Chapter 1: What Is Sociology of Education? Theoretical Perspectives

Test Bank

Multiple Choice

1. ______ theorists focus on the interpersonal dynamics of the situation and assume that individuals socially construct their lives based on the environments in which they find themselves.

A. Feminist

B. Functional

C. Conflict

D. Symbolic interaction

2. ______ refers to cultural practices, including language patterns and experiences.

A. Cultural capital

C. Social capital

D. Conflict theory

D. Labeling theory

3. Durkheim is traditionally associated with which social theory?

A. feminist theory

B. functional theory

C. conflict theory

D. rational choice theory

4. In Bernstein’s Code theory, which group is more likely to use restricted codes?

A. students from upper-class backgrounds

B. students from middle-class backgrounds

C. students from working-class backgrounds

D. There is no social class difference in the use of restricted codes.

5. Which theory is most associated with the self-fulfilling prophecy?

A. functional choice theory

B. labeling theory

C. symbolic theory

D. rational choice theory

6. According to Durkheim, the role of education is to teach the child morality is part of what aspect of the classroom?

A. knowledge

B. discipline

C. self-esteem

D. job skills

7. An example of a latent function of education, according to functionalist theory is ______.

A. training persons for specific jobs in society

B. babysitting

C. promoting change in society

D. teaching children the skills they need to survive in society

8. The study of sociology of education is primarily concerned with ______.

A. interactions between people

B. structures that provide recurring organizations

C. processes that bring the structures such as schools alive through teaching, learning, and communicating

D. all of these

9. Social capital differs from cultural capital because it involves ______.

A. the language one uses

B. who one knows

C. experiences one has had

D. all of these

10. Parsons describes which of the following as key to the formal organization of elementary school classrooms?

A. groups of students working together

B. indirect teaching, through projects

C. one teacher to a group of students

D. all of these

11. According to Collins, status groups are “associational groups sharing common cultures” including similar ______.

A. manners

B. moral evaluations

C. tastes

D. all of these

12. Collins’ argument about schools as providing status culture comes from ______.

A. functional theory

B. conflict theory

C. symbolic Interactionist theory

D. rational choice theory

13. The article by Rist on the process of schooling is an example of ______.

A. functional theory

B. conflict theory

C. symbolic Interactionist theory

D. rational choice theory

14. According to Rist’s description of labeling theory, secondary deviation occurs when ______.

A. an individual commits a deviant act the second time

B. an observer observes the deviant act a second time

C. stigma from a previous deviant act(s) triggers a deviant act

D. all of these

15. Someone who is trying to explain why Johnny can’t read by describing Johnny’s family’s social class situation is likely using ______.

A. feminist theory

B. functional theory

C. conflict theory

D. rational choice theory

True/False

1. Conflict theorists challenge the postmodern assumptions that schools are ideologically and politically neutral and operate based on meritocracy.

2. Feminist theories are often considered a type of functional theory.

3. The primary goal of social theory is to explain how social processes work.

4. Durkheim considers school discipline to be the morality of the classroom.

5. An example of a symbol in symbolic interaction theory could be a word, such as “good.”

6. The term “status group” as used by Collins was originally defined by Marx.

7. Labeling theory is often used in functional theory.

8. An example of a latent function of education is the training of individuals for jobs.

9. Taking on or accepting a deviant status is an important part of labeling theory.

10. Feminist theorists are concerned about the number of girls who are denied educational opportunities.

11. The study of sociology of education is only important to teachers and other education professionals.