The Real World An Introduction to Sociology (9TH) Kerry Ferris, Jill Stein ALL
CHAPTERS
Chapter 1: Sociology and the Real World
1. How do sociologists observe society?
a) By studying society as a concrete object, like a geologist studies rocks
b) By comparing the past and present with a focus on historical documents
c) By studying the various parts of a society and the ways they interact and
influence one another
d) By specializing in the internal states of the human mind
Answer: c
Rationale: Sociologists examine the relationship between different parts of
society (e.g., economy, family, education) to understand how they function
together or create conflict. Option A describes a physical science approach, while
Option D is psychology.
2. According to C. Wright Mills, what is the "sociological imagination"?
a) The ability to predict the future based on social trends
b) The ability to understand the interplay between the self and larger social forces
,c) A method of conducting surveys and interviews
d) The study of a person's mental state
Answer: b
Rationale: Mills argued that the sociological imagination allows us to grasp the
connection between "biography" (personal experiences) and "history" (larger
social structures).
3. Which concept describes approaching the world without preconceptions in
order to see it in a new way?
a) Expert’s mind
b) Sociological imagination
c) Culture shock
d) Beginner’s mind
Answer: d
Rationale: Bernard McGrane suggested that to understand society, we must clear
our minds of assumptions—a state called "beginner’s mind."
4. What is the primary difference between microsociology and macrosociology?
,a) Microsociology is scientific, while macrosociology is theoretical
b) Microsociology focuses on individual interactions; macrosociology focuses on
large-scale structures
c) Microsociology studies poverty; macrosociology studies wealth
d) There is no difference; they are the same perspective
Answer: b
Rationale: Microsociology examines small group interactions (e.g., conversation
analysis), while macrosociology looks at institutions, systems, and populations
(e.g., healthcare systems).
5. A researcher spends years with an indigenous tribe and has difficulty
reacclimating to Western society. She uses this experience to view her own
culture from an outsider’s perspective. Which concept is this?
a) Verstehen
b) Anomie
c) Culture shock
d) Positivism
Answer: c
, Rationale: Culture shock is the disorientation felt when exposed to an unfamiliar
way of life, which sociologists can use as a tool to see their own society
objectively.
Chapter 2: Culture and Society
6. What are the two basic components of culture?
a) High culture and low culture
b) Material culture and nonmaterial culture
c) Norms and sanctions
d) Values and beliefs
Answer: b
Rationale: Material culture includes physical objects (e.g., cars, clothing), while
nonmaterial culture includes ideas, values, and beliefs.
7. The violation of a social norm is called:
a) Crime
b) Deviance (specifically informal deviance)
c) Sanction
d) Value contradiction
CHAPTERS
Chapter 1: Sociology and the Real World
1. How do sociologists observe society?
a) By studying society as a concrete object, like a geologist studies rocks
b) By comparing the past and present with a focus on historical documents
c) By studying the various parts of a society and the ways they interact and
influence one another
d) By specializing in the internal states of the human mind
Answer: c
Rationale: Sociologists examine the relationship between different parts of
society (e.g., economy, family, education) to understand how they function
together or create conflict. Option A describes a physical science approach, while
Option D is psychology.
2. According to C. Wright Mills, what is the "sociological imagination"?
a) The ability to predict the future based on social trends
b) The ability to understand the interplay between the self and larger social forces
,c) A method of conducting surveys and interviews
d) The study of a person's mental state
Answer: b
Rationale: Mills argued that the sociological imagination allows us to grasp the
connection between "biography" (personal experiences) and "history" (larger
social structures).
3. Which concept describes approaching the world without preconceptions in
order to see it in a new way?
a) Expert’s mind
b) Sociological imagination
c) Culture shock
d) Beginner’s mind
Answer: d
Rationale: Bernard McGrane suggested that to understand society, we must clear
our minds of assumptions—a state called "beginner’s mind."
4. What is the primary difference between microsociology and macrosociology?
,a) Microsociology is scientific, while macrosociology is theoretical
b) Microsociology focuses on individual interactions; macrosociology focuses on
large-scale structures
c) Microsociology studies poverty; macrosociology studies wealth
d) There is no difference; they are the same perspective
Answer: b
Rationale: Microsociology examines small group interactions (e.g., conversation
analysis), while macrosociology looks at institutions, systems, and populations
(e.g., healthcare systems).
5. A researcher spends years with an indigenous tribe and has difficulty
reacclimating to Western society. She uses this experience to view her own
culture from an outsider’s perspective. Which concept is this?
a) Verstehen
b) Anomie
c) Culture shock
d) Positivism
Answer: c
, Rationale: Culture shock is the disorientation felt when exposed to an unfamiliar
way of life, which sociologists can use as a tool to see their own society
objectively.
Chapter 2: Culture and Society
6. What are the two basic components of culture?
a) High culture and low culture
b) Material culture and nonmaterial culture
c) Norms and sanctions
d) Values and beliefs
Answer: b
Rationale: Material culture includes physical objects (e.g., cars, clothing), while
nonmaterial culture includes ideas, values, and beliefs.
7. The violation of a social norm is called:
a) Crime
b) Deviance (specifically informal deviance)
c) Sanction
d) Value contradiction
