Chapter 1

Question 1

sociology

Answer 1

systematic study of human society

Question 2

society

Answer 2

• people who live in a defined territory and share a way of life.
• shapes the lives of people in various categories differently

Question 3

sociological perspective

Answer 3

sociologists look for general patterns in the behavior of particular people.

Question 4

social integration

Answer 4

Categories of people with strong social ties had low suicide rates, and more individualistic people had high suicide rates

Question 5

Living on the edge

Answer 5

being an outsider (not part of the dominant category)

Question 6

periods of crisis

Answer 6

Periods of rapid change or crisis make everyone feel a little off balance, encouraging us to use the sociological perspective.

Question 7

sociological imagination

Answer 7

helps people understand their society and how it affects their own lives.

Question 8

new industrial economy

Answer 8

inventors used new sources of energy—the power of moving water and then steam—to operate large machines in mills and factories.

Question 9

the growth of cities

Answer 9

urban migrants faced many social problems, including pollution, crime, and homelessness.

Question 10

political change

Answer 10

each citizen has “certain unalienable rights,” including “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

Question 11

positivism

Answer 11

a scientific approach to knowledge based on “positive” facts as opposed to mere speculation.

Question 12

sociology and personal growth

Answer 12

• The sociological perspective helps us assess the truth of “common sense.”
• The sociological perspective helps us see the opportunities and constraints in our lives
• The sociological perspective empowers us to be active participants in our society.
• The sociological perspective helps us live in a diverse world

Question 13

theory

Answer 13

statement of how and why specific facts are related.

Question 14

structural-functional approach

Answer 14

framework for building theory that sees society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability.

Question 15

social dysfunction

Answer 15

any social pattern that may disrupt the operation of society.

• Globalization
• a rising flow of immigrants
• increasing inequality

Question 16

manifest function

Answer 16

recognized and intended consequences of any social pattern

Question 17

latent functions

Answer 17

the unrecognized and unintended consequences of any social pattern.

Question 18

macro-level orientation approach

Answer 18

a broad focus on social structures that shape society as a whole

Question 19

social-conflict approach

Answer 19

• framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change.
• highlights how factors such as class, race, ethnicity, gender, and age are linked to inequality in terms of money, power, education, and social prestige.

Question 20

feminism and gender-conflict theory

Answer 20

study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between women and men.

Question 21

race-conflict theory

Answer 21

study of society that focuses on inequality and conflict between people of different racial and ethnic categories.