exam 1

Question 1

What is the sociological imagination?

Answer 1

Being able to connect basic/deep aspects of someone’s life to historical forces/societal beliefs

Question 2

What is an example of the sociological imagination?

Answer 2

Why do some people choose to go to college while others don’t?

Question 3

Define moral agency.

Answer 3

The ability to choose between good and evil

Question 4

What is sociological agency?

Answer 4

The ability for people to make choices within a certain group or social structure

Question 5

What are social structures?

Answer 5

Factors that influence decisions within society such as social class, religion, gender, ethnicity, ability

Question 6

What is constrained agency?

Answer 6

The ability people have to make decisions and act within limits set by society

Question 7

Define social institution.

Answer 7

Any institution in society that works to shape the behavior of groups of people

Question 8

Who are the three ‘founding fathers’ of classic sociology?

Answer 8

Karl Marx, Max Weber, Emile Durkheim

Question 9

What was Karl Marx’s main argument?

Answer 9

Conflict causes change

Question 10

What did Max Weber emphasize in sociology?

Answer 10

Understanding the means that people attach to their actions

Question 11

What did Emile Durkheim propose?

Answer 11

The social world can be described and predicted by observable relationships

Question 12

Who was W. E. B. DuBois?

Answer 12

An African American sociologist who created the idea of double consciousness

Question 13

What is double consciousness?

Answer 13

Two behavioral scripts: moving through life as any other person and incorporating external opinions of prejudiced onlookers

Question 14

What is the difference between qualitative and quantitative research?

Answer 14

Qualitative focuses on understanding depth; quantitative can be converted numerically

Question 15

What is correlation?

Answer 15

When two variables tend to track each other positively or negatively

Question 16

What is causation?

Answer 16

The notion that a change in one factor results in a corresponding change in another

Question 17

What three factors must be established to prove causation?

Answer 17

• Correlations
• Time Order
• Ruling out Alternative Explanations

Question 18

Define culture.

Answer 18

The sum of the social categories and concepts we operate in addition to beliefs, learned behaviors, and practices

Question 19

What is ethnocentrism?

Answer 19

The belief that your own culture is superior to others

Question 20

What is the opposite of ethnocentrism?

Answer 20

Ethnorelativism

Question 21

What is the difference between material and nonmaterial culture?

Answer 21

• Material: physical environment and technology
• Nonmaterial: values, beliefs, social norms, ideologies

Question 22

What is cultural lag?

Answer 22

Time gap between the appearance of new tech or legislation and the practices that give it meaning

Question 23

What is culture shock?

Answer 23

The feeling of disorientation experienced when encountering a different culture

Question 24

Define code switching.

Answer 24

To flip fluidly between two or more languages and sets of cultural norms

Question 25

What is media?

Answer 25

Any formats, platforms, or vehicles that carry, present, or communicate information

Question 26

How do algorithms influence our experiences on social media?

Answer 26

They show us tailored content based on our interests

Question 27

What is a stereotype?

Answer 27

A generalized belief about a particular group of people that is often based on prejudice

Question 28

What is socialization?

Answer 28

The process of learning to behave in a way that is acceptable in society

Question 29

What is the looking glass self?

Answer 29

The concept that we assume the point of view of others to see ourselves

Question 30

What is the primary unit of socialization?

Answer 30

Family

Question 31

What is the difference between ascribed status and achieved status?

Answer 31

* Ascribed: status born into, involuntary * Achieved: status earned or entered, voluntary

Question 32

Define social construction.

Answer 32

How we assign meanings to objects or ideas through social interaction

Question 33

What is stratification?

Answer 33

Hierarchical organization of a society into groups with differing levels of power, prestige, or resources

Question 34

What is the difference between sex and gender?

Answer 34

* Sex: biological differences * Gender: social position and attributes associated with sex identities

Question 35

Define sexism.

Answer 35

Prejudice based on a person's sex or gender

Question 36

What is socioeconomic status (SES)?

Answer 36

A measure based on income, education, and occupation

Question 37

What is the difference between income and wealth?

Answer 37

* Income: money received * Wealth: cumulative resources (assets - debts)

Question 38

What is the poverty line?

Answer 38

A measure of who is poor in society

Question 39

What is social equality?

Answer 39

The idea that everyone should have equal status, rights, and opportunities

Question 40

What is conflict theory?

Answer 40

A theory that emphasizes the role of conflict in social stratification

Question 41

What is the free rider problem?

Answer 41

The notion that individuals may shirk responsibility in group efforts

Question 42

What are the key features of caste, class, and status hierarchy systems?

Answer 42

* Caste system: rigid, hereditary * Class system: fluid, based on economic factors * Status hierarchy: based on prestige and social honor

Question 43

Define meritocracy.

Answer 43

A system in which advancement is based on individual ability or achievement

Question 44

What is social mobility?

Answer 44

The ability to move up or down the social ladder

Question 45

What is the culture of poverty theory?

Answer 45

A narrative suggesting that poverty creates a distinct culture that perpetuates itself

Question 46

What are perverse incentives?

Answer 46

Incentives that lead to unintended negative consequences

Question 47

What is the Aspen effect?

Answer 47

The phenomenon where wealthier individuals influence community resources

Question 48

What is the difference between absolute and relative poverty?

Answer 48

* Absolute poverty: lacking basic necessities * Relative poverty: lacking compared to a societal standard

Question 49

What is a nuclear family?

Answer 49

A family unit consisting of two parents and their children

Question 50

What is an extended family?

Answer 50

A family that extends beyond the nuclear family to include other relatives

Question 51

What is the separate spheres argument?

Answer 51

The theory that men and women occupy distinct social spheres

Question 52

What is the cult of domesticity?

Answer 52

A cultural belief that emphasizes women's roles as homemakers and nurturers

Question 53

What are the four virtues associated with the cult of domesticity?

Answer 53

* Piety * Purity * Submissiveness * Domesticity