Test Bank For Cengage Advantage Books: Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Generalizations are valid only if they rely on evidence that can be observed directly or verified through
our senses, according to:
a. psychology.
b. organic science.
c. sociological imagination.
d. empiricism.
e. ontology.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Conceptual
2. Sociologists in alcohol studies would be most interested in:
a. the chemical effects of proof.
b. how distilling innovated products.
c. alcohol depicted in shock advertising.
d. the legal history of prohibition.
e. alcohol consumption related to groups.
ANS: E REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
3. The main goal of sociology is to:
a. accurately predict the future.
b. make social problems.
c. understand the forces that mold individuals and shape their behavior.
d. help government agencies to explain the events that affect us.
e. prepare the individual for becoming a member of society.
ANS: C REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Factual
4. When looking at different lifestyles, sociologists are interested in:
a. individual behavior and mental processes.
b. helping people solve problems.
c. the operations of government.
d. how ways of life are related to perceptions of reality.
e. developing therapies that can help people control behavior.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
5. The main focus or unit of analysis for sociologists is:
a. groups.
1
,Test Bank For Cengage Advantage Books: Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
b. strange people.
c. individuals.
d. unusual occurrences.
e. events which other sciences cannot explain.
ANS: A REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Factual
6. From a sociological perspective, what is wrong with four blind men trying to describe an elephant, or
four personal stories being used to describe society?
a. Everyone has an equal tale to tell.
b. Individual experiences may not account for the whole elephant.
c. You need to know someone similar to yourself to collect stories.
d. Sociology is not equal to disability studies.
e. Recurring patterns may bias how much we can understand.
ANS: B REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Applied
7. According to ___________, the task of the sociological imagination is to see the relationship between
individual experiences and larger social forces.
a. Harriet Martineau
b. Karl Marx
c. C. Wright Mills
d. Emile Durkheim
e. Auguste Comte
ANS: C REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Factual
8. The sociological imagination asks us to:
a. broaden our perspective beyond individual experiences.
b. narrow our perspective by looking only at particular events.
c. theorize before we have evidence.
d. improve our society.
e. suspend judgment until all of the facts have been gathered.
ANS: A REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Conceptual
9. In using the sociological imagination to understand how someone selects a mate, we would look for:
a. social values internalized from reading religious texts.
b. individuals engaging in competition for partners.
c. the social value of universal features of attractiveness.
d. how groups defined values related to good matches.
e. an economic rational choice of balanced interests.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Applied
2
,Test Bank For Cengage Advantage Books: Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
10. Both sociologists and psychologists are interested in prescription drug abuse and addiction. However,
in investigating abuse and addiction, a __________ would be most interested in the organization and
patterns of consumption among individuals and social groups.
a. psychologist
b. sociologist
c. both of these
d. economist
ANS: B REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
11. Science is to method as ________________ is to ______________.
a. economics; political process
b. sociology; creative writing
c. psychology; therapy
d. organized knowledge; process of discovery
e. history; victory
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
12. Both sociologists and historians are interested in the past. Using a recent military war as a case for
investigation, a sociologist would be most interested in:
a. particular battles and how they were won or lost.
b. individual military and political leaders and the strategies they developed.
c. whether American involvement in the war was moral or immoral.
d. the impact of the war on political attitudes and events in the United States.
e. how various smaller battles affected the outcome of the larger war.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Applied
13. What is the main difference between sociology and social work?
a. Sociology uses theory and social work does not.
b. Social work overlaps with psychology while sociology does not.
c. Social workers help people with problems while sociologists try to understand why
problems exist.
d. There really is no difference between sociology and social work.
e. Because their research may be misused, sociologists have higher ethical standards.
ANS: C REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
14. Which of the following statements is closest to a sociological approach to understanding the iPhone?
a. The design of the new iPhone attracted people.
b. We can see which groups of people are most likely to own and use an iPhone.
c. Individual choices were affected by discovering how others selected smart phones.
d. The inventor of the iPhone interface was raised by Armenian parents in California.
3
, Test Bank For Cengage Advantage Books: Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
e. A successful technology must meet basic human needs.
ANS: B REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Applied
15. Who gave sociology its name?
a. Auguste Comte
b. Émile Durkheim
c. Karl Marx
d. Henri Saint-Simon
e. Herbert J. Simpson
ANS: A REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
16. Comte was inspired by which of the following?
a. discoveries in the natural sciences
b. encounters with different races during the colonial era
c. the problems of governing global urban societies
d. imbalances in health and well-being among city dwellers
e. how societies pass through stages of development over time
ANS: A REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
17. You want to study how people in different religions interpret public funding for birth control, and
compare how each group tends to support or oppose it. Which sociologist’s theory would you select to
help with your study?
a. Weber’s theory of the relationship between beliefs and social action
b. Marx’s theory of the material causes of social class
c. Addams’ idea of a perfect society
d. DuBois’ objections to racist imperialism over nonwhites
e. Merton’s distinction between manifest and latent functions
ANS: A REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
18. Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, Weber, and Marx all witnessed what major societal change?
a. Values related to marriage were under attack as society grew rapidly.
b. Growth in factory production made labor more democratic.
c. Better printing and communications led to the rapid spread of new ideas.
d. European royalty partnered with elected parliaments, causing more social tension.
e. Tradition was undermined by the industrial revolution, political conflict, and growth in
urban society.
ANS: E REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
4
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Generalizations are valid only if they rely on evidence that can be observed directly or verified through
our senses, according to:
a. psychology.
b. organic science.
c. sociological imagination.
d. empiricism.
e. ontology.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Conceptual
2. Sociologists in alcohol studies would be most interested in:
a. the chemical effects of proof.
b. how distilling innovated products.
c. alcohol depicted in shock advertising.
d. the legal history of prohibition.
e. alcohol consumption related to groups.
ANS: E REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
3. The main goal of sociology is to:
a. accurately predict the future.
b. make social problems.
c. understand the forces that mold individuals and shape their behavior.
d. help government agencies to explain the events that affect us.
e. prepare the individual for becoming a member of society.
ANS: C REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Factual
4. When looking at different lifestyles, sociologists are interested in:
a. individual behavior and mental processes.
b. helping people solve problems.
c. the operations of government.
d. how ways of life are related to perceptions of reality.
e. developing therapies that can help people control behavior.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
5. The main focus or unit of analysis for sociologists is:
a. groups.
1
,Test Bank For Cengage Advantage Books: Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
b. strange people.
c. individuals.
d. unusual occurrences.
e. events which other sciences cannot explain.
ANS: A REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Factual
6. From a sociological perspective, what is wrong with four blind men trying to describe an elephant, or
four personal stories being used to describe society?
a. Everyone has an equal tale to tell.
b. Individual experiences may not account for the whole elephant.
c. You need to know someone similar to yourself to collect stories.
d. Sociology is not equal to disability studies.
e. Recurring patterns may bias how much we can understand.
ANS: B REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Applied
7. According to ___________, the task of the sociological imagination is to see the relationship between
individual experiences and larger social forces.
a. Harriet Martineau
b. Karl Marx
c. C. Wright Mills
d. Emile Durkheim
e. Auguste Comte
ANS: C REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Factual
8. The sociological imagination asks us to:
a. broaden our perspective beyond individual experiences.
b. narrow our perspective by looking only at particular events.
c. theorize before we have evidence.
d. improve our society.
e. suspend judgment until all of the facts have been gathered.
ANS: A REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Conceptual
9. In using the sociological imagination to understand how someone selects a mate, we would look for:
a. social values internalized from reading religious texts.
b. individuals engaging in competition for partners.
c. the social value of universal features of attractiveness.
d. how groups defined values related to good matches.
e. an economic rational choice of balanced interests.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Applied
2
,Test Bank For Cengage Advantage Books: Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
10. Both sociologists and psychologists are interested in prescription drug abuse and addiction. However,
in investigating abuse and addiction, a __________ would be most interested in the organization and
patterns of consumption among individuals and social groups.
a. psychologist
b. sociologist
c. both of these
d. economist
ANS: B REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
11. Science is to method as ________________ is to ______________.
a. economics; political process
b. sociology; creative writing
c. psychology; therapy
d. organized knowledge; process of discovery
e. history; victory
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
12. Both sociologists and historians are interested in the past. Using a recent military war as a case for
investigation, a sociologist would be most interested in:
a. particular battles and how they were won or lost.
b. individual military and political leaders and the strategies they developed.
c. whether American involvement in the war was moral or immoral.
d. the impact of the war on political attitudes and events in the United States.
e. how various smaller battles affected the outcome of the larger war.
ANS: D REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Applied
13. What is the main difference between sociology and social work?
a. Sociology uses theory and social work does not.
b. Social work overlaps with psychology while sociology does not.
c. Social workers help people with problems while sociologists try to understand why
problems exist.
d. There really is no difference between sociology and social work.
e. Because their research may be misused, sociologists have higher ethical standards.
ANS: C REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.2
MSC: Conceptual
14. Which of the following statements is closest to a sociological approach to understanding the iPhone?
a. The design of the new iPhone attracted people.
b. We can see which groups of people are most likely to own and use an iPhone.
c. Individual choices were affected by discovering how others selected smart phones.
d. The inventor of the iPhone interface was raised by Armenian parents in California.
3
, Test Bank For Cengage Advantage Books: Introduction to Sociology
Chapter 1—The Sociological Perspective
e. A successful technology must meet basic human needs.
ANS: B REF: Sociology as a Point of View OBJ: 1.1
MSC: Applied
15. Who gave sociology its name?
a. Auguste Comte
b. Émile Durkheim
c. Karl Marx
d. Henri Saint-Simon
e. Herbert J. Simpson
ANS: A REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
16. Comte was inspired by which of the following?
a. discoveries in the natural sciences
b. encounters with different races during the colonial era
c. the problems of governing global urban societies
d. imbalances in health and well-being among city dwellers
e. how societies pass through stages of development over time
ANS: A REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
17. You want to study how people in different religions interpret public funding for birth control, and
compare how each group tends to support or oppose it. Which sociologist’s theory would you select to
help with your study?
a. Weber’s theory of the relationship between beliefs and social action
b. Marx’s theory of the material causes of social class
c. Addams’ idea of a perfect society
d. DuBois’ objections to racist imperialism over nonwhites
e. Merton’s distinction between manifest and latent functions
ANS: A REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
18. Comte, Spencer, Durkheim, Weber, and Marx all witnessed what major societal change?
a. Values related to marriage were under attack as society grew rapidly.
b. Growth in factory production made labor more democratic.
c. Better printing and communications led to the rapid spread of new ideas.
d. European royalty partnered with elected parliaments, causing more social tension.
e. Tradition was undermined by the industrial revolution, political conflict, and growth in
urban society.
ANS: E REF: The Development of Sociology OBJ: 1.4
MSC: Factual
4