Sociology Concepts and Theories Worksheet

Which of the following best describes 'Stratification'?

• The hierarchical organization of a society into groups with differing levels of power, social prestige, or status and economic resources.

• A condition in which no differences in wealth, power, prestige, or status based on non-natural conventions exist.

• The idea that struggle between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general.

• The idea that society’s many parts—institutions, norms, traditions, and so on—mesh to produce a stable, working whole that evolves over time.

Which of the following best describes 'Social Equality'?

• The hierarchical organization of a society into groups with differing levels of power, social prestige, or status and economic resources.

• A condition in which no differences in wealth, power, prestige, or status based on non-natural conventions exist.

• The idea that struggle between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general.

• The idea that society’s many parts—institutions, norms, traditions, and so on—mesh to produce a stable, working whole that evolves over time.

Which of the following best describes 'Structural Functionalism'?

• The hierarchical organization of a society into groups with differing levels of power, social prestige, or status and economic resources.

• A condition in which no differences in wealth, power, prestige, or status based on non-natural conventions exist.

• The idea that struggle between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general.

• The idea that society’s many parts—institutions, norms, traditions, and so on—mesh to produce a stable, working whole that evolves over time.

Which of the following best describes 'Conflict Theory'?

• The hierarchical organization of a society into groups with differing levels of power, social prestige, or status and economic resources.

• A condition in which no differences in wealth, power, prestige, or status based on non-natural conventions exist.

• The idea that struggle between competing interests is the basic, animating force of social change and society in general.

• The idea that society’s many parts—institutions, norms, traditions, and so on—mesh to produce a stable, working whole that evolves over time.

Who is associated with the following views of society? He sees humankind as naturally pure and good, he appeals to biology and human instincts to explain social outcomes. It is only through the process of building society and repressing this pure natural character that social problems develop. Specifically, he sees the emergence of private property, the idea that a person has the right to own something, as the primary source of social ills.

• Thomas Malthus

• Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Karl Marx

Who is associated with the following ideas about society? Inequality arises when private property emerges and that private property emerges when resources can be preserved, because it is only through surpluses that some people are able to conserve and increase their bounty. This leads to the paradox of this chapter: Inequality is a result of surplus.

• Adam Ferguson

• All of these are correct.

• Thomas Malthus

• John Millar

Who is associated with the following ideas about society? History is viewed in terms of a master-slave (sometimes called a master—servant) dialectic. The word dialectic means a two-directional relationship—one that goes both ways, like a conversation between two people. One person talks, putting out an idea or thesis. Then the other responds, pointing out some problems with the thesis or posing a counterposition, an antithesis. Then the original speaker responds, and it is hoped, the two arrive at a synthetic arrangement constructed from elements of the original position and the strongest counterpoints.

• Karl Marx

• Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel

• Thomas Malthus

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Equality of opportunity

• A society of commerce (modern capitalist society, for example) in which the maximization of profit is the primary business incentive

• The idea that each player must end up with the same amount regardless of the fairness of the “game.”

• The idea that everyone should have an equal starting point.

• The notion that when more than one person is responsible for getting something done, the incentive is for each individual to shirk responsibility and hope others will pull the extra weight.

• The idea that everyone has an equal chance to achieve wealth, social prestige, and power because the rules of the game, so to speak, are the same for everyone.

Bourgeois society

• A society of commerce (modern capitalist society, for example) in which the maximization of profit is the primary business incentive

• The idea that each player must end up with the same amount regardless of the fairness of the “game.”

• The idea that everyone should have an equal starting point.

• The notion that when more than one person is responsible for getting something done, the incentive is for each individual to shirk responsibility and hope others will pull the extra weight.

• The idea that everyone has an equal chance to achieve wealth, social prestige, and power because the rules of the game, so to speak, are the same for everyone.

Equality of Condition

• A society of commerce (modern capitalist society, for example) in which the maximization of profit is the primary business incentive

• The idea that each player must end up with the same amount regardless of the fairness of the “game.”

• The idea that everyone should have an equal starting point.

• The notion that when more than one person is responsible for getting something done, the incentive is for each individual to shirk responsibility and hope others will pull the extra weight.

• The idea that everyone has an equal chance to achieve wealth, social prestige, and power because the rules of the game, so to speak, are the same for everyone.