SOCIOLOGICAL CONCEPTS, PERSPECTIVES AND METHODS EXPLANATIONS TO MULTIPLE CHOICE

ANSWERS RE CLASS WORK ACTIVITY/TEST. June 6, 2023

1. C. Auguste Comte (1798-1857) as cited in Mohammed (2014) p. 21, coined the term
“sociology “in the 1830s. Comte believed that human actions and behaviours are
governed by the same laws of “ cause and effect “ that are associated with the natural
sciences and given that social data can be empirical, theoretical , cumulative, non-ethical
and value free(objective ), society can be studied in the same ways as the natural
sciences . He therefore laid the foundation for positivism and played an important role in
the development of functionalism/consensus structural ism Mustapha 2013),

2. C. Caribbean Sociology is linked to the historical, economic and cultural development of

the region. Several studies have been produced on the social changes in the region, the
effect of colonialism and plantation slavery, migration, demography and family structures
among others. It is clear, however, that the main concern for Caribbean sociologists is the
underlying causes of social problems in the region. Most studies tend to look at the
region’s history and current socio=economic conditions. Mohammed ( 2014;p27-
32.Mustapha (2013 ) p18-20

3. D. The imperialistic activities of the United States in the late 1800s had a huge impact on
foreign policies and changed the ways countries related to each other. However,
sociology developed as a discipline long before US imperialism. Such event as the
Industrial Revolution, French Revolution, American Revolution and the Reformation
played important roles in the development of the discipline. Macionis and Plummer
(2007) p12-27; Mohammed ( 2014 ) p.21); Mustapha ( 2013 ) p.1 -18
4. C. Sociology is considered as one of the most important social sciences because it allows
researchers to look beyond common sense when studying the social actions of people. It
recognizes that people are social beings and highlights the ways that ways individual
behaviours impact on social development Macionis & Plummer (2007 ) p4-14;
Mohammed (2014 ) p1-7 ; Mustapha (2013 ) p1. -11

5. D. Social institutions are organizations or behavioral patterns that each society develops
in order to meet its basic needs. Such institutions include the mass media , religion ,
politics , education family, hospitals and the legal system .They play vital roles in the
continuation of society because as tools of socialization , having their own set of norms ,
values , and roles , and work together in order to bring about unity and conformity
( Haralambos & Holborn 2008;2013 )p.993 ; China poo et al ( 2014) 365-6 ; Mohammed
( 2014) p54-55
6. C. There is evidence that that the feminist theoretical perspective has been used to
explain the social changes in the Caribbean. It has been able to explain gender inequality,
the patriarchal nature of the Caribbean society, the upward mobility of women and the
changing roles of women. This theoretical perspective has been used by such Caribbean
theorists as Tracy Robinson, Rhoda Reddock and Patricia Mohammad among others.
Mohammed (2014) p. 51-52;
7. Positivism is associated with the belief that human beings, the study matter of sociology,
can be studied in a scientific manner. Positivists believe that unscientific research tools
are ineffective and unreliable when studying society. Accordingly, a proper study of
society would employ objective methods such as closed- ended questionnaires and
structured interviews. Macionis & Plummer (2007) p16

8. B. Interpretivists are convinced that sociology should not be labelled as a science. They
argue that society is based in interactions and interpretations. Accordingly, it is
unrealistic for quantified data to be collected in an objective manner. Furthermore, the
subject matter of sociology is human beings who constantly change and rely on emotions
to survive. They therefore stress that sociologists are to examine society as it is.
Mohammed (2014 ) p.66

9. B. In her most famous work, My Mother Who Fathered Me (1957), as cited in Mustapha
(2013 ), Edith Clarke examined the family structures of rural communities in Jamaica. She
noted that various family patterns have developed due to the socioeconomic conditions
within these communities. Of importance, she considered the roles played by mothers,
the pattern of migration, the stability of these families and the absence of fathers as
stable figures within the households. Mustapha (2013) p.19
10. C. The concept of verstehen stresses that researchers get them selves in the position of
the people they are studying. In doing so, the researchers effectively become a part of
these people’s interpretation of society. Haralambos & Holborn ( 2013 ) p. 885

11. C. The feminist theoretical perspective is of relevance to the Caribbean because the
experience of women has influenced social policies and issues. There is evidence that the
region’s history of colonialism, plantation slavery and indentureship, have influenced the
social positions of women. The feminist theoretical perspective allows us to appreciate
the social experiences of women.
12. B. Functionalism looks at the interrelated functions of social institutions within society.
These institutions work together and promote conformity, consensus and solidarity .
There is evidence that the functionalist’s theoretical perspective can be used to examine
the Caribbean society. Caribbean are shaped by the social institutions within the region,
these institutions promise social order and consensus. Social change is generally caused
by external factors. There vis evidence, however, that conflict between the various social
groups continues to influence the region’s social structures
 13. A. Marxism and functionalism apply the macro approach to the study of society. This
approach focuses on the ways social structure and the institutions shape human actions
and behaviours. Hence, the macro approach views humans as puppets of society.

14. B. Reverse socialization implies that the adults of society are being taught the new norms
and values of the society by the younger population. it means then that if a society has a
high level of reverse socialization, then that society is undergoing social change.

15. B. The Marxists are convinced that conflict is natural in society and predominantly
between those who own the means of production (the capitalists/ bourgeoisie and those
who don’t (the working class or proletarians). The Marxists argue that conflict is caused
by inequality, exploitation, and competition for limited resources. They add that unity
and consensus cannot exist within a capitalist society but may be achieved in a socialist
society.

16. D. The conflict theoretical perspective is concerned with the variations and changes
between social groups. Such variations and changes generally lead to conflict, tension
and competition.
17. D. The interactionists believe that human nature is developed through interaction and
interpretation. Socialization is therefore important because it ensures human nature.

18. D. People who stand at a bus stop are not considered a group, but an aggregate. An
aggregate is a collection of people who might share the same place at the same time but
have no sense of identity or permanence. They have little or no interaction and have no
connection with each other.
19. B. Charles Horton Cooley (1909) commented that primary groups are the “nursery of
human nature”. In defining primary groups, he mentioned that such are groups that have
small intimate, face -to -face associations and in which the members share a common
identity. This common identity This common identity leads to such members identifying
themselves as “we or us “

20. B. A sociologist who wishes to use the scientific model in his research would observe a
social problem ( observation ) develop a hypothesis -STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM – on
which to base his studies ( hypothesis ), formulate the methods to collect the relevant data,
manipulate and control the variables in collecting the data ( experiment ): and after
collecting the relevant data, interpret and analyze the data ( theorizing).Generalizations can
thereafter be made to determine whether the hypothesis ( STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM )
was correct or wrong .

21.A. Lloyd Braithwaite (1960) was concerned about social stratification and race in the
Caribbean society. He formed the opinion that an ascriptive value system remains in the Caribbean
and people are separated on the basis of race and ethnicity.
 22.A. Edith Clarke was more concerned about family structure s and patterns in the
Caribbean. Although she indirectly considered gender issues and relations, in looking at the roles of
mothers in rural families, her work can assist us to understand the stability of Caribbean families and
the development of consanguine and matrifocal families. Patricia Mohammad, Rhoda Reddock and
Elsa Goveia adopted the feminist theoretical perspective in their studies on the Caribbean.

23. B. The Marxists are strong proponents of social change and, in fact, have maintained that
society has changed from being an ancient society to a traditional society, then to a feudal society and
now to an industrial society. They believe that society will ultimately change to a communist society.
The main reason for social change is the class struggle between those who owns the means of
production and those who don’t. Ultimately those at the bottom of society will rebel against their
inequality.

24. C. George Herbert Mead’s Theory of socialization is significant because he looked at the way
people evolved by observing others. He maintained that people become members of society through
social experiences and interactions, and further by how they imitate the actions of others. People
therefore develop a sense of “I “and “me “.

25.B. Interactionists believe that society is “socially constructed “. By this, society is dependent on
the social actions of human beings and is based on human interactions,interpretations and the
meanings people attached to symbols (Chinapoo et al 2014); Mohammed (2014) It means therefore
that society can only be understood through social relations and connections .

26.D. the conflict theoretical perspective is concerned with conflict between social groups, the impact
of economic variables on social structures and the distinction between those who own the means of
production and those who don’t. It is evident that this theoretical perspective can be used to study
Caribbean society due to the region’s history of conflict, resistance and class struggles. Sociologists
such as M. G. Smith, Lloyd Braithwaite, George Beckford and Susan Craig have employed tenets of the
conflict theoretical perspective in their studies of Caribbean society.

27. B Liberal feminists are convinced that women are equal to men, however, they are discriminated
against within society. This discrimination is often legitimized by the legal system. These feminists are
therefore concerned with the liberation of women and the challenges they face to achieve equal
rights and status to that of men.

28.B. The theory of dramaturgy falls under the interactionists theoretical perspective and was
developed by Erving Goffman. Goffman linked the social interactions of people to the interaction of
actors within a play. He argued that people perform social roles which are consciously thought of
before they are executed. People create social roles based on the audience they are before. By this,
people develop different social roles based on how they want people to see them – akin to actors
within a play.
29.B. Sociology and anthropology are interrelated in that both consider how culturechanges. While a
sociologist is concerned about cultural change and its impact on the immediate actions of people; an
anthropologist is concerned with human cultures, their development and the way they change
overtime. To this end, anthropologists examine the cultures of traditional societies making particular
references to contemporary cultures to determine how those cultures have transformed overtime.

30. D. Options I, II, III and IV are all related to the scientific model.

31.The functionalists believe that social stability is maintained in society because the social
institutions are capable of working together. These social institutions have the power to shape people
and so they are socialized into value consensus. People are considered puppets of society because
they have no control over the social forces around them.

32.B. Functionalism and Marxism are structural theoretical perspectives. By this, they believe that
society is comprised of interrelated parts. Functionalists believe that society is made up of social
institutions that work together to create value consensus. The Marxists, on the other hand, believe
that society comprises of the superstructure (social institutions) and infrastructure (the economy).
The infrastructure determines superstructure.

33.B Cooley’s “Looking – glass self “theory maintains that people develop a sense of identity based on
how they are perceived within society. Accordingly, a person’s self-image is dependent on how others
relate to or see her/him. It is evident, however, that the looking -glass self-theory ignores the fact that
people may develop a self – image by mimicking that of others in society. (Anderson and Taylor 2000.
P85-86); Haralmbos & Holborn (2013)

34.A. Laws are the most important norms within a society because they are attached to formal
sanctions. They are created to regulate the activities of people within society. Accordingly, when
laws are broken, an offence is committed against the state. Law breakers, run the risk of being
fined, prosecuted or imprisoned.

35.C. The Marxists believe that social change is caused by class struggles between those who own
the means of production (capitalists / bourgeoisies) and those who don’t (the workers / laborers/
proletarians). The Marxists believe that society has been changing rapidly moving from a
traditional society to a class society. Ultimately, society will become a communist society.

36.B. Ethnomethodology was developed by Harold Garfinkel and falls under the interactionists
theoretical perspective. It looks at the day to day experience of people in order to explain how
they make sense of the world. Ethnomethodologists believe that social order is illusionary and
 argue that people only create a sense of order. ( Moore 1997 p33. ); Haralambos & Holborn
( 2013 ) At the core of ethnomethodology are membership indexically ( people make sense of
other people’s actions within the context of society and of reflexivity (people believe that society
must be orderly for life to have meaning ) Typifiaction is a core feature of phenomenology.

37.D. The interactionist theoretical perspective is concerned with human behaviours. It believes
that society is socially constructed in that it is based on the interaction and interpretations of
people. People attach different meanings to symbols and actions and, as such , the social world is
a world of meaning Haralambos & Holborn ( 2013)

38.B.The Weberian are of the view that social change is natural within society . As people are
social beings , their values, beliefs and cultures change overtime. When new values and beliefs are
introduced within a society, existing values and beliefs are challenged. This leads to social change.

39.A. The Marxists believe that society is divided between the infrastructures which are the
economic variables of society and the superstructures which are other social institutions such as
the law, school, church, family, mass media and so on . The infrastructure influences the
superstructures and in so doing, the superstructures aim to reproduce the values and beliefs of
the ruling class.

40. D. The means of production represents the dominant form of technology within society. It consists
of capital assets which are used to produce wealth and may include land , industry , machinery,
factories and tools . The Marxists argue that the ruling class maintains their position in society
because they dominate and control the means of production.

41.D. culture may be material or non-material in nature. Material cultures are those which are
concrete / tangible and include a bowl found in a Taino community or a diary found on an
abandoned sugar plantation. Non-material cultures are those which are intangible and include a
story by an elder in a Maroon community. Culture represents the way of life of a people and it is
unclear how a statistic report on the migration patterns of youths can be an aspect of culture.

42.D. Ethnocentrism is the act of judging people’s culture by the standards attached to one’s
own.It is significant because it shows that culture differ from one society to another and that
people normally value their own cultural form above those of others .More importantly , it
shows that people are truly shaped by their society .
 43.C. Herskovits believed that cultural patterns are shaped by the retention of Africans cultures .
However, some Caribbean sociologists are not so convinced. Herskovits produced very little
empirical evidence to support this thesis that and there is evidence that plantation slavery
undermined the ability of slaves to retain their cultures.

44.D. The Marxists believe that cultures are linked to economic variables. People participate in
economic activities before culture and therefore culture is shaped by the economy . Marx argued
that people eat before they tend to culture which means that people tend to their economic
needs before they engage in cultural activities.

45.A. High cultures are those cultural pasterns that distinguishes elites from other groups and
classes in society and are, thus, recognized as the “superior “cultural patterns . Such cultural patterns
are seemingly ascribed to some but not all members of society.

46 D. Countercultures reject the dominant cultures of society. Countercultures are therefore

linked to conflict. They reveal the different cultural patterns in society and show that not
everyone accepts the dominant cultures of society. Dominant cures may sometimes be
oppressive.

47.C. Cultural relativism is the act of judging one’s culture based on one’s environment and social
background. It requires that a person’s cultures be understood within the context of the society
from which that person is from. Accordingly, it stresses objectivity. Sociologists are generally
asked to adopt cultural relativism when considering the variations between cultural patterns.

48.D. Kamau Braithwaite believed that the Caribbean developed into a Creole society due to
process of creolization. Several factors have been identified such as the effects of plantation
slavery, the institutional practices of colonialism, the sexual relationships between blacks and
whites, the process of acculturation, and interculturation and the immigration of Asians ( who
assimilated into the white population ). The decimation of the indigenous people in the Caribbean
had little impact on the development of the Creole society because all the cultures, practices,
beliefs and values of yhe indigenous people were displaced by the Europeans.

49.B. The theory of creolization is significant because it considered the integration between the
various cultural groups in the Caribbean and provides an identity for Caribbean people . Although
the theory stressed integration, it also speaks to the conflict that existed between the social
groups. The groups put each other in an inferior /superior relationship, and this ultimately led to
the process of acculturation. Acculturation is the process by which the people of one culture
adopt, normally through force , some features of the dominant culture of their society .The
process of creolization showed that plantation slavery was incapable of destroying African
cultures.