Preview Extract
Multiple Choice 1. Urban sociology emerged in the context of a. the Industrial Revolution in Europe. b. the Revolutionary War in the United States. c. World War II. d. None of the above Answer: a. the Industrial Revolution in Europe. 2. Sociology emerged with the work of a. Auguste Comte. b. Karl Marx. c. Ferdinand Tönnies. d. Max Weber. Answer: a. Auguste Comte. 3. According to Marx, social institutions are determined by a. the political structure. b. religion. c. the economic system. d. tradition. Answer: c. the economic system. 4. The “Asiatic modes of production” refer to a. the factory system in China. b. a concept developed by Weber. c. an economic structure characterized by limited division of labor, common property, and lack of individualism. d. an urban setting characterized by high specialization of labor and impersonal relationships. Answer: c. an economic structure characterized by limited division of labor, common property, and lack of individualism. 5. The concept of “gemeinschaft” means a. association. b. community. c. organism. d. neighborhood. Answer: b. community. 6. Which of the following characteristics is NOT part of gesellschaft? a. rational and calculating behavior b. focus on self-interest c. kinship d. decline of family Answer: c. kinship 7. Durkheim saw “organic solidarity” as a. the equivalent to Tönnies’s “gemeinschaft.” b. a social order based on common belief, customs and rituals. c. an automatic form of dependence. d. a social order based on a complex division of labor. Answer: d. a social order based on a complex division of labor. 8. Georg Simmel focused on a. the structure of cities. b. the economic function of cities. c. the social mobility of individuals in cities. d. the social psychology of city life. Answer: d. the social psychology of city life. 9. According to Simmel, individual behavior in the city is dominated by a. passion. b. rationality. c. compassion. d. None of the above Answer: b. rationality. 10. What does the murder of Ms. Genovese illustrate? a. the concept of compassion b. the concept of gemeinschaft dominant in modern cities c. the mechanical aspect of solidarity emphasized by Durkheim d. the cultivated indifference observed by Simmel Answer: d. the cultivated indifference observed by Simmel 11. The comparative approach to urban sociology was promoted by a. Durkheim. b. Tönnies. c. Weber. d. Simmel. Answer: c. Weber. 12. According to Weber, the ideal city is characterized by a. a relative predominance of trade and commercial relations. b. some degree of political autonomy. c. a related form of association. d. All of the above Answer: d. All of the above 13. Authors in the classical European tradition all saw the city as a. increasing human choice. b. characterized by a complex division of labor. c. an improvement of the quality of life. d. Both a and b Answer: d. Both a and b 14. Park’s image of the city includes all but which of the following? a. a homogeneous population b. formal social structures c. a more rational life d. a commercial structure Answer: a. a homogeneous population 15. Compared to the classical European tradition, Parks’ urban sociology a. is more abstract. b. is more empirical. c. is less relevant to contemporary urban problems. d. is more theoretical. Answer: b. is more empirical. 16. According to Wirth, the large population size of cities creates a. greater cultural homogeneity. b. a need for formal control structures. c. a problem for economic growth. d. the conditions for democracy. Answer: b. a need for formal control structures. 17. Which of the following is NOT one of the types of urban lifestyles identified by Herbert Gans? a. cosmopolites b. the unmarried or childless c. the ethnic villagers d. the urban sophisticates Answer: d. the urban sophisticates 18. Wirth’s mistake was in a. generalizing too much from the urban conditions of the time in which he lived. b. underestimating the popularity of the suburbs. c. failing to identify the exurbs. d. not understanding the complexities of urban life. Answer: a. generalizing too much from the urban conditions of the time in which he lived. 19. Which of the following is NOT central to Claude Fischer’s subcultural theory? a. critical mass b. cultural isolation c. cultural diffusion d. urbanism Answer: b. cultural isolation 20. Modern researchers have shown that a. tolerance is more pervasive in rural areas. b. people with lower levels of income are more tolerant. c. urban tolerance is a product of migration. d. modern technologies, such as television, have lowered tolerance in cities. Answer: c. urban tolerance is a product of migration. 21. Urban “neighboring” a. varies markedly. b. is always active. c. is always impersonal. d. usually involves only working-class people. Answer: a. varies markedly. 22. The positive relationship between density and pathological behavior a. has been proven by genetic analysis. b. is rejected by J.B. Calhoun. c. is primarily biological. d. appears to be linked to poverty and racial discrimination. Answer: d. appears to be linked to poverty and racial discrimination. 23. According to recent evidence, the city a. is more tolerant than other types of settlements. b. is not as impersonal as many thought it was. c. does not promote a greater malaise than rural areas do. d. All of the above Answer: d. All of the above True/False 24. For Marx, cities announced a transition to “barbarism.” Answer: False 25. Marx and Engels believed that the flaws of capitalism cause poverty and unemployment. Answer: True 26. Gemeinschaft characterized the large city. Answer: False 27. Tönnies understood cities as part of a continuum. Answer: True 28. Organic solidarity refers to a social order based on individual differences. Answer: True 29. Durkheim’s view of the city is pessimistic. Answer: False 30. According to Simmel, money is very important in urban life. Answer: True 31. Simmel explained the spread of graffiti in cities by economic inequality. Answer: False 32. Weber compared cities in different parts of the world. Answer: True 33. Weber saw the modern city as closer to his ideal city type than the medieval city was. Answer: False 34. Park saw urban life as disorder and chaos. Answer: False 35. Park argued that urban research should be based on a disciplined observation. Answer: True 36. Wirth attempted to define universal social characteristics of the city. Answer: True 37. Wirth’s idea of “social segmentalization” refers to discrimination in the housing market. Answer: False 38. An emphasis on historical perspective is one of Wirth’s major contributions to urban sociology. Answer: False 39. Urbanization necessarily generates urbanism. Answer: False 40. White’s study of ethnic neighborhoods supports Wirth’s argument about urban anonymity. Answer: False 41. Cities create greater psychological distress. Answer: False Essay/Discussion 41. Most classical theories were pessimistic about urban life. Why do you think that is the case? What are the negative and positive aspects of urban life? Answer: Classical theories often expressed pessimism about urban life due to several perceived drawbacks associated with urbanization. These theories emerged during periods of rapid urbanization and industrialization, leading scholars to focus on the negative aspects of urban life. However, it's essential to note that urban life also has positive aspects. Negative Aspects of Urban Life: 1. Social Disorganization: Urbanization was believed to lead to social disorganization, breaking down traditional community structures and values. 2. Overcrowding: Cities were often seen as overcrowded, leading to increased competition for resources, higher crime rates, and reduced quality of life. 3. Pollution: Industrialization in urban areas was associated with pollution, leading to environmental degradation and health hazards. 4. Alienation: Urban life was thought to lead to feelings of alienation, as individuals might feel disconnected from their communities and surroundings. 5. Inequality: Urban areas often exhibited stark inequalities, with affluent areas juxtaposed with impoverished neighborhoods, leading to social tensions. Positive Aspects of Urban Life: 1. Economic Opportunities: Cities offered a wide range of economic opportunities, attracting people from rural areas in search of better livelihoods. 2. Cultural Diversity: Urban areas were centers of cultural diversity, offering exposure to different customs, languages, and ideas. 3. Infrastructure: Cities often had better infrastructure, including transportation, healthcare, and educational facilities. 4. Social Mobility: Urban areas provided greater social mobility, allowing individuals to move up the social ladder based on merit rather than traditional hierarchies. 5. Innovation: Cities were hubs of innovation, fostering creativity and advancement in various fields. In conclusion, while classical theories tended to emphasize the negative aspects of urban life, it's essential to recognize that urbanization also brought about positive changes and opportunities. Modern perspectives on urban life often seek to address the challenges while harnessing the benefits of urbanization for sustainable and inclusive development. 42. Compare Tönnies’s and Durkheim’s theories of urban life. What are the differences and similarities? Answer: Tönnies and Durkheim both provided significant sociological perspectives on urban life, but their approaches and conclusions differed in several key ways. Ferdinand Tönnies, a German sociologist, discussed the concepts of Gemeinschaft (community) and Gesellschaft (society). According to Tönnies, Gemeinschaft represents traditional, rural life characterized by strong social bonds, shared values, and a sense of community. In contrast, Gesellschaft refers to modern, urban society characterized by weaker social bonds, individualism, and a focus on personal interests over community well-being. Tönnies believed that urban life led to the breakdown of traditional community ties and the rise of a more impersonal, fragmented society. Émile Durkheim, a French sociologist, focused on the role of social integration and regulation in urban life. Durkheim argued that urbanization led to a division of labor, which in turn increased social solidarity and interdependence. He believed that while urban life could lead to anomie (a sense of normlessness and alienation), strong social institutions and moral regulation could mitigate these negative effects. Durkheim's perspective highlighted the potential for urbanization to create new forms of social cohesion and solidarity. In summary, while Tönnies emphasized the negative effects of urbanization on community bonds, Durkheim saw urban life as potentially fostering new forms of social solidarity. Tönnies's focus was more on the decline of traditional communities, while Durkheim's was on the emergence of new forms of social organization in urban settings. 43. Do you think that urban life is as negative as the classic authors thought it was? Explain the positive and negative aspects of urban life. Answer: Urban life has both positive and negative aspects, and whether it is as negative as classic authors thought depends on the context and perspective. Negative aspects of urban life, as highlighted by classic authors like Tönnies and Durkheim, include: 1. Social Isolation: In large cities, individuals may feel a sense of anonymity and lack of connection to others, leading to feelings of loneliness and alienation. 2. Crime and Violence: Urban areas can have higher rates of crime and violence compared to rural areas, which can contribute to feelings of insecurity and fear. 3. Environmental Issues: Cities often face challenges such as pollution, overcrowding, and lack of green spaces, which can negatively impact residents' quality of life. 4. Inequality: Urban areas may have stark disparities in wealth and opportunity, leading to social stratification and limited mobility for some individuals. However, urban life also offers several positive aspects: 1. Diversity and Culture: Cities are often melting pots of different cultures, offering a rich tapestry of experiences, cuisines, and traditions. 2. Opportunity: Cities are hubs of economic activity and innovation, offering a wide range of job opportunities and career advancement. 3. Access to Services: Urban residents typically have better access to healthcare, education, and other essential services compared to rural areas. 4. Social and Cultural Events: Cities often host a variety of events, festivals, and cultural activities, providing residents with opportunities for entertainment and enrichment. In conclusion, while urban life has its challenges, it also offers numerous benefits. Whether it is viewed as negative or positive depends on individual experiences and perspectives. Test Bank for Cities and Urban Life Plus John J. Macionis, Vincent N. Parrillo 9780205902583, 9780205206377,9780133869804
