Strayer University SOC 100 Exam 1 (pdf) | 2026/2027 | Introduction
to Sociology Q&A | Sociology
1. Which of the following best defines sociology?
A) The study of individual psychological development
B) The scientific study of human society, social groups, and social
interactions
C) The study of biological evolution and human genetics
D) The analysis of economic markets and consumer behavior
Correct Answer: The scientific study of human society, social groups, and
social interactions
Rationale: Sociology is the systematic study of human society, social groups,
and social interactions. It examines how social structures, institutions, and
relationships shape individual and group behavior. Unlike psychology (which
focuses on the individual) or economics (which focuses on markets),
sociology examines the broader social context.
2. The ability to see the connection between individual experiences and
larger social forces is called:
A) Social integration
B) Sociological imagination
C) Social construction
D) Cultural relativism
Correct Answer: Sociological imagination
Rationale: The sociological imagination, coined by C. Wright Mills, is the
ability to see the link between individual lives (biography) and the broader
,social and historical forces (history) that shape them. It allows individuals to
understand that personal troubles are often rooted in public issues.
3. Who coined the term "sociological imagination"?
A) Émile Durkheim
B) Karl Marx
C) C. Wright Mills
D) Auguste Comte
Correct Answer: C. Wright Mills
Rationale: C. Wright Mills coined the term "sociological imagination" in his
1959 book of the same name. He argued that this perspective helps
individuals understand how personal troubles are connected to broader
social and historical forces.
4. Which sociologist is considered the "father of sociology"?
A) Karl Marx
B) Émile Durkheim
C) Max Weber
D) Auguste Comte
Correct Answer: Auguste Comte
Rationale: Auguste Comte is considered the father of sociology. He coined
the term "sociology" and believed that society could be studied scientifically
using methods similar to the natural sciences. He proposed that sociology
should contribute to the welfare of humanity.
,5. Auguste Comte believed that society could be studied scientifically. This
approach is known as:
A) Positivist sociology
B) Interpretive sociology
C) Critical sociology
D) Historical sociology
Correct Answer: Positivist sociology
Rationale: Positivist sociology is the belief that the social world can be
described and predicted by certain describable relationships, using methods
similar to the natural sciences. Comte argued that sociology should be based
on empirical observation and scientific inquiry.
6. Harriet Martineau is significant in sociology because she:
A) Coined the term "sociological imagination"
B) Translated Auguste Comte's work into English and contributed to feminist
theory
C) Developed the theory of class conflict
D) Founded the Hull House in Chicago
Correct Answer: Translated Auguste Comte's work into English and
contributed to feminist theory
Rationale: Harriet Martineau translated Comte's work into English, making it
accessible to English-speaking audiences. She also made original
contributions to research methods, political economy, and feminist theory,
and is considered the first female sociologist.
7. Karl Marx is best known for his theory of:
, A) Class conflict and the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the
proletariat
B) Social integration and anomie
C) Bureaucracy and rationalization
D) The Protestant ethic and capitalism
Correct Answer: Class conflict and the struggle between the bourgeoisie and
the proletariat
Rationale: Karl Marx is a foundational figure in sociology known for his
conflict theory, which argues that the struggle between social classes (the
bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who sell
their labor) is the driving force of social change.
8. According to Karl Marx, the economic system that best fits his theory is
one with:
A) Free market capitalism
B) Collective ownership of all property
C) Government regulation of businesses
D) Private property and competition
Correct Answer: Collective ownership of all property
Rationale: Marx believed that capitalism creates inequality and class conflict.
He argued that the best economic system would be one with collective
ownership of all property, where the means of production are owned and
controlled by the working class.
9. Which sociologist is known for the concept of "anomie" and the study of
suicide as a social phenomenon?
to Sociology Q&A | Sociology
1. Which of the following best defines sociology?
A) The study of individual psychological development
B) The scientific study of human society, social groups, and social
interactions
C) The study of biological evolution and human genetics
D) The analysis of economic markets and consumer behavior
Correct Answer: The scientific study of human society, social groups, and
social interactions
Rationale: Sociology is the systematic study of human society, social groups,
and social interactions. It examines how social structures, institutions, and
relationships shape individual and group behavior. Unlike psychology (which
focuses on the individual) or economics (which focuses on markets),
sociology examines the broader social context.
2. The ability to see the connection between individual experiences and
larger social forces is called:
A) Social integration
B) Sociological imagination
C) Social construction
D) Cultural relativism
Correct Answer: Sociological imagination
Rationale: The sociological imagination, coined by C. Wright Mills, is the
ability to see the link between individual lives (biography) and the broader
,social and historical forces (history) that shape them. It allows individuals to
understand that personal troubles are often rooted in public issues.
3. Who coined the term "sociological imagination"?
A) Émile Durkheim
B) Karl Marx
C) C. Wright Mills
D) Auguste Comte
Correct Answer: C. Wright Mills
Rationale: C. Wright Mills coined the term "sociological imagination" in his
1959 book of the same name. He argued that this perspective helps
individuals understand how personal troubles are connected to broader
social and historical forces.
4. Which sociologist is considered the "father of sociology"?
A) Karl Marx
B) Émile Durkheim
C) Max Weber
D) Auguste Comte
Correct Answer: Auguste Comte
Rationale: Auguste Comte is considered the father of sociology. He coined
the term "sociology" and believed that society could be studied scientifically
using methods similar to the natural sciences. He proposed that sociology
should contribute to the welfare of humanity.
,5. Auguste Comte believed that society could be studied scientifically. This
approach is known as:
A) Positivist sociology
B) Interpretive sociology
C) Critical sociology
D) Historical sociology
Correct Answer: Positivist sociology
Rationale: Positivist sociology is the belief that the social world can be
described and predicted by certain describable relationships, using methods
similar to the natural sciences. Comte argued that sociology should be based
on empirical observation and scientific inquiry.
6. Harriet Martineau is significant in sociology because she:
A) Coined the term "sociological imagination"
B) Translated Auguste Comte's work into English and contributed to feminist
theory
C) Developed the theory of class conflict
D) Founded the Hull House in Chicago
Correct Answer: Translated Auguste Comte's work into English and
contributed to feminist theory
Rationale: Harriet Martineau translated Comte's work into English, making it
accessible to English-speaking audiences. She also made original
contributions to research methods, political economy, and feminist theory,
and is considered the first female sociologist.
7. Karl Marx is best known for his theory of:
, A) Class conflict and the struggle between the bourgeoisie and the
proletariat
B) Social integration and anomie
C) Bureaucracy and rationalization
D) The Protestant ethic and capitalism
Correct Answer: Class conflict and the struggle between the bourgeoisie and
the proletariat
Rationale: Karl Marx is a foundational figure in sociology known for his
conflict theory, which argues that the struggle between social classes (the
bourgeoisie, who own the means of production, and the proletariat, who sell
their labor) is the driving force of social change.
8. According to Karl Marx, the economic system that best fits his theory is
one with:
A) Free market capitalism
B) Collective ownership of all property
C) Government regulation of businesses
D) Private property and competition
Correct Answer: Collective ownership of all property
Rationale: Marx believed that capitalism creates inequality and class conflict.
He argued that the best economic system would be one with collective
ownership of all property, where the means of production are owned and
controlled by the working class.
9. Which sociologist is known for the concept of "anomie" and the study of
suicide as a social phenomenon?
