Question 1

Which statement best describes how people are likely to respond in the face of complex problems and social issues?

Accepted Answer

When faced with complex problems and social issues, people tend to look for ways to improve their lives rather than waiting for authorities to take action, desperately doing something, or giving up in despair and apathy. This can involve engaging in advocacy, grassroots organizing, and other forms of collective action to effect change.

Question 2

Which term describes the ability of a person to grasp the connection between society and self?

Accepted Answer

The ability to grasp the connection between society and self is referred to as having a sociological imagination, which is the capacity to think critically about how societal structures and institutions impact individuals and groups. This term was coined by sociologist C. Wright Mills. Therefore, the answer is A) sociological imagination.

Question 3

Which of the following most accurately describes the concept of latent function?

Accepted Answer

Latent functions refer to the unintended and often unrecognized positive consequences of a social structure or behavior. These functions may not be immediately visible, but they can contribute to the overall functioning of a society.

Question 4

A national government passes tougher crime laws to enhance community safety,thus increasing prison sentences,raising prison populations,and employing more correctional officers.Which sociological perspective shares similarities with this government's view of the criminal justice system?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism focuses on maintaining social order and cohesion. In this case, the government's view of the criminal justice system aims to enhance community safety by punishing criminals with longer prison sentences, which would result in creating order and safety for the community. The tougher crime laws are perceived as necessary to maintain social order and harmony.

Question 5

Helen is a 75-year-old woman who was recently widowed.She spends most of her days alone because many of her friends are either ill or dead and her children are too busy to visit her.Helen has decided to commit suicide because she cannot stand being lonely anymore.According to Durkheim,what kind of suicide is Helen committing?

Accepted Answer

Helen's suicide is classified as egoistic suicide, which occurs when an individual feels disconnected from society and lacks social integration. In this case, Helen's loneliness and lack of social support from friends and family have led her to feel disconnected from society and ultimately decide to take her own life.

Question 6

Which component of a sociologist's character is reflected in his or her selection of issues to study?

Accepted Answer

A sociologist's values play a significant role in their selection of issues to study. Their values shape their perspective and guide them towards particular topics that align with their interests and beliefs. This can help them focus on issues that they feel passionate about and can contribute to their overall work as a sociologist. Prejudices, biases, and concepts may also influence their research, but values are most closely related to selecting topics for study.

Question 7

Which of the following is the most appropriate level of analysis for symbolic interactionists?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists focus on the microlevel of social settings, meaning they are interested in how individuals interact with each other in everyday situations and how meaning is constructed through these interactions. They are not concerned with broader social structures or institutions.

Question 8

According to the text,what does sociology ultimately offer for the resolution of challenges faced by society?

Accepted Answer

The text states that sociology does not offer easy solutions to social challenges, implying that there are no clear or guaranteed paths to resolution. Instead, sociological perspectives provide scientific explanations and frameworks for understanding these issues, but ultimate solutions require complex and ongoing efforts from various actors and institutions.

Question 9

A researcher is studying the economic forces that can help to explain the number of homeless people in Canada.Which term best describes the patterns of social relations that this researcher is examining?

Accepted Answer

The researcher is examining economic forces, which are a larger, societal-level force that would fall under the category of macrostructures. This is because macrostructures are the larger patterns of social relations that exist within society, including institutions, social hierarchies, and economic systems.

Question 10

A group of sociologists is studying suicide within particular religious cults to better understand the reasons behind individual actions.What kind of analysis are they conducting?

Accepted Answer

The study of suicide within particular religious cults would likely involve a focus on individual actions and behaviors, which suggests that the sociologists are conducting microlevel analysis. The other options (personal analysis, national analysis, and macroanalysis) do not seem to fit the context of the given scenario.

Question 11

Which perspective assumes that society is stable and orderly?

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective assumes that society is stable and orderly, with each part working together to maintain overall social equilibrium. They view institutions like family, education, and religion as necessary for the smooth functioning of society as a whole.

Question 12

Lisa is a sex trade worker who frequently provides her services to married men.Which type of theorist would argue that Lisa's role in society is a reflection of the patriarchal social structure?

Accepted Answer

Feminist theorists focus on how gender inequalities are perpetuated through social structures, and Lisa's experience as a sex trade worker can be seen as a consequence of the patriarchy. Conflict theorists also emphasize power imbalances and social inequalities, so they, too, would likely argue that Lisa's role reflects larger systemic issues rather than personal choice or circumstance. Symbolic interactionists emphasize individual meanings and interactions, while functionalists focus on how different parts of society work together to maintain social stability, so neither of these perspectives would be as well-suited to explaining Lisa's role as a sex trade worker.

Question 13

The federal government passes several laws getting tough on crime in order to protect the public and make citizens feel safe.This leads to overcrowding in prisons and several costly riots.According to sociologists,what are these unforeseen results of the government's action?

Accepted Answer

The unforeseen results of the government's action in passing tough crime laws which led to overcrowding in prisons and costly riots are examples of latent functions – unintended consequences of a social action. These are outcomes that are not explicitly intended or recognized by actors in a social system but may nonetheless influence its workings.

Question 14

Which Canadian sociologist is noted for a dramaturgical approach to symbolic interactionism?

Accepted Answer

Erving Goffman is a Canadian sociologist who is considered to be a major contributor to the development of symbolic interactionism. He is particularly noted for his dramaturgical approach, which explores how individuals present themselves in social situations as if they were actors on a stage.

Question 15

In class,Dylan was asked to discuss a major theoretical paradigm in sociology.Which of the following would he choose to explain?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory is one of the major theoretical paradigms in sociology that focuses on the inequalities and power differentials in society, particularly in relation to class, race, and gender. This theory suggests that society is characterized by conflict and struggle between different groups over resources and power.

Question 16

Lisa is a sex trade worker who frequently provides her services to married men.Which type of theorist would argue that Lisa's role in society helps to preserve the institution of the family?

Accepted Answer

Functionalists see society as a complex and interconnected system where each part serves a specific function to maintain order and stability. In this case, Lisa's role as a sex trade worker may be viewed as providing a service that satisfies the sexual desires of married men, which helps to prevent them from seeking sexual satisfaction outside of their marriage and potentially disrupting the family unit. Therefore, a functionalist would argue that Lisa's role helps to preserve the institution of the family.

Question 17

Which statement best characterizes functionalism?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism emphasizes that social behavior is about the relatively stable patterns of social relations. It argues that society has a structure with different interrelated parts that function together to maintain social stability and continuity.

Question 18

According to the text,which of the following resulted from protests and strikes of the industrial working classes?

Accepted Answer

The text states that protests and strikes of the industrial working classes resulted in "the evolution of the modern 40-hour workweek." Therefore, option D is the best choice. The other options are either not mentioned in the text or are contradicted by the text.

Question 19

Who is known as the foremost proponent of functionalism?

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons is known as the foremost proponent of functionalism, which is a theoretical perspective that emphasizes the interconnectedness and interdependence of social institutions and their roles in maintaining social order.

Question 20

Which statement best summarizes the contribution of ancient and medieval civilizations to today's social ideas?

Accepted Answer

Ancient and medieval civilizations contributed to today's social ideas by outlining the ideal/utopian society. This includes Plato's Republic, Saint Augustine's City of God, and Thomas More's Utopia. These works explored the concepts of justice, morality, and the functions of society, which continue to influence social theories and policies today.

Quiz 1: Introducing Sociology