SOCL 2001 - Tim Slack Exam 1 Questions and Answers Fully Solved Graded A+
What is sociology? - Answers -The scientific study of human society and social behavior
-Study of the influence of social relationships on peoples attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes
-Study of how societies are structured and change over time
Sociology and Science provide what together? - Answers a variety of ways in which we can acquire
knowledge
What does scientific method have to do with sociology? - Answers sociologists use this to test and
analyze info
What kind of science is sociology? - Answers social science
What is a natural/physical science? - Answers The scientific study of features of the natural or physical
environment, ex: bio, chem
What is a social science? - Answers The study of human relationships and the social environment, ex:
psych, poli sci, econ, sociology
Anthro - Answers Study of the physical, social, and cultural development of humans
Econ - Answers study of markets (How goods and services are distributed)
poli sci - Answers study of politics and government
Psych - Answers Study of mental processes
What is a theory? - Answers A statement explaining how things work, how the pieces fit together
What do theories explain? - Answers How and why things work
What is data used for? - Answers To support or refute
What is sociological theory? - Answers Statements that seek to frame an understanding of how the
social world works
What are sociological theories used for? - Answers To frame studies and suggest relationships that then
can be tested, effective theories should explain and predict
What does the functionalist perspective focus on? - Answers The macro level. It views society as a
network of connected parts, each helping to maintain the system as a whole. Each part has a function.
This perspective emphasizes how parts function to main stability
The Functionalist Perspective has three functions, what are they? - Answers -Manifest functions: which
are open, recognized, and purpose of an aspect of society.
, -Latent functions: "behind the scene" function
-Dysfunctions: an element of society that disrupts the stability of the system
What does the conflict perspective focus on? - Answers The macro-level. It views society as best
understood by understanding conflict between groups. Non neccessarily violent, just conflicting
interests. It focuses on how those with wealth and power maintain their privilege, and how those
without it struggle to get it
What does the symbolic interactionist perspective focus on? - Answers Micro level. It views social
interaction and symbolic understandings as central to understanding social dynamics. "Symbols" may
include material objects, verbal and non verbal language. Focuses on everyday forms of social
interaction to understand the social world
Theoretical approaches - Answers Sociologists make use of all three perspectives. They represent
"Lenses" through which view or from sociological understandings. Each perspective stands to offer
unique insights on similar issues by providing different "Frames"
What is the sociological imagination? - Answers It is the critical awareness of the linkages between
personal experience, history, and structural workings of society. Draw connections between personal
problems and public issues - ability to view society as an "outsider" - understanding human behavior and
condition as embedded in social context.
What does the sociological imagination allow people to do? - Answers View society as an outsider
Explain the scientific method. - Answers 1. Define the problem: Clearly state what you intend to
investigate
2. Review the Literature: The existing body of research and information on a subject
3. Formulate Hypotheses and/or Research Questions (Formulate variables)
4. Select a Research Design: A detailed plan or method for obtaining data
5. Collect and Analyze Data: Collect data and test for hypothesized relationships.
6. Interpret Results and Draw Conclusions: Report research findings. Do your results support your
hypothesis? what scientific story can you tell? limitations/directions for future research. dissemintate to
wider audience
What are the major research designs? - Answers Surveys, ethnography, experiments, and use of existing
data sources
What form do surveys usually take? - Answers Standardized interview or questionairre.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of surveys? - Answers Strength: Possible to collect data from
large numbers of people
What is sociology? - Answers -The scientific study of human society and social behavior
-Study of the influence of social relationships on peoples attitudes, behaviors, and outcomes
-Study of how societies are structured and change over time
Sociology and Science provide what together? - Answers a variety of ways in which we can acquire
knowledge
What does scientific method have to do with sociology? - Answers sociologists use this to test and
analyze info
What kind of science is sociology? - Answers social science
What is a natural/physical science? - Answers The scientific study of features of the natural or physical
environment, ex: bio, chem
What is a social science? - Answers The study of human relationships and the social environment, ex:
psych, poli sci, econ, sociology
Anthro - Answers Study of the physical, social, and cultural development of humans
Econ - Answers study of markets (How goods and services are distributed)
poli sci - Answers study of politics and government
Psych - Answers Study of mental processes
What is a theory? - Answers A statement explaining how things work, how the pieces fit together
What do theories explain? - Answers How and why things work
What is data used for? - Answers To support or refute
What is sociological theory? - Answers Statements that seek to frame an understanding of how the
social world works
What are sociological theories used for? - Answers To frame studies and suggest relationships that then
can be tested, effective theories should explain and predict
What does the functionalist perspective focus on? - Answers The macro level. It views society as a
network of connected parts, each helping to maintain the system as a whole. Each part has a function.
This perspective emphasizes how parts function to main stability
The Functionalist Perspective has three functions, what are they? - Answers -Manifest functions: which
are open, recognized, and purpose of an aspect of society.
, -Latent functions: "behind the scene" function
-Dysfunctions: an element of society that disrupts the stability of the system
What does the conflict perspective focus on? - Answers The macro-level. It views society as best
understood by understanding conflict between groups. Non neccessarily violent, just conflicting
interests. It focuses on how those with wealth and power maintain their privilege, and how those
without it struggle to get it
What does the symbolic interactionist perspective focus on? - Answers Micro level. It views social
interaction and symbolic understandings as central to understanding social dynamics. "Symbols" may
include material objects, verbal and non verbal language. Focuses on everyday forms of social
interaction to understand the social world
Theoretical approaches - Answers Sociologists make use of all three perspectives. They represent
"Lenses" through which view or from sociological understandings. Each perspective stands to offer
unique insights on similar issues by providing different "Frames"
What is the sociological imagination? - Answers It is the critical awareness of the linkages between
personal experience, history, and structural workings of society. Draw connections between personal
problems and public issues - ability to view society as an "outsider" - understanding human behavior and
condition as embedded in social context.
What does the sociological imagination allow people to do? - Answers View society as an outsider
Explain the scientific method. - Answers 1. Define the problem: Clearly state what you intend to
investigate
2. Review the Literature: The existing body of research and information on a subject
3. Formulate Hypotheses and/or Research Questions (Formulate variables)
4. Select a Research Design: A detailed plan or method for obtaining data
5. Collect and Analyze Data: Collect data and test for hypothesized relationships.
6. Interpret Results and Draw Conclusions: Report research findings. Do your results support your
hypothesis? what scientific story can you tell? limitations/directions for future research. dissemintate to
wider audience
What are the major research designs? - Answers Surveys, ethnography, experiments, and use of existing
data sources
What form do surveys usually take? - Answers Standardized interview or questionairre.
What are the strengths and weaknesses of surveys? - Answers Strength: Possible to collect data from
large numbers of people
