According to the Study Guide, which of the following sociologists is credited
for developing the concept of the sociological imagination?
1. Talcott Parsons
2. Charles Wright Mills
3. Max Weber
4. Alvin Gouldner
5. Herbert Spencer
Question 1(2)
The question tests your familiarity with the key figures in the evolution of
sociological thought. Max Weber is renowned as one of the founding
personalities, alongside Emile Durkheim and Karl Marx. Herbert Spencer is
known for applying evolutionary methodology to the study and functioning of
society. Talcott Parsons is a central figure in functionalist sociology, whilst Alvin
Gouldner is one of those who worked hard to reconcile Marxism and sociology.
Charles Wright Mills is the one credited with the concept sociological
imagination as being central to the nature of sociology.
That means option 2 is the correct answer for this question.
Question 2
In the history of the evolution of trade unions, their earliest organisational
form and criterion for membership was based on …
1. Gender
2. Race
3. Craft
4. Age
5. Politics
Question 2(3)
The question relates to the mode of existence of trade unions in their early
days, especially criteria for membership. Since forms of worker organisations
follow the form of labour and structure of factory regimes, to reflect the
relevant criteria for membership we need to examine the principles
underpinning early forms of factories. The early factories evolved along the
lines of the putting-out system in which various crafts were the central
organising principles of the labour process. So craft was the defining principle
of the early trade unions as the one governing acceptance to such structures.