Multiple Choice	

1.	Attempts to explain human behavior by focusing exclusively on an individual's personality, psychology, or physical characteristics are called:
	A)	individualistic explanations.
	B)	physical explanations.
	C)	sociological explanations.
	D)	the sociological imagination.

	2.	According to the “sociological perspective,”
	A)	individuals are not responsible for their own behavior.
	B)	the subconscious motivates our behavior.
	C)	our social environment strongly influences our behavior.
	D)	written rules and regulations dictate our behavior.

	3.	According to research described in the text, what is the most important factor in determining whether and when romantic relationships end?
	A)	Availability of favorable alternatives
	B)	Satisfaction with the relationship
	C)	Length of time in the relationship
	D)	Compatibility between the partners

	4.	According to the “sociological imagination,” social problems can best be solved by
	A)	providing treatment for people with problems.
	B)	changing the characteristics of individuals.
	C)	changing social institutions and roles.
	D)	using our imaginations to find new solutions.

	5.	The “sociological imagination” allows us to see the intersection between personal experiences and
	A)	social and historical events.
	B)	the global climate.
	C)	genetic inheritance.
	D)	temperament.

	6.	In American society, the high value placed on _________ makes it more difficult for us to see social influences on our behavior.
	A)	pragmatism
	B)	Puritanism
	C)	individualism
	D)	capitalism

	7.	Mills (1959) labeled the ability to see the impact of large-scale cultural and historical forces on our private lives:
	A)	individualistic explanations.
	B)	the sociological imagination.
	C)	the historical-cultural imagination.
	D)	sociological explanations.

        8. A recent college graduate enters the job market and is unable to find a job in his or her 	field. A sociologist would try to explain the circumstances of this person by:
	A) 	analyzing changes in the structure of the US economy. 
	B) 	evaluating the work ethic of this individual.
	C)	asking questions about the genetic makeup of this individual.
	D) 	all of the above.

        9. As discussed in the text, automobile sales in the United States dropped in 2011 		because:
	A)	personal tastes amongst car buyers changed.
	B) 	more people began riding bikes.
	C) 	a massive earthquake and tsunami crippled Japanese auto parts manufacturers. 
	D) 	hurricane Katrina killed thousands of people.

        10. As discussed in the text, U.S. adults tend to believe that they marry purely for love, 	when in fact:
	A) 	society pressures people to marry from the same social class, religion, and race. 
	B) 	genetics play a big role. 
	C) 	economics is the only factor involved.
	D) 	all of the above. 

	11.	Because we tend to attribute people's achievements and failures to individual characteristics, we often overlook which of the following?
	A)	Broader social trends
	B)	Psychological characteristics
	C)	Self-evaluation
	D)	Our personal decisions

	12.	The “sociological imagination” is the ability to:
	A)	imagine how sociology affects our private lives.
	B)	sociologically link our private lives to individualistic actions.
	C)	see the impact of larger societal forces on our private lives.
	D)	take personal responsibility for our actions.

     13.  As discussed in the text, the sociological imagination enables us to:
	A) 	see how genetics determines our life course.
	B) 	see how personal events in our lives are the result of our own making.
	C) 	understand the larger historical picture and its meaning in our own lives. 
	D) 	all of the above.

     14.  As discussed in the text, if the unemployment rate in a community hovers at or above 	28%—as it does in places hardest hit by the recent economic recession, like El Centro, 	California, and Yuma, Arizona—then we must see unemployment:
	A) 	as a problem rooted in the economic and political structures of society. 
	B)	as a personal problem related to deficits of character.
	C) 	as a problem to be resolved through motivating young workers.
	D) 	all of the above. 

      15. According to the text, the sociological imagination allows us to recognize that the 		solutions to many of our most serious social problems lie:
	A)	in teaching people personal responsibility. 
	B) 	in changing the social institutions and roles available to individuals.
	C)	in changing the personal situations and characteristics of individual people 
	D)  	all of the above. 

      16. The primary theme of sociology is that our everyday thoughts and actions are the:
	A) 	product of an interplay between social forces and personal characteristics. 
	B) 	product of biological imperatives, such as satisfying hunger.
	C) 	result of personal choices.
	D)	result of social forces that we are helpless to do anything about.

      17. As discussed in the text, Michael’s attractiveness would have improved if he were:
	A)	 living in New York (where there are more single women than men). 
	B)	 more focused on changing his poor attitude.
	C) 	 living in Alaska (where there are more single men than women). 
	D) 	 all of the above.

	18.	Which of the following events can be seen as products of society-wide forces, rather than individual problems?
	A)	Divorce
	B)	Unemployment
	C)	Homelessness
	D)	All of the above

	19.	Which of the following notions is regarded by sociologists to be true?
	A)	Individuals influence society.
	B)	Individuals are influenced by society.
	C)	Individuals are shaped by historical context.
	D)	All of the above
	E)	None of the above

	20.	Which of the following is an example of how individual actions are constrained by external circumstances?
	A)	Marco's inability to get a date because of his shyness.
	B)	Freda's success at school because of her intelligence.
	C)	David's decision to abstain from eating pork for religious reasons.
	D)	Elaine's inability to find a job because of her lack of motivation.

	21.	A young woman who believes she is overweight begins to starve herself in the hopes of becoming more attractive. A sociologist would explain the woman's behavior in terms of:
	A)	a personality defect or mental problem.
	B)	her lack of will power or self-esteem.
	C)	society's valuation of thinness in women.
	D)	society's valuation of abnormal behavior.

	22.	The unemployment rate in several mill and factory towns in this country is around 37%.  Which explanation for high unemployment does the sociological imagination direct us to focus on?
	A)	Changes in the economic structure of society
	B)	Workers' laziness on the job
	C)	Poor business decisions by factory owners
	D)	Workers' personal character flaws

	23.	What would be a sociological explanation for differences in test scores among schools?
	A)	Differences in students' IQ
	B)	Different rates of hyperactivity
	C)	Lack of effort among some students
	D)	Differences in school resources

     24.	The primary theme of sociology is that our everyday thoughts and actions are the 		product of:
	A)	the personal choices that individuals make in a society.
	B)	the interplay between social forces and personal characteristics.
	C)	religion and politics.
	D)	All of the above.

	      25. As discussed in the text, research shows that the risk of a relationship ending: 
		A)	increases as the supply of potential alternative relationships increases. 
		B)	decreases as the supply of potential alternative relationships increases.
		C)	increases as people move to a new city.
		D) 	All of the above.

      26. As discussed in the text, which of the following is true about college degrees in the United States?
		A)	They are no longer the guarantee of fruitful employment they once were. 
		B)	There are more job opportunities for people with degrees than ever before.
		C)	Most degrees awarded in 2009 were in the social sciences. 
		D) 	All of the above. 

	      27. As discussed in the chapter, research shows that the risk of a relationship ending increases as:
		A) 	the supply of potential alternative relationships increases.
	 	B)	people move to rural locations. 
		C)	when people’s perceptions of what characterizes a good relationship change.
		D)	All of the above. 

      28. Which of the following statements is most consistent with the meaning of the "sociological imagination"?
		A)	To understand either individuals or society, we must understand both.
		B)         Individuals exercise total control over their own fate.
		C)	 Society exercises total control over the fate of individuals. 
	  	D) 	 There is no such thing as society, only individuals. 

	      29. As discussed in the text, people in a country such as the United States, which places a high value on individual achievement have: 
		A)	no problem grasping the interplay between society and the individual. 
		B)	trouble imagining how their personal experiences are related to social processes. 
		C) 	trouble taking personal responsibility. 
		D)	All of the above. 

	30. 	The story of Andre, the 2012 graduate who had difficulty finding gainful employment, that was presented at the beginning of the chapter, illustrates which of the following points about society and the individual? 
		A)	Broader social forces profoundly influence the path our lives take. 
		B) 	Obtaining a degree is the only way an individual can get ahead in society. 
		C)	People tend to see how their lives are shaped by social forces. 
		D) 	All of the above.

31. Which sociologist gave us the term “sociological imagination”?
A) Erving Goffman
B) C. Wright Mills
C) Faye Hanson-Evans
D) Max Weber

32. The sociological imagination encourages us to consider which of the following when we think about social problems?
A) historical events
B) social institutions
C) social forces
D) All of the above. 

33. Which of the following statements about dating in China is true? 
A) Single men outnumber single women.
B) Single women often will not consider dating a man who does not own his own home.
C) There are roughly 41 million more single men than single women.
D) All of the above.

34. A recent poll found that __% of young adults said that it is harder for them to find a job than it was for their parents’ generation. 
A) 23
B) 48
C) 82
D) 100

35. Which of the following statements about college graduates in the U.S. is not true? 
A) On average, college graduates earn more than those with only a high school diploma.
B) A college degree increases earnings even in occupations that do not require a degree.
C) The average starting salary for a college graduate rose sharply between 2008 and 2014 and continues to increase, 
D) Upon graduation, those who took out loans to pay for college have, on average, $26,600 in debt. 

True or False

36. Individualistic explanations for human behavior focus exclusively on a person's personality, psychology, or physical characteristics. 
A) True
B) False

37. Sociologists do not hold people accountable for their actions.
A) True 
B) False

38. On average, college graduates earn slightly less than those who have only a high school diploma.
A) True
B) False
 
39. The “sociological imagination” tells us that the best way to solve social problems is to change social institutions and roles.
A) True
B) False

40. The “sociological imagination” allows us to see the intersection between personality and biology. 
A) True
B) False

41. Because the majority of their residents are college graduates, El Centro, California and Yuma, Arizona have unemployment rates of less than 2%. 
A) True
B) False

42. Sociology maintains that individuals are influenced by historical context. 
A) True
B) False	

43. When trying to understand social problems, such as the high unemployment rate in mill towns, sociologists rely on individualistic explanations. 
A) True
B) False

44. Sociologists believe that the most efficient way to social problems, such as joblessness or homelessness, is to change the personality characteristics of those affected by the problems. 
A) True 
B) False 

45. Thomas Hobbes is the sociologist who gave us the term “sociological imagination.” 
A) True
B) False

46. According to your textbook, research shows that the risk of a relationship ending increases as the supply of potential alternative relationships increases. 
A) True
B) False

47. The sociological imagination encourages us to consider historical events, social institutions, and social forces when we think about social problems. 
A) True
B) False 

48. In China, single men far outnumber single women. 
A) True 
B) False

49. In China, there are roughly 41 million more single men than single women.
A) True
B) False

50. In the United States, a college degree increases earnings even in occupations that do not require a degree (cashier and hairdresser, for example).
A) True 
B) False

51. Sociology does not take into account the ability of individuals to influence society. 
A) True
B) False

52. Central to sociology is the idea that our everyday thoughts and actions are the 		product of a complex interplay between social forces and individual actions. 
A) True
B) False

53. According to the sociological imagination, individuals are incapable of shaping their own lives. 
A) True 
B) False

54. People in cultures that place a high value on individual achievement can never hope to develop the sociological imagination. 
A) True
B) False

55. In the United States, a high value is placed on individual achievement. 
A) True
B) False

56. A recent poll found that most young adults believe it is easier for them to find a job than it was for their parents’ generation. 
A) True
B) False

57. A recent poll found that the majority of young adults believe it is harder for them to find a job than it was for their parents’ generation.
A) True
B) False

58. All people who are exposed to the same social message (such as the value of being thin) will develop the same social problem (such as self-starvation).   
A) True
B) False

59. According to the sociological imagination, to understand one’s personal situation, one should focus on his or her genetic profile. 
A) True 
B) False

60. Upon graduation, those who took out loans to pay for college have, on average, $26,600 in debt. 
A) True 
B) False

61. Biological, psychological, and sociological explanations for human behavior are all basically the same in that they focus on individual traits. 
A) True
B) False

Short Answer and Essay
	    
	62.	Compare and contrast how biologists, psychologists, and sociologists study people. What are the unique characteristics of sociology as a discipline?

	63.	Discuss the social factors that might influence a college graduate’s experience in the current job market.

	64.	Sociology emphasizes how individual lives are shaped by social processes. Discuss how individual actions can be constrained by external circumstances, supporting your answer with information about gender, race, religion, and economic and political trends.

	65.	Discuss how political events in distant countries can affect people's everyday lives. Cite recent or historical examples.

	66.	People often look at unemployment and divorce as personal problems. Using your sociological imagination, describe several social factors that would influence an individual's likelihood of being unemployed or getting divorced.

	67.	Provide a critique of the sociological perspective on human behavior. Do you think that social processes and social forces should be central aspects of an explanation of human behavior? Why or why not?

	68.	Discuss the social forces that played a role in your decision to attend college. Did social forces also play a part in your choice of schools? If so, discuss these as well. Remember to consider these from a sociological, rather than an individualistic perspective.

	69.	Argue for or against the following thesis using specific sociological concepts (which you clearly define) and evidence (from both the textbook and the reader): "Herein lies the fundamental theme of sociology: that everyday social life—our thoughts, actions, feelings, decisions, interactions, and so on—is the product of a complex interplay between societal forces and personal characteristics.  In order to explain why people are the way they are, we must understand the social, historical, cultural, and organizational environments they inhabit.  Neither individuals nor society can be understood without understanding both” (David Newman, Sociology: Exploring the Architecture of Everyday Life). [This question can also be used as a capstone question on the final exam.]

	70.	When attempting to understand why someone's life has taken a particular direction, we tend to rely on individualistic explanations and ignore social forces. Discuss why we have a tendency to understand behavior from an individualistic rather than a sociological perspective.

     71. Drawing on examples from the chapter, use your "sociological imagination" to explain 	why unemployment rates among college graduates are higher today than in the past. 

     72. What might be a few examples of "individualistic explanations" for high		unemployment levels amongst young people? What might be a few "sociological" 		explanations for the same phenomenon? 

      73. Discuss how a sociologist and psychologist might each approach the study of 		homelessness in the United States. 

      74. Explain the meaning of the following statement from the text: "‘To understand either 	individuals or society, we must understand both.’"

     75. Discuss a political event that has occurred in the last ten years that has impacted your 	life. 

Answer Key

Multiple Choice
	1.	A
	2.	C
	3.	A
	4.	C
	5.	A
	6.	C
	7.	B
       8. A
	       9. C  
	     10. A
	11.	A
	12.	C
     13. C
     14. A
     15. B
     16. A
     17. A
     18. D
     19. D
     20. C
     21. C
     22. A
     23. D
     24. B
     25. A
     26. A
     27. A
     28. A
     29. B
     30. A
     31. B
     32. D
     33. D
     34. C
     35. C

True/False
     36. A
     37. B
     38. B
     39. A
     40. B
     41. B
     42. A
     43. B
     44. B
45. B
46. A
47. A
48. A
49. A
50. A
51. B
52. A
53. B
54. B
55. A
56. B
57. A
58. B
59. B
60. A
61. B

Short Answer and Essay
62.
63.
64.
65.
66.
67.
68.
69.
70. 
71.
72.
73.
74.
75.