PSC 3304 Exam 1 Review Questions With
All Correct & Verified Answers
Comparative politics Correct answer-The study and comparison of domestic politics across
countries
International relations Correct answer-A field in political science which concentrates on relations
between countries, such as foreign policy, war, trade, and foreign aid
Institution Correct answer-The humanly devised constraints that structure political, economic, and
social interaction.
Politics Correct answer-The struggle in any group for power that will give one or more persons the
ability to make decisions for the larger group
Power Correct answer-The ability to influence others or impose one's will on them
Comparative method Correct answer-The means by which social scientists make comparisons
across cases
Inductive reasoning Correct answer-Research that works from case studies in order to generate
hypotheses
Correlation Correct answer-An apparent relationship between two or more variables in which
they appear to move in either the same direction (positive) or opposite directions (negative).
Causal relationship Correct answer-A connection between two entities that occurs because one
produces, or brings about, the other with complete or great regularity.
Multicausality Correct answer-When variables are interconnected and interact together to produce
particular outcomes
Area studies Correct answer-A regional focus when studying political science, rather than studying
parts of the world where similar variables are clustered
Selection bias Correct answer-A focus on effects rather than causes, which can lead to inaccurate
conclusions about correlation or causation
Endogeneity Correct answer-The issue that cause and effect are not often clear, in that variables
may be both cause and effect in relationship to one another
Theory Correct answer-A systematic, detailed means of explaining why a social phenomenon exists
that recognizes the influence of a multitude of factors, is subject to change, and avoids moral
arguments in favor of empirical arguments.
Modernization theory Correct answer-A theory asserting that democracy can be expected as a
consequence of the emergence of economic development, industrialization, education, and
urbanization, all of which contribute to the emergence of a middle class.
, Behavioral revolution Correct answer-A movement within political science during the 1950s and
1960s to develop general theories about individual political behavior that could be applied across all
countries
Qualitative method Correct answer-Study through an in-depth investigation of a limited number of
cases
Quantitative method Correct answer-Study through statistical data from many cases
Rational choice Correct answer-Approach that assumes that individuals weigh the costs and
benefits and make choices to maximize their benefits
Game theory Correct answer-An approach that emphasizes how actors or organizations behave in
their goal to influence others. Built upon assumptions of rational choice
Formal institutions Correct answer-Institutions usually based on officially sanctioned rules that are
relatively clear
Informal institutions Correct answer-Institutions with unwritten and unofficial rules
Freedom Correct answer-The ability of an individual to act independently, without fear of
restriction or punishment by the state or other individuals or groups in society
Equality Correct answer-A shared material standard of individuals within a community, society, or
country
State Correct answer-The human community that successfully claims a monopoly of legitimate
force over a given territory
Sovereignty Correct answer-A state's legal authority to carry out actions or policies within a
territory independently from external actors or internal rivals
Regime Correct answer-The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals
regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and the use of that
power
Government Correct answer-The leadership or elite in charge of running the state
Country Correct answer-Term used to refer to state, government, regime, and the people who live
within that political system
Legitimacy Correct answer-A value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and
proper, thus giving it authority and power
Traditional legitimacy Correct answer-Legitimacy that accepts aspects of politics because they have
been institutionalized over a long period of time
Charismatic legitimacy Correct answer-Legitimacy built on the force of ideas embodied by an
individual leader
All Correct & Verified Answers
Comparative politics Correct answer-The study and comparison of domestic politics across
countries
International relations Correct answer-A field in political science which concentrates on relations
between countries, such as foreign policy, war, trade, and foreign aid
Institution Correct answer-The humanly devised constraints that structure political, economic, and
social interaction.
Politics Correct answer-The struggle in any group for power that will give one or more persons the
ability to make decisions for the larger group
Power Correct answer-The ability to influence others or impose one's will on them
Comparative method Correct answer-The means by which social scientists make comparisons
across cases
Inductive reasoning Correct answer-Research that works from case studies in order to generate
hypotheses
Correlation Correct answer-An apparent relationship between two or more variables in which
they appear to move in either the same direction (positive) or opposite directions (negative).
Causal relationship Correct answer-A connection between two entities that occurs because one
produces, or brings about, the other with complete or great regularity.
Multicausality Correct answer-When variables are interconnected and interact together to produce
particular outcomes
Area studies Correct answer-A regional focus when studying political science, rather than studying
parts of the world where similar variables are clustered
Selection bias Correct answer-A focus on effects rather than causes, which can lead to inaccurate
conclusions about correlation or causation
Endogeneity Correct answer-The issue that cause and effect are not often clear, in that variables
may be both cause and effect in relationship to one another
Theory Correct answer-A systematic, detailed means of explaining why a social phenomenon exists
that recognizes the influence of a multitude of factors, is subject to change, and avoids moral
arguments in favor of empirical arguments.
Modernization theory Correct answer-A theory asserting that democracy can be expected as a
consequence of the emergence of economic development, industrialization, education, and
urbanization, all of which contribute to the emergence of a middle class.
, Behavioral revolution Correct answer-A movement within political science during the 1950s and
1960s to develop general theories about individual political behavior that could be applied across all
countries
Qualitative method Correct answer-Study through an in-depth investigation of a limited number of
cases
Quantitative method Correct answer-Study through statistical data from many cases
Rational choice Correct answer-Approach that assumes that individuals weigh the costs and
benefits and make choices to maximize their benefits
Game theory Correct answer-An approach that emphasizes how actors or organizations behave in
their goal to influence others. Built upon assumptions of rational choice
Formal institutions Correct answer-Institutions usually based on officially sanctioned rules that are
relatively clear
Informal institutions Correct answer-Institutions with unwritten and unofficial rules
Freedom Correct answer-The ability of an individual to act independently, without fear of
restriction or punishment by the state or other individuals or groups in society
Equality Correct answer-A shared material standard of individuals within a community, society, or
country
State Correct answer-The human community that successfully claims a monopoly of legitimate
force over a given territory
Sovereignty Correct answer-A state's legal authority to carry out actions or policies within a
territory independently from external actors or internal rivals
Regime Correct answer-The fundamental rules and norms of politics, embodying long-term goals
regarding individual freedom and collective equality, where power should reside, and the use of that
power
Government Correct answer-The leadership or elite in charge of running the state
Country Correct answer-Term used to refer to state, government, regime, and the people who live
within that political system
Legitimacy Correct answer-A value whereby an institution is accepted by the public as right and
proper, thus giving it authority and power
Traditional legitimacy Correct answer-Legitimacy that accepts aspects of politics because they have
been institutionalized over a long period of time
Charismatic legitimacy Correct answer-Legitimacy built on the force of ideas embodied by an
individual leader
