Exam 1: A Sociological Compass

In recent years, the likelihood that a Canadian woman would pursue a university degree has been increasing.Which of the characteristics of contemporary society does this illustrate?

Freja believes that there is immense variability in gender identities and performances.Which theory is her argument most consistent with?

Define the sociological imagination and explain in what way(s) it is important for all who study sociology.

"Survival of the fittest" is a concept most closely associated with which of the following theorists' work?

The belief that fashion is a distraction for the masses and a means to increase the profits for wealthy industrial owners is a feature of which type of analysis?

Robert has just been laid off after 30 years working in the auto industry, and he knows that his layoff was due to the company moving its manufacturing plant to Cambodia.What has Robert used to understand his situation better?

Define social solidarity and describe an example from your own experience.

Compare the functionalist, conflict, symbolic interactionist, and feminist approaches to a social institution or cultural practice of your choice.

According to the textbook, why is mapping the social world an important activity?

Which sociologist received the 1931 Nobel Peace Prize for work with the poor in Chicago?

According to the textbook, one of the main impacts of postindustrialism on social relationships has been to free people from traditional constraints.

Maya believes that although people's food preferences seem natural and innate, they are really prescribed by cultural norms.Which theory is her belief most consistent with?

Which of the following is a central concept of conflict theory?

Workers today are able to access employment insurance benefits, and they enjoy higher wages and less oppressive working conditions than workers in earlier centuries.What has resulted from this situation?

Which theorist found flaws in the argument that capitalism would inevitably collapse?

According to research cited in the textbook, graduates in which field have the best chance of getting employment in the new jobs that have been created in a postindustrial economy?

According to Gramsci, cultural hegemony benefits all members of society.

Which theory emphasizes that humans have agency and can influence their own destinies?

What is the main concept of conflict theory? Give an example of an important contemporary event it can help explain.

What positive and negative consequences did Marx attribute to industrialization? Do you agree or disagree with him? Why?