Question 1

Which theorist is associated with the Interactionist Perspective?
A) Karl Marx
B) Emile Durkheim
C) C. Wright Mills
D) George Herbert Mead

Accepted Answer

George Herbert Mead is associated with the Interactionist Perspective, which focuses on how individuals interact with each other and the meanings they attach to their actions and behaviors. Mead developed the concept of symbolic interactionism, which emphasizes the role of symbols and language in shaping social life.

Question 2

With which of these statements about social problems would Symbolic Interactionists agree?
A) Behaviors leading to social problems are biological.
B) All social problems result from inequality in the social structure.
C) All social problems have functions and dysfunctions for society.
D) Objective social problems do not exist; they become real only if they are defined and labeled.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic Interactionists believe that social problems are not inherently objective or real, but rather are constructed through social interaction and the labeling of certain behaviors as problematic. Therefore, D is the best choice as it reflects this perspective. A is incorrect because Symbolic Interactionists focus on the meaning and interpretation of behaviors rather than their biological origins. B is incorrect because while inequality may contribute to social problems, not all social problems can be attributed solely to inequality. C is incorrect because Symbolic Interactionists do not view social problems as having inherent functions or dysfunctions for society.

Question 3

Feminist theorists would be most likely to explore which of these?
A) the proletariat
B) anomie
C) class consciousness
D) patriarchy

Accepted Answer

Feminist theory focuses on analyzing and challenging the structures of power that uphold gender inequality, particularly the social and cultural systems of patriarchy. Therefore, the concept of patriarchy would be central to feminist theorists.

Question 4

What active role of individuals do Interactionists-more than any other perspective-stress as a factor in creating their social environment?
A) human agency
B) human energy
C) socialization
D) social construction

Accepted Answer

Interactionists stress the active role of individuals in creating their social environment, known as human agency. This perspective emphasizes that people have the ability to make choices and take action that influences their social interactions and relationships. It contrasts with the deterministic views of other perspectives, such as structural functionalism or Marxism.

Question 5

Which of these theories takes a micro perspective?
A) functionalist theory
B) conflict theory
C) feminist theory
D) symbolic interactionist theory

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory takes a micro perspective, focusing on how individuals interact with and interpret their social environment through communication and symbols.

Question 6

Jean Schroedel and Daniel Jordan examined the allocation of federal funds to four distinct HIV/AIDS groups between 1982 and 1992. The group that received the least funding were labeled as which of these?
A) contenders
B) dependents
C) deviants
D) deservings

Accepted Answer

Schroedel and Jordan labeled the group that received the least funding as "deviants".

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT an example of Karl Marx's concept of alienation?
A) James becomes alienated from his work as a Master Carpenter.
B) James becomes alienated from his own family.
C) James becomes alienated from the product of his work.
D) James becomes alienated from his coworkers.

Accepted Answer

Marx's concept of alienation refers specifically to the estrangement an individual experiences from their own work, the product of their work, and their co-workers. It does not necessarily refer to one's relationship with their family, although it could be argued that societal factors and economic conditions contribute to the breakdown of familial relationships.

Question 8

Which theorist proposed that the function of society is to control individual actions?
A) Karl Marx
B) Emile Durkheim
C) C. Wright Mills
D) George Herbert Mead

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim believed that the function of society is to control individual actions through social norms and values. He argued that individuals are shaped by their social environment and that society serves to regulate behavior in order to maintain social order and stability. Marxism, on the other hand, focuses on economic structures and class struggle. C. Wright Mills and George Herbert Mead were both sociologists who made significant contributions to the field, but they did not propose that the function of society is to control individual actions to the extent that Durkheim did.

Question 9

How does the self emerge from interaction?
A) We act based on our past experiences and based on what we have come to accept as definitions of each role.
B) It is our given nature and we are born with a natural instinct to interact.
C) The self never emerges.
D) It is believed everyone is born a delinquent.

Accepted Answer

The self emerges from interaction through the process of socialization. This involves learning and internalizing the norms, values, and beliefs of a society or culture through interactions with others. As we interact with others, we develop a sense of self based on our past experiences and what we have come to accept as definitions of each role. Through this process, we learn how to act in accordance with our social roles and develop a sense of individual identity.

Question 10

Which statement best defines secondary data analysis?
A) data collected based on responses to a series of questions
B) research that involves working with data that the researcher did not originally design or collect
C) research that focuses on one historical period or traces a sequence of events over a number of years
D) data collected in the field by an interviewer

Accepted Answer

Secondary data analysis is the process of analyzing data that were previously collected by someone else. It involves working with data that the researcher did not originally design or collect.

Question 11

Carla is conducting a study examining the effect of income on available housing. "Available housing" is the ______.
A) null hypothesis
B) dependent variable
C) research question
D) independent variable

Accepted Answer

The dependent variable is the variable being measured in the study, in this case, available housing. The independent variable would be income as it is being manipulated to see its effect on available housing. The null hypothesis is a statement that there is no significant relationship between the variables being studied, while the research question is the overall question being explored in the study.

Question 12

John is a student of sociology. He decides to dress as if he is a homeless person and goes to the local downtown library to "hang out" with the homeless to gather data for a research project. John is using which of these research methods to collect his data?
A) comparative research
B) secondary data analysis
C) qualitative methods
D) quantitative methods

Accepted Answer

John is using a qualitative method of research, as he is directly interacting with the homeless population to gather data through observation and potentially interviews.

Question 13

Which research method is designed to capture social life as participants experience it?
A) qualitative
B) quantitative
C) survey
D) historical and comparative

Accepted Answer

Qualitative research methods are designed to capture social life as participants experience it. This method involves collecting and analyzing non-numerical data, such as interviews, observations, and documents, to gain an in-depth understanding of social phenomena. Quantitative research, on the other hand, involves collecting and analyzing numerical data to identify patterns and relationships between variables. Surveys are a type of quantitative research method, while historical and comparative research focuses on analyzing trends and patterns over time and across different societies.

Question 14

Quantitative research methods focus on ______.
A) statistical data
B) independent variables
C) dependent variables
D) social life as people experience it

Accepted Answer

Quantitative research methods focus on collecting and analyzing statistical data, rather than social life as people experience it. Independent and dependent variables may be used in this type of research, but they are not the sole focus.

Question 15

Which research method traces a sequence of events over time?
A) qualitative
B) quantitative
C) survey
D) historical and comparative

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which research method traces a sequence of...

Question 16

Which research method is designed to find patterns in a series of responses to questions?
A) qualitative
B) quantitative
C) survey
D) historical and comparative

Accepted Answer

Surveys are designed to collect responses to questions, which can then be analyzed for patterns and trends. Qualitative methods focus on exploring complex phenomena and understanding subjective experiences, while quantitative methods involve measuring and analyzing numerical data. Historical and comparative research methods are focused on examining past events and comparing different societies or cultures.

Question 17

Which of these is an example of applied research?
A) a study of divorce rates
B) a study of predictors of diabetes
C) a study of which programs best address opioid addiction
D) a study of hook up culture at colleges

Accepted Answer

Applied research is research that is conducted in order to solve practical problems. In this case, the study of which programs best address opioid addiction is an example of applied research as it is focused on addressing a specific problem in order to provide practical solutions. The other options listed are more focused on exploring or describing phenomena rather than solving specific problems.

Question 18

Which of these is not a "social action"?
A) innovation
B) analysis
C) social policy
D) advocacy

Accepted Answer

Innovation, social policy, and advocacy all involve taking action to impact society in some way. Analysis, on the other hand, is a process of examining and understanding information, but it does not necessarily involve taking action.

Question 19

Charles Lemert argues that sociology is a thing to be ______.
A) studied
B) lived
C) discussed
D) rejected

Accepted Answer

According to the statement provided, Charles Lemert argues that sociology is a thing to be lived. This means that he believes that sociology is not just a subject to be studied or discussed, but it should be embodied and applied in everyday life. The answer is not A or C because studying or discussing sociology alone, without applying it in real life, would not fulfill Lemert's view. The answer is not D because there is no indication that Lemert rejects sociology as a field of study or practice.

Question 20

Your text connects which of these main topics?
A) personal troubles and social issues
B) social problems and politics
C) social problems and mental health
D) personal troubles and mental health

Accepted Answer

The text discusses how personal troubles, such as mental health issues, can be connected to larger social issues, such as poverty and inequality. It explores how these problems are not solely individual issues, but are also shaped by societal factors.

Quiz 1: Sociology and the Study of Social Problems

Which theorist is associated with the Interactionist Perspective?

With which of these statements about social problems would Symbolic Interactionists agree?

Feminist theorists would be most likely to explore which of these?

What active role of individuals do Interactionists-more than any other perspective-stress as a factor in creating their social environment?

Which of these theories takes a micro perspective?

Jean Schroedel and Daniel Jordan examined the allocation of federal funds to four distinct HIV/AIDS groups between 1982 and 1992. The group that received the least funding were labeled as which of these?

Which of the following is NOT an example of Karl Marx's concept of alienation?

Which theorist proposed that the function of society is to control individual actions?

How does the self emerge from interaction?

Which statement best defines secondary data analysis?

Carla is conducting a study examining the effect of income on available housing. "Available housing" is the ______.

John is a student of sociology. He decides to dress as if he is a homeless person and goes to the local downtown library to "hang out" with the homeless to gather data for a research project. John is using which of these research methods to collect his data?

Which research method is designed to capture social life as participants experience it?

Quantitative research methods focus on ______.

Which research method traces a sequence of events over time?

Which research method is designed to find patterns in a series of responses to questions?

Which of these is an example of applied research?

Which of these is not a "social action"?

Charles Lemert argues that sociology is a thing to be ______.

Your text connects which of these main topics?