Theoretical Perspectives in Sociology: Master the Core Concepts

Question 1

According to functionalism, which of the following is a key principle?

Accepted Answer

Society functions as a complex system where elements work together to maintain stability.

Answer

Social conflict is the main factor driving social change.

Answer

Individuals are the primary focus of sociological analysis.

Question 2

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the role of power and inequality in shaping society?

Accepted Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Question 3

According to conflict theory, how does social conflict contribute to societal change?

Accepted Answer

Leading to the emergence of new societal structures and ideas

Answer

Uniting society towards a common goal

Answer

Promoting widespread cooperation and agreement

Answer

Eliminating all forms of social inequality

Question 4

In functionalism, what is the key difference between manifest and latent functions?

Accepted Answer

Manifest functions are intended consequences, while latent functions are unintended consequences of social structures or institutions.

Answer

Latent functions are always more significant than manifest functions.

Answer

Manifest functions are always positive, while latent functions can be negative.

Answer

Latent functions are only found in complex societies.

Question 5

Which of the following ideas is central to symbolic interactionism?

Accepted Answer

The meanings attached to symbols are socially constructed.

Answer

Social structures determine the actions of individuals.

Answer

Society is a system that maintains equilibrium.

Answer

Conflict is inherent in social interactions.

Question 6

Which of the following is a fundamental assumption of functionalism?

Accepted Answer

Society is an interconnected system where parts work together to maintain balance.

Answer

Social order is upheld by shared values and consensus.

Answer

Social conflict is inherent and necessary for social change.

Answer

Individuals create their social reality through symbols and interactions.

Question 7

Who is widely recognized as the founder of conflict theory?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Émile Durkheim

Answer

Talcott Parsons

Question 8

Which perspective emphasizes the significance of symbols, meanings, and interactions in shaping social reality?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Structuralism

Question 9

According to functionalism, what is the primary function of education?

Accepted Answer

To socialize individuals into societal norms and values.

Answer

To create social inequality and maintain social order.

Answer

To promote social change and challenge societal norms.

Answer

To provide individuals with economic success and prosperity.

Question 10

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of society's parts, working together to maintain stability?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Question 11

Which sociological perspective stresses the interconnectedness of social institutions and their functions in maintaining social order?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 12

According to conflict theory, the primary engine of social change is:

Accepted Answer

Competition for scarce resources

Answer

Shared values and beliefs

Answer

Socialization and cultural transmission

Answer

Technological advancements

Question 13

Which sociological perspective focuses on how individuals assign meaning to symbols and how these meanings shape social interactions?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 14

In conflict theory, which social class benefits most from the current social order?

Accepted Answer

Ruling class

Answer

Working class

Answer

Middle class

Answer

Underclass

Question 15

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the significance of language and communication in shaping social reality?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Answer

Marxist theory

Answer

Structural functionalism

Question 16

A key concept in feminist theory is:

Accepted Answer

Patriarchy

Answer

Social mobility

Answer

Cultural capital

Answer

Rationalization

Question 17

A major proponent of symbolic interactionism was:

Accepted Answer

George Herbert Mead

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Answer

Emile Durkheim

Question 18

Which sociological perspective views society as a complex system of institutions working together to maintain stability and order?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminist theory

Question 19

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the role of social institutions in maintaining social order and stability?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 20

According to conflict theory, which of the following is the fundamental source of social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Economic resources

Answer

Cultural differences

Answer

Political power

Question 21

Which theoretical perspective focuses on the significance of meanings and symbols in shaping social interactions and shaping our social reality?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Question 22

Which of the following is NOT a core assumption of functionalism?

Accepted Answer

Social change is a destructive force that undermines social order.

Answer

Society is composed of interconnected parts.

Answer

Social institutions serve essential social functions.

Question 23

According to conflict theory, which social group benefits the most from existing social inequalities?

Accepted Answer

Upper class

Answer

Middle class

Answer

Working class

Question 24

In symbolic interactionism, which concept refers to the process of defining and interpreting meanings through social interaction?

Accepted Answer

Meaning negotiation

Answer

Symbolic exchange

Answer

Normative order

Question 25

Which sociological perspective is more likely to view social conflict as a constructive force for social change?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 26

Within the functionalist perspective, which social institution is considered the most fundamental?

Accepted Answer

Family

Answer

Economy

Answer

Education

Question 27

According to symbolic interactionism, how is the self primarily shaped?

Accepted Answer

Social experiences

Answer

Biological instincts

Answer

Cultural norms

Question 28

Which theoretical perspective would be most suitable for analyzing the connection between social inequality and crime rates?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 29

Improved: Which principle underpins functionalism?

Accepted Answer

Improved: Society is an intricate network of interdependent parts that collaborate to maintain balance.

Answer

Social phenomena stem from individual choices and actions.

Answer

Social institutions mold individual behavior and society.

Answer

Society is constantly evolving, and social issues are unavoidable.

Question 30

Improved: Conflict theory highlights the significance of:

Accepted Answer

Improved: Power and inequality in shaping social interactions.

Answer

Social harmony and cooperation.

Answer

Subjective interpretations and symbols in creating social reality.

Answer

Biological factors in explaining social phenomena.

Question 31

Improved: A key concept in symbolic interactionism is:

Accepted Answer

Improved: Socialization.

Answer

Social structure.

Answer

Social conflict.

Answer

Collective consciousness.

Question 32

Improved: Which perspective focuses on the unintended consequences of social actions?

Accepted Answer

Improved: Conflict theory.

Answer

Functionalism.

Answer

Symbolic interactionism.

Answer

Structural functionalism.

Question 33

Improved: Conflict theory views society as a:

Accepted Answer

Improved: Competitive system.

Answer

Cooperative system.

Answer

Neutral system.

Answer

Hierarchical system.

Question 34

Improved: Which method is employed by symbolic interactionists?

Accepted Answer

Improved: Participant observation.

Answer

Content analysis.

Answer

Experimental research.

Answer

Survey research.

Question 35

Improved: According to conflict theory, what causes social problems?

Accepted Answer

Improved: Unequal distribution of resources.

Answer

Lack of social harmony.

Answer

Misinterpretation of symbols.

Answer

Defective social institutions.

Question 36

Improved: Which perspective emphasizes the importance of subjective meanings and interpretations in social life?

Accepted Answer

Improved: Symbolic interactionism.

Answer

Functionalism.

Answer

Conflict theory.

Answer

Structural functionalism.

Question 37

Which of the following best describes the dynamic relationship between sociological theory and empirical research?

Accepted Answer

Theory informs research design, and research findings challenge or refine theory

Answer

Theory is solely derived from empirical research

Answer

Research design is completely independent of theory

Question 38

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of society's components, which work together to maintain a state of balance?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 39

According to conflict theory, the primary cause of social inequality is:

Accepted Answer

Competition for resources that are scarce

Answer

Differences in cultural values

Answer

Lack of social mobility

Question 40

Which perspective focuses on the subjective meanings individuals attach to their interactions?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Question 41

Which theorist is closely associated with the functionalist perspective?

Accepted Answer

Émile Durkheim

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Max Weber

Question 42

A conflict theorist would likely contend that the education system in the US:

Accepted Answer

Contributes to social inequality

Answer

Promotes equal social mobility for all

Answer

Offers equal access to all students

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a critique of the functionalist perspective?

Accepted Answer

It is universally applicable to all societies

Answer

It overemphasizes social stability and consensus

Answer

It disregards the role of individual agency

Question 44

Which perspective places emphasis on the role of power and domination in social relationships?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Question 45

A symbolic interactionist would likely study how:

Accepted Answer

The significance of a handshake across different cultures

Answer

The economic factors influencing voting patterns

Answer

The impact of technology on social transformation

Question 46

Which theoretical perspective views society as a complex system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain equilibrium?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Feminist Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Question 47

According to conflict theory, which group in society is most likely to benefit from social inequality?

Accepted Answer

The ruling class

Answer

The middle class

Answer

The working class

Answer

The lower class

Question 48

Which theoretical perspective focuses on the way individuals interact with each other and create meaning through symbols?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Feminist Theory

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 49

Which of the following is NOT a key assumption of functionalism?

Accepted Answer

Society is inherently conflictual.

Answer

Social institutions serve a purpose for society.

Answer

Society is a complex system of interconnected parts.

Answer

Social change occurs gradually over time.

Question 50

According to conflict theory, which of the following is a major source of social conflict?

Accepted Answer

Competition over scarce resources

Answer

Social consensus

Answer

Functional interdependence

Answer

Shared values and beliefs

Question 51

Which theoretical perspective emphasizes the importance of social context and how it shapes individual behavior?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 52

According to conflict theory, which of the following is a key mechanism for maintaining social inequality?

Accepted Answer

Ideology

Answer

Religion

Answer

Education

Answer

Family

Question 53

Which theoretical perspective views society as a collection of individuals who interact with each other through symbols?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic Interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Feminist Theory

Answer

Conflict Theory

Question 54

Which of the following is a key insight of symbolic interactionism?

Accepted Answer

Meaning is socially constructed.

Answer

Society is a system of interconnected parts.

Answer

Social conflict is inevitable.

Answer

Social institutions are functional for society.