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
