Strayer University SOC 205 Midterm Exam (pdf) | 2026/2027 |
Society Law & Gov Q&A | Sociology
1. Which of the following best defines the sociological imagination?
A) The ability to understand individual psychological motivations
B) The ability to see the connection between personal troubles and larger
social forces
C) The ability to predict social change through statistical analysis
D) The ability to conduct ethnographic research
Correct Answer: The ability to see the connection between personal troubles
and larger social forces
Rationale: The sociological imagination, a concept developed 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.
2. According to Émile Durkheim, which of the following is a function of
deviance?
A) It always leads to social chaos
B) It clarifies social norms and strengthens group solidarity
C) It eliminates inequality in society
D) It is always harmful to social order
Correct Answer: It clarifies social norms and strengthens group solidarity
Rationale: Durkheim argued that deviance serves positive functions for
society: it clarifies social norms by defining boundaries of acceptable
,behavior, strengthens group solidarity by uniting members against deviants,
and promotes social change by challenging existing norms.
3. The process by which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms
of a given society is called:
A) Social integration
B) Socialization
C) Social reproduction
D) Social control
Correct Answer: Socialization
Rationale: Socialization is the lifelong process by which individuals internalize
the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society and learn to function as
members of that society. It is how culture is transmitted from one generation
to the next.
4. A status that is assigned at birth or received involuntarily later in life is
called a(n):
A) Achieved status
B) Ascribed status
C) Master status
D) Social role
Correct Answer: Ascribed status
Rationale: An ascribed status is a social position acquired at birth or taken on
involuntarily later in life. Examples include race, gender, and family
background. These statuses are not chosen and often shape opportunities
and life outcomes.
,5. A status that is earned through individual effort and accomplishment is
called a(n):
A) Ascribed status
B) Achieved status
C) Master status
D) Social role
Correct Answer: Achieved status
Rationale: An achieved status is earned through individual effort, choices,
and accomplishments. Examples include being a doctor, a college graduate,
or an athlete. It is contrasted with an ascribed status, which is assigned at
birth.
6. The tension or conflict that occurs when a person occupies multiple
statuses with conflicting expectations is called:
A) Role strain
B) Role conflict
C) Status inconsistency
D) Role ambiguity
Correct Answer: Role conflict
Rationale: Role conflict occurs when a person occupies multiple statuses with
conflicting expectations. For example, a person who is both a parent and a
full-time employee may experience role conflict when work demands
interfere with family responsibilities.
, 7. According to Karl Marx, social class is determined primarily by:
A) Occupation and income
B) One's relationship to the means of production
C) Education and lifestyle
D) Status and prestige
Correct Answer: One's relationship to the means of production
Rationale: For Marx, social class is determined by one's relationship to the
means of production. The bourgeoisie (capitalists) own the means of
production, while the proletariat (workers) sell their labor. This fundamental
economic division is the source of class conflict.
8. The concept of "life chances," introduced by Max Weber, refers to:
A) The probability of being born into a particular social class
B) The opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of life
C) The chances of being a victim of crime
D) The likelihood of experiencing social mobility
Correct Answer: The opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of
life
Rationale: Max Weber introduced the concept of "life chances" to describe
the opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of life. Life
chances are influenced by social class, access to resources, and social
networks.
9. The total value of assets owned by an individual, including money and
property, is called:
Society Law & Gov Q&A | Sociology
1. Which of the following best defines the sociological imagination?
A) The ability to understand individual psychological motivations
B) The ability to see the connection between personal troubles and larger
social forces
C) The ability to predict social change through statistical analysis
D) The ability to conduct ethnographic research
Correct Answer: The ability to see the connection between personal troubles
and larger social forces
Rationale: The sociological imagination, a concept developed 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.
2. According to Émile Durkheim, which of the following is a function of
deviance?
A) It always leads to social chaos
B) It clarifies social norms and strengthens group solidarity
C) It eliminates inequality in society
D) It is always harmful to social order
Correct Answer: It clarifies social norms and strengthens group solidarity
Rationale: Durkheim argued that deviance serves positive functions for
society: it clarifies social norms by defining boundaries of acceptable
,behavior, strengthens group solidarity by uniting members against deviants,
and promotes social change by challenging existing norms.
3. The process by which individuals internalize the values, beliefs, and norms
of a given society is called:
A) Social integration
B) Socialization
C) Social reproduction
D) Social control
Correct Answer: Socialization
Rationale: Socialization is the lifelong process by which individuals internalize
the values, beliefs, and norms of a given society and learn to function as
members of that society. It is how culture is transmitted from one generation
to the next.
4. A status that is assigned at birth or received involuntarily later in life is
called a(n):
A) Achieved status
B) Ascribed status
C) Master status
D) Social role
Correct Answer: Ascribed status
Rationale: An ascribed status is a social position acquired at birth or taken on
involuntarily later in life. Examples include race, gender, and family
background. These statuses are not chosen and often shape opportunities
and life outcomes.
,5. A status that is earned through individual effort and accomplishment is
called a(n):
A) Ascribed status
B) Achieved status
C) Master status
D) Social role
Correct Answer: Achieved status
Rationale: An achieved status is earned through individual effort, choices,
and accomplishments. Examples include being a doctor, a college graduate,
or an athlete. It is contrasted with an ascribed status, which is assigned at
birth.
6. The tension or conflict that occurs when a person occupies multiple
statuses with conflicting expectations is called:
A) Role strain
B) Role conflict
C) Status inconsistency
D) Role ambiguity
Correct Answer: Role conflict
Rationale: Role conflict occurs when a person occupies multiple statuses with
conflicting expectations. For example, a person who is both a parent and a
full-time employee may experience role conflict when work demands
interfere with family responsibilities.
, 7. According to Karl Marx, social class is determined primarily by:
A) Occupation and income
B) One's relationship to the means of production
C) Education and lifestyle
D) Status and prestige
Correct Answer: One's relationship to the means of production
Rationale: For Marx, social class is determined by one's relationship to the
means of production. The bourgeoisie (capitalists) own the means of
production, while the proletariat (workers) sell their labor. This fundamental
economic division is the source of class conflict.
8. The concept of "life chances," introduced by Max Weber, refers to:
A) The probability of being born into a particular social class
B) The opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of life
C) The chances of being a victim of crime
D) The likelihood of experiencing social mobility
Correct Answer: The opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of
life
Rationale: Max Weber introduced the concept of "life chances" to describe
the opportunities individuals have to improve their quality of life. Life
chances are influenced by social class, access to resources, and social
networks.
9. The total value of assets owned by an individual, including money and
property, is called:
