Sociology Midterm exam

A key element in the sociological imagination is the ability to view one's own society A) from the perspective of personal experience. B) from the perspective of cultural biases .C) as an outsider. D) as an insider.

.C) as an outsider.

Which term is used in the sociological literature to describe a loss of direction felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has become ineffective? A) anomie B) neutralization C) cultural transmission D) disobedience

A) anomie

The use of the discipline of sociology to yield practical applications for human behavior and organizations is known as A) applied sociology. B) C) clinical sociology. D) qualitative research.

A) applied sociology.

Which sociological perspective suggests that a society or a relatively permanent group must accomplish certain major tasks if it is to survive? A) functionalist perspective B) conflict perspective C) interactionist perspective D) feminist perspective

A) functionalist perspective

Which sociological perspective would emphasize the role of reference groups in setting and enforcing standards of conduct and belief? A) functionalist perspective B) conflict perspective C) interactionist perspective D) feminist perspective

A) functionalist perspective

Facing forward in an elevator can be considered a(n) A) informal norm. B) formal norm. C) D) sanction.

A) informal norm.

Historically, legal measures aimed at blocking discrimination based on race, religion, gender, age, or sexual orientation have been difficult to implement because A) many people tacitly encourage such violations. B) minorities do not seek legal protection. C) any type of law is difficult to pass and enforce. D) All of these answers are correct.

A) many people tacitly encourage such violations.

Which term is used by sociologists to refer to any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society? A) status B) culture C) social structure D) Gemeinschaft

A) status

What was the motivation behind Stanley Milgram's experimental study of obedience? A) to better understand German involvement in the annihilation of Jews in World War II B) to better understand the deterrence power of the death penalty C) self-esteem issues D) a federal government grant

A) to better understand German involvement in the annihilation of Jews in World War II

Which sociological perspective is especially interested in ascribed statuses because they often confer privileges or reflect a person's membership in a subordinate group? A) functionalist perspective B) conflict perspective C) interactionist perspective D) global perspective

B) conflict perspective

If someone failed to contribute money because massive amounts of media coverage made him or her less sensitive to the needs of victims of the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, this would be an example of A) B) the narcotizing effect. C) globalization. D) socialization.

B) the narcotizing effect.

The tendency to assume that one's own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to all others is called A) culture shock. B) cultural relativism. C) Ethnocentrism D) value stability.

C)

Which of the following statements about social roles is correct?_ A) The roles that belong to social status are always performed in the same manner. B) Social roles are always performed in the same manner by those holding ascribed, but not achieved, statuses. C) The actual performance of a role varies from individual to individual. D) Role expectations and actual role performances never vary.

C) Actual performance of a role varies from individual to individual

Ascribed statuses may be based on an individual's _ A) B) gender. C) age. D) All of these answers are correct.

D) All of these answers are correct.

If researchers wanted to examine the opinions of people listed in a city directory, they might call every tenth or fiftieth or hundredth name listed. This would constitute a A) B) control variable. C) quota sample. D) random sample.

D) random sample

The process of mentally assuming the perspective of another, thereby enabling one to respond from that imagined viewpoint, is known as A) role strain. B) C) face-work. D) role taking.

D) role taking.

A condition in which members of a society have different amounts of wealth, prestige, or power is called A) B) status. C) social structure. D) social inequality.

D) social inequality

The analysis of Isabelle is important because it emphasizes the relevance of A) twin studies in sociology and psychology. B) the consistency of the developmental processes. C) the sensorimotor stage of development. D) social interaction in human development.

D) social interaction in human development.

The scientific study of social behavior and human groups is known as A) B) political science. C) anthropology. D) sociology

D. sociology

The second stage of development in George Herbert Mead's model is the game stage True False .

False

Émile Durkheim argued that mechanical solidarity is characteristic of the interdependence of people in a complex society. True False

False

In the early 1900s, Charles Horton Cooley advanced the belief that we learn who we are by interacting with others. True False

True

Social networks influence the way in which people behave. True Fales

True

Reality is shaped by our definitions—but not our perceptions and evaluations. True false

false

Martha Stewart's criminal activity was considered a professional crime, as she committed her crimes during the course of her regular business ⊚ true ⊚ false

⊚ false

Based on Kai Erikson's research, the Puritans' execution of women suspected of being witches represented a continuing attempt to define and redefine the boundaries of their community. ⊚ true ⊚ false

⊚ true

The U.S. military considers being tattooed a deviant act and doesn't allow anyone with tattoos to enlist. ⊚ true ⊚ false

⊚ true

Within the last ten years, the proportion of major crimes committed by women has increased, but violent crimes committed by women have declined ⊚ true ⊚ false

⊚ true

Any group or category to which people feel they belong is called a(n) A) B) triad. C) in-group. D) out-group.

C) in-group.

Validity refers to A) the provision of consistent results. B) independent, rather than dependent, variables. C) the accurate measurement of the phenomenon under study. D) the ethical standards that are followed by sociologists.

C) the accurate measurement of the phenomenon under study

In American society, we often formalize norms into A) B) mores. C) laws. D) values.

A)

George is the executive producer of a small recording company with an established label. He rejects a popular local band because it competes with a group already on their label. He functions as a A) Gatekeeping B) censor. C) comptroller. D) watchdog.

A) Gatekeeping

Which of the following statements about slavery is true? A) It is considered the most extreme form of social inequality. B) The only recorded examples of slavery occurred in the U.S. and in ancient Greece. C) Slavery was considered a permanent status in ancient Greece. D) Slavery in the U.S. was considered an achieved status.

A) It is considered the most extreme form of social inequality.

A Girl Scout works hard on a difficult project, and when she has completed her work, she is given a badge that she can wear on her uniform. This is an example of A) a sanction. B) C) a more. D) a typology.

A) a sanction.

A worker is frequently late, takes extended "coffee breaks," and makes numerous mistakes while working on important tasks. As a result of poor performance, the worker is fired. This is an example of A) a sanction. B) a law. C) cultural diffusion. D)

A) a sanction.

A subculture is----- A) a segment of society that shares a distinctive pattern of customs, rules, and traditions that differs from the pattern of the larger group. B) a large number of people who live in the same territory, are relatively independent of people outside it, and participate in a common culture. C) the totality of learned, socially transmitted behavior. D) a specialized language that is used by members of a group.

A) a segment of society that shares a distinctive pattern of customs, rules, and traditions that differs from the pattern of the larger group

Dominant ideology is A) a set of cultural beliefs that help to maintain powerful social, economic, and political interests. B) a subculture that rejects societal norms and values and seeks an alternative lifestyle. C) a specialized language used by members of a group or subculture. D) None of these answers is correct.

A) a set of cultural beliefs that help to maintain powerful social, economic, and political interests.

An 83-year-old woman is placed at a small table in a dark corner of a trendy nightclub and is ignored by the staff. Her shoddy treatment is probably due to her age, which is a(n) ________ status. A) ascribed B) achieved C) horizontal D) structural

A) ascribed

An achieved status is a social position A) attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts. B) "assigned" to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics. C) that is assigned to an individual at birth. D) that is given to an individual based upon his or her age, race, or gender.

A) attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts.

People, organizations, and public issues appearing regularly on the covers of prominent magazines is a method used to A) confer status. B) celebrate events. C) provide fortune. D) promote objectivity in reporting.

A) confer status.

The totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects, and behavior is known as A) culture B) society. C) socialization. D) social structure.

A) culture

Your boss has just screamed at the work staff for poor sales growth and high absenteeism. Consequently, you decide that this would not be a good time to speak to the boss about a promotion. In this instance, you are effectively_ A) demonstrating role taking. B) playing the part of a significant other. C) playing the part of a generalized other. D) completing the preparatory stage of Mead's theory.

A) demonstrating role taking

A college student is caught cheating on an exam and is brought before a college-wide disciplinary committee, which decides to expel the student from the school. The committee's action is an example A) formal social control. B) informal social control. C) D) enforcement of regulatory law.

A) formal social control.

Which sociological perspective emphasizes how societies literally could not operate if massive numbers of people defied standards of appropriate conduct? A) functionalist perspective B) conflict perspective C) interactionist perspective D) labeling perspective

A) functionalist perspective

Which sociological perspective emphasizes that social roles contribute to a society's stability by enabling members to anticipate the behavior of others and to pattern their own actions accordingly? A) functionalist perspective B) conflict perspective C) interactionist perspective D) feminist perspective

A) functionalist perspective

Which sociological perspective would suggest that if an aspect of social life does not contribute to a society's stability, then it does not serve a useful function? A) functionalist perspective B) conflict perspective C) interactionist perspective D) All these answers are correct.

A) functionalist perspective

The variable that is hypothesized to cause or influence another variable is referred to by social scientists as a(n) A) independent variable. B) dependent variable. C) spurious variable. D) operational variable.

A) independent variable.

The relative importance of cultural and biological factors in the socialization process is referred to as the debate over A) nature versus nurture. B) role versus status. C) manifest versus latent functions. D) sociobiology versus biosociology.

A) nature versus nurture

Sanctions are defined as A) penalties and rewards for conduct concerning a social norm. B) justifications for deviant behavior. C) rules made by the government. D) a loss of direction when the social control of individual behavior has become ineffective.

A) penalties and rewards for conduct concerning a social norm.

Which of the following terms is used to describe a systematic, organized series of steps that ensures maximum objectivity and consistency in researching a problem? A) scientific method B) social science C) experiment D) value neutrality

A) scientific method

What were the primary media vehicles by which people bonded in the U.S. during, and in the aftermath of, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001? A) television, radio, and phones B) phones and Internet C) newspapers and television D) Internet, radio, and television

A) television, radio, and phones

Which of the following is an example of a social institution? A) the U.S. government B) a group of passengers on an inner-city bus C) the members of a stamp-collecting society D) a children's playgroup

A) the U.S. government

Role exit is defined as A) the process of disengagement from a role that is central to one's self-identity in order to establish a new role and identity. B) a difficulty that occurs when incompatible expectations arise from two or more social positions held by the same person. C) a difficulty that occurs when incompatible expectations arise within one social position occupied by an individual. D) a set of expectations of people who occupy a given social position.

A) the process of disengagement from a role that is central to one's self-identity in order to establish a new role and identity.

The process by which a relatively small number of people control what eventually reaches the audience is referred to as A) the dominant ideology. B) Gatekeeping C) the surveillance function. D) the narcotizing dysfunction.

B) Gatekeeping

Which sociologist suggested that during the second stage of development, children become capable of assuming the perspective of another and are thereby able to respond from that imagined viewpoint? A) Erving Goffman B) George Herbert Mead C) Alvin Gouldner D) William F. Ogburn

B) George Herbert Mead

Which of the following statements concerning media portrayal of gender roles would the feminist perspective most likely endorse? A) Women are overrepresented in most television roles. B) Women are often portrayed as being in need of rescue by males. C) Men are often portrayed as compliant, working-class persons. D) Women are portrayed as overweight and dull in most television roles.

B) Women are often portrayed as being in need of rescue by males.

The statement "Women who receive welfare are less likely than other women to have babies" is an example of A) an operational definition. B) a hypothesis. C) a research design. D) an independent variable.

B) a hypothesis.

A primary group is a small group that is A) characterized by impersonality, with little intimacy or mutual understanding. B) characterized by intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation. C) used as a standard for evaluating oneself and one's behavior. D) characterized by impersonality and face-to-face associations.

B) characterized by intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation

Which sociological perspective would argue that the most powerful groups and institutions control wealth, property, and the means of producing beliefs about reality through religion, education, and the media? A) functionalist perspective B) conflict perspective C) interactionist perspective D) global perspective

B) conflict perspective

George Herbert Mead suggested that the self is A) a static phenomenon. B) continually developing and changing. C) a replication quite similar to others. D) a quality that one is "born in."

B) continually developing and changing.

One of the major themes revealed in the excerpt from Cop in the Hood: My Year Policing Baltimore's Eastern District is that A) there is a clear line separating illegal activities and deviant behavior. B) crime is functional in its subculture and helps to provide stability. C) patrolling confirmed many of the stereotypes held about the neighborhood. D) gang-related thefts was the neighborhood's major preoccupation.

B) crime is functional in its subculture and helps to provide stability.

English-speaking people in the U.S. commonly use words whose origins are from various African, Asian, and non-English-speaking European cultures. This is an example of A) nonmaterial culture. B) cultural diffusion. C) cultural shock. D) cultural relativity.

B) cultural diffusion

Philip Zimbardo's study of a simulated prison environment that used college students as prisoners and prison guards A) indicated that it is impossible to replicate a "real life" situation in a laboratory. B) demonstrated that a social structure can influence the type of social interactions that occur. C) indicated that social interactions are not influenced by social structure characteristics. D) All of these answers are correct.

B) demonstrated that a social structure can influence the type of social interactions that occur.

George Ritzer's concept of "the McDonaldization of society" refers to the 2010. A) placement of a McDonald's franchise in every community with more than 5,000 inhabitants by the year 2010. B) domination of numerous sectors of societies throughout the world by principles initially used by fast-food restaurants. C) existence of a fast-food franchise in countries throughout the world. D) placement of a McDonald's franchise in every community with more than 5,000 inhabitants, and the domination of numerous sectors of societies throughout the world by principles initially used by fast food restaurants.

B) domination of numerous sectors of societies throughout the world by principles initially used by fast-food restaurants

Sociology is considered a science because sociologists A) teach at respected universities. B) engage in organized and systematic study of phenomena to enhance understanding. C) receive government funding for research projects. D) construct middle-range theories to explain social behavior.

B) engage in organized and systematic study of phenomena to enhance understanding.

A speculative statement about the relationship between two or more variables is known as a A) B) hypothesis. C) sample. D) research design.

B) hypothesis

Bob is on his first date with Mary, whom he really likes. He tries to act in a manner that will cause her to like him, too, and to want to go out with him again. This is an example of A) face-work. B) impression management. C) idealization of the other. D) role taking.

B) impression management

A society is A) is a dependent group that owes allegiance to a larger group. B) is the largest form of human group. C) contains several different cultures. D) contains one subculture and many cultures.

B) is the largest form of human group

Anomie refers to a A) model that serves as a measuring rod against which actual cases can be evaluated. B) loss of direction that is felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has become ineffective. C) classification scheme containing two or more categories. D) type of suicide that is based on depression.

B) loss of direction that is felt in a society when social control of individual behavior has become ineffective.

Which of the following is the definition of Erving Goffman's concept of face-work? A) altering the presentation of self in order to create distinctive appearances and satisfy particular audiences B) people's efforts to maintain a proper image and avoid embarrassment in public C) institutions that regulate all aspects of a person's life D) the variety of interactionism that utilizes theatrical concepts

B) people's efforts to maintain a proper image and avoid embarrassment in public

According to Jean Piaget's cognitive theory of development, the stage in which children begin to use words and symbols to distinguish objects and ideas is called the A) sensorimotor stage. B) preoperational stage. C) concrete operational stage. D) formal operational stage.

B) preoperational stage.

In Karl Marx's view, social relations during any period of history depend on who controls the A) mass media. B) primary mode of economic production. C) D) most powerful religious organizations.

B) primary mode of economic production.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels said, "the history of all hitherto existing society is the history of class struggles.... The ________ have nothing to lose but their chains. They have a world to win. WORKING MEN OF ALL COUNTRIES, UNITE!" A) bourgeoisie B) proletarians C) vulcans D) middle classes

B) proletarians

The function of media advertising is to support the economy, provide information about products, and underwrite media costs associated with A) conferment of status. B) promotion of consumption. C) enforcement of social norms. D) surveillance of the social environment.

B) promotion of consumption.

The difficulty that arises when the same social position imposes conflicting demands and expectations is known as _A) role conflict. B) role strain. C) role exit. D)

B) role strain.

Which of the following terms is used to refer to organized patterns of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs? A) social networks B) social institutions C) functional prerequisites D) communities

B) social institutions

Which of the following terms refers to the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships? A) socialization B) social structure C) social interaction D) culture

B) social structure

Karl Marx used the concept of class consciousness to refer to A) an attitude held by members of a class that does not accurately reflect its objective position. B) the reputation that a particular individual has within an occupation. C) a subjective awareness held by members of a class regarding their common vested interests and the need for collective political action to bring about social change .D) the respect and admiration with which an occupation is regarded by society.

C) a subjective awareness held by members of a class regarding their common vested interests and the need for collective political action to bring about social change

Norms governing everyday behavior, the violation of which raises comparatively little concern, are known as A) B) cultural universals. C) folkways. D) laws.

C) folkways.

In his research, George Murdock determined which of the following to be a cultural universal? A) war B) astronomy C) funeral ceremonies D) All of these answers are correct.

C) funeral ceremonies

The term media monitoring is used most often to refer t A) parents checking what their child watches. B) the government censoring media. C) interest groups' monitoring of content. D) studios following what is a "hit."

C) interest groups' monitoring of content.

Magazines would be considered A) B) opinion leaders .C) mass media. D) narcotizers.

C) mass media.

In The Communist Manifesto, Marx argued that the working class must A) ally with capitalists to build a better world. B) try to work toward a return to feudalism. C) overthrow the existing class system of capitalist societies. D) ignore all aspects of class divisions.

C) overthrow the existing class system of capitalist societies.

What is commonly the second step in the scientific method? A) defining the problem B) selecting the research design C) reviewing the literature D) collecting and analyzing data

C) reviewing the literature

Th Karl Marx used the concept of class consciousness to refer to e body of knowledge obtained using methods based upon systematic observation is called a(n) A) B) verstehen. C) science. D) ideal type.

C) science.

A master status is a A) category used by sociologists for any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society. B) social position attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts. C) status that dominates others and thereby determines a person's general position within society. D) series of social relationships linking a person directly to others and therefore indirectly to still more people.

C) status that dominates others and thereby determines a person's general position within society

Charles Horton Cooley is responsible for developing the concept of A) impression management. B) reverse socialization. C) the looking-glass self. D) the preparatory stage.

C) the looking-glass self.

Which of the following is most likely to be a secondary group? A) the members of a small weekly seminar class in cultural diversity B) the members of a small commune in Idaho C) the members of the United Nations General Assembly D) the members of a family

C) the members of the United Nations General Assembly

Social interaction is A) the process of learning norms, values, beliefs, and other requirements for effective participation in social groups. B) the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships. C) the ways in which people respond to one another. D) a series of relationships linking a person directly to others and therefore indirectly to still more people.

C) the ways in which people respond to one another.

The use of the discipline of sociology to yield practical applications for human behavior and organizations is known as Income, religion, race, gender, and marital status can all be examples of A) B) scales. C) variables. D) operational definitions.

C) variables.

Socialization is the process-; A) of mentally assuming the perspective of another. B) of discarding former behavior patterns and accepting new ones as part of a transition in one's life. C) whereby people learn the attitudes, values, and actions appropriate to individuals as members of a particular culture. D) whereby people normally being socialized are at the same time socializing their socializers.

C) whereby people learn the attitudes, values, and actions appropriate to individuals as members of a particular culture.

Sociologists conduct a "review of the literature" to A) refine the problem under study. B) clarify possible techniques to be used in collecting data C) eliminate or reduce the number of avoidable mistakes they make. D) All these answers are correct.

D) All these answers are correct.

Which child psychologist identified four stages in the development of a child's thought processes? A) Sigmund Freud B) Edward O. Wilson C) Shirley Weitz D) Jean Piaget

D) Jean Piaget

According to the concept of the looking-glass self, development of one's self-identity based on misperceptions may lead to A) an increase in self-esteem. B) the sensorimotor stage of development. C) destruction of the looking-glass self. D) a negative self-identity.__

D) a negative self-identity.

In an experiment, the group that is not exposed to the independent variable is called the 1. A) experimental group. B) representative group. C) study group. D) control group.

D) control group.

When a sociologist actually joins a group for a period to get an accurate sense of how it operates, the approach is called A) an experiment. B) C) face-to-face interview. D) participant observation.

D) participant observation.

Allison is playing in a high school field hockey game and passes the ball to Erika, who appears to have a scoring opportunity. Allison's pass suggests that she is aware of her role as a member of a team and that she is now in which stage of development, according to George Herbert Mead? A) the preparatory stage B) the imitative stage C) the play stage D) the game stage

D) the game stage

In sociologist Daniel Rossides's model of the class system of the U.S., which social class contains the smallest portion of the population? A) lower class B) lower-middle class C) working class D) upper class

D) upper class

A single mother who works in a factory sewing large sheets of canvass would be considered A) upper class. B) middle class. C) lower middle class. D) working class.

D) working class.