Question 1

The argument that was most central to Karl Marx's theory of society is that __________.

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that the economic system of a society determined all other aspects of the society, including its politics, culture, and social norms. He saw history as a progression of economic systems, each one being overthrown by a revolution and replaced by a new system. Therefore, understanding the economic system was crucial for understanding a society as a whole.

Question 2

Emile Durkheim claimed that any regularity or rule of everyday life in human communities is a __________.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim coined the term "social fact" to refer to any regularity or rule in society that is external to individuals and has coercive power over them. It can include customs, laws, moral beliefs, and other forms of social behavior that are shared by members of a society and shape their actions and beliefs. Durkheim argued that studying social facts can help us understand the ways in which society itself is structured and functions, and how individual behavior is shaped by social forces. Thus, choice A is the best answer as it directly relates to Durkheim's concept.

Question 3

Susan worked tirelessly as an activist trying to stop the use of children in sweatshop labor. She organized protests, started a boycott campaign of major clothing brands, and founded her own charitable organization to fight against the use of children in sweatshops. How would Weber describe Susan's identity as an activist?

Accepted Answer

Weber's concept of status groups refers to people who share a similar lifestyle, social esteem, and a sense of identity. Susan's identity as an activist fighting against child labor would fall under the category of a status group, which is based on a shared interest or cause.

Question 4

Unwritten rules of society, such as social norms, are an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Social facts refer to the beliefs, practices, and customs that are shared and recognized by members of a society as common and binding. Unwritten rules of society such as social norms are considered social facts because they are widely accepted and have a significant influence on social behavior. Social theories and social perspectives refer to broader frameworks used to analyze social phenomena, while community forces are factors that affect a specific group or locality.

Question 5

According to Weber the mechanisms that make individuals respect hierarchies and obey orders in society are __________ and __________.

Accepted Answer

Weber's theory of authority revolves around the idea that individuals respect hierarchies and obey orders because of the presence of power and authority. Power refers to the ability to impose one's will despite resistance, while authority refers to the socially recognized right to wield power. Weber argues that individuals obey authority because they believe in its legitimacy and see it as a necessary element of social order. Charisma is also an important concept in Weber's theory, but it is not one of the mechanisms that make individuals respect hierarchies and obey orders in society. The sacred and profane refer to Durkheim's theory of religion and do not directly relate to Weber's theory of authority. The individual and behavior are too broad and do not capture the specific mechanisms that Weber identifies.

Question 6

The basis of social order, the nature of the individual, and the circumstances of social change are three themes associated with __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The basis of social order, the nature...

Question 7

According to Max Weber, interpretative sociology is a method for understanding society by focusing on _________.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber believed that it was important to understand the motivations behind social action in order to truly understand society. He argued that social action was motivated by individuals' subjective interpretation of their situations, and that interpretative sociology could help uncover these interpretations. While Weber did write extensively about other topics such as the economic system and the spirit of capitalism, he viewed interpretative sociology as a method for understanding society as a whole, not just these specific parts.

Question 8

Sociology is different from some of the other social sciences because it has __________ and __________ social theories.

Accepted Answer

Sociology is known for having multiple, competing social theories, which can explain the same phenomenon in different ways. This is different from some other social sciences, which may have more consistent or dominant theories.

Question 9

Weber's __________ have similar kinds of attributes and identities. These may be based on a wide variety of attributes such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or social class.

Accepted Answer

Weber's concept of status groups refers to groups of people who share a similar prestige or social status based on certain characteristics such as education, occupation, or lifestyle. These characteristics create a shared identity and sense of belonging among members of the group. This is different from social groups, which may share common interests or activities, and economic groups, which are based on shared economic interests. Reference groups, on the other hand, are groups that individuals use as a basis for comparison in making decisions or evaluating themselves.

Question 10

Durkheim argues that individuals in modern societies have the freedom to express their own unique preferences, tastes, and beliefs and that this freedom, also referred to as __________, is the basis of social solidarity in modern society.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim refers to "the cult of the individual" as the freedom individuals have in modern societies to express their unique preferences, which forms the basis of social solidarity in these societies.

Question 11

Marx argued that the __________ would overthrow capitalism in favor of __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Marx argued that the __________ would overthrow...

Question 12

Marx argued that groups of people who were treated differently by the economic system would inevitably be in conflict with each other. This is called the theory of __________.

Accepted Answer

Marx's theory of class struggle posits that societal conflict arises from the different economic positions held by different social classes, leading to the struggle for resources and power. This theory is central to Marxist political theory and informs much of his work on capitalism and socialism. Choices A and B are concepts related to Marxist theory, but do not represent Marx's theory of class struggle. Choice D is a similar concept to class struggle, but is not the terminology used by Marx.

Question 13

One of the three common themes of social theory is social order. This theme is chiefly concerned with __________.

Accepted Answer

The theme of social order in social theory is centered on understanding what factors contribute to the maintenance of societal cohesion and stability. It seeks to answer questions such as what norms and values guide human behavior and interactions, what institutions and structures exist to govern society, and how conflicts are managed within society.

Question 14

Max Weber focused primarily on individual action as a foundation of __________.

Accepted Answer

Max Weber believed that social order is achieved through individuals' actions and interactions with one another. He emphasized the importance of individual agency and rational choice in shaping social systems and institutions.

Question 15

Each year millions of people watch, and many attend, the Super Bowl. This sporting event brings people together in a shared activity where team logos, colors, the field, and the half-time show are considered to be "sacred" objects and events. What sociological concept best explains football in contemporary America?

Accepted Answer

The Super Bowl and football in general have many characteristics of a religion, including the use of symbols, rituals, and a sense of community and shared identity among fans. Many fans also experience emotional and even spiritual connections to their teams.

Question 16

Organic solidarity describes a(n) __________ society that is characterized by __________.

Accepted Answer

Organic solidarity is a description of a modern society that is characterized by an extensive division of labor. Therefore, option A is the correct answer as it describes a modern society with an extensive division of labor. Option B is incorrect as it only describes one form of solidarity and does not provide the characteristics of the society. Option C and D are incorrect as they describe undeveloped societies that do not have the characteristics of organic solidarity.

Question 17

According to Marx, an automated welding machine used to assemble automobile bodies would be an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

According to Marx, the means or tools used to produce goods and services, such as an automated welding machine, are called the forces of production.

Question 18

When Bill started talking on his cellphone during class, he was probably __________.

Accepted Answer

Talking on a cellphone during class is a social norm violation.

Question 19

People, more often than not, obey firefighters in emergency situations because they believe it is the "right thing to do." Weber would refer to this as an example of __________.

Accepted Answer

Weber defined legitimacy as the belief that a certain individual or institution has the right to exercise power over others. In this situation, people obey firefighters because they believe that the firefighters have a legitimate authority to direct them in emergency situations.

Question 20

While driving on the highway, David was pulled over to the side of the road by the police. Weber would say David obeyed the police as a result of __________.

Accepted Answer

Weber defines authority as the legitimate use of power. In this case, the police officer has legitimate authority to pull over drivers for traffic violations. Therefore, David obeyed the police officer because of their perceived legitimacy and authority to enforce traffic laws.

Quiz 2: Social Theory