WGU C273 – Introduction to Sociology Objective Assessment |
OA | 60 Original study Questions and Answers + Rationales |
2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
QUESTION 1
A sociologist studies how unemployment affects divorce rates, crime, and
community participation. Which concept is being demonstrated?
A. Cultural relativism
B. Sociological imagination
C. Ethnocentrism
D. Role conflict
Correct Answer: B. Sociological imagination
Rationale: Sociological imagination involves connecting individual experiences and
personal problems with larger social forces and historical conditions.
Unemployment may seem like an individual problem, but sociologists examine how
economic structures influence fami lies, crime, and communities.
QUESTION 2
Which sociological perspective views society as a system of interconnected parts
that work together to maintain stability?
A. Conflict theory
B. Symbolic interactionism
C. Functionalism
D. Feminist theory
Correct Answer: C. Functionalism
Rationale: Functionalism views society as a complex system whose institutions —
such as family, education, religion, and government —perform functions that
contribute to social stability.
QUESTION 3
A researcher argues that wealthy groups maintain political and economic systems
that protect their advantages. Which perspective best supports this argument?
,A. Functionalism
B. Conflict theory
C. Symbolic interactionism
D. Exchange theory
Correct Answer: B. Conflict theory
Rationale: Conflict theory emphasizes inequality, competition for scarce resources,
and the ability of powerful groups to maintain systems that benefit their interests.
QUESTION 4
A sociologist observes how students interpret a teacher's facial expressions during
class. Which perspective is being used?
A. Functionalism
B. Conflict theory
C. Symbolic interactionism
D. Structuralism
Correct Answer: C. Symbolic interactionism
Rationale: Symbolic interactionism focuses on small - scale social interactions and
the meanings individuals attach to gestures, words, symbols, and behaviors.
QUESTION 5
Which sociologist is strongly associated with the concept of social facts?
A. Karl Marx
B. Émile Durkheim
C. Max Weber
D. George Herbert Mead
Correct Answer: B. Émile Durkheim
Rationale: Durkheim described social facts as patterns, norms, and values existing
outside individuals that influence and constrain behavior.
QUESTION 6
Karl Marx believed that the major source of social conflict in capitalist societies
was:
, A. Religious disagreement
B. Competition between economic classes
C. Generational differences
D. Cultural diffusion
Correct Answer: B. Competition between economic classes
Rationale: Marx focused on conflict between the bourgeoisie, who own productive
resources, and the proletariat, who sell their labor.
QUESTION 7
Max Weber's concept of verstehen refers to:
A. Measuring social inequality statistically
B. Understanding behavior from the actor's point of view
C. Eliminating researcher bias completely
D. Studying only large organizations
Correct Answer: B. Understanding behavior from the actor's point of view
Rationale: Verstehen means interpretive understanding. Weber argued that
sociologists should attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to their
actions.
QUESTION 8
Which statement best describes a hypothesis?
A. A proven sociological law
B. A testable prediction about relationships between variables
C. A summary of previous studies
D. A personal opinion about society
Correct Answer: B. A testable prediction about relationships between variables
Rationale: A hypothesis proposes a relationship between variables that can be
tested using empirical evidence.
QUESTION 9
In a study examining whether education level affects income, education level is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Control variable
OA | 60 Original study Questions and Answers + Rationales |
2026/27 Updates | 100% correct
QUESTION 1
A sociologist studies how unemployment affects divorce rates, crime, and
community participation. Which concept is being demonstrated?
A. Cultural relativism
B. Sociological imagination
C. Ethnocentrism
D. Role conflict
Correct Answer: B. Sociological imagination
Rationale: Sociological imagination involves connecting individual experiences and
personal problems with larger social forces and historical conditions.
Unemployment may seem like an individual problem, but sociologists examine how
economic structures influence fami lies, crime, and communities.
QUESTION 2
Which sociological perspective views society as a system of interconnected parts
that work together to maintain stability?
A. Conflict theory
B. Symbolic interactionism
C. Functionalism
D. Feminist theory
Correct Answer: C. Functionalism
Rationale: Functionalism views society as a complex system whose institutions —
such as family, education, religion, and government —perform functions that
contribute to social stability.
QUESTION 3
A researcher argues that wealthy groups maintain political and economic systems
that protect their advantages. Which perspective best supports this argument?
,A. Functionalism
B. Conflict theory
C. Symbolic interactionism
D. Exchange theory
Correct Answer: B. Conflict theory
Rationale: Conflict theory emphasizes inequality, competition for scarce resources,
and the ability of powerful groups to maintain systems that benefit their interests.
QUESTION 4
A sociologist observes how students interpret a teacher's facial expressions during
class. Which perspective is being used?
A. Functionalism
B. Conflict theory
C. Symbolic interactionism
D. Structuralism
Correct Answer: C. Symbolic interactionism
Rationale: Symbolic interactionism focuses on small - scale social interactions and
the meanings individuals attach to gestures, words, symbols, and behaviors.
QUESTION 5
Which sociologist is strongly associated with the concept of social facts?
A. Karl Marx
B. Émile Durkheim
C. Max Weber
D. George Herbert Mead
Correct Answer: B. Émile Durkheim
Rationale: Durkheim described social facts as patterns, norms, and values existing
outside individuals that influence and constrain behavior.
QUESTION 6
Karl Marx believed that the major source of social conflict in capitalist societies
was:
, A. Religious disagreement
B. Competition between economic classes
C. Generational differences
D. Cultural diffusion
Correct Answer: B. Competition between economic classes
Rationale: Marx focused on conflict between the bourgeoisie, who own productive
resources, and the proletariat, who sell their labor.
QUESTION 7
Max Weber's concept of verstehen refers to:
A. Measuring social inequality statistically
B. Understanding behavior from the actor's point of view
C. Eliminating researcher bias completely
D. Studying only large organizations
Correct Answer: B. Understanding behavior from the actor's point of view
Rationale: Verstehen means interpretive understanding. Weber argued that
sociologists should attempt to understand the meanings individuals attach to their
actions.
QUESTION 8
Which statement best describes a hypothesis?
A. A proven sociological law
B. A testable prediction about relationships between variables
C. A summary of previous studies
D. A personal opinion about society
Correct Answer: B. A testable prediction about relationships between variables
Rationale: A hypothesis proposes a relationship between variables that can be
tested using empirical evidence.
QUESTION 9
In a study examining whether education level affects income, education level is the:
A. Dependent variable
B. Control variable
