Sociology 101- Real World- Midterm

The article "Body Ritual Among the Nacirema" is useful to sociologists because: it presents a striking example of an exotic culture. it challenges people's inability to observe their own cultures. it demonstrates proper fieldwork techniques for studying a different culture. it demonstrates how different other cultures are from American culture. it provides a host of insights into premodern cultures.

it challenges people's inability to observe their own cultures.

An accountant with a college degree and a license from the state accounting board works for the Department of Defense as a senior auditor. He makes about $100,000 a year and will soon retire with benefits and a pension. What class would you expect him to belong to? working class lower class middle class upper class upper-middle class

upper-middle class

In the United States, which of the following groups would have the most freedom in choosing to display or not display their race or ethnicity? Hispanic Native American African American Asian Irish

Irish

Which of the following steps might help a researcher avoid problems associated with reactivity? using secrecy or deception being totally ethical at all times using random sampling techniques using properly constructed questions being objective

using secrecy or deception

Which of the following would sociologists consider the best definition of deviance? immoral or unethical behaviors violations of social norms criminal activities illegal activities actions that are harmful to society

violations of social norms

What is the difference between basic and applied research? Applied research is the search for knowledge for its own sake. Applied research attempts to translate knowledge gained through basic research into direct, practical action. Basic research is almost always done by Marxists. Applied research is usually quantitative. Basic research doesn't raise issues of bias, while applied research does.

Applied research attempts to translate knowledge gained through basic research into direct, practical action.

Sociologists assert that there is a close relationship between the individual and society. How does Pam Fishman's research on gender and power in heterosexual couples characterize this relationship? Fishman's data show how macro-level phenomena like gender and power manifest themselves in everyday interactions. It doesn't—Fishman's data only show how individuals act. It doesn't—this research only shows macro-level phenomena. Fishman's data show that micro-level phenomena have almost no relationship to macro-level phenomena, and seem to be largely independent. Fishman's research shows that there is no relationship between the individual and society.

Fishman's data show how macro-level phenomena like gender and power manifest themselves in everyday interactions.

Although functionalism is less popular today, what accounts for the strong appeal it had for early sociologists? Functionalism helps to explain rapid change. Functionalism helps to explain class conflict and inequality. Functionalism is the least conservative of all sociological theories. Functionalism helps describe the way we present ourselves to others on a face-to-face basis. Functionalism helps to bring order to a rapidly changing and messy social world.

Functionalism helps to bring order to a rapidly changing and messy social world.

Which of the following statements is NOT true about in-groups? In-group members feel loyalty to the group. In-group membership is often temporary. In-group members have a sense of belonging. In-groups have a feeling of superiority over out-groups. In-group members are biased in favor of their fellow members.

In-group membership is often temporary.

Which of the following is the most serious critique of structural functionalism? It tends to overlook those areas of society that are stable and orderly. It tends to argue that intellectuals should act on what they believe. It overemphasizes the importance of the economy. It fails to provide a universal social theory. It tends to argue that any social feature that exists must serve a function.

It tends to argue that any social feature that exists must serve a function.

In colonial America, a pickpocket might have had a hand cut off as punishment. Why was this particular method of punishment chosen? It allows an offender to start his life over by moving to a new community and claiming that he lost his hand in an accident. It was considered one of the most painful punishments that could be administered. It was considered symbolically appropriate to remove the part of the body most directly connected with the crime. It was easy and convenient. The hand is a part of the body that can usually be safely amputated without risk of infection.

It was considered symbolically appropriate to remove the part of the body most directly connected with the crime.

Which of the following is NOT one of the basic principles of social stratification? Low-level groups often have basic access to the rewards and privileges of higher-level groups. Different societies base their stratification on different criteria. It is a general trend but, within a society, can have exceptions. It is maintained through beliefs that are widely shared in a society. It persists over time.

Low-level groups often have basic access to the rewards and privileges of higher-level groups.

According to Robert Merton, what is the difference between manifest and latent functions? Manifest functions usually have something to do with social conflict and change. Manifest functions are intended and obvious. Manifest functions are accidental and often hard to recognize. Manifest functions are designed to alleviate inequality. Manifest functions are designed to critique the social system that produced them.

Manifest functions are intended and obvious.

Which of the following is true of entomophagy, the eating of insects? It is not taboo in the contemporary United States to eat bugs. Eating bugs is one of the easiest ways to contract an intestinal parasite. The 1,462 species of edible insects are environmentally devastating to raise. People who eat insects run the risk of being protein deficient Many bugs have a better feed-to-meat ratio than do other animals.

Many bugs have a better feed-to-meat ratio than do other animals.

The Amish have neither the resources nor the desire to use prison as a sanction against members of their community who violate the rules. What sanction do they use instead? The offender is mandated to provide physical labor for the community. Various methods of corporal punishment are used, whereby petty criminals may be branded, have their ears cropped, have their noses slit, or even have their fingers cut off. Offenders are flogged or put in stocks to be publicly humiliated for a short period of time. Meidung, or shunning, is used, a process whereby no one within the community will associate or even talk with a rule breaker for a set period of time. Monetary fines are used for most norm violations.

Meidung, or shunning, is used, a process whereby no one within the community will associate or even talk with a rule breaker for a set period of time.

A barista at Jose's local coffee shop always greets him by name and usually notices his mood. Once when he was upset about something at school, he confided in her. She now asks how school is going and seems to care about his answer. How would we characterize her relationship with Jose? She is a "consequential stranger" and bridges the gap between primary and secondary groups. She is a member of a primary group. She fits neatly into the model of a secondary group. She is a secondary group member trying to work her way into primary group status. She is a member of the bourgeoisie.

She is a "consequential stranger" and bridges the gap between primary and secondary groups.

Which of the following is true of socialization? It stops, generally around adulthood. The process is reciprocal: society shapes the individual and the individual shapes society. It stays consistent over time. It is innate in humans. It stays consistent in most social settings.

The process is reciprocal: society shapes the individual and the individual shapes society.

Which of the following is true of the upper class in the United States today? They usually work in executive, managerial, and professional jobs. They make up about 30 percent of the population. They are a largely self-sustaining group and rarely add new members. They are comprised mainly of skilled workers in technical fields. They are not usually very well educated.

They are a largely self-sustaining group and rarely add new members.

How do we decide when to display situational ethnicity? We decide based on the holiday. We follow our families' demands. We do a cost-benefit analysis. We wait until the end of our life cycle. We only consider religious holidays.

We do a cost-benefit analysis

Why is it hard to recognize that the values and beliefs of one's own culture are learned rather than innate? We are born with these values and beliefs. We learn values and beliefs slowly and incrementally. It is human nature to accept one's own culture as superior. Values and beliefs are only taught in school. all of the above

We learn values and beliefs slowly and incrementally.

Imagine that a powerful and influential person decided to heavily tattoo her own face with symbols and images that told parts of her life story. Would she be treated as a deviant? Yes, it would be in the United States, though there are other cultures that would consider it normal or desirable. No, powerful people are often allowed to do things others find strange. No, there are several cultures where this sort of behavior is very common. Yes, but there would be no negative reaction for fear of causing offense. Yes, any culture would consider that to be a deviant act.

Yes, it would be in the United States, though there are other cultures that would consider it normal or desirable.

Stricter control of the border between the United States and Mexico was implemented to curb illegal immigration, but it also made illegal immigrants more likely to stay in the United States for longer periods of time, because frequent border crossings became both dangerous and costly. The increase in the number of illegal immigrants who stayed permanently or semi-permanently is: a manifest function of the border patrol. a latent function of increased security. a serious source of anomie. a source of mechanical solidarity. a cause for repression and sublimation.

a latent function of increased security.

People who associate with each other on a regular basis for no other reason than to spend time together are usually members of: a primary group. a secondary group. a reference group. a bureaucratic group. a social network.

a primary group.

Functionalist theory is very concerned with the ways in which structures contribute to the stability of society. What is a structure? a social institution that is stable over time and helps meet the needs of society any aspect of society that generates conflict or change a class hierarchy part of the means of production an informal agreement between people over a wide geographical area

a social institution that is stable over time and helps meet the needs of society

Which of the following is a way to partially suspend one's own ethnocentrism, at least temporarily? adopting cultural relativism mimicking the other culture using norms, values, and beliefs following legal requirements belonging to a subculture

adopting cultural relativism

What is the definition of "culture"? Culture includes the habits and lifestyle choices of a group of people. Culture includes customs and rituals, as well as tools and artifacts. Culture shapes and defines who we are. Culture encompasses every aspect of social life. all of the above

all of the above

If a researcher allows his own values and opinions to affect his analysis, he is guilty of: theoretical incoherence. bias. sampling bias. failing to obtain informed consent. conducting research that lacks replicability.

bias.

What sorts of jobs are usually available to members of the lower-middle class? blue collar jobs, or manual labor technical or professional jobs lower-management jobs They tend to be underemployed and often receive public assistance. executive or managerial positions

blue collar jobs, or manual labor

Sociologists observe society: by studying the various parts of a society and the ways they interact and influence each other. by focusing solely on individual behaviors. by studying society as if it were a concrete object, in the same way a geologist studies rocks. by utilizing the preconceptions, assumptions, and beliefs that come from living in a society. through the use of special scientific tools that allow unmediated access to the very heart of society.

by studying the various parts of a society and the ways they interact and influence each other.

All left-handed people in the United States would be classified as a(n): category. crowd. aggregate. group. organization.

category.

Increasingly, even very significant events in our lives take place online. It is now common to hear stories of couples breaking up through an instant message or even a text message. Compared to similar interactions in the past, what is missing from these interactions? the superego family socialization copresence emotion work impression management

copresence

The famous feminist and social theorist Judith Butler has criticized westerners who want to "free" Muslim women from wearing a veil or burqa. Butler believes that liberation from the veil is not the liberation many Americans might assume it is. Butler's critique exemplifies what term or concept? radical feminism high culture polysemy cultural relativism ethnocentrism

cultural relativism

The ability to understand another culture in terms of that culture's own norms and values, without reference to any other cultural standards is called: Marxism. ethnocentrism. cultural relativism. cultural lag. variability.

cultural relativism.

You're conducting research on violence in the media. If you're trying to decide whether "violence" includes words as well as actions, in what part of the research process are you engaged? forming a hypothesis Analyzing the data defining the variables disseminating your research findings reviewing the literature

defining the variables

Which of the following is a latent function of the educational system in the United States? teaching reading and writing keeping children out of trouble while parents are at work preparing a modern workforce to use technology instructing new immigrants in American values and history all of the above

keeping children out of trouble while parents are at work

Which of the following parts of a research project is always free of bias? identifying the project selecting the sample wording the questions analyzing the data

none of the above

For many years, researchers struggled to find a biological explanation for sexual orientation. However the vast majority of studies have focused on gay men and excluded lesbians, which might lead sociologists to question the ____________ of such research. commercial uses objectivity reflexivity reliability validity

objectivity

What do you call broad theoretical models of the social or natural world? paradigms hypotheses interviews grounded theory prejudice

paradigms

Many sociologists have worried that the modern economy demands both geographic and occupational mobility, which in turn means that industrial and bureaucratic organizations have become the norm. What sort of groups might become less common if people have to move many times in their lives for work? crowds secondary groups categories primary groups aggregates

primary groups

What type of group provides most of our emotional satisfaction? secondary groups reference groups interest groups out-groups primary groups

primary groups

After formulating a general research question, what will a good researcher always do? A. use the scientific method to evaluate his survey questions B. review the literature in order to become familiar with earlier research that relates to his topic C. clearly define his variables look for correlations between two or more different phenomena D. form a hypothesis

review the literature in order to become familiar with earlier research that relates to his topic

If an individual belongs to a group whose members are mostly anonymous to one another, then that group is almost certainly a: triad. secondary group. primary group. professional group. social network.

secondary group.

A young person from Southern California has four German grandparents. She lived in Los Angeles all her life before accepting a job in Milwaukee. She's never really thought about her German heritage, but in Milwaukee she discovers many other people with similar ancestries and starts using her ethnicity as a way to develop social and professional relationships. What is this an example of? symbolic ethnicity passing internal colonialism situational ethnicity the disparities in racial consequences

situational ethnicity

Parents often buy their children gender-specific toys. Boys get action figures that encourage active and aggressive play, while girls get dolls and toy ovens that encourage domesticity. This is part of what process? expressions of behavior personality socialization social isolation status conflict

socialization

Victor of Aveyron was a feral child who wandered out of the woods in 1800 when he was approximately 12. Victor was incapable of talking and never fully adjusted to life with other humans. This case shows the importance of: impression management. positive sanctions. the superego. an achieved status. socialization.

socialization.

Mother Teresa was a person with tremendous power and prestige, yet she was very poor. Mother Teresa is an example of which of the following? status sanctions status reversal status inequality status inconsistency status contradiction

status inconsistency

What school of social theory believes that society is a stable system of structures, each of which contributes to the equilibrium of the whole? symbolic interactionism psychoanalysis dramaturgy structural functionalism conflict theory

structural functionalism

Which of the following theories views society as a whole unit, made up of interrelated parts that work together? structural functionalism conflict theory symbolic interactionism psychoanalysis postmodernism

structural functionalism

In Chicago, a city with more Polish people than anywhere else in the United States, Casimir Pulaski Day is always a very important holiday. Although not well remembered in the rest of the country, Pulaski was a Polish-born hero of the American Revolution and a cavalry general. What concept helps to explain why this holiday is so much more important to people who trace their ancestry to Poland? racial hegemony symbolic ethnicity racial passing the social construction of race situational ethnicity

symbolic ethnicity

Displays of ethnic identity that only occur on special occasions are called: celebratory ethnicity. quiet race. religious identity. situational ethnicity. symbolic ethnicity.

symbolic ethnicity.

When someone of Irish ancestry who doesn't typically identify as Irish in everyday life puts on a green hat, drinks green beer, and wears a "Kiss me, I'm Irish" T-shirt on St. Patrick's Day, it is an example of: posing. symbolic ethnicity. situational ethnicity. prejudice. disembodied identities.

symbolic ethnicity.

The nature vs. nurture debate helps us understand: how to perfect survey research. the contradictions between primary and secondary group socialization. the complex interaction between hereditary traits and social learning. why biology has nothing to do with human potential. how biology determines physical characteristics, while social learning alone determines a person's personality and habits.

the complex interaction between hereditary traits and social learning.

When Elton Mayo did his now-classic experiment on worker productivity, he found that he could increase productivity by changing variables in a work environment, but also that changing back variables increased productivity. What did he conclude was the true cause of the increase in productivity? a decrease in sick days his own bias the effect of being studied the effect of change in the workplace, because it broke workers' routines and made them more alert increased lighting and longer breaks

the effect of being studied

How do sociologists define the self? the part of an individual that is displayed to other members of a society only the private innermost parts of the mind, those that are not usually shown to others the experience of a real identity, distinct from other people the unconscious parts of the mind, especially the id the parts of the human mind that are created through interactions with parents or guardians

the experience of a real identity, distinct from other people

Many people, especially young women, worry about maintaining a tan. Sometimes, if they don't have the time to tan naturally, they go to a tanning salon or use chemicals to simulate a tan. In some cultures, this might seem bizarre, which can help us realize that: Americans are very, very deviant. the line between beauty and deviance is fluid and changes across time and place. the rest of the world is not yet as normal as the United States and keeps backward practices and superstitions. people who get fake tans are deviant. there are some types of body modification that are never tolerated anywhere.

the line between beauty and deviance is fluid and changes across time and place.

What social class do "white collar" workers (workers employed in technical and lower-management positions) belong to? the upper-middle class the middle class the upper class the lower class the working class

the middle class

The social theorist Anthony Giddens has argued that "social structures are both constituted by human agency, and yet at the same time are the very medium of this constitution." In other words, individual interactions produce social structures, but at the same time those social structures limit, constrain, and direct individual actions. This means that Giddens believes that: there is nothing an individual can do to change systems of structured inequality. our clothing, our speech, our gestures, our cars, our homes, our friends, and our travels are all part of our presentation of self and determine our socioeconomic status. the structural perspective and the interactionist perspective are not mutually exclusive; structure shapes interaction, and interaction generates structure. all social structures—including systems of inequality—are constructed from the building blocks of everyday interaction, which is independent of structure. cultural capital shapes the perceptions others form about a person.

the structural perspective and the interactionist perspective are not mutually exclusive; structure shapes interaction, and interaction generates structure.

What is reactivity? the way the experimental group reacts to the independent variable the independent variable in an experiment when researchers react to data by over-reporting the results the tendency of research subjects to change their behavior in response to being studied the goal of applied research, to create a reaction

the tendency of research subjects to change their behavior in response to being studied

Kenneth Gergen coined the term "the saturated self" to describe: the type of self produced through exposure to more and more points of view and sources of information. the type of self that results from having multiple responsibilities and serious role strain. the type of self that results from repeated incidents of role conflict. the type of self that results from being an active agent, not just a passive receiver of influence. all of the above

the type of self produced through exposure to more and more points of view and sources of information

Although branding is no longer used as a form of punishment in the United States, some subcultures have adopted it as a form of body art. This demonstrates that: branding must still really be a form of punishment. what is considered deviant changes over time. some acts are simply inherently deviant. deviant acts of the past become mainstream acts of the future. many people find punishment desirable.

what is considered deviant changes over time.