Question 1

The quality of mind that enables us to connect seemingly impersonal and remote historical forces to the most basic incidents of an individual's life is
A)the sociological imagination.
B)the structure of opportunities.
C)independent thinking.
D)common sense.

Accepted Answer

The quality of mind described in the question is the sociological imagination, which is defined as the ability to see the connections between personal experiences and larger social and historical forces. It involves recognizing that individual behavior and experiences are shaped by social structures and cultural norms.

Question 2

A woman writes, 'I can't be anything but what my skin colour tells people I am.I am black because I look black.It does not matter that my family has a complicated biological heritage'.She is writing about the power of
A)social facts.
B)troubles.
C)the sociological imagination.
D)rationalisation.

Accepted Answer

This statement refers to the social fact that one's skin color is often the determining factor for how they are perceived and treated in society, regardless of their actual biological heritage or personal identity.

Question 3

Durkheim wrote, 'Even when, in fact, I can struggle free from these rules and successfully break them, it is never without being forced to fight against them'.This statement is a reference to
A)mechanical solidarity.
B)social relativity.
C)social facts.
D)social interaction.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim's statement is a reference to the concept of social facts, which he defined as external to the individual and coercive in nature. Even when an individual is able to break these rules or norms, they must do so in defiance of the larger social structure and the pressure it exerts. This idea is central to Durkheim's sociological theory and his understanding of social order.

Question 4

A trouble is
A)an issue.
B)deeply and significantly social.
C)caused by character flaws.
D)outside an individual's control.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A trouble is
A)an issue.
B)deeply and significantly social.
C)caused...

Question 5

From a sociological point of view, a ________ is the day-to-day activities from birth to death that make up a person's life.
A)social fact
B)sociological imagination
C)biography
D)autobiography

Accepted Answer

A biography is a detailed description or account of a person's life written by someone else. From a sociological point of view, a person's life can be studied through their biography, which includes all the day-to-day activities from birth to death. Social facts refer to collective phenomena, patterns of behavior that exist outside of any one individual and are subject to social control. The sociological imagination refers to the ability to see the relationship between individual experiences and larger social and historical forces. An autobiography is a self-written account of a person's life.

Question 6

Durkheim wrote that he was not forced to speak French or to use the legal currency, but it was impossible for him to do otherwise.Durkheim was writing about
A)mechanical solidarity.
B)social relativity.
C)social facts.
D)social interaction.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim was referring to the concept of social facts, which are social phenomena that exist outside of the individual and exert social control over them. He was highlighting that despite his personal will, he was compelled to conform to certain social facts such as using French language and legal currency.

Question 7

The number of cell phones per 1 000 people in South Africa has steadily increased each year since its introduction.A sociologist studying these rates would
A)agree that cell phones are necessary.
B)think about the forces behind this increase in cell phone use.
C)contemplate the individual reasons for owning a cell phone.
D)wonder how cell phone manufacturers keep up with demand.

Accepted Answer

As a sociologist, the researcher would be more interested in the factors that have contributed to the increase in cell phone use over time, such as changes in technology, communication patterns, and social norms. The researcher would want to look at how this increase in cell phone use has affected social interactions and individual behavior, as well as how it reflects broader social and cultural trends in South Africa. Therefore, option B is the correct answer. Options A, C, and D are too narrow and do not capture the complexity of the sociological analysis that is required in this case.

Question 8

An American traveling to Ghana, Africa, on business notices that the 'men, including the men I was with, hold hands.One day one of the men I was with took my hand as we walked.In order not to offend him, I took his hand in mine'.The American is responding to a(n)
A)trouble.
B)issue.
C)social fact.
D)traditional action.

Accepted Answer

The behavior of men holding hands in Ghana is a social fact, which is a pattern of behavior that is common and accepted within a specific culture or society. The American traveler recognizes this and participates in the behavior in order to avoid offending his Ghanaian colleague.

Question 9

The payoff for those who possess _____________ is that they can understand their inner life in terms of institutional arrangements and larger historical forces.
A)the sociological imagination
B)common sense
C)independent thinking
D)a sense of self

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination is the ability to connect personal experiences to larger social and historical contexts. Those who possess it are able to understand their own lives within the broader context of social institutions, cultural values, and historical trends. This perspective allows for a deeper understanding of the complexities of society and the ways in which individual experiences and societal factors are interrelated.

Question 10

Sociologists argue that people fall in love
A)when they experience a violent, irresistible attraction to another person.
B)only once in the course of a lifetime.
C)when certain conditions are met.
D)with people like themselves

Accepted Answer

Sociologists argue that love is not just a result of random chance or destiny, but rather a social construct that arises when certain conditions are met, such as shared interests or values, physical attraction, and the opportunity to spend time together. Love can also be influenced by cultural and societal norms and expectations. Therefore, choice C is the best option.

Question 11

In examining patterns of courtship and marriage, sociologists would emphasise which of the following in shaping a couple's decision to marry?
A)the personalities of the couples
B)the importance of love
C)personal preferences
D)social considerations such as age, sex, race, income, etc.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists would emphasise social considerations such as age, sex, race, income, etc. in shaping a couple's decision to marry because individuals are influenced by societal norms and expectations. These factors can affect access to resources and opportunities that are considered important for successful courtship and marriage in a given culture. The importance of love and personal preferences may vary across cultures and time periods, but social considerations tend to have a more stable and influential role in shaping marriage decisions. Therefore, sociologists would consider demographic and socio-economic characteristics as well as cultural norms and values when examining patterns of courtship and marriage.

Question 12

Only when people _________________ do they come to know the power of social facts.
A)grow older
B)cooperate
C)comply
D)rebel against the established ways of doing things

Accepted Answer

Rebelling against established ways often highlights the influence and power of social norms and facts, as it challenges the status quo and reveals the underlying social structures.

Question 13

Peter L.Berger equates the sociologist with
A)a curious observer who, walking down the neighbourhood streets of a large city, is fascinated with what he or she cannot see taking place behind the building walls.
B)an internal revenue service auditor.
C)a judge giving instructions to a jury.
D)a talk show host interviewing guests.

Accepted Answer

Berger compares sociologists to curious observers who are interested in understanding what is happening in society beyond what is visible on the surface. The other choices do not accurately represent the role of a sociologist.

Question 14

'Because I refuse to shave under my arms, I have to pay a price.On a personal level, this price was my mother's hostility.On a public level, the price is dealing with the stares of strangers.' This statement illustrates
A)mechanical solidarity.
B)social relativity.
C)the power of social facts.
D)the idea of double consciousness.

Accepted Answer

The statement illustrates "the power of social facts," as it shows how societal norms and expectations (in this case, about shaving underarms) exert pressure on individuals, influencing their behavior and how they are perceived by others.

Question 15

Sociology is the scientific study of
A)human activity in society.
B)mental processes.
C)people.
D)multiple personalities.

Accepted Answer

Sociology is the scientific study of human activity in society, including patterns of social relationships, social interaction, and culture. It focuses on understanding and analyzing social behavior in various contexts, such as family, education, politics, and religion. Sociology seeks to provide explanations for social phenomena and aims to contribute to the improvement of society by providing insights into social problems and solutions. Therefore, choice A is the best choice.

Question 16

Suicide rates represent one example of what Durkheim would call
A)social statics.
B)troubles.
C)social dynamics.
D)currents of opinion.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim referred to "currents of opinion" as collective ways of thinking and feeling that influence individual behavior, such as suicide rates.

Question 17

Unemployment is a(n) __________ when it results from corporate downsizing.
A)issue
B)trouble
C)private matter
D)social fact

Accepted Answer

The answer of Unemployment is a(n) __________ when it results...

Question 18

'The fascination of sociology lies in the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very world in which we have lived all our lives.' This vision of sociology can be attributed to
A)Peter Berger
B)Émile Durkheim
C)C.Wright Mills
D)W.E.B.DuBois

Accepted Answer

This perspective on sociology is identified with Peter Berger, who emphasized the power of sociology to reveal the underlying social structures and meanings that shape our experiences and understanding of the world around us. Berger argued that sociology enables individuals to see their own society as both familiar and strange, and to question the taken-for-granted assumptions and practices that make up everyday life.

Question 19

Émile Durkheim defined social facts as
A)census statistics.
B)having the remarkable property of existing outside the individual
C)fundamentally psychological.
D)things we know to be true.

Accepted Answer

Durkheim believed that social facts are external to the individual and are capable of exerting a coercive force on individuals, shaping their beliefs, behaviors and values. They are not reducible to psychological or subjective phenomena, but rather are objective and observable in social structures, norms, customs, laws, and institutions. Census statistics may be a source of social facts, but they are not identical to social facts. Option C and D are incorrect, as Durkheim's definition of social facts is not based on individual psychology or subjective beliefs, nor are they necessarily things we know to be true (as some social facts may be hidden or misunderstood).

Question 20

Currents of opinion are broadly reflected in
A)personal biographies.
B)rates summarising various behaviours.
C)advertisements.
D)newspaper headlines.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Currents of opinion are broadly reflected in
A)personal...

Quiz 1: The Sociological Imagination

The quality of mind that enables us to connect seemingly impersonal and remote historical forces to the most basic incidents of an individual's life is

A woman writes, 'I can't be anything but what my skin colour tells people I am.I am black because I look black.It does not matter that my family has a complicated biological heritage'.She is writing about the power of

Durkheim wrote, 'Even when, in fact, I can struggle free from these rules and successfully break them, it is never without being forced to fight against them'.This statement is a reference to

A trouble is

From a sociological point of view, a ________ is the day-to-day activities from birth to death that make up a person's life.

Durkheim wrote that he was not forced to speak French or to use the legal currency, but it was impossible for him to do otherwise.Durkheim was writing about

The number of cell phones per 1 000 people in South Africa has steadily increased each year since its introduction.A sociologist studying these rates would

An American traveling to Ghana, Africa, on business notices that the 'men, including the men I was with, hold hands.One day one of the men I was with took my hand as we walked.In order not to offend him, I took his hand in mine'.The American is responding to a(n)

The payoff for those who possess _____________ is that they can understand their inner life in terms of institutional arrangements and larger historical forces.

Sociologists argue that people fall in love

In examining patterns of courtship and marriage, sociologists would emphasise which of the following in shaping a couple's decision to marry?

Only when people _________________ do they come to know the power of social facts.

Peter L.Berger equates the sociologist with

'Because I refuse to shave under my arms, I have to pay a price.On a personal level, this price was my mother's hostility.On a public level, the price is dealing with the stares of strangers.' This statement illustrates

Sociology is the scientific study of

Suicide rates represent one example of what Durkheim would call

Unemployment is a(n) __________ when it results from corporate downsizing.

'The fascination of sociology lies in the fact that its perspective makes us see in a new light the very world in which we have lived all our lives.' This vision of sociology can be attributed to

Émile Durkheim defined social facts as

Currents of opinion are broadly reflected in