Sociology Chapter 2
13. A(n) is something that stands for something else, or anything to which people give meaning. a. symbol b. culture c. identity d. society
a
64. The widespread dissemination of information and entertainment through widely available channels of communication is called . a. mass media b. cyber media c. cultured media d. elite media
a
105. Which of the following statements about culture shock is false? a. Culture shock may result from being in a different culture. b. Culture shock can only be experienced in a foreign country. c. Rapidly changing cultural conditions may produce culture shock. d. Some of the people displaced by Hurricane Katrina have experienced culture shock.
b
109. Manipulating culture or imposing one's culture on another group a. is not possible given the characteristics of culture. b. is a form of dominance and social control. c. is possible but has never been attempted. d. is common within Eastern cultures more than Western cultures.
b
72. Cultural hegemony is the term for a. the commercialization of the media. b. the excessive influence of one culture in society. c. the resistance of localized cultures to the dominant culture. d. phenomena such as the struggle between "McWorld vs. Jihad."
b
29. The strictest norms in any society are called . a. folkways b. mores c. taboos d. laws
c
7. Norms, values, laws, and customs are all examples of . a. high culture b. material culture c. nonmaterial culture d. nontraditional culture
c
70. Sociologists refer to the concentration of cultural power as . a. cultural borrowing b. cultural relativism c. cultural hegemony d. cultural pervasiveness
c
102. The idea of cultural capital was developed by: a. Durkheim. b. Weber. c. Marx. d. Bourdieu.
a
1. Which of the following is not part of the definition of culture? a. language b. beliefs c. behavior d. These are all parts of the definition of culture.
d
108. Which of the following statements about cultural change is false? a. Cultures change in response to changed conditions in the society. b. Cultures change through cultural diffusion. c. Cultures change as the result of innovation. d. Cultural change cannot be consciously created.
d
97. is an interdisciplinary field that builds on symbolic interactionism and is often critical of classical sociological approaches. a. Cultural studies b. Conflict analysis c. Communication studies d. Critical sociology
a
101. New scholars within cultural studies are emphasizing a. nonmaterial over material culture b. material over nonmaterial culture c. cultural capital over civic engagement d. civic engagement over cultural capital
b
106. The transmission of cultural elements from one society to another is called . a. cultural hegemony b. cultural diffusion c. cultural lag d. cultural shock
b
110. Movements like the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s, and the push to teach Native American children their indigenous languages, demonstrate that a. culture is static. b. culture may be used as a means of political resistance. c. the control exercised by the dominant culture is complete. d. nonmaterial culture is more important than material culture.
b
103. When one aspect of culture changes more slowly than other aspects, sociologists call this a. cultural leveling. b. cultural obstructions. c. cultural lag. d. cultural construction.
c
104. Culture shock refers to a. the experience of realizing that you are aging and culture is changing. b. the introduction of new technologies to older members of society. c. the feeling of disorientation one feels when placed in a new or rapidly changing cultural environment. d. the sticker shock of constantly increasing prices.
c
107. The invention of subways and trains illustrates which cause of social change? a. change in the societal condition b. cultural diffusion c. innovation d. the imposition of cultural change by an outside agency
c
68. The concept of cultural hegemony implies that culture is highly a. politicized. b. gendered. c. racist. d. religious.
a
71. Cultural hegemony refers to a. the pervasive influence of just one culture. b. the social agreement that the powerful should control the media. c. the belief that mass media's influence is larger than desirable. d. multiple cultures merging to create a new mass media.
a
74. Mass-produced culture (e.g. popular music and films) and other parts of culture that are shared by most people are called culture. a. popular b. high c. elite d. institutional
a
80. The digital divide refers to: a. inequality based on access to electronic information. b. differences in technology. c. differences in perception of media. d. non of the above.
a
84. theorists are most likely to emphasize that cultural norms and beliefs integrate people into groups and create social bonds. a. Functionalist b. Conflict c. Symbolic interactionist d. New cultural studies
a
10. Regardless of where it is found in the world, culture a. is shared. b. is genetic. c. is often questioned by those who take part in it. d. is the same everywhere at all times.
a
100. According to the new cultural studies perspective, culture a. is ephemeral, unpredictable and constantly changing. b. prevents deviance from occurring. c. provides stability in society. d. does not include popular or widely understood artifacts.
a
11. Which of the following is true about culture in the U.S.? a. groups have different traditions but share a culture b. groups have different traditions and do not share a culture c. groups have independent culture experiences. d. groups have independent cultural traditions and do not learn a similar culture.
a
14. Which of the following is true about the meanings of symbols? a. They depend on the culture in which they appear. b. They have no influence on human behavior. c. They are inherent in the symbol itself. d. They are always the same, regardless of the context in which they exist.
a
23. The specific cultural expectations for how to behave in a given situation are called . a. norms b. directives c. belief-based actualizations d. culture-constructs
a
24. Why are norms such an important element of culture? a. Without norms society would be chaotic. b. People cannot survive without norms. c. Norms are the way that people communicate with each other. d. Norms are the basis for the formal education system.
a
27. Folkways are a. the ordinary customs of different group cultures. b. strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. c. often upheld through laws that bring serious repercussions. d. norms that provide strict codes of behavior.
a
39. Which of the following statements about values is true? a. Values define what is considered desirable and morally correct. b. Values are not guides for behavior because they are too abstract. c. Societal values are actually realized or achieved most of the time. d. Values most often create conflict.
a
4. Material culture consists of a. objects created in a given culture. b. ideas and beliefs of a group of people. c. laws, customs, and ideas. d. ideas about what is right and wrong.
a
42. Consumption for the sake of displaying one's wealth is called a. conspicuous consumption b. conspicuous austerity c. economic posturing d. financial reciprocity
a
48. Puerto Ricans in New York and the Amish are examples of . a. subcultures b. minority cultures c. majority groups d. counter cultures
a
51. The difference between subcultures and countercultures is that a. countercultures reject and defy the dominant culture and subcultures do not. b. subcultures are created as a reaction to the dominant culture and subcultures do not. c. countercultures retreat from the dominant culture and subcultures do not. d. subcultures cause the development of countercultures.
a
53. Which of the following is an example of a counterculture? a. white supremacist b. feminist c. Irish Americans d. Anglo Americans
a
55. The habit of seeing things only from the point of view of one's own group is called . a. ethnocentrism b. xenocentrism c. cultural relativism d. multiculturalism
a
59. Cultural relativism is the idea that a. a phenomena should be understood and judged only in relationship to the cultural context in which it appears. b. things should be viewed from one's own point of view. c. culture is diffused throughout the world. d. cultures are created in reaction to social change.
a
86. In Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam argues that there has been a decline in civic engagement resulting in a. a decline in shared values and an increase in social disorder. b. economic hardship for many voluntary organizations. c. a lack of socialization opportunities for children. d. more demands for social welfare programs from the government.
a
9. How do sociologists view the value of culture for the individual? a. A person must learn culture in order to know how to behave in their society. b. Having culture gives a person higher status than other people. c. The more culture one has, the more income one will earn. d. None of these; culture is not of particular importance for humans.
a
92. What is the significance of the concept of cultural capital for sociologists? a. It helps explain how one group may maintain its dominant social status. b. It refers to the urban centers in which cultural change is most likely to occur. c. The concept is central to resistance movements and counter cultures. d. None of these; cultural capital is not a sociological concept.
a
12. In their day-to- day lives, most people a. have to consciously think about their cultural practices. b. take the expectations of their culture for granted. c. spend a lot of time questioning why they engage in certain behaviors. d. ignore their own cultural traditions.
b
15. People stand during the National Anthem and are emotionally moved by a cross or Star of David because a. these symbols have an innately significant. b. of the significance people bestow on them as cultural symbols. c. crosses and stars are instinctually moving to people. d. people innately know how to behave when facing these symbols.
b
19. The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that: a. reality is the result of social inequality. b. language provides the category through which social reality is defined. c. there is no relationship between language and culture. d. language reflects social differences and therefore material culture.
b
21. How does language influence patterns of social inequality? a. Language has little effect on patterns of race or gender inequality. b. Language may produce inequalities through stereotypes and assumptions that may be built into what people say. c. Studies have proven that what someone is called really doesn't matter, since identity is developed internally by the individual. d. While language affects patterns of race and gender, there is no indication that it influences patterns of class inequality.
b
26. Two classic cultural concepts associated with the work of William Graham Sumner are . a. explicit and implicit norms b. folkways and mores c. dominant culture and subcultures d. culture traits and culture concepts
b
28. Mores are a. the ordinary customs of different group cultures. b. strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. c. often upheld through laws that bring serious repercussions. d. norms that provide strict codes of behavior.
b
32. The strength or seriousness of social sanctions is a. harsh, regardless of how strictly the norm is held. b. generally lighter for violations of folkways than violations of mores. c. unrelated to the type of norm that is violated. d. not something that sociologists consider in the study of norm violations.
b
33. The theoretical approach that is based on the idea you can discover the normal social order through disrupting it is referred to as . a. dramaturgy b. ethnomethodology c. exchange theory d. impression management
b
36. Shared ideas that help bind people in society together are called . a. folkways b. beliefs c. mores d. sanctions
b
38. The abstract standards that define the ideal principles of a society are called . a. beliefs b. values c. myths d. mores
b
43. America's dominant culture is characterized by which of the following? a. diversity b. middle-class values c. later arriving immigrants d. Asians and Latin Americans
b
44. Which of these is true regarding cultural diversity in society? a. It is rare for a society to be diverse. b. Diversity is very characteristic of American society. c. Many very simple societies actually have the most cultural diversity. d. As societies become more complex, the more the culture will be internally uniform and consistent across all groups.
b
45. Whereas earlier immigrants to the U.S. were predominantly from Europe, today most new immigrants come to the U.S. from . a. Southern and Eastern Europe b. Asia and Latin America c. the Middle East and Africa d. South America and the Caribbean
b
46. In every society, the dominant culture is a. the only culture in society. b. the culture of the most powerful group. c. strongly influenced by minority subcultures. d. always the culture of the majority of people
b
47. The dominant culture in any society a. is the only true culture in the society. b. is commonly believed to be "the" culture of a society. c. does not necessarily correspond to the groups with the most power. d. is the least recognized.
b
49. The cultures of groups whose values and norms differ to some extent from those of the dominant culture are called . a. countercultures b. subcultures c. popular cultures d. postmodern cultures
b
54. An ethnocentric person is characterized by which of the following? a. is always extreme b. protects their identity from others c. is not normal d. none of the above
b
56. Which of the following statements is false regarding ethnocentrism? a. Ethnocentrism may be a strong force for group solidarity. b. Only Americans are ethnocentric. c. Ethnocentrism discourages intergroup understanding. d. One's own culture is taken for granted so it may be difficult to understand other people's culture.
b
58. Extreme ethnocentrism a. is rare. b. may result in violence, including terrorism, war, and genocide. c. is found primarily in less developed countries. d. has not been studied by sociologists.
b
3. Which of the following is an example of non-material culture? a. a painting b. a fashion magazine c. a building d. table manners
d
6. The discussion of birthday traditions included in the text demonstrates that a. some forms of celebration are universal. b. even seemingly "normal" practices have cultural roots. c. American birthday traditions represent cultural lag. d. U.S. culture dominates globally, even in birthday practices.
b
67. What were the results of the media blackout experiment that your text author, Anderson, did with her students? a. Students were able to live without their cell phones, but not without television. b. Students reported feeling alienated, isolated, and detached. c. Students noted that they could not study at all if they did not have background music. d. Most students found the experiment much easier than they had expected
b
78. The reflection hypothesis contends that a. media organizations create popular values. b. the mass media reflects the values of the general population. c. non-material culture shapes material culture. d. the media try to appeal to the rich and powerful.
b
81. Classical theorists of sociology were primarily interested in the relationship of culture to a. standards of beauty. b. nonmaterial culture such as values and beliefs. c. other social institutions. d. the material artifacts that were produced.
b
87. Classical sociologists placed most emphasis on . a. material culture b. nonmaterial culture c. real culture d. cultural constructions
b
88. Which type of theorist is most likely to emphasize that culture serves the interest of powerful group in society? a. functionalism b. conflict theory c. symbolic interaction d. new cultural studies
b
89. Conflict theorists view in which of the following ways? a. a form of integration. b. controlled by economic monopolies. c. multiple interests. d. a form of stability around other areas of conflict.
b
91. Cultural resources that are socially designated as worthy and that give advantages to groups that possess them are called . a. cultural "zeitgeist" b. cultural capital c. cultural margins d. cultural frames
b
94. According to symbolic interactionists, culture a. serves the interests of powerful groups. b. creates group identity from diverse cultural meaning. c. provides coherence and stability to society. d. is unpredictable and constantly changing.
b
98. The orientation that sees society as comprised of the images and words that people use to represent behavior and ideas is called . a. new cultural studies b. postmodernism c. critical sociology d. new age theory
b
99. Which of the following is true of postmodernism? a. It places a strong emphasis on the economic basis of behavior. b. Within postmodernism, culture is a series of images that may be interpreted in a number of ways. c. Postmodernism places a strong emphasis on the unifying features of culture. d. Traditions are the most important aspects of culture.
b
57. Ethnocentrism a. can be subtle or extreme. b. can only be practiced by dominant groups. c. encourages intergroup understanding. d. is another word for cultural relativism
c
16. Which of the following is true about cultural change? a. There are some beliefs that are so self-evident, such as the scientific understanding of disease, that they never change. b. While culture changes from place to place, in each place it stays virtually the same. c. Culture changes as people adapt in different time periods and in to different environments. d. Cultural changes overtime but not across places.
c
20. Today, almost all sociologists would agree that a. language determines what people think. b. culture determines language. c. language and culture are inextricably linked and each shapes the other. d. there is no relationship between language and culture.
c
25. Mechanisms of social control that enforce rules against killing are examples of: a. norms b. folkways c. sanctions d. mores
c
30. As a means of social control, to enforce norms, sanctions a. are always negative. b. are always positive. c. may be mild or severe. d. are not very effective.
c
37. Which of the following statements is false in regards to beliefs? a. Shared beliefs hold people in a group or society together. b. Beliefs are the basis for many norms and values in a society. c. Beliefs must be true in order for them to guide human behavior. d. Beliefs may be so strongly held that it is difficult to consider any contradictory information.
c
40. Which of the following statements about values is true? a. Values are really too abstract to provide any guidelines for behavior. b. Values are never the source of cultural tensions. c. Values may cause conflict in society. d. Values create ideas that cannot actually be achieved.
c
41. Freedom, justice, and education are examples of: a. sanctions b. functions c. values d. mores
c
5. What is the relationship between biology and culture in shaping human behavior? a. Human biology determines our behavior. b. The natural environment is the biggest determinant of human behavior. c. Human biology sets limits and provides the capacities for different types of behavior. d. Culture is the only influence on human behavior.
c
50. Members of a subculture a. are never well-integrated into the dominant culture. b. tend to share the same practices, values and beliefs as the members of the dominant culture. c. exist within and share some elements of the dominant culture. d. are indistinguishable from members of the dominant culture.
c
52. Members of a counterculture a. share many elements of the dominant culture and exist within it. b. conform to most of the standards of the dominant culture. c. reject the dominant cultural values of a society. d. Seek to redefine the dominant culture.
c
60. From the perspective of cultural relativism, in order to understand a particular cultural practice we must know a. how much harm it does. b. whether or not it is practiced by the majority of people in a society. c. the cultural values that it is based on. d. how it compares to the practices of our own culture.
c
61. The diffusion of a single culture throughout the world is termed: a. cultural commerce. b. cultural relativism. c. global culture. d. infusion.
c
62. The emergence of a global culture has resulted in a. a more heterogeneous world culture. b. a greater appreciation for the diverse folk cultures throughout the world. c. an increase in the influence of capitalism. d. a significant decrease in ethnocentrism throughout the world.
c
63. Some argue that many of the recent conflicts in the world are the result of a struggle between the values of a consumer-based, capitalist Western culture and a. the influence of socialist cultures. b. the values of a merchant-based Eastern culture. c. the traditional values of local communities. d. the global environmental movement.
c
76. Recent research on the content of television programs has found that a. the popular media have been influential in expanding the boundaries of what is considered female beauty in our society. b. the working class are now depicted as intelligent and involved members of society. c. there has been a recent increase in the portrayal of gays and lesbians. d. images of racism have increased despite the decline of racism within the larger society.
c
77. Sociological research on the impact of media images has found that a. most people are unable to distinguish between fantasy on television and real life. b. music videos are the only type of media that does not have a negative impact. c. White girls in particular believe they are judged according to media standards of beauty. d. media has little overall influence of individual lives.
c
8. Nonmaterial culture consists of which of the following? a. media. b. art. c. ideas. d. cars.
c
82. According to Max Weber, a. the capitalist economy is the most beneficial to a culture. b. culture is a source of power. c. culture influences other institutions. d. nonmaterial and material culture are equally important.
c
83. The classic analysis of the Protestant work ethic and the emergence of capitalism was conducted by . a. Emile Durkheim b. Pierre Bourdieu c. Max Weber d. Robert Putnam
c
90. Which of the following statements is false regarding culture from a conflict perspective? a. Cultural conflict may be driven by intense group hatred. b. Culture is dominated by economic interests. c. Culture promotes solidarity within society. d. Culture is produced within institutions that perpetuate inequality.
c
93. The theoretical perspective that examines how culture creates group identity from diverse cultural meanings is . a. functionalism b. conflict theory c. symbolic interaction d. new cultural studies
c
96. According to the text, the interdisciplinary field known as cultural studies builds on the insights of . a. functionalism b. conflict theory c. symbolic interaction d. feminist theory
c
17. Which of the following is not an element of culture? a. language b. norms c. mores d. all of the above
d
18. As an element of culture, language is important because a. it enables a person to become a part of society. b. it permits the formation of culture c. language enables us to learn social skills. d. All of these choices are true
d
2. The complex system that includes a group's beliefs, values, dress, and way of life, is called . a. counterculture b. culture c. social structure d. culture complex
d
22. What is the relationship between language and social inequality? a. Language may reproduce the inequalities that exist in society. b. The language that people use may alter social stereotypes to some extent. c. The power relations in a situation provide a context for the meanings of particular expressions. d. All of these choices are true.
d
31. According to researchers on culture and language: a. terms like handicapped do not stigmatize people b. culture and language are unrelated c. terms for race are accurate depictions of human history d. language affects people's perception of reality
d
34. People generally follow norms for behavior because a. they fear serious punishment for violations. b. they've thought about all their actions and act in the way they find best. c. they are forced to do so. d. they have learned and internalized the common expectations for behavior.
d
35. Through ethnomethodological research sociologists have learned all of the following, except a. most of the time, specific sanctions are not necessary to achieve conformity. b. society exists because people behave as if there is no other way to do so. c. when norms are violated, their existence becomes apparent. d. social norms are least important among children than adults.
d
65. Television is so everpresent in people's lives that today about of U.S. households are "constant television households" in which the television is on almost all of the time. a. 2 percent b. 12 percent c. 24 percent d. 42 percent
d
66. Which of the following media sources dominates most Americans' leisure time? a. newspaper b. books c. music d. television
d
69. The growth of media conglomerates means that fewer organizations are involved in producing and distributing culture. Which of the following is not a consequence of this growth? a. there may be less diversity in content of the media. b. people may conform to the interests of the dominant groups without realizing they are doing so. c. cultural messages in the media become more homogeneous. d. over time, there may be a single corporation controlling all media sources.
d
73. Mass media influences a. values alone. b. styles, but not values. c. language, but not styles. d. values, styles, and language.
d
75. Content analyses of media demonstrate that there are patterns for how race, gender and social class are presented. For example, research on the content of television reveals that a. during prime time the majority of television characters are women. b. Hispanics have caught up with whites and are now equally well-represented on television. c. more women are shown in professional roles, and beauty has become much less important. d. racial and gender stereotypes continue to dominate on television.
d
79. Which of the following is true about prime time media? a. women are often depicted as a majority of characters. b. women are presented as professionals late in their careers. c. black women are accurately depicted. d. men are often depicted as a majority of characters.
d
85. According to functionalists, a. culture is unpredictable and changing. b. culture creates group meanings. c. culture serves the interests of powerful groups. d. culture integrates people into groups.
d
95. Symbolic interactionists emphasize a. the economic basis of behavior. b. the role of culture in creating social solidarity. c. the manifest and latent functions of culture. d. the social construction of culture.
d
