Chapter 2 Quiz: Social Theory

Jennifer is a new student in sociology. She is heaving trouble in her theory class because none of the theories she is learning about seem to say the same things about society. As a more experienced sociology student, what might you say to Jennifer to help her understand why this is the case?

"Sociology has multiple and competing theories and most sociologists draw on more than one at a time to make sense of their work."

A sociologist is writing a research proposal for a new project about how disciplining children in school, such as by giving them detention or suspension, may impact their academic achievement. Which theorist's work might be useful for informing this research topic?

Foucault

Karl Marx collaborated with which other sociologist in his sociological writings?

Friedrich Engels

Which of the following pairs of social theorists both emphasized how social class matters in social life?

Marx and Bourdieu

Which sociological theorist was most interested in understanding why each of us behaves the way we do?

Max Weber

Imagine you are a sociologist interested in designing a research study to investigate whether or not there are differences in college students' academic outcomes depending on who they have in their social networks to help them through college. The works of which sociological theorist might be most useful in helping explain the theoretical basis of this research?

Simmel

__________ utilizes the logic of __________ to explain social change.

Structural functionalism; biology

Which sociological theorist is primarily associated with the development of structural functionalism?

Talcott Parsons

__________ can help explain social change.

Theories

How many themes do sociological theories have in common?

Three

Rupert Murdoch, owner of one of the world's largest media conglomerates, is best characterized as __________.

a member of the bourgeoisie

Imagine you are entering an elevator full of other people. When you step in you most likely turn around to face the door like everyone else. This behavior is an example of which sociological concept?

a social norm

Which area of sociological thought focuses on how inequality produces tensions between people in society?

conflict theory

Sociological theories tend to have ____ areas of focus but all have ___ in mind.

different; the same goals

Marx's theories are primarily focused on explaining how __________ perpetuate(s) social inequality, while Du Bois's theories focus on how __________ perpetuate(s) inequality.

economics; racism

__________ refers to the increasing flows of goods and services across national borders.

globalization

Symbolic interactionism focuses primarily on which aspect of social life?

how people interact and create shared meaning

Which of the following concepts would a symbolic interactionist most likely use in their research?

impression management

The sociological theories of Marx are focused primarily on __________.

inequality in economic systems

Which of the following is the best example of cultural capital?

knowing a lot about fine wine

According to the theories of Karl Marx, capitalism, feudalism, and communism are all examples of __________.

modes of production

__________ solidarity, unlike __________ solidarity, is associated with an extensive division of labor in society.

organic; mechanical

Prior to the work of theorists like W. E. B. Du Bois, it was believed that __________ was the result of biological differences between groups of people.

racial inequality

According to feminist theory, there is an empirical difference between an individual's __________ and __________.

sex; gender

Both analytical sociologists and Bourdieu are interested in which sociological concept?

social connections

Over time, social theorists have helped us understand how characteristics of individuals, such as race and gender, are __________.

social constructions

According to Simmel, the difference between how emotionally close you may feel to your parent when compared to how emotionally unclose you may feel to your dentist is an example of how __________ matters in your daily life.

social distance

Durkheim emphasized __________, while Weber emphasized __________, in his theory of society.

social facts; social action

The theoretical works of Emile Durkheim focus primarily on what theme?

social order

Sending children to school is one way we engage individuals in the __________ process.

socialization

Imagine you are a sociologist studying poverty in society. As a result of your research, you conclude that many jobs are created for individuals in society as a result of other people being in poverty. For example, there are vast numbers of social workers, nonprofit, and government employees who all have jobs to help people in poverty; all of which would be eliminated if poverty itself was also eliminated. Which theoretical framework could best help you explain this conclusion?

structural functionalism

In a symbolic interactionist framework, physical, social, and abstract objects are all potential __________.

subjects of interpretation

Social theories are ______

systematic ideas that help explain the relationship between individuals and society

Unlike economics, sociology has many __________ to learn about.

theoretical traditions

Some social theories are macro in nature and seek to explain ____

universal features of society