SOC 323: Sociological Theory

10 Sep SOC 323: Sociological Theory

Answer questions:

1) Explain Weber’s theory of stratification and social change (400-600 words. )

2) Define the concept of the self from the symbolic interactionist perspective. Explain how the self and mind are effects of social interaction. Give examples and demonstrate how the self is essential for the existence of society (400-600 words.)

3) Choose 1 sociological theory. Use this theory to explain why black women are more likely to die from breast cancer (400-600 words).

Short Answer 3-5 sentences each.

4) Why is Durkheim so interested in what holds society together in modern times?

5) Name 3 concepts from Functionalism and define each.

6) According to Durkheim, the basis of society and the collective consciousness is religion. Briefly describe the processes and changes from hunter gather to modern society that led to collective consciousness.

7) Weber thought that to be human is to be social, and to be social is to be organized. What concept(s) is this referring to?

8) Explain how religion evolved into ethical monotheism:

9)  Describe the protestant ethic and the spirit of capitalism.

Multiple choice (5 points):

10)  Which theoretical approaches are usually macro-level theories (circle all that apply)?

1. conflict
2. symbolic-interaction
3. structural-functionalist
4. feminism

11) Modernity (according to Spencer) is characterized by

a. high levels of structural differentiation

b. low levels of structural differentiation

c. institutional fragmentation

d. cultural fragmentation

12) What is the most fundamental social institution – according to Durkheim?

a. Family

b. Religion

c. Politics

d. Education

 

13)  Which of the following statements does not reflect a conflict perspective on globalization?

a. The spread of fast-food chain puts locally owned, independent restaurants out of business.

b. The spread of corporations disconnects people from owning their own means of production.

c. Unique, indigenous cultures become devalued and risk extinction.

d. The spread of large corporations promotes stability and integration as people share similar working conditions.

14) Conflict theorists would argue that elites use culture to gain or maintain power over other groups.

15) A functionalist theorist would view globalization as a uniting force that promotes collaboration and interdependence on a worldwide scale.

16) Which of the following is not true of early founders of sociological thought?

a. They believed sociological understanding would create a more egalitarian, peaceful society.

b. They sought to understand a society that was undergoing rapid change.

c. Due to social and economic barriers for women and minorities, they were mostly upper-class, white men.

d. They rejected scientific reasoning and logic.

17) Which of the following is not characteristic of anomie?

a. It can be defined as a social condition of normlessness.

b. Individuals feel confused and anxious because they do not know how to interact with others.

c. It is more common in demographically homogenous areas than in demographically heterogeneous areas.

d. It can arise as a society transitions from a traditional, agricultural state to a modern, industrial state.

18) According to Karl Marx, in a capitalist society the _____ acquire wealth by exploiting the labor of the _____.

a. proletariat/working class; bourgeoisie/ownership class

b. capitalists; communists

c. bourgeoisie/ownership class, proletariat/working class

d. slave owners; enslaved people

19) According to Marx, the key difference between the working class and the capitalist class was:

a. Ownership of the means of production

b. Work ethic

c. Intelligence

d. Class status at birth

20) Formal organizations characterized by written rules, hierarchical authority, and a paid staff, intended to promote organizational efficiency, are referred to as:

a. Institutions

b. Universities

c. Bureaucracies

d. Government

21) _____ paradigms are concerned with large-scale patterns and institutions, while _____ paradigms are concerned with social relations and interactions in specific, individual, situations.

a. Institutional, individual

b. Macro-level, micro-level

c. Structural, individual

d. Micro, macro

22) Which of the following is not characteristic of structural functionalism?

a. Emphasizes conflict and competition

b. Seeks to explain the functions of various social structures

c. Recognizes manifest, or obvious functions, as well as latent or hidden functions

d. Upholds the status quo

23) Which of the following is not characteristic of symbolic interactionism?

a. It is a micro-level paradigm.

b. Many of the ideas originated with George Hebert Mead.

c. Structural explanations are considered just as important as individual explanations.

d. People understand themselves through their interaction with others.

24) _____ reasoning starts from broad theories but proceeds to break them down into more specific and testable hypotheses.

a. Deductive

b. Hypothesis

c. Inductive

25) _____ reasoning starts from specific data and tries to identify larger patterns from which to derive more general theories.

a. Logical

b. Inductive

c. Ground-level

d. Deductive