Download SOC 2000 SOCIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM PRACTICE TEST 1 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED and more Exams Nursing in PDF only on Docsity!
SOC 2000 SOCIOLOGY MIDTERM EXAM
PRACTICE TEST 1 QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2025 GALEN COLLEGE
OF NURSING
- Which of the following best defines sociology? a. The study of individual behavior b. The systematic study of human society and social interaction c. The study of ancient cultures and their impact d. The study of psychology in society Sociology is the systematic study of society, human behavior, and social interactions within a group context.
- Who is considered the "father of sociology"? a. Karl Marx b. Emile Durkheim
c. Auguste Comte d. Max Weber Auguste Comte coined the term "sociology" and emphasized the use of scientific methods in studying society.
- Emile Durkheim is best known for his research on: a. Class conflict b. Bureaucracy c. Symbolic interactionism d. Social integration and suicide Durkheim's study of suicide linked it to levels of social integration and established sociology as a discipline.
- The idea that society is a system of interrelated parts that work together to promote stability is known as: a. Conflict theory b. Symbolic interactionism c. Structural functionalism d. Feminist theory Structural functionalism views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.
- Karl Marx is associated with which sociological theory? a. Conflict theory b. Functionalism
c. Folkways d. Sanctions Folkways are informal norms or everyday customs that may be violated without serious consequences.
- What term describes judging another culture by the standards of one’s own? a. Cultural relativism b. Multiculturalism c. Ethnocentrism d. Assimilation Ethnocentrism is the belief that one's own culture is superior to others and using it as a benchmark.
- The lifelong process through which people learn the attitudes, values, and behaviors of their culture is called: a. Globalization b. Socialization c. Assimilation d. Enculturation Socialization is essential for individuals to function within society and begins at birth.
- Which agent of socialization is typically the most influential in early childhood? a. Peers b. Family c. Media d. School Family is the primary agent of socialization, especially during early development.
- The term “role conflict” refers to: a. The competition for status b. A clash between two cultures c. Incompatible demands from two or more roles held by the same person d. The stress from a single role Role conflict occurs when roles associated with different statuses clash with one another.
- What is a social institution? a. A place for mental illness treatment b. A structure of rules created by law c. A stable cluster of values, norms, and roles that develops around a basic need of society d. A government-regulated program
c. Role d. Role exit A role is the behavior expected of someone holding a particular social position.
- What is resocialization? a. The process of learning a new language b. Teaching children social values c. Learning new norms and values when entering a new social environment d. Retreating from society Resocialization involves replacing old behaviors with new ones in drastically different settings, like prisons or the military.
- Which research method involves watching subjects in their natural environment? a. Surveys b. Observation c. Experiment d. Content analysis Observation allows researchers to study behavior in natural settings, often without interference.
- A variable that causes a change in another variable is called:
a. Dependent variable b. Independent variable c. Control variable d. Spurious variable The independent variable is manipulated to observe its effect on the dependent variable.
- What is a hypothesis? a. A proven fact b. A statement of a possible relationship between two variables c. A religious belief d. A cultural norm A hypothesis is a testable prediction used in scientific research.
- Which term refers to the totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge, and behavior? a. Nature b. Socialization c. Culture d. Personality Culture encompasses beliefs, language, values, norms, and material objects passed across generations.
- Which of the following is an example of nonmaterial culture?
a. Minority group b. Counterculture c. Subculture d. Traditional culture Countercultures actively challenge and reject mainstream norms (e.g., hippies, anarchists).
- What is norms? a. Basic drives b. Rules and expectations by which society guides behavior c. Genetic influences d. Unwritten laws of nature Norms are social expectations that guide acceptable behavior.
- Which of the following is an example of a more? a. Chewing gum b. Wearing hats indoors c. Committing murder d. Speaking loudly Mores are norms with strong moral significance, and violations often result in severe consequences.
- Sanctions are: a. Always negative punishments b. Formalized rituals
c. Rewards or punishments used to enforce norms d. Only given by the government Sanctions can be positive (rewards) or negative (punishments), used to encourage conformity.
- What is a social group? a. A crowd at a concert b. People waiting in line c. Two or more people who interact regularly and share expectations d. A category of strangers A social group involves interaction and a sense of belonging.
- A primary group is: a. A class of students b. A work team c. A small group with close, personal relationships d. A political party Primary groups include intimate, long-term interactions, like family or close friends.
- A secondary group is best characterized by: a. Close emotional bonds b. Informal relationships c. Goal-oriented, impersonal interactions
d. Role conflict Achieved status is acquired through actions, decisions, and accomplishments.
- The process by which individuals disengage from important social roles is called: a. Role strain b. Role switching c. Role exit d. Role distancing Role exit refers to the process of leaving behind a role central to one’s identity.
- A bureaucracy , according to Weber, is characterized by: a. Emotional leadership b. A hierarchy and rules-based structure c. Informal processes d. Absence of roles Weber defined bureaucracy as a structured, rule-governed, hierarchical organization.
- A formal organization is: a. A group of friends b. A large, impersonal social group with a specific goal c. A religious movement
d. A spontaneous gathering Formal organizations are structured to achieve specific objectives, like schools or corporations.
- A reference group is: a. A legal body b. A government institution c. A group used to evaluate one’s own behavior d. A peer circle Reference groups serve as benchmarks for shaping attitudes and behavior.
- What is deviance in sociology? a. A psychological illness b. Always criminal behavior c. Behavior that violates social norms d. Anything unplanned Deviance is the recognized violation of social norms.
- Labeling theory focuses on: a. Psychological causes of deviance b. The significance of labels in defining deviance c. Economic disparity d. Genetic predispositions Labeling theory asserts that deviance results from society’s response to an individual.
a. A daily routine b. A scientific law c. A norm with great moral significance d. A belief in luck Mores dictate core values and societal taboos like theft or incest.
- A system of beliefs and knowledge passed from one generation to another is: a. Language b. Culture c. Innovation d. Economy Culture includes the ideas, behaviors, and objects that form a people's way of life.
- What is social stratification? a. Biological differences among people b. A system by which society ranks categories of people c. A method for organizing family trees d. A method for selecting leadership Social stratification ranks individuals based on wealth, power, and prestige.
- Which system allows for the most social mobility?
a. Caste system b. Class system c. Feudal system d. Slavery The class system permits movement between levels based on achievement.
- What term describes the movement of individuals between different social classes? a. Assimilation b. Social mobility c. Enculturation d. Marginalization Social mobility refers to changes in a person’s social position.
- Which of the following is considered a closed system of stratification? a. Class system b. Democratic system c. Caste system d. Meritocracy A caste system assigns status at birth and disallows movement between ranks.
- What is ethnocentrism?
c. A setting in which people are isolated from society and controlled d. A federal court Examples include prisons, military boot camps, and mental hospitals.
- What is the dependent variable in an experiment? a. The constant factor b. The manipulated variable c. The variable being measured d. The irrelevant outcome The dependent variable shows the effect of changes made to the independent variable.
- Sociology as a discipline emerged in response to: a. Religious conflict b. The Industrial Revolution and social change c. Scientific inventions d. Space exploration The rapid societal changes during industrialization led to the development of sociology.
- Sociological imagination refers to: a. The use of creative writing in sociology b. The psychological basis of sociology c. The ability to see the link between individual experiences and larger social forces
d. Creating social surveys Coined by C. Wright Mills, sociological imagination connects personal issues with societal patterns.
- The term "anomie" refers to: a. Group unity b. Formal organization c. A sense of normlessness or lack of social regulation d. Role conflict Durkheim used anomie to explain breakdowns in social norms during times of change.
- Which is an example of informal sanction? a. A prison sentence b. A dirty look from a stranger c. A fine from the government d. School expulsion Informal sanctions include gestures like frowns, praise, or disapproval.
- What do symbolic interactionists study? a. Class struggle b. Government policy c. Everyday interactions and the use of symbols d. Institutional change
