Lecture 1: Check for Understanding

1. The massive social upheaval of the Industrial Revolution is primarily cited as the reason for:

a) The invention of the internet. b) The decline of religion. c) The emergence of sociology as a scientific discipline. d) The end of all social problems.

2. In sociology, a theory is best defined as:

a) A personal opinion about society. b) A conceptual framework for understanding society and interpreting patterns. c) A set of unprovable beliefs. d) A historical narrative.

3. C. Wright Mills' concept of the "sociological imagination" refers to the ability to:

a) See the link between individual experiences and larger social influences. b) Predict individual behavior with certainty. c) Create fictional societies for study. d) Focus exclusively on personal troubles.

4. Which theoretical perspective uses an organic analogy (society as a living body) and emphasizes social harmony and order?

a) Conflict Theory b) Symbolic Interactionism c) Functionalism d) Dramaturgy

5. According to Karl Marx, the driving force of history is primarily:

a) Individual genius. b) Class conflict. c) Religious belief. d) Technological advancement.

6. Erving Goffman's "dramaturgical analysis" suggests that social life is comparable to:

a) A scientific experiment. b) A theatrical performance. c) A market economy. d) A political debate.

7. In a research study, if "study time" is the cause and "test scores" are the effect, then "study time" is the:

a) Independent variable. b) Dependent variable. c) Control variable. d) Confounding variable.

8. What is the key difference between reliability and validity in research?

a) Reliability refers to accuracy, validity to consistency. b) Reliability is about ethical conduct, validity about data size. c) Reliability means the study is popular, validity means it is scientific. d) Reliability refers to consistency, validity to accuracy.

9. A researcher who observes people in their natural settings by joining them is practicing:

a) Survey research. b) Experimental research. c) Participant observation. d) Secondary data analysis.

10. The ethical principle of "Do No Harm" in research primarily requires protecting participants from:

a) Financial loss. b) Physical, emotional, or social harm. c) Boredom during the study. d) Exposure to new ideas.