Sociology 1000 final exam Mizzou
questions & answers.latest test
bank with correct anwers ||well
detailed exam!! Brand new exam
2026/2027 (409 practice exam)
Syllabus Overview - ANSWER--recorded lectures
-grade based on three exams and packback questions
-online text
-MC Exams, review sheet 2 weeks before IN-PERSON!!!
*Texts Ruane and Cerulo Custom: Introduction to Sociology Electronic Edition....Second
Thoughts
-each chapter examines a common sense adage or conventional wisdom that is widely
shared and shows us how social science research complicates or challenges that
wisdom
Gladwell Outliers
--looks at the structured nature of success.--Why are more Canadian hockey players
born in January? Relative age effect
Brekhus Peacocks
--study hanging out with suburban gay men and how the organize their gay identities.
Applies to identity organization in general
*reccomended to complete readings before class*
**PACKBACKEach week (starting next week) you should ask 1 question and answer 2
questions before Midnight on Thursday
What is Sociology? - ANSWER-*Sociology is the evidence-based (social scientific)
study of human group behavior.*
*Sociologists look at how groups, societies, institutions and social conditions shape the
way people act and the way they see their world.
,Perhaps the best way to explain what sociology is, is to explain what it is not...Sociology
is NOT conventional wisdom or psychology.
Difference between Sociology and Conventional Wisdom - ANSWER-Conventional
Wisdom refers to those common-sense beliefs and adages we have about the world
and how it works.
Sociology sometimes confirms our conventional wisdoms and common-sense beliefs,
but it also often contradicts conventional wisdom
Sociology requires ______ - ANSWER-1. evidence, whereas common sense requires
mere faith, sheer belief or personal anecdote.
Sociology requires evidence: Children Example - ANSWER-The idea that children are
our most precious commodity is one widely stated but that we can look at evidence to
get a better sense of how much we value children. Infant mortality rates in the United
States are among the highest in the industrialized world and are comparable to infant
mortality rates in Serbia and Slovokia and worse than Cuba and double that of Greece.
Our child inoculation rates are lower than in Albania, Tonga and Cuba
Why is this? (Children Example) - ANSWER-Children are a relatively powerless minority
group. Their high poverty rates as a group are comparable to that of the most
impoverished minority groups.
Children lack control of economic resources and political access and so their interests
are often outweighed by others interests. A proposal to fund children's health care with
an increase in cigarette taxes was denied because politicians responded to voter
pressure not to raise cigarette taxes. Kids don't vote.
We may say we value children in theory, but we value cheap cigarettes more in practice
(at least when it is not our own children at stake).
Children Example highlights Ideal Culture vs. Real Culture - ANSWER-Ideal Culture—
the stated values of a society
Real Culture—the values of a society reflected in its actual actions
Sociology requires ____ pt. 2 - ANSWER-2. Sociology requires systematic evidence
rather than single anecdote. It is based on social patterns, not one individual's
experiences.
Personal anecdote Example - ANSWER-A personal anecdote might be "women are
terrible drivers, because they've cut me off twice in the Walmart parking lot."
Systematic Evidence Example - ANSWER-Systematic evidence would require us to
check accident statistics by sex and see whether that's true.
,If we did that who would we find is crashing into stuff?
Social Patterns - ANSWER-Social patterns are general trends—trends that can only be
seen only when we take a look at the ***big picture*** rather than "one or two or three"
examples
Difference between Social Patterns & Individual Stories/Anecdotes - ANSWER-
Individual stories and anecdotes need to be understood in the context of broader social
trends.
**Personal experience can be misleading, because our own experiences might be
unrepresentative of larger social patterns.**
Some stories can be misleading if a person's experience is misleading. (People often
misinterpret the popularity or unpopularity of a particular political party, because most of
their neighbors and friends have similar politics...creates an illusion of consensus).
**Evidence often contradicts our common-sense beliefs** - ANSWER-Sometimes
evidence confirms our common-sense: kids with two parents are on average more likely
to have better life chances and financial success than kids with one parent.
...But evidence often also contradicts our common-sense
Examples of Evidence contradicting our common sense beliefs - ANSWER-Common-
sense says that strict hard to achieve membership rules (in churches) will make people
more likely to drop out of a group (higher costs) but statistics generally show that stricter
membership requirements lead to lower dropout rates and higher group cohesion.
Common-sense also says that higher criminal sanctions lead to less crime and that the
death penalty deters crime. Most Americans believe that the death penalty deters crime.
Makes sense. BUT evidence shows that there is no clear relationship between the
presence or absence of the death penalty and crime rates. States with the death penalty
actually have higher crime rates than those without (also doesn't mean the death
penalty causes crime, but is a response to it).
Typical Murder...
Typical Murder - ANSWER-first degree vs. second degree murder
-typically happens on a Friday or Saturday night, drugs or alcohol is involved
(we can explain the fact that there is no clear relationship between death penalty laws
and rates of crime/murder because these are heat of the moment decisions)
, Difference between Sociology & Psychology - ANSWER-Sociology is also different from
Psychology.
Both psychology and sociology are important but they differ in what they focus on.
*Psychology looks at forces INTERNAL to the individual and how they affect behavior
and Sociology looks at forces EXTERNAL to the individual and how they affect
behavior.*
Difference between Sociology & Psychology (cont.) - ANSWER-Sociology places the
individual within the social context to see how specific social and historical and culture
forces influence behavior.
Psychology divorces the individual from their social context and looks at how internal
things like brain-wiring, personality factors, and biological makeup affect the individual.
1. Sociology looks at the influence of broad social patterns and forces and social
networks and not just at individual personality and choices. - ANSWER-**Sociology
recognizes influence of social forces and culture on individual behaviors and
perceptions**
A Sociological Perspective or the Sociological Imagination allows us to see how social
forces outside our immediate control affect our daily lives.
Introduction to The Sociological Perspective - ANSWER-
Conventional Wisdom - ANSWER-body of assertion and beliefs that is generally
recognized as part of a culture's common knowledge
social patterns - ANSWER-general trends that can be seen when we look beyond any
one or two cases
social context - ANSWER-the broad social and historical circumstances surrounding an
act or event
cultural value - ANSWER-a general sentiment regarding what is good or bad, right or
wrong
ex: The United States values individualism
obesity - ANSWER-a condition of having a body mass index of 30 or higher or being
about 30 pounds overweight
poor - ANSWER-those with incomes below the minimal level needed to meet basic
needs
questions & answers.latest test
bank with correct anwers ||well
detailed exam!! Brand new exam
2026/2027 (409 practice exam)
Syllabus Overview - ANSWER--recorded lectures
-grade based on three exams and packback questions
-online text
-MC Exams, review sheet 2 weeks before IN-PERSON!!!
*Texts Ruane and Cerulo Custom: Introduction to Sociology Electronic Edition....Second
Thoughts
-each chapter examines a common sense adage or conventional wisdom that is widely
shared and shows us how social science research complicates or challenges that
wisdom
Gladwell Outliers
--looks at the structured nature of success.--Why are more Canadian hockey players
born in January? Relative age effect
Brekhus Peacocks
--study hanging out with suburban gay men and how the organize their gay identities.
Applies to identity organization in general
*reccomended to complete readings before class*
**PACKBACKEach week (starting next week) you should ask 1 question and answer 2
questions before Midnight on Thursday
What is Sociology? - ANSWER-*Sociology is the evidence-based (social scientific)
study of human group behavior.*
*Sociologists look at how groups, societies, institutions and social conditions shape the
way people act and the way they see their world.
,Perhaps the best way to explain what sociology is, is to explain what it is not...Sociology
is NOT conventional wisdom or psychology.
Difference between Sociology and Conventional Wisdom - ANSWER-Conventional
Wisdom refers to those common-sense beliefs and adages we have about the world
and how it works.
Sociology sometimes confirms our conventional wisdoms and common-sense beliefs,
but it also often contradicts conventional wisdom
Sociology requires ______ - ANSWER-1. evidence, whereas common sense requires
mere faith, sheer belief or personal anecdote.
Sociology requires evidence: Children Example - ANSWER-The idea that children are
our most precious commodity is one widely stated but that we can look at evidence to
get a better sense of how much we value children. Infant mortality rates in the United
States are among the highest in the industrialized world and are comparable to infant
mortality rates in Serbia and Slovokia and worse than Cuba and double that of Greece.
Our child inoculation rates are lower than in Albania, Tonga and Cuba
Why is this? (Children Example) - ANSWER-Children are a relatively powerless minority
group. Their high poverty rates as a group are comparable to that of the most
impoverished minority groups.
Children lack control of economic resources and political access and so their interests
are often outweighed by others interests. A proposal to fund children's health care with
an increase in cigarette taxes was denied because politicians responded to voter
pressure not to raise cigarette taxes. Kids don't vote.
We may say we value children in theory, but we value cheap cigarettes more in practice
(at least when it is not our own children at stake).
Children Example highlights Ideal Culture vs. Real Culture - ANSWER-Ideal Culture—
the stated values of a society
Real Culture—the values of a society reflected in its actual actions
Sociology requires ____ pt. 2 - ANSWER-2. Sociology requires systematic evidence
rather than single anecdote. It is based on social patterns, not one individual's
experiences.
Personal anecdote Example - ANSWER-A personal anecdote might be "women are
terrible drivers, because they've cut me off twice in the Walmart parking lot."
Systematic Evidence Example - ANSWER-Systematic evidence would require us to
check accident statistics by sex and see whether that's true.
,If we did that who would we find is crashing into stuff?
Social Patterns - ANSWER-Social patterns are general trends—trends that can only be
seen only when we take a look at the ***big picture*** rather than "one or two or three"
examples
Difference between Social Patterns & Individual Stories/Anecdotes - ANSWER-
Individual stories and anecdotes need to be understood in the context of broader social
trends.
**Personal experience can be misleading, because our own experiences might be
unrepresentative of larger social patterns.**
Some stories can be misleading if a person's experience is misleading. (People often
misinterpret the popularity or unpopularity of a particular political party, because most of
their neighbors and friends have similar politics...creates an illusion of consensus).
**Evidence often contradicts our common-sense beliefs** - ANSWER-Sometimes
evidence confirms our common-sense: kids with two parents are on average more likely
to have better life chances and financial success than kids with one parent.
...But evidence often also contradicts our common-sense
Examples of Evidence contradicting our common sense beliefs - ANSWER-Common-
sense says that strict hard to achieve membership rules (in churches) will make people
more likely to drop out of a group (higher costs) but statistics generally show that stricter
membership requirements lead to lower dropout rates and higher group cohesion.
Common-sense also says that higher criminal sanctions lead to less crime and that the
death penalty deters crime. Most Americans believe that the death penalty deters crime.
Makes sense. BUT evidence shows that there is no clear relationship between the
presence or absence of the death penalty and crime rates. States with the death penalty
actually have higher crime rates than those without (also doesn't mean the death
penalty causes crime, but is a response to it).
Typical Murder...
Typical Murder - ANSWER-first degree vs. second degree murder
-typically happens on a Friday or Saturday night, drugs or alcohol is involved
(we can explain the fact that there is no clear relationship between death penalty laws
and rates of crime/murder because these are heat of the moment decisions)
, Difference between Sociology & Psychology - ANSWER-Sociology is also different from
Psychology.
Both psychology and sociology are important but they differ in what they focus on.
*Psychology looks at forces INTERNAL to the individual and how they affect behavior
and Sociology looks at forces EXTERNAL to the individual and how they affect
behavior.*
Difference between Sociology & Psychology (cont.) - ANSWER-Sociology places the
individual within the social context to see how specific social and historical and culture
forces influence behavior.
Psychology divorces the individual from their social context and looks at how internal
things like brain-wiring, personality factors, and biological makeup affect the individual.
1. Sociology looks at the influence of broad social patterns and forces and social
networks and not just at individual personality and choices. - ANSWER-**Sociology
recognizes influence of social forces and culture on individual behaviors and
perceptions**
A Sociological Perspective or the Sociological Imagination allows us to see how social
forces outside our immediate control affect our daily lives.
Introduction to The Sociological Perspective - ANSWER-
Conventional Wisdom - ANSWER-body of assertion and beliefs that is generally
recognized as part of a culture's common knowledge
social patterns - ANSWER-general trends that can be seen when we look beyond any
one or two cases
social context - ANSWER-the broad social and historical circumstances surrounding an
act or event
cultural value - ANSWER-a general sentiment regarding what is good or bad, right or
wrong
ex: The United States values individualism
obesity - ANSWER-a condition of having a body mass index of 30 or higher or being
about 30 pounds overweight
poor - ANSWER-those with incomes below the minimal level needed to meet basic
needs
