Level 1
Define positivism
Positivism is the belief that sociology should use scientific methods to study the social world.
Summarize and explain what Jane Addams was remembered for.
She was a social reformer who was extremely influential in promoting peace and activism. She is mostly remembered for her honorable achievement of winning the Nobel Peace Prize
Name the theory Herbert Spencer proposed:
Herbert Spencer proposed the theory of social Darwinism, which applies Darwin’s theory of evolution to human societies.
Prove how social media has changed the way people form and maintain social relationships using the three sociological perspectives.
Functionalism: Prove that social media helps society stay connected or organized (for example, by spreading news quickly or supporting communities).
Conflict Theory: Prove that social media increases inequality or
competition (like how people with more followers have more influence).
Symbolic Interactionism: Prove that social media changes how people interpret symbols and meanings in communication (like emojis, likes, or profile pictures).
Why did Herbert Spencer oppose social reform?
Herbert Spencer opposed social reform because he believed it interfered with natural evolution
Who is the father of sociology?
Auguste Comte
Classify the contributions of W.E.B. DuBois
W.E.B. DuBois (1868–1963) was a foundational sociologist, historian, civil rights activist, and author who pioneered the scientific study of racial inequality, co-founded the NAACP, and championed Pan-Africanism. He transformed the understanding of race through concepts like "double-consciousness" and "the veil" in seminal works like The Souls of Black Folk.
Draw conclusions to dramaturgy & explain human interaction in a way that is meaningful to you? Why or why not?
Yes, dramaturgy provides meaningful framing for understanding human interaction by viewing it as a theatrical performance where individuals manage impressions through roles, settings, and "scripts" (behaviors) to present a desired self, explaining why we act differently in various contexts
Connect a perspective you would choose to conduct an in-depth study of the Internet’s effect on society? Explain why you chose this perspective.
To conduct an in-depth study of the Internet’s effect on society, I would choose the perspective of Digital Sociology (a subfield of the "network society" perspective). This perspective focuses on how digital technologies, such as the internet and social media, are not just external tools but are deeply embedded in everyday life, reshaping social relationships, identities, and structures.
Who was Karl Marx?
Karl Marx was the social scientist who underscored the importance of conflict in social change. Parts of his writings were later used as a basis for communism.
What is a theoretical perspective?
A theoretical perspective is a set of assumptions accepted as true about an area of study
Distinguish how the conflict perspective explains social change?
The conflict perspective explains social change as the result of constant struggles between groups (such as social classes, races, or genders) competing for limited resources, power, and inequality. Instead of gradual, harmonious evolution, change is viewed as abrupt, revolutionary, and necessary to restructure society and reduce oppression.
Compare Herbert Spencer’s idea of Social Darwinism with Karl Marx’s theory of class conflict.
Herbert Spencer believed that society works like nature, where competition leads to progress. Karl Marx, on the other hand, argued that society is shaped by class conflict between groups with unequal power
Connect with an aspect of human social behavior (for example, dating or team sports) that you would like to know more about. Which of the three theoretical perspectives would you use to help you understand this aspect of behavior? Explain your choice.
To better understand dating, I would use the symbolic interactionism perspective. Dating involves complex symbols, gestures, and shared meanings. Symbolic interactionism would help me to analyze and understand how individuals interpret these symbols.
Define the conflict perspective
Approach emphasizing the role of conflict, competition, and constraint within a society
Repeat the definition of sociological perspective from your textbook.
A view that looks at the behavior of groups, not individuals
Apply concepts learned within the textbook to state when sociology began.
It began in late-nineteenth-century Europe, during a time of great social upheaval. The social and economic effects of the Industrial Revolution and the French Revolution were touching all aspects of life.
Cite evidence from your textbook that shows how functionalism explains social change.
Functionalists see the parts of a society as an integrated whole. A change in one part of a society leads to changes in other parts.
Synthesize how symbols and social interactions work together to shape people’s understanding of society and their roles within it.
Symbols are things that represent meaning, like language, gestures, or objects. Social interactions are how people communicate and respond to each other using those symbols. When people interact, they share and build meanings together.
Which theoretical perspective is better?
There is no “better” theoretical perspective. Each perspective highlights certain areas of social life. The advantages of one perspective are the disadvantages of the other.
Recite the definition of social statistics from the textbook.
The study of social stability and order
What causes an individual's behavior to differ when working in a group versus the behavior seen when working individually?
Individual behavior in groups differs from individual work due to social pressures, shared responsibility, and heightened emotionality, often resulting in conformity, social loafing, or riskier decision-making. While working alone fosters independent, rational action, group settings trigger anonymity, status seeking, and the adoption of group norms.
State an example to illustrate Emile Durkheim’s idea of organic solidarity
In a modern city, people rely on one another for services and goods, which creates a sense of unity based on specialized roles, thereby exhibiting organic solidarity.
Max Weber introduced the concept of verstehen. Analyze how you would use this approach to social research if you wanted to investigate the importance of money to your peers. Explain.
I would conduct interviews to understand my peers' interpretations of money, which will give me a deeper understanding of the cultural significance & social meanings of money in their lives.
What were Harriet Martineau’s contributions?
Harriet Martineau (1802–1876) was a pioneering British sociologist, author, and social reformer often called the "first woman sociologist". She introduced systematic, empirical research methods, translated Auguste Comte, and wrote influential works on economics, slavery abolition, and women’s rights, shaping 19th-century social thought in Britain and America