1
C273 WGU EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Auguste Comte (1797-1867) - correct-answer -Introduced positivism (the idea of
applying scientific methods to the social world) and coined the term sociology and
the founder of sociology. He believed that it was necessary to observe and classify
human behavior to uncover society's fundamental laws.
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) - correct-answer -Believed that no one should
interfere with the evolution of society. He did not conduct research but
developed ideas about society. Idea that society evolves from lower to higher
forms.
Karl Marx (1818-1883) - correct-answer -Believed that the root cause of all misery
in society was class conflict—the exploitation of the working classes by those who
were wealthy and owned the means of production.
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) - correct-answer -Found through his studies that the
rate of suicide was higher among people whose ties with their communities were
weak.
, 2
Max Weber (1864-1920) - correct-answer -Believed that religion was the central
force in society. He used cross-cultural and historical materials to trace the causes
of social change.
Jane Addams (1860-1935) - correct-answer -Founded the Hull House in the
Chicago slums and welcomed people who were poor, sick, and needy. She worked
to implement the eight-hour workday and to abolish child labor. Social Reform
W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963) - correct-answer -Combined sociology and social
reform. He spent his lifetime studying the relations between African-Americans
and Whites. Race relations.
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) - correct-answer -Abstract models for sociology
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) - correct-answer -Social research
basic sociology - correct-answer -research into the behaviors of people in a social
environment. It provides knowledge about that society and those people.
applied sociology - correct-answer -takes the knowledge found by basic sociology
and uses it to bring about social change.
, 3
Symbolic interactionism - correct-answer -social life is based on symbols; things
to which we attach meaning. Thus, symbolic meanings a society attaches to
relationships, various behaviors, and actions simplify communication and enable
the individual or group to define who and what they are, and to understand the
importance of specific behaviors and events.
Functional analysis - correct-answer -society is viewed as a unit of interrelated
parts that must function together.
Conflict theory - correct-answer -society is seen as being made up of competing
groups vying for scarce resources. Although alliances and cooperation might seem
to exist, there is an underlying struggle for power at all times.
List the primary ways in which sociologists do research - correct-answer -Surveys,
Participant observation, Secondary analysis, Documents, Experiments,
Unobtrusive methods
Surveys - correct-answer -Collection of data by having people answer questions,
such as in graduate satisfaction surveys and employee satisfaction surveys.
Participant Observation - correct-answer -The researcher participates in a
research setting while observing what is happening there.
C273 WGU EXAM QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Auguste Comte (1797-1867) - correct-answer -Introduced positivism (the idea of
applying scientific methods to the social world) and coined the term sociology and
the founder of sociology. He believed that it was necessary to observe and classify
human behavior to uncover society's fundamental laws.
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903) - correct-answer -Believed that no one should
interfere with the evolution of society. He did not conduct research but
developed ideas about society. Idea that society evolves from lower to higher
forms.
Karl Marx (1818-1883) - correct-answer -Believed that the root cause of all misery
in society was class conflict—the exploitation of the working classes by those who
were wealthy and owned the means of production.
Emile Durkheim (1858-1917) - correct-answer -Found through his studies that the
rate of suicide was higher among people whose ties with their communities were
weak.
, 2
Max Weber (1864-1920) - correct-answer -Believed that religion was the central
force in society. He used cross-cultural and historical materials to trace the causes
of social change.
Jane Addams (1860-1935) - correct-answer -Founded the Hull House in the
Chicago slums and welcomed people who were poor, sick, and needy. She worked
to implement the eight-hour workday and to abolish child labor. Social Reform
W.E.B. DuBois (1868-1963) - correct-answer -Combined sociology and social
reform. He spent his lifetime studying the relations between African-Americans
and Whites. Race relations.
Talcott Parsons (1902-1979) - correct-answer -Abstract models for sociology
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) - correct-answer -Social research
basic sociology - correct-answer -research into the behaviors of people in a social
environment. It provides knowledge about that society and those people.
applied sociology - correct-answer -takes the knowledge found by basic sociology
and uses it to bring about social change.
, 3
Symbolic interactionism - correct-answer -social life is based on symbols; things
to which we attach meaning. Thus, symbolic meanings a society attaches to
relationships, various behaviors, and actions simplify communication and enable
the individual or group to define who and what they are, and to understand the
importance of specific behaviors and events.
Functional analysis - correct-answer -society is viewed as a unit of interrelated
parts that must function together.
Conflict theory - correct-answer -society is seen as being made up of competing
groups vying for scarce resources. Although alliances and cooperation might seem
to exist, there is an underlying struggle for power at all times.
List the primary ways in which sociologists do research - correct-answer -Surveys,
Participant observation, Secondary analysis, Documents, Experiments,
Unobtrusive methods
Surveys - correct-answer -Collection of data by having people answer questions,
such as in graduate satisfaction surveys and employee satisfaction surveys.
Participant Observation - correct-answer -The researcher participates in a
research setting while observing what is happening there.
