Question 1

There is a high correlation between the number of Americans who pay income tax in the month of April and the number of swimsuits sold. Which of the following statements is the best description of this relationship?

Accepted Answer

spurious relationship

Question 2

Max Weber referred to the self-denying approach to life characterized by people living frugal lives and saving their money as the ________.

Accepted Answer

Protestant ethic

Question 3

Sue is an expert in interpreting gestures, silence, the use of space, and expressions people make in their daily interactions. In view of this, how would Sue\'s expertise be defined?

Accepted Answer

expert in nonverbal interaction.

Question 4

Using Facebook to study the race-ethnicity of friendships among college students would be an example of which research method?

Accepted Answer

the experiment

Question 5

Michael is going to survey members of the gay and lesbian student union and gather data on their personal lives, interests, and demographics to develop a profile of their membership. To be most successful and receive the most valid responses, what should Michael do?

Accepted Answer

begin the questionnaire by asking neutral questions.

Question 6

What is the major problem with using participant observation as a research tool?

Accepted Answer

It often leads to findings that lack generalizability.

Question 7

What distinction did sociologist Frances Perkins hold in American history?

Accepted Answer

first woman to hold a presidential cabinet position.

Question 8

College provides a haven for several million potential workers who are classified as \"students\" rather than \"unemployed,\" which helps stabilize the job market. This situation represents what Merton would describe as a ________.

Accepted Answer

latent function

Question 9

People all over the world, including college students, are breaking down national boundaries because of advances in communication, trade, and travel. This is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

globalization

Question 10

Why did a number of sociologists think Laud Humphreys\' research on tearooms was unethical?

Accepted Answer

He did not identify himself as a researcher.

Question 11

Cindy is interested in how the movement of Maytag production plants and other industries from the Midwest to Mexico has changed the lives of thousands of unemployed workers and their communities. Cindy is conducting a ________ analysis.

Accepted Answer

macro-level

Question 12

A researcher is asking questions of a serious nature, and a respondent gives only \"socially acceptable\" answers. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

interviewer bias

Question 13

Because of her outstanding contributions to social reform, as demonstrated in her work as co-founder of Hull-House, ________ was a co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931.

Accepted Answer

Jane Addams

Question 14

What is the use of objective and systematic observation to test theories, one that is often employed by sociologists?

Accepted Answer

the scientific method

Question 15

The three conditions necessary for causation between variables are ________, ________, and ________.

Accepted Answer

correlation; temporal priority; lack of spurious correlation

Question 16

Which groups of social theorists would focus most on macro-level analysis when examining patterns of society?

Accepted Answer

conflict theorists and structural functionalists

Question 17

Steve and Naomi are counting the empty whiskey bottles in trashcans to measure the level of whiskey consumption in town. These researchers are using a method of research referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Unobtrusive measures

Question 18

In research, to generalize one\'s findings to a total population, what is the most important quality that the sample must possess?

Accepted Answer

It must be representative of the total population.

Question 19

While conducting research on domestic abuse, Tanya asked workers at a battered women\'s shelter, \"What do you think causes some men to abuse their wives?\" She then permitted the workers to elaborate on their answers. What is the term used to describe such a question, one that leads to this type of answering option?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of an open-ended question.

Question 20

In addition to choosing the appropriate research method, sociologists must follow research _______ to achieve truth, honesty, and openness.

Accepted Answer

ethics

Question 21

Which two research methods did Laud Humphreys utilize in his classic \"tearoom\" study?

Accepted Answer

participant observation and surveys

Question 22

Dr. Zak is trying to determine what traits, if any, high-achieving students have that students who do poorly on his exams do not possess. To assess personal information from both groups of students, what research method should Dr. Zak probably use?

Accepted Answer

a survey

Question 23

If a researcher is reading diaries to collect information about the attitudes of rape victims, he or she is using ________ to collect the data.

Accepted Answer

documents

Question 24

During his career, Anthony has worked as a juvenile police officer, corrections counselor in a state prison, and executive director of an urban redevelopment program. In view of this, which description best describes Anthony\'s career path?

Accepted Answer

applied sociologist

Question 25

Which of the following research errors is less likely to be classified as fraud and more likely to be considered as simply sloppy work?

Accepted Answer

analyzing the data incorrectly

Question 26

A small group of seven students evaluated Professor Zanylo\'s lectures. On a scale of 1 to 10, the scores the students registered were 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 9, 10. Professor Zanylo\'s mode score was ________ and his median score was ________.

Accepted Answer

9;8

Question 27

Walker is conducting research on scholarship recipients at Faber College. In his sample of 250 students, he is ensuring he has a proportionate number of students based on class standing, race, sex, and major course of study. Walker\'s sample is an example of a ________.

Accepted Answer

stratified random sample

Question 28

Matthew is completing his master\'s thesis, which addresses the culture of outlaw motorcycle gangs. For the past six months, he has been riding with a gang, observing and describing behaviors in an attempt to present a view of these groups from a gang member\'s perspective. Like Mario Brajuha, he is determined to keep the identities of his subjects confidential. Which research method is Matthew employing?

Accepted Answer

Participant observation

Question 29

In the statement, \"Poverty causes crime,\" the words \"poverty\" and \"crime\" are best described as ________ because they are subject to change.

Accepted Answer

variables

Question 30

The two sociologists who referred to society as being a kind of living organism were _______ and ________.

Accepted Answer

Auguste Comte; Herbert Spencer

Question 31

Dr. Zahn\'s academic interest is analyzing various aspects of society and publishing his findings in sociological journals. In view of this, Dr. Zahn is considered to be a(n) ________ sociologist.

Accepted Answer

basic or pure

Question 32

In experimental research, the variable that is the cause of change (the independent variable) must precede that which is changed (the dependent variable). This condition is called ________.

Accepted Answer

temporal priority

Question 33

The contemporary conflict sociologist who pointed out that conflict is most likely to develop among people in close relationships was ________.

Accepted Answer

Lewis Coser

Question 34

When a researcher focuses on a single event, situation, or individual, the resulting research is known as ________.

Accepted Answer

a case study

Question 35

In the research model, the step in which the researcher specifies what he or she wants to learn about a specific topic of study is called ________.

Accepted Answer

defining the problem

Question 36

Juanita is conducting survey research for the Colgate-Palmolive Company. The company recently sent several cases of personal-sized toothpaste to Dr. Yankum as a part of a promotion. Juanita is surveying patients as they leave Dr. Yankum\'s office to ask if the dentist gave them any hygiene items to continue quality dental care. Juanita has discovered that practically every patient received Colgate and has concluded in her report that dentists prefer Colgate toothpaste over other brands. What flaw exists in Juanita\'s research?

Accepted Answer

she is using a biased sample to collect her data

Question 37

Which of the following would not be considered unobtrusive measures?

Accepted Answer

Cameras that follow you through the store recording your every move.

Question 38

When sociologists Diana Scully and Joseph Marolla (1984, 2014) interviewed convicted rapists in prison they were concerned that the prisoners might shift their answers depending on which researcher was interviewing them because one was male and one was female. They were concerned that gender might lead to...

Accepted Answer

interviewer bias

Question 39

Which of the following examination formats is most likely to incorporate closed-ended questions?

Accepted Answer

a multiple-choice exam

Question 40

The methodical and exacting process by which a researcher measures a variable is known as ________.

Accepted Answer

operational definition

Question 41

The term \"________\" refers to the extent to which different studies come up with similar results.

Accepted Answer

Reliability

Question 42

Sam is conducting interviews to assess students\' opinions on how President Bush handled the second Gulf War. Because this is a controversial topic at Sam\'s conservative campus, what is the best way for him to develop a sense of rapport with the sample?

Accepted Answer

he should tell the students he interviews their identities will be kept secret

Question 43

Max has developed the hypothesis that the stress felt by unemployed men increases the probability of spousal abuse. In this case, stress would be considered the ________ variable and spousal abuse would be considered the ________ variable.

Accepted Answer

independent; dependent

Question 44

The American sociologist who focused on social analysis, developing abstract models showing how parts of society harmoniously work together, was ________.

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons

Question 45

Which of the following statements is the best example of a hypothesis?

Accepted Answer

\"Unemployed men are more likely to commit spousal abuse than employed men.\"

Question 46

The Wall Street Journal has declared that the three greatest modern thinkers were ________, ________, and ________.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx, Sigmund Freud, Albert Einstein

Question 47

Why did Mario Brajuha refuse to turn over his research notes to the authorities, even when subpoenaed?

Accepted Answer

He wanted to protect his respondents

Question 48

Dr. Zimbardo is examining the effect that pornographic movies have on the ways in which single men respond to the needs of women. He has one group of men watch pornographic films and another watch Three Stooges episodes. He then tests their reactions to women in need by showing them short film clips and following up with a series of questions. What research method is Dr. Zimbardo using?

Accepted Answer

the experiment

Question 49

An attractive African American woman is conducting random interviews on campus to gather data on students\' opinions on the reverse discrimination suit filed by white students at the University of Michigan School of Law. Four out of five of the white respondents and virtually all of the African American respondents favor the court\'s ruling and supports \"bonus points\" being given to applicants of color. Based on this information, what is probably affecting the data collection process?

Accepted Answer

interviewer bias

Question 50

When reading a table, a comment located just below the title that gives more detailed information on how the data was collected or how the data are presented is called a ________.

Accepted Answer

headnote

Question 51

Within a few blocks in midtown Manhattan, you can purchase a bagel with cream cheese, a hot dog, a steak, a polish sausage, or a pizza, as well as chow mein, lamb curry, sushi, lasagna, falafels, chicken couscous, enchiladas, and a host of ethnic specialties. This range of culinary possibilities illustrates the process of ________.

Accepted Answer

Cultural diffusion

Question 52

All of the following statements are examples of countercultures, EXCEPT for which one?

Accepted Answer

Chicago Cubs fans

Question 53

While in the Peace Corps, Kristina enjoyed a delicious Cambodian dinner that included several entrees. Later that evening she was told that one of the entrees was roast dog, the same canine Kristina was playing with the day before. At this point Kristina became ill and swore she would be a vegetarian as long as she was in Cambodia. Which statement most applies to Kristina\'s experience?

Accepted Answer

Kristina experienced culture shock.

Question 54

Of the five interrelated core values emerging in American society, the one that is reflected in the \"human potential\" movement that focuses on \"self help, relating, and personal development\" is ________.

Accepted Answer

self-fulfillment

Question 55

In his book, Sick Societies, anthropologist Robert Edgerton proposed that cultures should be evaluated on their \"quality of life\" and not just automatically accepted. This is contrary to which of the following sociological concepts?

Accepted Answer

cultural relativism

Question 56

In America, why is Spanish, rather than English, continuously spoken from generation to generation, with greater commitment than any other non-English speaking language?

Accepted Answer

There is a constant influx of new Hispanic immigrants into the U.S.

Question 57

Every December, many Jewish families celebrate Chanukah, the \"festival of lights,\" during which special foods are served, rituals are practiced, and traditional activities take place that are unique to this faith. In this context, members of the Jewish faith would represent which concept?

Accepted Answer

subculture

Question 58

The refusal of Christians to accept Islam as a valid religion is a form of ________, while the sincere effort to understand the practice of having multiple wives in some societies is a form of ________.

Accepted Answer

ethnocentrism; cultural relativism

Question 59

Anthropologist Ralph Linton said, \"The last thing a fish would ever notice would be water.\" What does this imply about culture?

Accepted Answer

culture is taken for granted by members of society who share it

Question 60

McDonald\'s sells Quarter Pounders in Tokyo, Moscow, Paris, Berlin, and practically every other major city in the world. Mickey Mouse and Fred Flintstone are among the most popular cartoon figures in Mexico. These are examples of ________.

Accepted Answer

cultural leveling

Question 61

Courtney raises champion sheep, Joe is a cab driver in New York, and Rufus is a member of the RAW family of professional wrestling. What do Courtney, Joe, and Rufus have in common?

Accepted Answer

They are all members of subcultures.

Question 62

Three of the following terms are interchangeable. Which one does NOT belong with the other three?

Accepted Answer

social learning

Question 63

Pigs, spiders, elephants, and other animals that rely solely on instinct act as they do because they lack a ________.

Accepted Answer

cerebral cortex

Question 64

All of the following statements are accurate in describing gestures, EXCEPT for which one?

Accepted Answer

Social scientists have identified many common gestures and agree that gestures are universal.

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