionism, which asserts that much of what we consider to be natural or inherent is actually socially constructed or created through cultural values and practices. This theory suggests that our ideas about gender, race, sexuality, and even taste preferences are not inherent but rather socially constructed based on the beliefs and practices of the society we live in.

Question 17

According to the textbook, to what kind of jobs are people with a B.A.in sociology most attracted?
A)marketing
B)managing large departments
C)absence of direct supervision
D)managing and promoting social change

Accepted Answer

According to the textbook, people with a B.A. in sociology are most attracted to jobs that involve managing and promoting social change.

Question 18

Which of the following theories focused on the ways in which the breadwinner-homemaker family popular in the 1950s helped society run smoothly?
A)feminism
B)conflict theory
C)functionalism
D)symbolic interactionism

Accepted Answer

Functionalism theory focuses on how different parts of society work together to ensure its stability and smooth functioning. The breadwinner-homemaker family was seen as a functional unit that contributed to society by allowing men to focus on their careers while women managed the household and raised children. This arrangement was believed to promote social harmony and maintain social order.

Question 19

Zoë is interested in studying the ways that family socialization contributes to social harmony.Which theorist's work is most closely aligned to her interests?
A)C.Wright Mills
B)Herbert Spencer
C)Talcott Parsons
D)Max Weber

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons is most closely aligned with the study of family socialization and its contribution to social harmony. He developed the functionalist perspective, which emphasizes the important roles that families play in socializing individuals and transmitting cultural values, norms, and beliefs from one generation to the next. Additionally, Parsons argued that families provide a necessary stabilizing and integrating force for society as a whole.

Question 20

Which revolution put forth the idea that humans can intervene in and shape society?
A)Industrial Revolution
B)Scientific Revolution
C)Sociological Revolution
D)Democratic Revolution

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which revolution put forth the idea that...

Quiz 1: A Sociological Compass

Which theorist developed the idea of a sociological imagination?

Which theorist is best known in North America for identifying how various societal institutions work together to create a smoothly running society?

Massimo has noticed that while universities are places where people learn specific skills that prepare them for the world of employment, they are also excellent places for meeting one's future mate.Which of the following best characterizes the "marriage market" role of the university?

Jane believes that, in order to fully understand this domestic violence, she must look at the interactions between members of heterosexual couples and at the overarching gender ideology of her society.Which of the following theoretical frameworks are her beliefs most consistent with?

Which of the following theories is characterized by the study of macrostructures, shared values, and a focus on societal equilibrium?

Raj would like a job where he can work with people and create positive social change.According to the textbook, which of the following fields should he get a degree in?

According to the textbook, which theory has arisen in recent decades to correct some omissions in earlier sociological theories?

Workers today are able to access employment insurance benefits, and they enjoy higher wages and less oppressive working conditions than workers in earlier centuries.What has resulted from this situation?

Which sociologist is famous for the work titled The Vertical Mosaic?

According to the textbook, which of the following is a major issue of our time that sociologists should study?

Tanya is interested in the way people behave in public spaces.She spends one hour every day for a week at her office building riding the elevator, observing people's behaviour, and making notes.What type of scientific activity is Tanya engaging in?

Why did Durkheim's contemporaries overlook social forces as possible causes of suicide?

Jonah is researching the ways that the public education system has taken on the work of educating children that families and religious groups used to do.What theoretical tradition is he most likely following in his research?

Which type of analysis concludes that the wearing of exclusive, expensive fashions serves primarily to make class distinctions obvious?

Lori is interested in getting a job where she is most likely to have the same income as a man with a similar educational background.According to the textbook, what type of study program should she choose?

Maya believes that although people's food preferences seem natural and innate, they are really prescribed by cultural norms.Which theory is her belief most consistent with?

According to the textbook, to what kind of jobs are people with a B.A.in sociology most attracted?

Which of the following theories focused on the ways in which the breadwinner-homemaker family popular in the 1950s helped society run smoothly?

Zoë is interested in studying the ways that family socialization contributes to social harmony.Which theorist's work is most closely aligned to her interests?

Which revolution put forth the idea that humans can intervene in and shape society?