Question 1

Which of the following concepts are central to the critical paradigm?
A) Power
B) Falsification
C) Oppression
D) Rationalism

Accepted Answer

Power and oppression are central concepts of the critical paradigm, as this paradigm focuses on analyzing power relations and how they contribute to the oppression of certain groups. Falsification and rationalism are concepts more closely associated with the positivist paradigm.

Question 2

Which of the following definitions refers to ideology?
A) The ability to use communicative abilities to compel someone to do something
B) The ability to perform an act that will lead to a change in another person
C) A doctrine or belief system that guides a person or group of people
D) Filtering information to manipulate people's worldviews

Accepted Answer

Ideology is defined as a doctrine or belief system that guides a person or group of people. The other options refer to communication skills, behavior change, and manipulation, but not necessarily to belief systems.

Question 3

What is/are the main aim(s) of critical research?
A) To provide findings that can be generalized to all societies
B) To understand power and oppression
C) To develop ways to overcome oppression
D) To understand individuals' own perceptions of their experiences

Accepted Answer

The main aim of critical research is to understand power and oppression, as well as to develop ways to overcome that oppression. It is not necessarily focused on providing findings that can be generalized to all societies or understanding individuals' own perceptions of their experiences.

Question 4

Which type of power depends on fear, threats or punishment?
A) Reward power
B) Legitimate power
C) Coercive power
D) Persuasive power

Accepted Answer

Coercive power is the type of power that depends on fear, threats, or punishment. It is the opposite of reward power, which depends on offering incentives, and persuasive power, which depends on the ability to persuade and influence others. Legitimate power, on the other hand, stems from an individual's position of authority and the power their position holds.

Question 5

Which key philosopher proposed the notion of dialectic?
A) Foucault
B) Marx
C) Hegel
D) Gramsci

Accepted Answer

The notion of dialectic was first proposed by the German philosopher Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel in the 19th century. Hegel believed that ideas and concepts evolve through a process of contradictions and negotiations with opposing ideas, leading to a higher understanding and synthesis of those opposing ideas. This process is known as dialectic.

Question 6

From a Marxist viewpoint, what does "state repression" mean?
A) It is the power of the ruling class (the bourgeoisie) over the state
B) It is the power of the ruling class (the bourgeoisie) over the working class (the proletariat)
C) It is the power of the state to exert power over its subjects
D) It is the power of the state to protect the ruling class, maintain production, and exploit the working class

Accepted Answer

The answer of From a Marxist viewpoint, what does "state...

Question 7

Which of the following concepts is NOT essential to postmodernism?
A) Discourse
B) Polysemy
C) Aesthetics
D) Identity

Accepted Answer

Although aesthetics are considered important in postmodernism, they are not essential to the philosophy's core principles. Discourse, polysemy, and identity are all crucial to postmodernism, as they relate to the ways in which individuals understand and interpret the world around them.

Question 8

How is identity view by postmodernism?
A) Identity is primarily related to class
B) Identity is something we perform
C) Identity is related to power
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The answer of How is identity view by postmodernism?
A) Identity...

Question 9

What aspects refer to critical theories?
A) They recognize the influence of power, ideology and oppression on society
B) They help generalize researchers' interpretations
C) They are value-free and emphasize objectivity
D) They have statements or propositions to help understand how they function

Accepted Answer

Critical theories are concerned with analyzing and challenging power structures, ideologies, and forms of oppression that shape society. They do not necessarily aim to be value-free or objective, and often propose alternative ways of understanding social reality beyond dominant paradigms. While they may offer statements or propositions, the emphasis is on examining how these concepts operate in the real world, rather than generalizing findings.

Question 10

What does "hegemony" refer to?
A) The domination of a group over other groups
B) The dominant ideology controlling other ideologies
C) The ideology that is shared by most people

Accepted Answer

Hegemony refers to the dominance or leadership of one group over others, often in a socio-political context (A), and it also pertains to the dominance of one ideology over others, shaping the cultural or ideological landscape (B).

Question 11

Which form of power does the following example illustrate? "A child is given cookies for doing chores or not given cookies when chores are not done."
A) Coercive power
B) Persuasive power
C) Reward power
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates reward power, where the child is given cookies as a reward for completing chores.

Question 12

What concept refers to a tension between an idea and its contradiction?
A) Hegemony
B) Power
C) Dialectic
D) Ideology

Accepted Answer

The concept that refers to a tension between an idea and its contradiction is dialectic, which is the process of resolving contradictions between opposing ideas to reach a higher level of understanding or synthesis.

Question 13

From a Marxist perspective, what are the two ways in which power can be maintained?
A) Through state repression
B) Through physical fight
C) Through ideological means

Accepted Answer

From a Marxist perspective, power can be maintained through state repression, which involves the use of force or coercion by the state to maintain order and control, and through ideological means, which involve shaping beliefs and values to align with the interests of the ruling class, thus ensuring their dominance without the need for physical coercion.

Question 14

What led to the development of postmodernism?
A) The decline of Marxism
B) The opposition to previous definitions of "modernity"
C) The domination of Marxism in critical studies

Accepted Answer

The answer of What led to the development of postmodernism?
A)...

Question 15

How do postmodernists define "power"?
A) It is something one has
B) It is something one does
C) It is related to discourse

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do postmodernists define "power"?
A) It is...

Question 16

Which of the following statement(s) refer to postmodernism?
A) The aim of research is to find universal truths
B) It is impossible to find one truth about any discourse
C) A discourse can have only one meaning
D) There are no universal values and grand narratives

Accepted Answer

Postmodernism rejects the idea of universal truths and grand narratives, as well as the notion that a discourse can have only one meaning.

Question 17

Which of the following statements refer to feminist research?
A) It examines how gender affects individuals' lives
B) It aims at offering ways to liberate individuals from patriarchal oppression
C) It argues that reality is not influenced by power dynamics

Accepted Answer

Feminist research aims at examining how gender affects individuals' lives and offering ways to liberate individuals from patriarchal oppression. It does not argue that reality is not influenced by power dynamics, but rather it acknowledges the role of power dynamics in shaping social reality.

Question 18

What does "reflexivity" entail for critical researchers?
A) It is an accurate way of measuring the validity of claims
B) It is a process through which researchers reflect on their own work
C) It is the critique of one's and others' work

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does "reflexivity" entail for critical researchers?
A)...

Question 19

Which of the following are examples of political ideologies?
A) Communism
B) Racism
C) Liberalism
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Communism and Liberalism are both political ideologies, while Racism is a belief system or attitude that is not considered a political ideology.

Question 20

Which of the following institutions play a role in shaping public consciousness?
A) Entertainment media
B) News media
C) Education
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

All of the above institutions play a vital role in shaping public consciousness. Entertainment media has the ability to influence people's attitudes, values, and beliefs through its content. News media provides information and analysis that helps people form opinions and make decisions. Education, through schools and universities, provides knowledge and understanding of various subjects which can shape a person's worldview.

Quiz 4: The Critical Approach to Theory

Which of the following concepts are central to the critical paradigm?

Which of the following definitions refers to ideology?

What is/are the main aim(s) of critical research?

Which type of power depends on fear, threats or punishment?

Which key philosopher proposed the notion of dialectic?

From a Marxist viewpoint, what does "state repression" mean?

Which of the following concepts is NOT essential to postmodernism?

How is identity view by postmodernism?

What aspects refer to critical theories?

What does "hegemony" refer to?

Which form of power does the following example illustrate? "A child is given cookies for doing chores or not given cookies when chores are not done."

What concept refers to a tension between an idea and its contradiction?

From a Marxist perspective, what are the two ways in which power can be maintained?

What led to the development of postmodernism?

How do postmodernists define "power"?

Which of the following statement(s) refer to postmodernism?

Which of the following statements refer to feminist research?

What does "reflexivity" entail for critical researchers?

Which of the following are examples of political ideologies?

Which of the following institutions play a role in shaping public consciousness?