Sociology

When cultures that were once distinct become increasingly similar, they are experiencing the phenomenon of

cultural leveling.

What is it called when someone has the ability to understand another culture in terms of that culture's own norms and values without reference to any other culture's standards?

cultural relativism

The famous anthropologist Margaret Mead said that the United States of America is the best place to raise a female child. Her assertion is an example of

ethnocentrism

What is it called when an individual uses their group's way of doing things as the standard for judging others?

ethnocentrism

According to sociologists, our genetic makeup determines what kind of personality and character traits we develop in life.

false

Only an authoritative body or formal institution can impose negative sanctions.

false

Which of the following agents of socialization has the most enduring, lifelong impact on the individual?

family

Children raised with minimal or no human interaction are referred to as

feral children

________ is the sociological term for signs people make with their bodies.

gestures

According to sociologist Diane Vaughan, the Challenger shuttle disaster in 1986 may have been caused by NASA scientists failing to take seriously those who suspected weaknesses in the shuttle's design. This exemplifies _____.

groupthink

According to Sigmund Freud's theoretical perspective, the parts of the mind are

the id, ego, and superego.

Some theorists have suggested that all individuals act like mirrors to each other. What do sociologists call this concept?

the looking-glass self

Many American colleges and universities require students to take classes on non-Western cultures. Why do these requirements exist?

to demonstrate the value of multiculturalism and to reduce ethnocentrism

Many of the Founding Fathers were cannabis farmers, but by 1937 every state in the United States had outlawed marijuana use. Today, more states have legalized marijuana for medical and/or recreational use. What does this illustrate about deviance?

Cultural values, practices, and definitions of deviance change over time.

Why does the family have such a powerful impact as an agent of socialization?

Family begins the socialization process before there are any other competing influences.

What characteristic distinguishes a group from an aggregate?

Groups foster the formation of enduring social relations.

Panera Bread restaurants recently began replacing cashiers with ordering kiosks in an effort to increase efficiency, shorten lines, improve order accuracy, and reduce labor costs. This is one example of _____.

McDonaldization

Miles joined a small reading group at school and became close friends with the three other members. During the year, seventeen more students joined the group and rules had to be put in place to resolve issues such as which book they should read together. Think about the group dynamics. What impact did this increase in group size have on relationships within the group?

The relationships became more impersonal.

Why are adults unable to be completely socialized?

There will always be new situations and roles to learn.

Which of the following is considered a group?

a classroom of children

Although many people believe that expectations for personal space are inborn, members of many cultures are accustomed to noticeably less personal space than those of others. This helps demonstrate that people's expectations for personal space are

a part of our culture and, as such, are learned rather than inborn.

Individuals who are NOT socialized

are unable to fully develop without contact with others.

The Asch experiment found that most people gave incorrect answers to factual questions when a group of people endorsed those answers beforehand, thus demonstrating the power of social influence to produce _____.

conformity

Family businesses often devalue diverse points of view because they exclude nonfamily members from company decision-making, and as a result are less innovative and competitive. This may be due to a high degree of cohesion within family businesses which results in conformity rather than critical thinking. A sociologist would say these businesses suffer from the problem of _____.

groupthink

Sociologists refer to the norms and values that people aspire to as ________ culture.

ideal culture

Alex has made a small fortune hacking into peoples' smartphones and threatening to release their personal information unless they pay a ransom. How would a sociologist classify Alex according to Robert Merton's typology?

innovator

The professor who cares only about student grades and isn't concerned with his students' personal well-being or morale is demonstrating what kind of leadership?

instrumental

While African Americans have a higher homicide victimization rate than whites, black men are much more likely than black women to become victims of homicide. This comparison demonstrates _____.

intersectionality

The FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR) data show which of the following crimes to be the most common in the United States?

larceny

Which of the following statements about crime and demographics is true?

men are more likely than women to commit a crime

Role conflict occurs when an individual has

multiple roles that are in conflict with each other.

It's all too common to see someone driving a car on a busy freeway while cursing and gesturing at another motorist whose poor driving has upset them. Cursing and gesturing are an individual's attempt at

negative sanctions

According to the text, which of the following populations are most likely to commit crimes?

older teens

Conflict theorists assert that it is the imbalance of power that leads to deviance, and that those in power in a society are able to criminalize behavior through the use of norms, rules, and laws. This process is a form of what?

social control

Prisha is a member of many different groups, including her school, soccer team, and Hindu temple. Above all these, however, is her close-knit family, which provides her with the most emotional satisfaction and greatest sense of belonging. According to Charles Horton Cooley, Prisha's family would be classified as a _____.

primary group

To get a sense of her performance in a course, Shayla compares her grades to the grades of others in the course. In this case, the other students are Shayla's _____.

reference group

Xavier, a high school dropout, is in prison for robbery. While in prison he has been receiving therapy, working on his GED, and getting job training. He and the prison administrators hope that when he gets out he'll be able to live an honest and productive life. This is an example of which approach to punishment?

rehabilitation

Hiram had a lot of fun dancing at the night club over the weekend. He decides to keep the party going on Monday by dancing on the bus all the way to work and continuing to do so in the office. His fellow commuters and work colleagues give him strange looks and move away from him. This confuses Hiram because nobody did that when he was dancing at the club. Labeling theory would help Hiram understand what's happening because it explains that deviance is a matter of _____.

social context

Jace spends most of his time by himself—he has no family or friends, and doesn't work. Perry, on the other hand, has close relationships with his family members, has a good career, and is an active member of his church. Which theory would predict that Jace is more likely to commit crime because he has weaker social bonds?

social control theory

Victor of Aveyron was a feral child who wandered out of the woods in 1800 when he was approximately twelve years old. After being reintroduced to human society, Victor was incapable of talking and never fully adjusted to life with other humans. This case shows the importance of

socialization

What does the nature vs. nurture debate help us understand?

the complex interaction between hereditary traits and social learning