Sociology Study Guide (23-24 April 2020)

The answer is Symbolic interactionist, micro level; functionalist, macro level. Symbolic interactionists examine how people use symbols to develop and share their views with the world, focusing on small scale, face to face interactions. On the other hand, functionalists stress that a social system is made up of interrelated parts and they focus on large scale patterns of society, which is the macro level.

Common sense is not adequate because it does not provide reliable information. Research has shown that common sense ideas are often limited or false. This means that relying solely on common sense may lead to incorrect conclusions or decisions. Therefore, it is important to consider scientific evidence and research to obtain more accurate and dependable information.

The components of symbolic culture include gesture, language, values, norms, sanctions, folk ways, mores, and taboos. These components are all ways in which a society communicates and expresses its beliefs, customs, and traditions. Gestures and language are forms of communication, while values are the beliefs and ideals that a society holds. Norms are the accepted behaviors and expectations within a society, and sanctions are the consequences for violating these norms. Folk ways and mores are specific types of norms, and taboos are behaviors that are completely forbidden within a society.

Sigmund Freud believed that personality development occurs when our innate, self-centered desires (known as the Id) clash with the expectations and demands of society. The Id represents our primal instincts and desires, while society imposes rules and norms through the development of the ego and superego. This clash between our natural instincts and societal expectations shapes our personality and influences our behavior and decision-making.

The correct answer is "All of the Above" because all the options listed - peer groups, family, mass media, neighborhood, religion, daycare, workplace, and school - are recognized as agents of socialization. These agents play a crucial role in shaping an individual's beliefs, values, attitudes, and behaviors, as they provide social interaction, cultural norms, and socialization experiences that contribute to one's social development.

Functionalist and conflict theorists analyze society on a larger scale, focusing on the overall structure and systems. They examine how social institutions and structures impact individuals and society as a whole. On the other hand, symbolic interactionists focus on the interactions and meanings individuals give to symbols and gestures in their everyday lives. They study how individuals create and interpret social interactions. Therefore, it is true that functionalist and conflict theorists tend to use a macrosociological approach, while symbolic interactionists use a microsociological approach.

Ethnomethodology is a sociological approach that focuses on understanding how people make sense of everyday life. It aims to uncover the background assumptions and basic ideas that guide our behavior. Therefore, the statement "All of the Above" is the correct answer because it accurately reflects the different aspects of ethnomethodology mentioned in the question.

All groups, whether small or large, develop systems of social control to maintain order and punish individuals who deviate from or violate their established norms. These systems can take various forms, such as formal laws, informal social sanctions, or even exclusion from the group. By enforcing consequences for deviant behavior, groups aim to ensure conformity and cohesion among their members, promoting social stability and reinforcing their shared values and norms.

Sociobiologists and psychologists believe that people deviate from societal norms due to their genetic predispositions and personality disorders. This suggests that individuals may have inherent traits or conditions that make them more prone to deviant behavior. This explanation aligns with the statement given in the question, which states that sociobiologists and psychologists believe in this perspective. Therefore, the answer "True" is correct.

Functionalist sociologists argue that deviance, including criminal acts, is functional for society. According to their perspective, deviance serves several important purposes. It helps to reinforce social norms and values, as deviant behavior serves as a contrast to acceptable behavior. Deviance also provides an opportunity for social change and innovation, as it challenges existing norms and can lead to the development of new ideas and practices. Additionally, deviance helps to strengthen social bonds and solidarity among individuals who share common norms and values. Therefore, the correct answer is true.

Strain theory suggests that societies socialize their members into desiring cultural goals. This theory posits that individuals may experience strain or frustration when they are unable to achieve these goals through legitimate means. As a result, they may turn to deviant or criminal behavior as a way to attain these goals. This theory highlights the role of societal pressures and the impact they have on individuals' motivations and behaviors.

The correct answer is "All of the above" because conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion are all responses to cultural goals and institutionalized means. Conformity refers to individuals who accept both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means to achieve them. Innovation refers to individuals who accept the cultural goals but reject the institutionalized means, leading them to find alternative ways to achieve success. Ritualism refers to individuals who reject the cultural goals but still adhere to the institutionalized means. Retreatism refers to individuals who reject both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means, often withdrawing from society. Rebellion refers to individuals who reject both the cultural goals and the institutionalized means but actively work to replace them with alternative goals and means.

Illegitimate opportunity structures refer to the social conditions that provide individuals with alternative, illegal means of achieving their goals. These structures arise due to various factors such as poverty, inequality, and lack of legitimate opportunities. They can include organized crime networks, underground economies, and other illicit activities. People with different access to these structures will have varying opportunities to engage in illegal behavior. Therefore, the presence of illegitimate opportunity structures can explain why individuals have different access to illegal means of achieving their goals.

Symbolic interactionist and conflict theorists both argue that crime statistics should be approached with caution. Symbolic interactionists emphasize that crime statistics are socially constructed and influenced by societal perceptions and definitions of crime. They argue that these statistics may not accurately reflect the true extent of crime and can be biased or distorted. Conflict theorists, on the other hand, argue that crime statistics are often manipulated by those in power to maintain social control and perpetuate inequality. They highlight the role of power dynamics and social inequalities in shaping crime statistics. Therefore, both perspectives agree that crime statistics should be critically examined and interpreted with caution.

A more humane approach to deviance involves a combination of approaches. Firstly, we need to protect people from deviance that harms themselves and others, as it is essential to ensure their safety and well-being. Secondly, tolerating deviance that is not harmful allows for individual freedom and diversity. Lastly, developing systems of fairer treatment for deviance promotes justice and equality. By implementing all of these approaches, we can create a more humane and balanced response to deviance.

Marx Weber believed that social class is determined by three key elements: property, power, and prestige. Property refers to the ownership of resources and wealth, which can greatly influence one's social standing. Power refers to the ability to influence others and make decisions, often associated with political or economic influence. Prestige refers to the social status and reputation one holds, often based on occupation or achievements. These three elements together shape an individual's social class, as they determine their access to resources, influence, and social recognition.

Kingsley Davis and Wilbert Moore argued that in order to fill important positions in society, society must offer greater rewards to attract and motivate individuals. However, Melvin Tumin disagreed with their view, stating that if their perspective were true, society would function as a meritocracy, where positions are awarded based on merit alone.

The elites maintain social stratification and keep themselves in power by employing various strategies. They justify the current arrangement by promoting ideologies and narratives that support their privileged position. They also use brute force to suppress any opposition or dissent that threatens their power. Additionally, they control information and manipulate the uses of technology to maintain their dominance and limit access to resources and opportunities. Therefore, all of the given options - justifying the current arrangement, brute force, and controlling information and technology - contribute to the elites' ability to maintain social stratification and stay in power.

Colonialism, world system theory, and the culture of poverty are all terms that contribute to the understanding of global stratification. Colonialism refers to the practice of one country exerting political and economic control over another, often resulting in unequal power dynamics and exploitation. World system theory examines the global economic system as a whole, highlighting the interdependence and inequality between core, semi-peripheral, and peripheral countries. The culture of poverty refers to the belief that individuals in poverty adopt certain behaviors and attitudes that perpetuate their own disadvantaged status. These terms all shed light on the various factors and mechanisms that contribute to global stratification.

The statement suggests that the world's countries continue to be divided into different social and economic levels due to the influence of neocolonialism and multinational corporations. Neocolonialism refers to the indirect control and exploitation of less developed countries by more powerful nations, while multinational corporations often have significant economic and political influence globally. Both factors contribute to the perpetuation of inequality and stratification among countries. Therefore, the answer "True" indicates agreement with this explanation.

The Horatio Alger Myth refers to the belief that anyone can achieve success and social mobility through hard work, determination, and perseverance. It is based on the stories written by Horatio Alger Jr., which often depicted poor individuals who were able to overcome their circumstances and achieve wealth and success through their own efforts. This myth suggests that there are equal opportunities for everyone and that success is solely determined by individual merit and hard work, disregarding the influence of social structures and systemic inequalities.

The major elements of the family life cycle, such as love, courtship, marriage, childbirth, child rearing, and the family in later life, are indeed important stages that many families go through. These elements represent key milestones and transitions that individuals and couples experience as they progress through their lives and build their families. Therefore, the statement "True" accurately reflects the inclusion of these elements in the family life cycle.

The major changes characteristic to U.S. families include the postponement of marriage, an increase in cohabitation, having the first child at a later age, people living longer, and middle-aged couples being sandwiched between taking care of their children and taking care of their parents.

Divorce can have long-lasting effects on families, and these effects can be passed down to future generations. When a couple divorces, it can create a ripple effect that affects not only their children but also their grandchildren. The emotional and psychological impact of divorce can influence the way parents raise their children, which can in turn impact the way those children raise their own children. Additionally, divorce can lead to changes in family dynamics, financial instability, and a breakdown in communication, all of which can have lasting consequences for future generations.

In a credential society, employers rely on diplomas and degrees as a measure of an individual's qualifications for a job. This means that having the appropriate credentials increases the chances of being considered for employment. This system assumes that formal education provides individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge required for specific roles. However, it can also create barriers for individuals who may possess relevant skills and experience but lack formal credentials.

Functionalists argue that education has taken over certain functions that were traditionally performed by the family. They believe that education now plays a crucial role in socializing individuals, imparting values and norms, and preparing them for the workforce. This shift is seen as a result of societal changes and the increasing complexity of modern societies. Therefore, the statement "education has replaced some traditional family functions" is true according to the functionalist perspective.

The functions of education include teaching knowledge and skills, providing credentials, cultural transmission of values, social integration, gatekeeping, and mainstreaming. These functions collectively contribute to the overall purpose of education, which is to impart knowledge, develop skills, shape values, foster social cohesion, and facilitate the inclusion of individuals into society. Therefore, the answer "all of the above" is correct as it encompasses all the mentioned functions of education.

Conflict theorists believe that education plays a significant role in creating and maintaining social class divisions. They argue that the education system is designed to perpetuate inequality by providing advantages to the upper class and disadvantaging the lower class. Conflict theorists view education as a tool used by the ruling class to maintain their power and control over society. They emphasize the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities within the education system, which leads to the reproduction of social class structure.

Symbolic interactionists have found that student performance tends to align with the expectations of their teachers, regardless of whether those expectations are high or low. This means that if teachers have high expectations for their students, they are more likely to perform better, while low expectations can lead to poorer performance. This phenomenon highlights the influence of teacher expectations on student outcomes and emphasizes the importance of having high expectations for all students to promote their success.

The statement suggests that in order to improve the quality of education, it is necessary to have higher expectations from both students and teachers. This implies that students should be motivated to strive for excellence and teachers should be encouraged to provide effective instruction. By setting higher standards and holding both students and teachers accountable, it is more likely that educational standards will be restored and improved.

The correct answer is "All of the above" because the statement includes a list of problems that the U.S. Education system faces, such as mediocrity, grade inflation, social promotion, functional illiteracy, cheating by school officials, and violence. By choosing "All of the above," it indicates that all of these problems are chief concerns for the U.S. Education system.

Durkheim, a prominent sociologist, identified three essential characteristics of religion: beliefs that distinguish the sacred from the profane, rituals, and a moral community or church. These characteristics help define and differentiate religion from other social institutions. Therefore, the statement "Durkheim identified 3 essential characteristics of religion: beliefs that set the sacred apart from the profane, rituals, and a moral community/church" is true.

The symbolic interactionist perspective in sociology focuses on the interactions and meanings that individuals attach to symbols, rituals, beliefs, and experiences. In the context of religion, symbolic interactionists would analyze how religious symbols are interpreted and understood by followers, how rituals shape religious practices and identities, the significance of beliefs in shaping religious behavior, and the subjective experiences individuals have in relation to their religious beliefs and practices. Therefore, the correct answer is "All of the above" as symbolic interactionists examine all these aspects to understand the meaning of religion for its followers.

This statement suggests that sociologists believe that all religions started as cults and then evolved into sects and eventually into churches. This implies that religions have a common origin and have undergone a process of development and transformation over time.

The main characteristics of religion in the U.S. include diversity, pluralism, freedom, tolerance, and the electronic church. This means that there is a wide variety of religious beliefs and practices present in the country, and individuals have the freedom to practice their chosen religion without interference. Additionally, there is a tolerance for different religious beliefs, allowing for coexistence and respect among different religious groups. The mention of the electronic church suggests the influence of technology and media in religious practices, such as online worship services and religious broadcasts.

Thomas Malthus concluded that the world's population will outstrip its food supply. Malthus was an economist and demographer who proposed the theory of population growth. According to Malthus, population tends to grow exponentially while food production increases at a slower rate. This imbalance leads to a point where population exceeds the available food supply, resulting in famine, disease, and other negative consequences. Malthus' theory has been the subject of much debate and criticism, but his ideas have had a significant impact on discussions about population and resource management.

This statement suggests that the issue of starvation is not caused by a lack of food globally, but rather by an unequal distribution of food. This means that there may be enough food available overall, but it is not reaching those who need it the most. This can be due to various factors such as economic disparities, political conflicts, or inadequate infrastructure for food distribution. Therefore, the statement is true, indicating that the problem of starvation is not solely caused by a global food shortage but rather by the unequal distribution of available food resources.

The three demographic variables are fertility, mortality, and migration. Fertility refers to the number of births in a population, mortality refers to the number of deaths, and migration refers to the movement of people from one place to another. These variables are important for understanding and analyzing population dynamics and trends.

The statement is true because a nation's growth is indeed influenced by various factors such as economic cycles, wars, famines, industrialization, and government policies. These changing conditions can have a significant impact on a country's economy, development, and overall progress. Economic cycles can lead to periods of growth or recession, wars and famines can disrupt stability and hinder growth, industrialization can drive economic advancement, and government policies can shape the direction and pace of growth. Therefore, it is accurate to say that changing conditions play a role in a nation's growth.

The invention of the plow played a significant role in the development of cities. The plow made it easier to cultivate larger areas of land, leading to increased agricultural productivity. This surplus of food allowed for the growth of larger populations, which in turn led to the formation of cities. As cities developed, they became centers of trade, commerce, and culture, further driving their growth and development. Therefore, it can be concluded that the invention of the plow was a primary impetus for the development of cities.

The decline of U.S. cities can be attributed to suburbanization, disinvestment, and deindustrialization. Suburbanization refers to the movement of people from cities to the suburbs, leading to a decrease in urban population and economic activity. Disinvestment refers to the withdrawal of financial resources and investment from cities, resulting in a decline in infrastructure, services, and quality of life. Deindustrialization refers to the decline of manufacturing industries in cities, leading to job losses and economic decline. These factors combined have contributed to the decline of U.S. cities.

Culture refers to the language, beliefs, values, norms, behaviors, and objects that are passed down from one generation to another within a group. It encompasses the shared knowledge, customs, practices, and artifacts that define a particular society or community. Culture plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of individuals and groups, as it provides a framework for understanding and interpreting the world around us.

The sociological perspective refers to the idea that people's social experiences, including the groups they belong to and their experiences within those groups, shape their behavior. This perspective emphasizes the influence of social factors on individuals and recognizes that society and social structures play a significant role in shaping human behavior and interactions. It focuses on understanding how social forces and institutions impact individuals and their actions, rather than solely attributing behavior to individual characteristics or personal choices.

People who are ethnocentric use their own culture as a yardstick to judge the ways of others. This means that they evaluate and compare other cultures based on the standards and values of their own culture. They may believe that their own culture is superior or the "right" way of doing things, leading them to make judgments and form opinions about other cultures. This can result in a lack of understanding and acceptance of cultural differences.

A subculture is a group whose values and related behavior distinguish its members from the general culture, but they do not hold values that stand in opposition to those of the dominant culture. On the other hand, a counterculture is a group that holds values that are in direct opposition to those of the dominant culture. Therefore, the correct answer is subculture; counterculture.

The ego develops to balance the incompatible demands of the Id and the super ego. The Id represents the instinctual and impulsive desires, while the super ego represents the internalized moral and societal standards. The ego acts as the mediator between these two conflicting forces, making decisions based on reality and finding compromises that satisfy both the Id's desires and the super ego's moral standards.

Socialization refers to the process by which individuals learn and internalize the norms, values, and behaviors of their society. It plays a significant role in shaping how we express and experience emotions. Through socialization, we acquire the appropriate ways to express emotions based on cultural expectations and societal norms. Additionally, socialization also influences the types of emotions we feel, as it shapes our understanding of what emotions are acceptable or desirable in a given context. Therefore, socialization is the most suitable answer as it encompasses both the expression and experience of emotions.

Erik Wright's 4-class model based on Marx consists of capitalists (large businesses), petty bourgeoisie (small businesses), managers, and workers. This model categorizes individuals based on their relationship to the means of production and their control over it. Capitalists are the owners of large businesses, while the petty bourgeoisie includes small business owners. Managers are individuals who oversee the operations of businesses, and workers are those who sell their labor for wages. This model does not include the categories of working poor, underclass, or upper class.

The correct answer includes the classes identified by Kahl & Gilbert based on Weber's model. These classes are the capitalist class, upper middle class, lower middle class, working class, working poor, and underclass. The answer does not include the classes of nobility and bourgeoisie, as they are not part of Kahl & Gilbert's classification.

The consequences of social class can include dying early or experiencing premature death, becoming ill, receiving good healthcare, getting divorced, child rearing, education attainment, religious affiliation, political participation, crimes committed, and contact with the criminal justice system. All of these outcomes can be influenced by an individual's social class, indicating that all of the options listed are potential consequences of social class.

The major patterns of minority and dominant group relations include genocide, population transfer, internal colonialism, segregation, assimilation, and multiculturalism. These patterns represent different ways in which minority and dominant groups interact and can be observed in various societies throughout history.

Max Weber believed that religion, specifically Calvinism, played a significant role in the development of capitalism. He argued that the Protestant ethic, which emphasized hard work, discipline, and frugality, created a mindset that was conducive to the accumulation of wealth. According to Weber, this religious belief system broke traditional norms and values, paving the way for the emergence of capitalism.

People in poor nations have many children for a variety of reasons. Firstly, children are often viewed as gifts from God, and having more children is seen as a blessing. Additionally, children cost little to rear in poor nations, as resources and expenses may be limited. Furthermore, children can contribute to the family income at an early age, by helping with household chores or working in informal sectors. Lastly, having more children can provide a sense of social security for parents, as they may rely on their children for support in old age.

Using participant observation is a research method where the researcher actively engages in the social setting being studied, observing and sometimes participating in the activities of the participants. This method allows for a deep understanding of the social context and the behaviors of the individuals involved. It is commonly used in qualitative research to gather rich and detailed data.

Karl Marx is the correct answer because he is known for his critique of religion and his famous quote, "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the sentiment of a heartless world....It is the opium of the people." Marx believed that religion was a tool used by the ruling class to pacify and control the working class, diverting their attention away from their exploitation and suffering. He saw religion as a form of false consciousness that perpetuated inequality and hindered social change.

Max Weber identified three types of authority: traditional authority, rational-legal authority, and charismatic authority. Weber was a German sociologist and philosopher who is known for his work on the theory of social action and the concept of authority. He argued that traditional authority is based on long-standing customs and traditions, rational-legal authority is based on rules and laws, and charismatic authority is based on the personal qualities and charisma of the leader. Weber's ideas have had a significant impact on the field of sociology and continue to be studied and applied today.

The basic steps in the sociological research model include selecting a topic, defining the problem, reviewing the literature, formulating a hypothesis, collecting the data, sharing the results, analyzing the results, and choosing a research method. These steps are essential in conducting a comprehensive sociological research study, as they help researchers identify the research problem, gather relevant information, develop a hypothesis, collect and analyze data, and communicate the findings to the scientific community. By following these steps, researchers can ensure the validity and reliability of their research findings.