Intro to Sociology Terms Quiz

Questions and Answers

What is sociology?

The scientific study of human social life, groups, and societies. (correct)

The study of animal behavior.

The study of physical sciences.

The study of history.

What does sociological imagination allow an individual to do?

Think away from familiar routines of daily life.

According to Émile Durkheim, social facts are ____ of social life that shape our actions as individuals.

aspects

What is anomie?

A feeling of aimlessness or despair provoked by modern social life. Signup and view all the answers

What is the functionalist perspective in sociology?

Explains social events in terms of their functions and contributions to society. Signup and view all the answers

What does the conflict perspective argue about deviance?

It is deliberately chosen and often political in nature. Signup and view all the answers

What is the interactionist perspective focused on?

Social processes derived from human interaction. Signup and view all the answers

Latent functions are consequences of social activity of which participants are ____.

unaware Signup and view all the answers

What is 'The Social Construction of Reality'?

A 1966 book about the sociology of knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

Role conflict can occur when demands are within a single ____ of life.

domain Signup and view all the answers

What does social structure refer to?

A system of socioeconomic stratification and social institutions. Signup and view all the answers

Verstehen refers to a superficial understanding of human behavior.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is an independent variable?

The one that is changed by the scientist. Signup and view all the answers

A random sample means that every member of the population has the same probability of being included.

True Signup and view all the answers

What is a control variable?

An element that is not changed in an experiment. Signup and view all the answers

What describes a survey in sociological research?

Researchers ask subjects to provide answers to structured questionnaires. Signup and view all the answers

What is ethnography?

A firsthand study of people using participant observation or interviewing. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an experiment in sociology?

To test a hypothesis under controlled conditions. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hypothesis?

An educated guess or idea about a given state of affairs. Signup and view all the answers

What does validity measure?

The extent to which a concept accurately reflects the real world. Signup and view all the answers

What is reliability in research?

The extent to which a test yields the same results on repeated trials. Signup and view all the answers

Culture includes the values, norms, and ____ of a group or society.

practices Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Sociology Terms

Sociology: Scientific study of human social life, groups, and societies, emphasizing industrialized world analysis.
Sociological Imagination: Ability to think beyond daily routines and apply imaginative thought to sociological questions.
Social Facts: Aspects of social life, like the economy or religion, that influence individual actions, as highlighted by Émile Durkheim.
Anomie: A state of aimlessness or despair resulting from societal norm disintegration; popularized by Durkheim.
Functionalist Perspective: Theoretical view explaining social events by their contributions to societal continuity.
Conflict Perspective: Focuses on deviance as a political choice, emphasizing power dynamics in society.
Interactionist Perspective: Examines social processes, including conflict and cooperation, through individual interactions in society.
Latent Functions: Unintended and unrecognized consequences of social activities within a social system.
The Social Construction of Reality: A 1966 publication by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann exploring how social understandings are jointly created.
Role Conflict: Occurs when demands within a single life domain clash, potentially leading to short or long-term challenges.
Social Structure: Refers to the system of socioeconomic stratification and patterned relations between social groups.
Verstehen: Empathetic understanding of human behavior crucial in sociological analysis.
Independent Variable: Element that is manipulated or changed by researchers in an experiment.
Random Sample: A sampling method ensuring every population member has an equal chance of selection.
Control Variable: Element kept constant in experiments to clarify the relationship between other variables.
Survey: Research method involving structured questionnaires to gather data from subjects.
Ethnography: In-depth study of people through participant observation and interviews, often involving direct engagement.
Experiment: Research method for testing hypotheses under controlled conditions, either artificially or in natural settings.
Hypothesis: An educated guess or proposition about a state of affairs proposed for empirical testing.
Validity: Refers to the accuracy and soundness of a concept, conclusion, or measurement in reflecting reality.
Reliability: The consistency of results yielded by a test, experiment, or measurement across repeated trials.
Culture: Encompasses the values, norms, and practices that define a group's social framework and identity.

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Description

Test your understanding of fundamental sociological concepts with this flashcard quiz. Dive into key terms like 'Sociology' and 'Sociological Imagination' that are essential for grasping the discipline. Perfect for students looking to enhance their sociological vocabulary.