Question 1

Gender, self-esteem, crime rates, and religiosity are examples of
A)variables.
B)hypotheses.
C)operational definitions.
D)samples.

Accepted Answer

These are all examples of variables, which are characteristics or properties that can vary among individuals or across situations.

Question 2

The first stage in conducting a research study is
A)reviewing the literature.
B)formulating a research question.
C)formulating a hypothesis.
D)defining variables.

Accepted Answer

Formulating a research question is the first stage in conducting a research study as it guides the direction of the study and informs subsequent steps such as literature review, hypothesis formulation, and defining variables.

Question 3

Which of the following social policies is most likely to be advocated by a conflict theorist?
A)Repair weak institutions
B)Assure proper socialization
C)Create an equitable system for the distribution of resources
D)Reduce the pace of social change

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists focus on the power differentials and inequalities within society, advocating for changes that address these imbalances directly. Creating an equitable system for the distribution of resources directly aligns with their goal of reducing inequality and addressing the root causes of conflict within society.

Question 4

Which perspective claims our identity or sense of self is shaped by social interaction?
A)Social disorganization
B)Social pathology
C)Symbolic interactionism
D)Non-Marxist conflict theory

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism posits that our identity or sense of self is shaped by social interaction, emphasizing the importance of language and symbols in these interactions.

Question 5

________ are most likely to see the solution to social problems as solving differences through negotiation or mediation and finding win-win answers.
A)Non-Marxist conflict theorists
B)Marxist conflict theorists
C)Symbolic interactionists
D)Structural functionalists

Accepted Answer

Non-Marxist conflict theorists focus on resolving social conflicts through negotiation and mediation, aiming for solutions that benefit all parties involved, unlike Marxist theorists who emphasize class struggle.

Question 6

Symbolic interactionist Herbert Blumer said that social problems develop in stages. In the ________ stage, a condition is recognized as a social problem by the larger community, such as media, schools, and churches.
A)objectification
B)social legitimation
C)mobilization
D)implementation

Accepted Answer

In the social legitimation stage, a condition is widely recognized as a social problem by significant parts of the community, including institutions like media, schools, and churches. This stage involves the formal acknowledgment of an issue as a problem that requires societal attention and action.

Question 7

Symbolic interactionism emphasizes that
A)societal institutions meet the needs of people in society.
B)institutional inequalities cause social problems.
C)human behavior is influenced by meanings that are created through social interaction.
D)the important symbols of society are distributed unequally.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological perspective that focuses on how individuals interpret and give meaning to social interactions, symbols, and experiences in their daily lives. It posits that human behaviors and societal structures are shaped through the meanings that individuals derive from their interactions with others.

Question 8

Microsociologists, such as W. I. Thomas, believe that human action is influenced mostly by
A)the social organization of a social situation.
B)definitions of a situation.
C)objective inequalities that exist in a situation.
D)feelings of alienation that occur from lack of power.

Accepted Answer

Microsociologists like W. I. Thomas emphasize the importance of definitions of a situation in influencing human action, highlighting how individuals' interpretations and meanings assigned to their circumstances shape their behaviors. This perspective is encapsulated in the Thomas theorem, which asserts that if people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences.

Question 9

The ________ perspective often questions the origin and evolution of social problems and examines how research, government agencies, and the media influence the public's view of social problems.
A)labeling
B)social pathology
C)social disorganization
D)social constructionism

Accepted Answer

The social constructionism perspective focuses on how social problems are created and defined through societal processes, including the influence of research, government agencies, and media on public perceptions.

Question 10

Max Weber's concept of ________ implies that, in conducting research, social scientists must try to understand others' view of reality and the subjective aspects of their experiences, such as symbols, values, and beliefs.
A)anomie
B)looking-glass self
C)verstehen
D)alienation

Accepted Answer

Verstehen, a term introduced by Max Weber, refers to the understanding or insight in the social sciences, particularly the effort to understand the meaning of actions from the actor's point of view. It emphasizes the importance of empathy and interpretive understanding in sociological research.

Question 11

The dynamics of individuals interacting in small groups is the focus of
A)micro-sociology.
B)macro-sociology.
C)structural-functionalism.
D)the sociological imagination.

Accepted Answer

Micro-sociology focuses on the social dynamics and interactions that occur at a small-scale level, such as within groups or between individuals, rather than on the broader societal structures.

Question 12

To reduce the social problem of underage drinking, ______ would recommend a campaign to encourage teenagers to define alcohol consumption as "un-cool."
A)labeling theory
B)social pathology
C)social disorganization
D)conflict theory

Accepted Answer

Labeling theory suggests that the way society labels individuals and behaviors influences both self-identity and behavior. A campaign that encourages teenagers to see alcohol consumption as "un-cool" would be using the principles of labeling theory by attempting to change the social perception and label of underage drinking, thereby influencing teenagers' behavior.

Question 13

Conflict theory is more likely than structural-functionalism or symbolic interactionism to view the cause of social problems as
A)rapid social change.
B)different interpretations of social roles.
C)inequality.
D)inadequate socialization.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory focuses on the struggle between groups for power and resources, seeing social problems as arising from inequality and conflicts between different groups within society.

Question 14

Which of the following topics is most likely to be the topic of study of a social constructionist?
A)Why marijuana use, but not alcohol and nicotine use, are illegal
B)How rapid social change weakened traditional rules about sexual behavior
C)How the economic structure of society influences elections
D)How different social classes view the police

Accepted Answer

Social constructionism focuses on understanding how societal norms and ideas are created and maintained through social processes. The legality of substances like marijuana compared to alcohol and nicotine is a prime example of how societal attitudes and decisions construct what is considered acceptable or legal, fitting the social constructionist perspective.

Question 15

Which theoretical perspective emphasizes that a condition must be defined or recognized as a social problem in order to be a social problem?
A)Structural-functionalism
B)Marxist conflict theory
C)Non-Marxist conflict theory
D)Symbolic-Interactionism

Accepted Answer

Symbolic-Interactionism emphasizes the importance of definitions and meanings in social life, including the process by which certain conditions are recognized and defined as social problems. This perspective focuses on how individuals and groups use symbols to create social reality, including the labeling of certain situations or behaviors as problematic.

Question 16

According to Herbert Blumer the first stage of a social problem is
A)mobilization for action.
B)societal recognition.
C)implementation of a plan.
D)social legitimation.

Accepted Answer

Herbert Blumer outlined a process of how social problems develop in society, with the first stage being societal recognition. This stage involves the recognition of an issue as a problem by society or a segment of society.

Question 17

Which perspective is most likely to look at the dynamics of interpersonal relationships in small groups?
A)Conflict theory
B)Structural-functionalism
C)Symbolic interactionism
D)Marxist theory

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the symbolic meanings that people develop and rely upon in the process of social interaction, making it the perspective most concerned with the dynamics of interpersonal relationships in small groups.

Question 18

Non-Marxist conflict theories focus on social conflict that results from
A)weak norms.
B)social disorganization.
C)competing values and interests among groups.
D)lack of communication among groups.

Accepted Answer

Non-Marxist conflict theories emphasize the struggle between groups with competing values and interests, rather than focusing solely on class struggle or economic factors as Marxist theories do.

Question 19

Magda feels powerless in her job as a warehouse worker. She finds little meaning in her work. According to conflict theorists, Magda is experiencing
A)anomie.
B)dysfunction.
C)alienation.
D)social pathology

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists, drawing on the ideas of Karl Marx, would argue that Magda is experiencing alienation, a condition in which workers are disconnected from the products of their labor, the labor process, their fellow workers, and their own creative potential.

Question 20

Which of the following is a major source of alienation in industrial societies, according to Marxist conflict theorists?
A)Lack of socially shared symbols of communication
B)The primary groups to which individuals belong
C)Limited and repetitive tasks of specialized workers
D)Lack of effective sanctions in society

Accepted Answer

Marxist conflict theorists argue that the alienation in industrial societies stems from the division of labor, where workers perform limited and repetitive tasks, leading to a sense of disconnection from the products of their labor and a lack of fulfillment.

Quiz 1: Thinking About Social Problems

Gender, self-esteem, crime rates, and religiosity are examples of

The first stage in conducting a research study is

Which of the following social policies is most likely to be advocated by a conflict theorist?

Which perspective claims our identity or sense of self is shaped by social interaction?

________ are most likely to see the solution to social problems as solving differences through negotiation or mediation and finding win-win answers.

Symbolic interactionist Herbert Blumer said that social problems develop in stages. In the ________ stage, a condition is recognized as a social problem by the larger community, such as media, schools, and churches.

Symbolic interactionism emphasizes that

Microsociologists, such as W. I. Thomas, believe that human action is influenced mostly by

The ________ perspective often questions the origin and evolution of social problems and examines how research, government agencies, and the media influence the public's view of social problems.

Max Weber's concept of ________ implies that, in conducting research, social scientists must try to understand others' view of reality and the subjective aspects of their experiences, such as symbols, values, and beliefs.

The dynamics of individuals interacting in small groups is the focus of

To reduce the social problem of underage drinking, ______ would recommend a campaign to encourage teenagers to define alcohol consumption as "un-cool."

Conflict theory is more likely than structural-functionalism or symbolic interactionism to view the cause of social problems as

Which of the following topics is most likely to be the topic of study of a social constructionist?

Which theoretical perspective emphasizes that a condition must be defined or recognized as a social problem in order to be a social problem?

According to Herbert Blumer the first stage of a social problem is

Which perspective is most likely to look at the dynamics of interpersonal relationships in small groups?

Non-Marxist conflict theories focus on social conflict that results from

Magda feels powerless in her job as a warehouse worker. She finds little meaning in her work. According to conflict theorists, Magda is experiencing

Which of the following is a major source of alienation in industrial societies, according to Marxist conflict theorists?