Sociology Mid -Term Exam

The process of simultaneously analyzing the behavior of individuals and the society that shapes that behavior (or, the concept that the individual and society are inseparable) is referred to as: A) Dynamic equilibrium B) Latent functions C) Dramaturgical analysis D) Figuration

Figuration

What group defines themselves through a rejection of the mainstream: A) Beatniks B) Hepcats C) Hipsters D) Hippies

Hipsters

Please define C. Wright Mill's sociological imagination. A) The theory that man evolved slowly over time. B) The process of analyzing human behavior based solely on statistics. C) A series of interviews asking subjects about their sleep habits and dreams. D) How individuals understand their own and others' pasts in relation to history and social structure.

How individuals understand their own and others' pasts in relation to history and social structure.

Which of the following is NOT an example of a formal norm within the United States? A) Driving on the right hand side of the road B) Crossing streets on cross-walks C) Paying taxes D) Making eye contact while speaking

Making eye contact while speaking

Many Americans pay for haircuts, trips to the dentist, or transportation on the metro and bus systems. These actions support the notion of capitalism, an example of _____. A) Non-material culture B) Material culture C) A cultural universal D) The counterculture

Non-material culture

In order to better understand the sorority pledging process at her university for her sociology thesis, Carmen pledges with a popular sorority. This is an example of _____. A) Literature review B) Participant observation C) Secondary data analysis D) Dependent variables

Participant observation

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a bureaucracy: A) Clear division of labor B) Impersonality C) Explicit rules D) Personality-based promotion

Personality-based promotion

Sociology is defined as the: A) Qualitative analysis of human phenomenon. B) Systematic study of society and social interaction. C) Quantitative analysis of social transgressions. D) Theoretical examination of life's origins.

Systematic study of society and social interaction.

Your textbook identifies 7 agents of socialization. Select three and explain how each has contributed to your development.

Three agents that apply to my development are: Family, School, and Religion.

Verstehen is defined by the text as: A) To maintain a moral conscience. B) To compare and contrast social facts. C) To understand in a deep way. D) To require proof of interpretation.

To understand in a deep way

Justin enrolls in a local community college so he can one day become an engineer. Justin is about to become a member of a: A) Voluntary organization B) Paparazzi organization C) Utilitarian organization D) Coercive organization

Utilitarian organization

The term values can be defined as: A) The tenets or convictions that people hold to be true. B) A culture's standard for discerning what's good and just in society. C) Scripture found within the Bible. D) Federal laws and regulations.

A culture's standard for discerning what's good and just in society.

In an effort to control a total institution, and to create a community of sameness, inmates are forced to strip down, be searched by police officers, and given identical uniforms before entering prison. This is an example of _______. A) An entry test that must be passed B) A degradation ceremony C) A graduation ceremony D) An exit test that must be passed

A degradation ceremony

Reliability is defined by the text as: A) How well the study measures what it was designed to measure. B) How long a study is expected to remain relevant and influential. C) How close the study's results come to the experimenter's hypothesis. D) A measure of a study's consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced.

A measure of a study's consistency that considers how likely results are to be replicated if a study is reproduced.

The term value neutrality is defined by the text as: A) A practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgment during the course of a study and in publishing results. B) The study of evolving ethics and morals in relation to sociological research. C) A systematic approach to record and value information gleaned from secondary data as it relates to the study at hand. D) A study's participants being randomly selected to serve as a representation of a larger population.

A practice of remaining impartial, without bias or judgment during the course of a study and in publishing results.

What is the difference between a primary group and a secondary group? A) A primary group is small, consisting of emotional face-to-face relationships; a secondary group is larger and impersonal. B) A primary group is small and impersonal; a secondary group is large and consists of face-to-face relationships. C) A primary group is large and impersonal; a secondary group is small, consisting of emotional, face-to-face relationships. D) A primary group is large and impersonal; a secondary group is small and purely instrumental in function.

A primary group is small, consisting of emotional face-to-face relationships; a secondary group is larger and impersonal.

The term interpretive framework can be defined as: A) A basis for which sociologists determine whether their independent and dependent variables reflect the results. B) A sociological research approach that seeks in-depth understanding of a topic or subject through observation or interaction; this approach is not based on hypothesis testing. C) An established scholarly research method that involves asking a question, researching existing sources, forming a hypothesis, designing and conducting a study, and drawing conclusions. D) Specific explanations of abstract concepts that a researcher plans to study

A sociological research approach that seeks in-depth understanding of a topic or subject through observation or interaction; this approach is not based on hypothesis testing.

Which of the following is an example of role conflict? A) Becca returns to work after giving birth to her daughter, finding it difficult to act as mother, wife, and executive. B) Krista lands a role on Days of Our Lives and begins receiving fan mail from fans across the country. C) Derek attends law school and becomes a lawyer, though he dreams of one day becoming the next John Grisham. D) Alex takes a sabbatical from his job as a professor of Molecular Biology to raise his two young children.

Alex takes a sabbatical from his job as a professor of Molecular Biology to raise his two young children.

As industrialization began to boom, Durkheim believed people were more susceptible to anomie because: A) Collective norms are weakened. B) Society no longer has the support of the collective consciousness. C) Specialization of labor lead to alienation. D) All of the above

All of the above

Education is important to society because: A) It teaches children facts about the world in which they live. B) It teaches children how to interact with their peers and helps them to gain social graces. C) It teaches children how to react to authority and how to behave in group and one-on-one situations. D) All of the above

All of the above

The transition from college life to work life can be quite difficult for many young adults in the United States. Which is a possible cause for this struggle? A) The status quo has been maintained for a substantial period of time, and now the economy and government are undergoing significant changes. B) Many young people are in the same situation, so drawing expertise or knowledge from their experiences from peers is difficult. C) Finding a job, renting an apartment, and being independent is a daunting task that seems insurmountable. D) All of the above

All of the above

Functionalist Émile Durkheim viewed society as: A) An even playing field composed of the educated and uneducated B) Split between two classes categorized by education, kinship, and religion C) The product of class struggle, requiring social revolutions to correct rampant class inequality D) An organism in which each portion plays a vital role in keeping the organism stable and healthy

An organism in which each portion plays a vital role in keeping the organism stable and healthy

A total institution can be defined as: A) A business which offers career advice for federal employees. B) A group in which the masses have a large influence in decision making. C) A clear chain of command found in a bureaucracy. D) An organization in which participants live a controlled lifestyle and in which total resocialization occurs.

An organization in which participants live a controlled lifestyle and in which total resocialization occurs.

In the 2010 film, The Social Network, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was portrayed as a leader who was goal-oriented, issuing orders and assigning tasks. Which of the following leadership styles did Zuckerberg likely use? A) Authoritarian B) Democratic C) Laissez-faire D) Oligarchy

Authoritarian

Some sociologists have pointed out that gender roles are often determined by how a society socializes young boys and girls. Which of the following is an example of socializing a child into a gender role? A) Taking Jimmy to the aquarium. B) Buying Sarah a toy kitchen to play with. C) Letting Kim wear pants to school. D) Allowing Joey to sleep with his "blankey."

Buying Sarah a toy kitchen to play with.

Mark, whose parents are wealthy, has been socialized to believe that he can be whoever he wants to be. His best friend Matt, whose parents are blue-collar workers, has been socialized to believe that hard work and following instructions is all he needs to support himself. Which sociological paradigm does this story fit? A) Structural Functionalism B) Conflict C) Symbolic Interactionism D) Feminist Theory

Conflict

Explain in detail the major theoretical perspectives in sociology, including conflict theory, functionalist theory and symbolic interactionism.

Conflict Theory- Looks at society as a competition for limited resources. * Macro-Level *Identifies inequalities and Discrimination Functionalism- Sees society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of each individual. *Macro-Level *Stability and solidarity *Social acts are functional for society *Society is interrelated and interdependent Symbolic Interactionism- Scholars examine relationships between individuals within their society by studying their communication. *Micro-level *Everyday interactions *Symbols *Identity *Relationships

What approach is often used to understand what's defined as deviant within a society? A) Criticism B) Symbolic interactionism C) Constructivism D) Antipositivism

Constructivism

Society and culture _____. A) Could not exist without each other B) Are unrelated C) Are the same thing D) Could not exist together

Could not exist without each other

Define cultural relativism and ethnocentrism and explain the benefits and disadvantages of each. Using each perspective, analyze child labor.

Cultural Relativism- The practice of assessing a culture by its own standards and not by another. Ethnocentrism- The practice of evaluating another culture's values based on your own.

Kurt and Mitch visit an Amish village on a class trip. "Let's see if we can round up some old radios and appliances and drop them off for them later this week. I think they'll appreciate it. They just don't understand what they're missing." Mitch rolls his eyes. Kurt's perspective is an example of _______. A) Behavioral normativity B) Cultural imperialism C) Material culture D) Ideal culture

Cultural imperialism

Identify your in-groups and out-groups. How have your in-groups influenced your attitudes and values?

Drinking and parties are outgroups and school and family are in groups

Explain ethnocentrism in your own words. Provide an example of a social practice that you oppose and the values or attitudes that you have that underlie your opposition.

Ethnocentrism- the practice of evaluating another culture according to the standards of one's own culture Child labor

Explain in detail how four of the agents of socialization contribute to human development.

Family, School, Peers, and Mass Media. They are key parts of individual development and helps uphold societies and culture.

The concept "reference groups" can be defined as: A) Groups which consist of people for whom an individual feels great disdain. B) Groups a person belongs to and feels are an integral part of his or her identity. C) People who share similar characteristics but who are not connected in any way. D) Groups to which an individual compares himself or herself.

Groups to which an individual compares himself or herself.

Which of the following is an example of cultural relativism? A) Ingrid becoming upset over the course language used in the Australian Outback. B) Andy marrying a woman who does not practice his religion, though his parents disprove. C) Helena putting aside her vegetarianism to eat meals with the local tribe she is studying. D) Joseph protesting the Running of the Bulls while visiting Pamplona.

Helena putting aside her vegetarianism to eat meals with the local tribe she is studying.

According to Kohlberg's theory of moral development, when do humans begin to think about the feelings of other people and begin to see the world through other people's eyes? A) When they are born. B) When they first go to school. C) In their teenage years D) After they graduate from college.

In their teenage years

John wants to study whether a larger number of laptops available to students at his school lead to higher grades. Choose the independent and dependent variable. A) Independent variable: Grades; Dependent variable: Number of laptops B) Independent variable: John; Dependent variable: Grades C) Independent variable: Grades; Dependent variable: John D) Independent variable: Number of laptops; Dependent variable: Grades

Independent variable: Number of laptops; Dependent variable: Grades

_____ describes how any action that is repeated frequently becomes cast into a pattern. Question options: A) Institutionalization B) Habitualization C) Industrialization D) Rationalization

Industrialization

Explain the norms of one type of social media. What is your view of social media and how did your background shape that view? How does it differ from how others view social media? How do power structures play a part in social media?

Instagram, Social norm is posting positives. My view. I dont like it most people do. Socially its normal to post positive.

Grace works in at an advertising agency. Grace's coworkers help her complete presentations, contact clients, and assist her with research. Her coworkers are serving a(n): A) Expressive function B) Intrinsic function C) Elementary function D) Instrumental function

Instrumental function

What is the importance of interpretive framework? A) It leads to in-depth knowledge of a participant's social world. B) It eliminates the need for a literature review. C) It relies on statistics to determine causal relationships. D) It prevents researchers from making unethical decisions.

It leads to in-depth knowledge of a participant's social world.

____ believed that societies grew and changed as a result of the struggles of different social classes over the means of production and greatly favored ____. A) Durkheim; Communism B) Max Weber; Positivism C) Karl Marx; Communism D) Comte; Antipositivism

Karl Marx; Communism

Which of the following is NOT an example of self-fulfilling prophecy? Question options: A) Charlotte is an intelligent teenager, but told by her step-sisters and cousins that she's destined to a life of poverty and failure. Charlotte begins to do poorly in school, and eventually drops out. B) Though encouraged by his parents to audition for Julliard, Jose believes he isn't good enough to attend. After his audition, he expresses this reluctance to the admissions committee. They don't admit him due to his lack of certainty. C) Morgan overhears a professor predicting the economic recession will prevent entry-level graduates from finding gainful employment. Morgan goes on interviews but doesn't bother preparing, convinced it's a waste of time. Morgan appears unprofessional and is not hired. D) Kevin sprained his ankle a month before a marathon. Though his trainer advises him not to participate, Kevin runs the marathon and places third.

Kevin sprained his ankle a month before a marathon. Though his trainer advises him not to participate, Kevin runs the marathon and places third.

Which of the following is an example of an unethical sociological research practice? A) Conducting a literature review prior to conducting an experiment B) Drawing conclusions from a study which the hypothesis did not predict C) Observing study participants without their consent D) Using a control group and an experimental group during observation

Observing study participants without their consent

Charles Cooley's concept of the looking-glass self hypothesizes that: A) Self-esteem is directly correlated with body image. B) The media encourages society to base their appearances on visible public figures. C) People base their images on how they think other people see them. D) Personal identity isn't influenced by outside social forces.

People base their images on how they think other people see them.

Which of the following is not a step in the scientific method? Incorrect Response A) Research existing sources B) Report results Correct Answer C) Receive corroboration from the field D) Formulate a hypothesis

Receive corroboration from the field

When Michael starts high school, he joins the basketball team. He begins to look to his teammate friends for cues on how to behave at dances, in the hallways, and even in the classroom. Michael's basketball team is serving as Michael's _____. A) Out-group B) Reference group C) Aggregate D) Secondary group

Reference group

On the first day of high school, Kaitlin overhears a group of girls calling her "goth" and "emo." She soon begins to don more black clothing, dark makeup, and seek out friends who dress the same. This is an example of ______. A) Institutionalization B) Role performance C) Role strain D) Ascribed status

Role performance

Kyle is collecting newspaper clippings from his grandfather about the American public's perception of World War II. This is an example of ______. A) Tertiary data B) Interactive data C) Primary data D) Secondary data

Secondary data

During her first day of kindergarten, Marie does not understand how the lunch line in the cafeteria works. She hesitates and watches as the older kids pick up their trays and silverware and then get in line. She follows their lead and successfully buys herself lunch. Marie's experience in the lunchroom is an example of _____. A) Socialization B) The looking glass self C) Resocialization D) Anticipatory socialization

Socialization

Explain the basic insight of sociology, including the meaning and importance of the sociological imagination. Use the sociological imagination to discuss child abuse as personal trouble and social issue.

Sociology- Systematic study of society and social interactions. *Seeks to explain social behavior *Explains how social factors influence behavior (Music, Sexuality) Sociological Imagination- The ability to understand how your own past relates to that of other people, as well as to history in general and societal structures in particular. *Takes micro-level understanding and transfers it into a macro outlook to produce change. ???Child Abuse is a personal struggle because it can cause long term effects mentally and physically.??? This can be a social issue because???

How do individuals conform to social structure, including statuses, roles, groups, and formal organizations?

Statuses- Rank here one falls on a social structure, Responsibilities and benefits that person experiences. Roles- The way someone expected to act based on the situation Groups- Collection of at least two people share some sense of aligned identity Organization- schools, business, health care, government, Large impersonal organization.

_____ view society as a structure with interrelated parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of individuals who make up that society. A) Symbolic Interactionists B) Conflict Theorists C) Structural Functionalists D) Social Individualists

Structural Functionalists

Explain the primary research methods used for sociological research, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.

Surveys- It is easy and quick and can reach a wide variety of people. However, fatigue could lead to response bias and respondents may not complete the survey. Field Research- More likely to represent setting more accurately due to the natural setting. But they are expensive and extremely time consuming. Participant Observation- Observed in natural environment, but can note behaviors accurately without noting why their behavior is the way it is. Ethnography- Can identify and analyze unexpected issues. However, it is time consuming and requires a well experienced researcher. Case Study- Less costly and less time consuming however, it cant generalize to a larger population and sometimes strictly applies to the one situation. Experiments- Researchers have control over variables but can create biased results. Secondary data analysis- Easier to carry out further research, save money and time, but quality of research may be poor and incomplete.

Baby Marla is always well dressed. She has ribbons, bows, and frills all over her dresses and even in her hair. Her mother, who is worried that people might mistake Marla for a little boy, is determined to communicate to the world that she has a baby girl. Which sociological paradigm does this story fit? A) Structural Functionalism B) Conflict C) Symbolic Interactionism D) Exchange Theory

Symbolic Interactionism

What is the text definition of Symbolic Interactionism (include an in-text citation)? What are the most important aspects of that theoretical perspective?

Symbolic interactionism- a theoretical perspective through which scholars examine the relationship of individuals within their society by studying their communication (language and symbols) functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.

A judge and her gavel. A cop and his gun. A lawyer and her power suit. A ____ would be most concerned with the parts these objects play in impression management. A) Functionalist B) Symbolic interactionist C) Feminist D) Conflict theorist

Symbolic interactionist

After weeks of protest in Zuccotti Park, NYC's "Occupy Wall Street" divided into two camps: one composed of higher income protestors, and one composed of lower-income protesters. A ______ would be most interested in the relationship and nature of day-to- day exchanges between the two groups. A) Conflict theorist B) Structural functionalist C) Symbolic interactionist D) Feminist conflict theorist

Symbolic interactionist

A class of third graders is told that the assistant principal will be visiting their class to confirm their teacher's reports of bad behavior. When the principal visits, the students behave perfectly. This is an example of ________. A) The Authority Effect B) The Regressive Effect C) The Hawthorne Effect D) The Cognizant Effect

The Hawthorne Effect

The term institutionalization can be defined as: Question options: A) The idea that society is constructed by us and those before us, and it is followed like a habit. B) The act of implanting a convention or norm into society. C) A status a person chooses, such as a level of education or income. D) Responsibilities and benefits that a person experiences according to their rank and role in society.

The act of implanting a convention or norm into society.

Which of the following is an example of an informal sanction? A) The football team throwing a slushy in Finn's face because he tried to join the Glee club. B) Lilly being sent to prison because she failed to pay her taxes. C) Brett illegally downloading the new Black Keys album because he couldn't afford to buy it. D) Sarah buying Lady Gaga tickets from a scalper because the show sold out.

The football team throwing a slushy in Finn's face because he tried to join the Glee club.

Solomon Asch concluded that one reason people conform to a group is because they believe: A) They are too weak to decide for themselves. B) The group is better informed than they are. C) Dissent is a form of weakness. D) Large groups never make mistakes.

The group is better informed than they are.

Which of the following is an example of a counterculture? A) The yuppie craze of the 1980's B) The Kardashian obsession of the 2010's C) The hippie movement of the 1960's D) The disco invasion of the 1970's

The hippie movement of the 1960's

The McDonalidization of Society refers to: A) The increasing presence of the fast-food business model in common social institutions. B) The obesity epidemic that's rapidly sweeping the United States. C) The country's increasing dependence on fast food as a daily meal. D) The increasing popularity of McDonalds as a hang-out for youths.

The increasing presence of the fast-food business model in common social institutions.

Xenocentrism is: A) The opposite of cultural relativism B) The opposite of cultural universalism C) The same as cultural imperitivism D) The opposite of ethnocentrism

The opposite of ethnocentrism

Karl Marx asserted that the means of societal change existed in the tension between: A) The enslaved bourgeois reclaiming power from the controlling proletariat. B) The bourgeois struggling for the allocation of resources amongst themselves. C) The working class proletariat taking the means of production from the wealthy bourgeois. D) The proletariat fighting each other for a position within the bourgeois.

The working class proletariat taking the means of production from the wealthy bourgeois.

Peer groups are important to adolescents because: A) They help to develop a sense of identity separate from adolescents' parents. B) They provide the second major socialization experience outside the realm of their families. C) They rank higher in importance to adolescents' than parental influence. D) They help exert dependence among adolescents.

They help to develop a sense of identity separate from adolescents' parents.

Parents often socialize their children to: A) Understand and follow different norms from what they themselves follow B) Understand and follow the same norms that they themselves follow C) Ignore society and create their own norms and follow them regardless of consequences D) Ignore society and live alone without much interaction with other people

Understand and follow the same norms that they themselves follow

Explain cultural relativism in your own words. Give an example of a social practice that is usually condemned by people in the United States (and is practiced elsewhere). Using that society's perspective, explain the reasons or values that support that practice in that society.

child labor

Asch's experiment identifies the power of conformity. Give an example of when you (or another person you know) were compelled to do something that you (or they) did not want to do.

staying out late