Sociology -- Chapter One
Final 05.02.12
- 1.
Which of the following statements would NOT be considered a part of the definition of the discipline of sociology?
- A.
It is a scientific study
- B.
It studies societies
- C.
It studies human social behavior
- D.
It studies human genetic predispositions
- E.
All of the above are part of the definition
Correct Answer
D. It studies human genetic predispositionsExplanation
The statement "it studies human genetic predispositions" would not be considered a part of the definition of the discipline of sociology because sociology primarily focuses on studying societies and human social behavior, rather than genetic predispositions. Sociology is a social science that examines social interactions, social structures, and social institutions within different societies. It aims to understand how societies function and how individuals are influenced by social factors, rather than genetic factors.Rate this question:
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- 2.
The basic premise of sociology is that human behavior
- A.
Is largely determined by our biological behavior
- B.
Is largely determined by the groups to which people belong and by the societies in which they live
- C.
Is largely determined by our personalities, which are fully formed early in life
- D.
Is a product of many unrelated decisions, making human life largely unpredictable
- E.
Is unrelated to the kind of society in which a person lives
Correct Answer
B. Is largely determined by the groups to which people belong and by the societies in which they liveExplanation
The correct answer is that human behavior is largely determined by the groups to which people belong and by the societies in which they live. This explanation aligns with the basic premise of sociology, which focuses on how social factors influence individual behavior. Sociologists study how social groups and societies shape individuals' thoughts, attitudes, and actions. They explore how social norms, cultural values, and social interactions influence human behavior. By examining the impact of group and societal influences, sociologists aim to understand and explain patterns of behavior within different social contexts.Rate this question:
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- 3.
To say that science is objective means that
- A.
Scientists have no personal values
- B.
Scientists can set aside their personal values in order to discover the truth
- C.
Replication is no longer necessary in science
- D.
Science is a foolproof way to achieve knowledge
- E.
Scientists strive to prevent their personal values from affecting their investigations
Correct Answer
E. Scientists strive to prevent their personal values from affecting their investigationsExplanation
Scientists strive to prevent their personal values from affecting their investigations. This means that scientists aim to be impartial and unbiased in their research, ensuring that their personal beliefs or values do not influence the outcome of their studies. By striving for objectivity, scientists can make more accurate and reliable conclusions based on evidence and data rather than personal bias. This is important in ensuring the integrity and credibility of scientific research.Rate this question:
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- 4.
The term macrosociology refers to theoretical perspectives in sociology that
- A.
Derive from the functionalist perspective
- B.
Focus on the intimate level of everyday interactions between people
- C.
Focus on people's ability to use symbols and to interpret social meanings in social interaction
- D.
Are used mostly in the field of applied sociology
- E.
Focus on large groups and social institutions and on society as a whole
Correct Answer
E. Focus on large groups and social institutions and on society as a wholeExplanation
The term macrosociology refers to theoretical perspectives in sociology that focus on large groups and social institutions and on society as a whole. This means that macrosociology looks at the broader social structures and systems that shape society, rather than focusing on individual interactions or small-scale phenomena. Macrosociology examines how social institutions, such as government, education, and the economy, function and interact with one another, and how these interactions impact society as a whole. It seeks to understand the patterns and dynamics of society on a larger scale.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which sociological perspective grew out of the similarities that early sociologist observe between society and biological organisms?
- A.
The conflict perspective
- B.
The commonsense perspective
- C.
The interactionist perspective
- D.
The sociological imagination
- E.
The functionalist perspective
Correct Answer
E. The functionalist perspectiveExplanation
The functionalist perspective grew out of the similarities that early sociologists observed between society and biological organisms. This perspective views society as a complex system made up of different parts that work together to maintain social order and stability. It emphasizes the importance of social institutions and their functions in promoting social cohesion and equilibrium. Functionalists believe that each part of society has a specific function that contributes to the overall functioning of the whole, similar to how different organs in a body have specific functions that contribute to the overall health and well-being of the organism.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Which of the following statements would most likely be associated with the functionalist perspective?
- A.
Change involves the redistribution of scarce resources among various interest groups
- B.
Change occurs when social consensus about shared expectations breaks down
- C.
People use strategies to create a sense that shared meanings exist and govern social interaction
- D.
Because the parts of society are interdependent, a change in one part will probably lead to changes in other parts
- E.
Change occurs out of a failure of the sociological imagination
Correct Answer
D. Because the parts of society are interdependent, a change in one part will probably lead to changes in other partsExplanation
The functionalist perspective emphasizes the interdependence of different parts of society. According to this perspective, society is like a system where each part has a specific function that contributes to the overall stability and equilibrium. Therefore, a change in one part of society is likely to have ripple effects and lead to changes in other parts. This perspective focuses on the importance of maintaining social order and stability through the proper functioning of different social institutions.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Which sociological perspective has at its core the idea that coercion and the exercise of power are basic social mechanisms for regulating behavior and allocation resources?
- A.
The functionalist perspective
- B.
The sociological imagination
- C.
The interactionist perspective
- D.
The conflict perspective
- E.
The verification perspective
Correct Answer
D. The conflict perspectiveExplanation
The conflict perspective in sociology focuses on the idea that coercion and the exercise of power are fundamental social mechanisms for regulating behavior and allocating resources. This perspective emphasizes the role of power struggles, inequalities, and social conflicts in shaping society. It suggests that social order is maintained through the dominance of certain groups over others, and that social change occurs as a result of these conflicts. This perspective highlights the importance of examining power dynamics and social inequalities in understanding how societies function.Rate this question:
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- 8.
A group whore members share distinctive and common concerns and whore members benefit from simlarities in policies and social practices is called
- A.
A conflict group
- B.
A shared consensus
- C.
A social system
- D.
A control group
- E.
An interest group
Correct Answer
E. An interest groupExplanation
An interest group is a group whose members share distinctive and common concerns and benefit from similarities in policies and social practices. Interest groups are formed to advocate for specific issues or causes and work to influence public opinion and government decisions. They often engage in activities such as lobbying, campaigning, and grassroots organizing to promote their interests. Interest groups can represent a wide range of stakeholders, including businesses, labor unions, professional associations, and advocacy organizations.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Which of the following statements would be most consistent with the interactionist perspective?
- A.
Society is made up of groups struggling with one another scarce resources
- B.
Social problems arise when some element in society becomes dysfunctional
- C.
Society is a system made up of interrelated and interdependent parts
- D.
Both manifest and latent functions are important to understanding society
- E.
People are symbol manipulators who create their own world
Correct Answer
E. People are symbol manipulators who create their own worldExplanation
The interactionist perspective emphasizes the role of individuals in creating and interpreting social reality through symbolic interactions. This perspective suggests that people actively engage in symbol manipulation to construct meaning and create their own social world. It focuses on the subjective experiences and interpretations of individuals in shaping social interactions and structures.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Which sociological research method involves the collection of data by asking people questions about their behavior or attitudes?
- A.
Observational techniques
- B.
Experiments
- C.
Surveys
- D.
Reactivity
- E.
Participant observation
Correct Answer
C. SurveysExplanation
Surveys involve the collection of data by asking people questions about their behavior or attitudes. This method allows researchers to gather information directly from individuals and obtain a wide range of responses. Surveys are commonly used in sociological research as they provide a way to study large populations and explore various social phenomena. This method is particularly useful for studying subjective experiences, opinions, and attitudes of individuals, providing valuable insights into social behavior and societal trends.Rate this question:
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
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Apr 16, 2012Quiz Created by
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