sociology exam 1
Why is it beneficial for sociologists to experience culture shock?
It makes us realize we lack an understanding of our surroundings so we can perceive what is right in front of us.
Which of the following theories views society as a whole unit made up of interrelated parts that work together?
structural functionalism
What was the most important factor in social life according to Karl Marx?
relationship to the means of production
According to Robert Merton, manifest functions
are intended and obvious
According to Marx, the primary tool for the oppression of the lower social classes in modern society is
industrial capitalism
What did Max Weber mean when he said that modern people are trapped in an "iron cage"?
Most aspects of life are increasingly controlled by rigid rules and rationalization.
What ideas did Harriet Martineau support that were radical for her time?
labor unions and the abolition of slavery
Researchers usually transcribe responses after they conduct a series of interviews. The transcription process is fairly time-consuming, but it is valuable, in part, because it allows researchers to
look for patterns in their data.
What is one of the weaknesses of being an everyday actor when it comes to understanding everyday life?
making assumptions and failing to investigate or verify those assumptions
The divorce rate has steadily increased over time, and now more than a quarter of all marriages end within the first four years. What sort of factors would C. Wright Mills suggest investigating to explain this increase?
structural factors
Which of the following theories focuses on how our behaviors are dependent on the ways we interpret, make sense of, and define ourselves, others, and social situations?
symbolic interactionism
Postmodernists are interested in ________, or taking apart and examining stories and theories.
Deconstruction
What term did Karl Marx use to describe the fact that most of the population accepts inequality even when it does not benefit them personally?
false consciousness
Structural functionalist theory is concerned with the ways in which structures contribute to the stability of society. What is a structure?
a social institution that is stable over time and helps meet the needs of society
Jared is conducting a sociological research study on the underground music scene. He has just finished collecting data for the study. What is the next step Jared should take in the scientific method?
analyze data
Max Weber believed that modern industrialized societies were characterized by which of the following institutions?
bureaucracies
According to Émile Durkheim, what is the basis for the bonds created through organic solidarity in industrialized societies?
difference, interdependence, and individual rights
If conducting research, what steps must you take to follow the scientific method? Identify them in the correct order in which you should do them.
form a hypothesis, define variables, choose research method, collect data
According to C. Wright Mills, what is one quality of mind that all great sociologists possess?
sociological imagination
Max Weber believed that society became increasingly rationalized as the Industrial Revolution progressed. How did he define rationalization?
the application of economic logic to all aspects of social life
According to the theoretical position developed by Karl Marx, what is the catalyst for social change?
conflict between social groups
Durkheim theorized that the rapidly changing conditions of modern life lead to anomie. What is anomie?
normlessness or a loss of connections to the social world
Which of the following research techniques focuses on gaining an insider's perspective of the everyday lives of participants under investigation, which often dispels stereotypes about the group being investigated?
participant observation
According to Émile Durkheim, what was the basis for the bonds created through mechanical solidarity in traditional societies?
shared traditions and similar experiences