Final Exam Theories For Essays

Question 1

Theory: You want to live the American Dream but grew up in a poor neighborhood. Your parents were drug addicts so you were pushed to become a drug dealer to get ahead.

Answer 1

Strain Theory

Question 2

Theory: Discrimination, racism, and prejudice are built into the fabric of American society.

Answer 2

Critical Race Theory

Question 3

Theory: Develops sense of self, based on who someone else tells you you are. Sense of self, sense of races.

Answer 3

Labeling Theory

Question 4

Theory: Minorities are a threat to society, they must be policed more. *But Asians and Jewish Americans are model minorities.

Answer 4

Racial Threat Theory

Question 5

Theory: Female sociologists will study family, gender and homeless more than male sociologists.

Answer 5

Feminist Theory

Question 6

Theory: There are 3 elements of self - 1) we imagine how we look to others. 2) we interpret their feelings. 3) that helps us develop our sense of self.

Answer 6

Looking Glass Theory

Question 7

Theory: There’s always conflict over power & resources between dominant and minority groups.

Answer 7

Conflict Theory

Question 8

Theory: Symbols represent and give meaning. They help form our perception of someone. (Clothes, jewelry, car, town you live in, skin color.) (Hoody - Treyvon Martin)

Answer 8

Symbolic Interactionist Theory

Question 9

Theory: It’s about how the parts of society function together as a whole, not just individual parts. Parts like the family, whether functional or dysfunctional, stabilize society as a whole.

Answer 9

Functionalist Theory or functionalism or functionalism perspective.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of a minority group?

Answer 10

1) unequal treatment
2) shared history
3) didn’t choose to be who they are (born into it)
4) sense of solidarity
5) inter-marriage (marrying within the group)