Sociology Exam 1 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which is a possible cause for the struggle of young adults transitioning from college to work life?

The status quo has been maintained for a substantial period of time, and now the economy and government are undergoing significant changes.

Many young people are in the same situation, so drawing expertise or knowledge from their experiences from peers is difficult.

Finding a job, renting an apartment, and being independent is a daunting task that seems insurmountable.

All of the above (correct)

What is Sherry most likely to experience through her transition to a nursing home?

A complete and permanent loss of herself.

A shift in her desire to enjoy life.

Resocialization. (correct)

A shift in her reading habits.

Why are peer groups important to adolescents?

They rank higher in importance to adolescents than parental influence.

They provide the second major socialization experience outside the realm of their families.

They help exert dependence among adolescents.

They help to develop a sense of identity separate from adolescents' parents. (correct)

In an effort to control a total institution, what is the procedure where inmates are stripped down and given identical uniforms called?

A degradation ceremony Signup and view all the answers

What process has Sumaira completed by deciding to become a business major?

Anticipatory socialization. Signup and view all the answers

Which sociological paradigm does Mark and Matt's story fit into?

Conflict Signup and view all the answers

Which sociological paradigm describes Joseph and Paula's desire to pass on knowledge to their child?

Structural Functionalism Signup and view all the answers

Which sociological paradigm is exemplified by Baby Marla's situation?

Symbolic Interactionism Signup and view all the answers

Ahmed's interaction with the school's bureaucracy demonstrates which concept?

The hidden curriculum of schools Signup and view all the answers

Whose study described the differences in the way that boys and girls view morality?

Carol Gilligan Signup and view all the answers

What approach is often used to understand what's defined as deviant within a society? (Select all that apply)

Constructivism Signup and view all the answers

Sociology is defined as the:

Systematic study of society and social interaction. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following men coined the term positivism and is widely considered the father of sociology?

Auguste Comte Signup and view all the answers

Please define C. Wright Mills' sociological imagination:

How individuals understand their own and others' pasts in relation to history and social structure. Signup and view all the answers

A hypothesis can be defined as:

A testable proposition Signup and view all the answers

The process of simultaneously analyzing the behavior of individuals and the society that shapes that behavior (or, the concept that the individual and society are inseparable) is referred to as:

Figuration Signup and view all the answers

A paradigm can be defined as:

Philosophical and theoretical frameworks used within a discipline to formulate theories. Signup and view all the answers

Jeremy wrote an essay criticizing the college admissions process, arguing that heavy competition and limited educational resources make admission difficult for the average student. Which perspective would Jeremy's argument fall under?

Conflict Theory Signup and view all the answers

Alona is examining the impact of the 2011 Penn State scandal on student morale and school spirit by distributing number-scaled surveys in her Introduction to Sociology class. Alona is employing a _____ research method.

Quantitative Signup and view all the answers

_ believed that societies grew and changed as a result of the struggles of different social classes over the means of production and greatly favored .

Karl Marx; Communism Signup and view all the answers

Which theorist claimed that people rise to their proper level in society based solely on their belief in a meritocracy?

Max Weber Signup and view all the answers

Eleanor is researching the effect social media has on worldwide political awareness and revolution. Felix is examining the effect World of Warcraft has on the romantic relationships of middle-aged men in his metro area. Eleanor's analysis is _, while Felix's analysis is .

Macro-level; micro-level Signup and view all the answers

_____ view society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals who make up that society.

Structural Functionalists Signup and view all the answers

Qualitative sociology can be defined as:

In-depth interviews, focus groups, and/or analysis of content sources as the source of its data. Signup and view all the answers

Political science teacher Mr. Jones asks his students to study how social media can influence public opinion by 'following' famous activists, academics, and politicians on Twitter. While reading and exchanging each other's Tweets, some classmates became close friends. The first is an example of the project's function, the second is an example of the project's _ function.

Manifest; latent Signup and view all the answers

Max Weber, Georg Simmel, and Karl Marx were all advocates of:

Conflict theory Signup and view all the answers

After weeks of protest in Zuccotti Park, NYC's 'Occupy Wall Street' divided into two camps: one composed of higher-income protesters, and one composed of lower-income protesters. A ______ would be most interested in the relationship and nature of day-to-day exchanges between the two groups.

Symbolic interactionist Signup and view all the answers

Weber's proposal of antipositivism influenced sociological researchers to ______ while examining different social worlds.

Gain a subjective understanding of human cultural norms Signup and view all the answers

According to Durkheim, which of the following is NOT a social fact?

All of the above are social facts Signup and view all the answers

Verstehen is defined as:

To understand in a deep way. Signup and view all the answers

Alexis wants to research the 1960's feminist movement. She reads articles from the time period, watches documentaries, reads scholarly journals on the topic, and interviews influential women from the movement. What kind of research method is Alexis using?

Secondary data analysis Signup and view all the answers

Reliability is defined as:

A measure of a study's consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced. Signup and view all the answers

John wants to study whether a larger number of laptops available to students at his school lead to higher grades. Choose the independent and dependent variable.

Independent variable: Number of laptops; Dependent variable: Grades Signup and view all the answers

Quincia is studying how the lack of comprehensive sex education is affecting a small, rural town in North Dakota. She spends two months in the town, observing and interviewing the townspeople. Quincia is conducting a(n):

Ethnography Signup and view all the answers

A class of third graders is told that the assistant principal will be visiting their class to confirm their teacher's reports of bad behavior. When the principal visits, the students behave perfectly. This is an example of ________.

The Hawthorne Effect Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a sociological hypothesis?

The more CDs Jamilla buys, the less money she has in her bank account. Signup and view all the answers

Kendra is researching the effects of vitamin C on test-taking ability. Before the exam, Kendra gives group A orange juice, and group B water. Vitamin C is the ______.

Independent variable Signup and view all the answers

The term interpretive framework can be defined as:

A sociological research approach that seeks in-depth understanding of a topic through observation or interaction. Signup and view all the answers

Tyson is researching whether actors on prime-time television and hit movies negatively impact teenagers' body images. He is going undercover at a local high school to observe and participate with the students to better understand the world they live in. Tyson is conducting which research method?

Field research Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of nonreactive research?

Gathering data from government studies Signup and view all the answers

Miguel is doing a research paper on New York City's Stone Wall riots of 1969. He visits the scene of the riots, interviews people who were there, reads the police reports of the event, and watches video footage. Miguel is conducting a(n):

Case study Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a purpose of the American Sociological Association's code of ethics?

To ensure the financial gain of the researchers Signup and view all the answers

The term value neutrality is defined as:

A practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgment during the course of a study. Signup and view all the answers

Kyle is collecting newspaper clippings from his grandfather about the American public's perception of World War II. This is an example of ______.

Secondary data Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an unethical sociological research practice?

Observing study participants without their consent. Signup and view all the answers

Thomas wants to better understand the trends in literacy rates in Baltimore city over the past 50 years using Baltimore city data. What type of research should Thomas conduct?

Secondary data analysis Signup and view all the answers

What is the importance of interpretive framework?

It leads to in-depth knowledge of a participant's social world. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a step in the scientific method?

Receive corroboration from the field Signup and view all the answers

Kevin conducted a study on whether the length of the line at a local Starbucks affected how well the customers enjoyed their coffee after receiving it. Malcolm conducted the study at his local Starbucks, and found the same results. Kevin's study had a high level of _____

Reliability Signup and view all the answers

In order to better understand the sorority pledging process at her university for her sociology thesis, Carmen pledges with a popular sorority. This is an example of _____.

Participant observation Signup and view all the answers

What group defines themselves through a rejection of the mainstream?

Hippies Signup and view all the answers

Society and culture _____.

Could not exist without each other Signup and view all the answers

Elise travels across Thailand with her friends and, to her surprise, finds the country quite unlike the United States. 'I hate the food,' she tells her family at home. 'I hate the language, I hate the weird customs and awful music. America is clearly the best place to be.' This is an example of _______.

Ethnocentrism Signup and view all the answers

Xenocentrism is:

The opposite of ethnocentrism Signup and view all the answers

A cultural universal is:

A pattern or trait common to all societies. Signup and view all the answers

Many Americans pay for haircuts, trips to the dentist, or transportation on the metro and bus systems. These actions support the notion of capitalism, an example of _____.

Material culture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a cultural universal?

Incest taboos Signup and view all the answers

Kurt and Mitch visit an Amish village on a class trip. 'Let's see if we can round up some old radios and appliances and drop them off for them later this week. I think they'll appreciate it. They just don't understand what they're missing.' Mitch rolls his eyes. Kurt's perspective is an example of _______.

Cultural imperialism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of cultural relativism?

Helena putting aside her vegetarianism to eat meals with the local tribe she is studying. Signup and view all the answers

Angelica visits Thailand with her family. When she wears short-shorts and tank tops while visiting a series of temples, she is met with hostility from the locals. She feels she no longer knows how to behave or interact with those outside her family. Angelica is experiencing _____.

Culture shock Signup and view all the answers

The term values can be defined as:

A culture's standard for discerning what's good and just in society. Signup and view all the answers

Janet is visiting her childhood friend in the Hamptons. She wears ripped jeans and Chuck Taylors to an infamous 'White' party. The majority of party-goers refuse to socialize with her. Janet is experiencing a form of ____.

Formal sanction Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of a formal norm within the United States?

Making eye contact while speaking. Signup and view all the answers

What is one difference between a more and a folkway?

Mores may carry serious consequences if violated; folkways do not. Signup and view all the answers

The term language can be defined as:

A symbolic system through which people communicate and through which culture is transmitted. Signup and view all the answers

MTV's widely-watched TV series The Jersey Shore is an example of _, while the obscure works of playwright Sam Shepard are an example of __.

Popular culture; high culture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a counterculture?

The hippie movement of the 1960s Signup and view all the answers

In 1999, Sean Fanning, John Fanning, and Sean Parker invented Napster, a global, free-of-charge, peer-to-peer music sharing program. The three men created _____.

An innovation Signup and view all the answers

In the early 2000s, The L Word and Queer as Folk debuted on Showtime, depicting the lives of members of the LGBT community. This gives viewers a glimpse into a ______.

Subculture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an informal sanction?

The football team throwing a slushy in Finn's face because he tried to join the Glee club. Signup and view all the answers

_____ describes how any action that is repeated frequently becomes cast into a pattern.

Habitualization Signup and view all the answers

Karl Marx's Communist Manifesto is based on the ____ perspective.

Conflict Theory Signup and view all the answers

____ societies relied on permanent tools for survival, and expanded due to innovations such as crop rotation and fertilizer.

Agricultural Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of self-fulfilling prophecy?

Charlotte is an intelligent teenager, but told by her step-sisters and cousins that she's destined to a life of poverty and failure. Charlotte begins to do poorly in school and eventually drops out. Signup and view all the answers

The Agricultural Revolution is often referred to as 'dawn of civilization' because:

Cities and towns were established, and humans had more time for leisure activities. Signup and view all the answers

Please place the following societies in chronological order:

Hunter-gatherer; Pastoral; Horticultural; Agricultural Signup and view all the answers

Ivanka Trump is the daughter of business mogul Donald Trump. Her role as heiress to the Trump fortune is an example of ______.

Ascribed status Signup and view all the answers

Functionalist Émile Durkheim viewed society as:

An organism in which each portion plays a vital role in keeping the organism stable and healthy Signup and view all the answers

On the first day of high school, Kaitlin overhears a group of girls calling her 'goth' and 'emo.' She soon begins to don more black clothing, dark makeup, and seek out friends who dress the same. This is an example of ______.

Role performance Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT an example of organic solidarity?

A freelance artist creating a sculpture of Barack Obama Signup and view all the answers

Alienation is defined as:

The condition in which the individual is isolated and divorced from his or her society, work, or sense of self. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of Marx's four types of alienation?

Alienation from one's religion Signup and view all the answers

A judge and her gavel. A cop and his gun. A lawyer and her power suit. A ____ would be most concerned with the parts these objects play in impression management.

Symbolic interactionist Signup and view all the answers

Durkheim defined ______ as the communal beliefs, morals, and attitudes of a society.

Collective conscience Signup and view all the answers

As industrialization began to boom, Durkheim believed people were more susceptible to anomie because:

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Karl Marx asserted that the means of societal change existed in the tension between:

The working class proletariat taking the means of production from the wealthy bourgeois. Signup and view all the answers

The concept of anomie can be defined as:

A situation in which society no longer has the support of a firm collective consciousness. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of role strain?

Becca returns to work after giving birth to her daughter, finding it difficult to act as mother, wife, and executive. Signup and view all the answers

Charles Cooley's concept of the looking-glass self hypothesizes that:

People base their images on how they think other people see them. Signup and view all the answers

The term institutionalization can be defined as:

The act of implanting a convention or norm into society. Signup and view all the answers

During her first day of kindergarten, Marie does not understand how the lunch line in the cafeteria works. She hesitates and watches as the older kids pick up their trays and silverware and then get in line. She follows their lead and successfully buys herself lunch. Marie's experience in the lunchroom is an example of _____.

Socialization Signup and view all the answers

Erik Erikson's theory explains:

How the actions of society help shape personalities throughout the eight basic stages of life. Signup and view all the answers

Some sociologists have pointed out that gender roles are often determined by how a society socializes young boys and girls. Which of the following is an example of socializing a child into a gender role?

Buying Sarah a toy kitchen to play with. Signup and view all the answers

According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, when do humans begin to think about the feelings of other people and begin to see the world through other people's eyes?

In their teenage years Signup and view all the answers

George Herbert Mead's specific path of development for individuals is as follows:

Preparatory stage, play stage, game stage, generalized other stage Signup and view all the answers

Katrina, age 5, and Sharon, age 4, love to play together while their mothers chat. Katrina has a toy iron and washing machine. She and Sharon spend hours 'washing' and 'ironing' her baby doll's clothes, just like they see their mothers do. Which of George Herbert Mead's stages of development are Katrina and Sharon exemplifying?

The play stage Signup and view all the answers

Émile Durkheim's much lauded study of suicide is important to the field of sociology in many ways. One of the most influential impacts was:

It defined the differences between sociology and psychology. Signup and view all the answers

It is parent-teacher conference day at Littleton Elementary School. Jimmy's teacher is anxious to meet his parents and discuss his habit of disrupting the class. When the teacher expresses her concern that Jimmy is not being socialized properly, his dad insists that he was the same way at Jimmy's age and that disrupting the class is natural for the children in his family. Jimmy's teacher and father are arguing about which fundamental sociological theory?

Nature vs. Nurture Signup and view all the answers

Parents often socialize their children to:

Understand and follow the same norms that they themselves follow Signup and view all the answers

Education is important to society because:

All of the above. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Deviance and Society

Constructivism analyzes what is defined as deviant within a society through social constructs instead of objective truths.
Symbolic interactionism focuses on the meanings individuals attach to social phenomena.

Sociology Definition

Sociology is systematically defined as the study of society and social interaction, emphasizing qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Key Figures in Sociology

Auguste Comte, recognized as the father of sociology, coined the term positivism.
Émile Durkheim and Karl Marx also represent foundational figures in sociological theory.

Sociological Imagination

C. Wright Mills' concept explains how individual experiences are connected to larger historical and social forces.

Hypothesis and Research Methods

A hypothesis is a testable proposition used in formulating sociological research.
Figuration refers to the simultaneous analysis of individual behavior and societal influences.

Paradigms in Sociology

Paradigms are theoretical frameworks that guide sociological research and discussion.

Sociological Perspectives

Conflict theory views societal competition as a driving force for change and may lead to social inequalities.
Structural functionalism sees society as a structure composed of interrelated parts that meet societal needs.

Research Methodologies

Qualitative sociology utilizes in-depth interviews and focus groups for data collection.
Quantitative sociology employs statistical analysis for large participant surveys.

Manifest functions are intended and recognized effects, while latent functions are unintended or hidden effects of social processes.

Value Neutrality and Ethics in Research

Value neutrality involves remaining impartial during research and in the presentation of results, promoting ethical standards within sociology.

Cultural Concepts

Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others, while xenocentrism appreciates other cultures at the expense of one's own.
Cultural universals are patterns or traits common across all societies, such as incest taboos.

Cultural Shock and Norms

Culture shock occurs when individuals experience difficulty adjusting to a new culture, impacting their understanding of social norms.
Norms can be formal or informal, with formal norms typically enforced by laws or regulations.

Values represent a culture's standards for what is considered good and just.
Formal sanctions are socially enforced consequences for breaking established norms, which can include legal or social repercussions.

Sociological Research Practices

Ethical research practices prohibit observing participants without consent, emphasizing the importance of participant rights.
Secondary data analysis refers to researching existing data rather than collecting new data, aiding longitudinal studies.

The analysis of social interactions among various groups can provide insight into the dynamics of power, identity, and cultural acceptance.### Mores and Folkways
Mores encourage social rebellion; folkways do not.
Mores can be legally violated, while folkways typically remain socially enforced.
Mores are based on social norms and values, whereas folkways are more informal.
Serious consequences accompany violations of mores; folkways usually have mild repercussions.

Definition of Language

Language is defined as a symbolic system allowing communication and cultural transmission.

Popular vs. High Culture

MTV's "The Jersey Shore" exemplifies popular culture.
Sam Shepard's works represent high culture.

Counterculture

The hippie movement of the 1960s serves as a hallmark example of counterculture.

Innovations in Technology

In 1999, Sean Fanning, John Fanning, and Sean Parker launched Napster, pioneering peer-to-peer music sharing. This marked a significant innovation in digital music distribution.

Depictions of LGBT Culture

Shows like "The L Word" and "Queer as Folk" offer insight into the subculture of the LGBT community.

Informal Sanctions

An example of informal sanction includes a football team's social reaction towards a peer for perceived deviation from group norms.

Habitualization

Habitualization refers to the process where repeated actions become established patterns in society.

Karl Marx's Perspectives

Marx's "Communist Manifesto" emerges from the lens of conflict theory, emphasizing class struggle.

Types of Societies

Agricultural societies depended on innovations like crop rotation and fertilizer for survival, marking a shift from nomadic lifestyles.

Self-Fulfilling Prophecy

The example of Charlotte illustrates the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy, where external labels affect individual performance negatively.

Agricultural Revolution

The Agricultural Revolution is termed the "dawn of civilization" due to the establishment of cities, towns, and the availability of leisure time.

Societies evolved in this order: hunter-gatherer, pastoral, horticultural, agricultural.

Ascribed vs. Achieved Status

Ivanka Trump's status as heiress exemplifies ascribed status, assigned at birth rather than achieved through personal effort.

Functionalist Perspective

Émile Durkheim perceived society as an organism, emphasizing the roles of various parts in maintaining stability.

Role Performance

An instance of role performance is Kaitlin's adoption of "goth" identity in response to peer labels.

Organic Solidarity

A freelance artist’s work differentiates from organic solidarity, typically showcased in more collective labor environments.

Alienation

Alienation is characterized by an individual's disconnection from society, work, or self.

Types of Alienation by Marx

Marx identified four types of alienation, excluding alienation from religion, which is not categorized in his framework.

Symbolic Interactionism

Functionalist interpretations of objects in society, like a judge and her gavel, focus on their roles in impression management.

Collective Conscience

Durkheim's concept of collective conscience encompasses shared morals and attitudes within a society.

Anomie

Anomie represents a state where societal norms collectively wane.

Role Strain

Becca's struggle to balance multiple roles illustrates the concept of role strain.

Looking-Glass Self

Cooley's theory suggests individual self-image is heavily influenced by perceived public perception.

Institutionalization

Institutionalization involves embedding norms and conventions into societal behavior.

Socialization Experiences

Marie's observation in the lunchroom typifies the process of socialization, learning societal norms.

Erik Erikson's Theory

Erikson’s framework posits that society shapes individual personalities through eight developmental stages.

Gender Role Socialization

Socializing children into gender roles involves practices like gifting specific toys reflecting societal norms.

Kohlberg's Moral Development

Teenagers begin empathetic reasoning and understanding others' feelings during their adolescent years.

Mead's Development Stages

George Herbert Mead outlined the progression of individual development through preparatory, play, game, and generalized other stages.

Durkheim's Study of Suicide

Durkheim's research crucially delineated sociology from psychology.

Nature vs. Nurture Debate

The interaction between Jimmy's teacher and father reflects the ongoing debate of nature versus nurture in socialization.

Parental Socialization

Parents typically instill societal norms in their children consistent with their own beliefs and behaviors.

Importance of Education

Education plays a comprehensive role in teaching children social interaction, authority response, and group behavior.

Transition Challenges from College to Work

Young adults face difficulties transitioning due to economic changes, peer pressure, and new responsibilities.

Experience of Resocialization

Sherry’s adjustment to life in a nursing home exemplifies the process of resocialization in new environments.

Peer Groups and Identity

Peer groups assist adolescents in establishing an identity distinct from their parents.

Degradation Ceremony in Institutions

The process of inmates receiving identical uniforms under strict protocols exemplifies a degradation ceremony aimed at homogenization.

Anticipatory Socialization

Sumaira’s proactive educational choices reflect anticipatory socialization in preparing for future roles.

Conflict Theory in Socialization

The disparity in upbringing between Mark and Matt illustrates themes in conflict theory regarding privilege and social expectations.

Structural Functionalism in Parenting

Joseph and Paula's commitment to passing on values aligns with structural functionalism’s focus on maintaining societal continuity.

Symbolic Interactionism in Identity

The concern over Baby Marla's appearance corresponds with symbolic interactionism, highlighting the significance of societal symbols in identity formation.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts of sociology with these practice questions. This quiz covers core definitions and approaches used in the study of social behavior and deviance. Ideal for exam preparation and reinforcing foundational ideas in sociology.