Sociology Test: Trivia Questions!

Seoyoung's cousin is using the modernization theory. This theory suggests that developing countries can overcome poverty by adopting the ways of industrialized nations and embracing modernization. It believes that technological advancements, economic growth, and cultural changes are necessary for development and reducing poverty. The cousin's argument that developing countries should adopt the ways of industrialized nations aligns with the principles of modernization theory.

Statistics from around the world indicate that the average income of citizens in highly industrialized countries is much greater than that of citizens in developing countries. This suggests that there is a significant global inequality in terms of income distribution. This inequality implies that adjusting spending habits in wealthy countries alone would not be sufficient to provide basic health and nutrition for everyone in the world. Additionally, the statement implies that poverty is mainly found in the northern hemisphere, and that the income gap between wealthy and poor nations has remained stable over the last few decades.

The theory of modernization suggests that countries remain poor because they have not acquired new ideas, technology, and institutions. This theory argues that economic development and prosperity can be achieved by adopting modern practices and institutions, such as democracy, free markets, and technological advancements. It emphasizes the importance of innovation, education, and technological progress in overcoming poverty and achieving economic growth. According to this theory, countries that fail to modernize and adapt to new ideas and technologies will continue to struggle economically.

Marx's social theory, known as Marxism, focuses on the exploitation of workers by the capitalist class. In this scenario, the factory workers are being paid very little despite the company making record-breaking profits, which aligns with Marx's theory of the bourgeoisie exploiting the proletariat. The workers' protest and refusal to let anyone into the building can be seen as a response to this exploitation and a demand for fair wages and better working conditions.

Marx failed to take into account the emergence of a large heterogeneous middle class of high-income workers and professionals. This middle class, consisting of individuals who were not part of the bourgeoisie but enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle, created a buffer between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. They did not have the same class consciousness and revolutionary potential as the proletariat, and therefore did not contribute to the eventual overthrow of the bourgeoisie as Marx predicted.

According to Ferdinand Tonnies, a "society" consists of relationships connected by self-interest. This means that individuals in a society come together and form connections based on their own personal gains and benefits. This concept suggests that people interact and engage with each other in order to fulfill their own needs and desires, rather than forming intimate or emotionally intense ties. Tonnies believed that this self-interest is a fundamental aspect of social relationships within a society.

Control theory, as argued by Travis Hirschi, posits that the presence of strong social bonds and attachments to conventional society act as a deterrent to deviant behavior. When these bonds are weak or absent, individuals are more likely to engage in deviance and crime. This theory emphasizes the importance of social control in preventing delinquency and highlights the role of relationships, commitments, values, and norms in shaping behavior.

Informal punishments refer to actions such as raised eyebrows, harsh stares, corrective nudges, gossiping, and shaming. These actions are not formal or legally enforced, but they serve as a way for society to enforce norms and expectations. Informal punishments can be used to discourage certain behaviors or to maintain social order within a community. They are often subtle and non-verbal, but can have significant social consequences for individuals who deviate from accepted norms.

The correct answer is "Workers are more productive." This means that the increase in income in Canada can be attributed to the fact that workers are able to produce more output in the same amount of time. This could be due to advancements in technology, better training and skills development, or improvements in work processes. As a result, businesses are able to generate higher revenues and can afford to pay their employees higher wages.

Marx would say that Sheena invested in the means of production. The means of production refers to the resources and tools necessary for the production of goods and services. In this case, Sheena used her savings to upgrade the sewing machines and purchase top-quality cloth, which are essential for the production of high-fashion clothing in her clothing factory. By investing in the means of production, Sheena is able to control the production process and generate profit from the labor of the workers she employs.

Prostitution and illegal drug use are often considered victimless crimes because they involve consensual activities between adults. In these cases, the individuals involved willingly participate in the activities and do not harm or infringe upon the rights of others. While these activities may be illegal, they are seen as victimless because they do not involve direct harm or violence towards others.

The correct answer includes all the factors that can be used to explain income inequality, which are natural talent, effort, developed skills, social capital, and cultural capital. These factors encompass a combination of innate abilities, hard work, acquired abilities, connections and networks, as well as cultural knowledge and resources.

This example is most representative of substantial foreign investment. Country B is providing millions of dollars to Country A for the purpose of building infrastructure, indicating a significant financial investment in the country. This investment is driven by Country B's interest in Country A's abundant natural resources, suggesting that they are seeking to gain control or influence over those resources through their financial support.

The basis of this deterrence to crime is control theory. Control theory suggests that individuals are deterred from engaging in criminal behavior when they have strong bonds to conventional society, such as family and community. In this case, Jeremy's strong bond with his parents and their hard work to provide him with opportunities for the future serve as a deterrent to his involvement in the robbery. If he were to participate and get caught, he would risk damaging his relationship with his parents and losing the support and opportunities they have provided.

According to conflict theorists, the determining factor in the definitions of crime and deviance and the distribution of punishment is the access to power. Conflict theorists argue that those in power have the ability to shape and enforce laws and norms in a way that benefits their own interests. This means that what is considered criminal or deviant, as well as who is punished for these actions, is influenced by those in power. The access to power allows certain groups to define what is considered criminal or deviant, and to control the distribution of punishment in society.

The statement "It is in the nature of groups and bureaucracies" best explains the ability of humans to perpetrate atrocities against their own kind. This suggests that when individuals become part of a group or a bureaucratic system, they may be more likely to engage in harmful actions towards others. This could be due to factors such as conformity, dehumanization, or a diffusion of responsibility within the group or bureaucracy.

The functional theory of stratification suggests that social inequality is necessary for society to function effectively. However, the critique that the concept of importance in occupations is faulty argues that the theory fails to accurately measure the true importance of different occupations. This critique suggests that the theory may not fully capture the complexity and value of various jobs, leading to an inaccurate understanding of social stratification and its effects on society.

The main disagreement regarding the definition of poverty is whether to define it in absolute or relative terms. Absolute poverty refers to a fixed standard of living below which individuals are considered to be poor, while relative poverty refers to a comparison of individuals' income or living conditions to the average in their society. This disagreement arises from differing perspectives on how poverty should be measured and understood.

Semiperipheral countries differ from peripheral countries in terms of their type of colonialism, state policy, social structure, and geopolitical position. This means that the way these countries were colonized, the policies implemented by their governments, the social structures within their societies, and their geographical position all contribute to their classification as either semiperipheral or peripheral countries.

Davis and Moore would argue that the existence of various professions such as doctors, plumbers, judges, janitors, construction workers, and housekeepers in a society points to the necessary feature of inequality. According to their perspective, inequality is essential for the functioning of a society as it ensures that individuals with the necessary skills and abilities are appropriately rewarded and motivated to perform important roles. They believe that the unequal distribution of rewards and status is a natural and necessary aspect of social organization.

The given description states that Samira and Sandeep acknowledge Canada as a class-divided country and express a wish that it wasn't the case. It also mentions that they don't believe that poverty motivates people to work hard. Based on this information, it can be inferred that their opinions align with the majority of Canadians who recognize social stratification and are skeptical about the effectiveness of poverty as a motivator. Therefore, the statement "They are representative of most Canadians" best describes their opinions.

Geopolitical position plays a crucial role in the development of semiperipheral countries because it attracts foreign funds from political allies. These allies view the country's strategic location as an opportunity for economic gain and therefore provide financial support. This injection of foreign funds helps stimulate economic growth, create employment opportunities, and enhance infrastructure development. It also signifies to former colonizers that the country can achieve economic independence, boosting its reputation and attracting further investments. Overall, geopolitical position acts as a catalyst for economic development by facilitating the inflow of foreign funds.

Max Weber's perspective of bureaucracies suggests that they are the least efficient type of secondary group. This is because bureaucracies are characterized by rigid hierarchical structures, formal rules and procedures, and impersonal relationships. According to Weber, these characteristics often lead to inefficiency, as decision-making processes can be slow and cumbersome, and individual creativity and flexibility may be stifled. Additionally, bureaucracies may prioritize adherence to rules and regulations over achieving goals efficiently. Therefore, Weber believed that bureaucracies are generally less efficient compared to other types of secondary groups.