Sociology Chapters 4, 5, and 6

Role taking

: learning to take the perspective of others Children acquire the ability to role take through a series of stages.

Which of these scenarios is the best illustration of the looking-glass self? a. Allie earns high grades but is depressed because she believes her classmates think she is boring. b. Larry is called a names by classmates because he likes classical music. c. Sam is respected by his teammates for his athletic ability. d. Mary wants to be like her sister because people like her sister. e. Wanda is told by her mother that she looks pretty in her dress.

A is correct Allie earns high grades but is depressed because she believes her classmates think she is boring

How might you manage the setting, appearance, and manner for these situations?

A job interview A difference of opinion with a professor A first date

Is it role conflict or strain?

A man finds it difficult to be a politician because he doesn't like public speaking: role strain A mom cannot take time off from work to go to her daughter's soccer match: role conflict A friend asks a student for assistance in cheating: role strain

Identify each as a primary or secondary group.

A single mom and her child: primary group Your sociology class: secondary group A married couple: primary group The McDonald's Corporation: secondary group

Status

A social position Examples: student, professor, son, mother, employee Statuses can be ranked but do not always imply differing amounts of prestige.

An achieved status

An achieved status is a position that we have through choice—friend, athlete.

Ascribed status

An ascribed status is a position that we are born into—female, African American.

Social structure

An organized pattern of behavior that governs people's relationships Makes life orderly and predictable Includes statues, roles, groups, organizations, and institutions.

Most people are influenced to conform by group pressure.

Asch's research: People will agree with obviously false judgments. Zimbardo's prison research: People will perform assigned roles in a group. Milgram's research: People will cause pain to others if ordered to do so.

Describe the role for each of these statuses:

Attorney: Defend Son: Obey Waiter: Serve Mother: Nurture

Which of these is a major criticism of social learning theories of socialization? a. Social learning theories focus too much attention on birth order. b. Social learning theories overemphasize early socialization and neglect socialization later in life. c. Social learning theories fail to acknowledge parenting differences in socialization. d. Social learning theories ignore the role of role models for behavior. e. Social learning theories do not account for childhood socialization.

B is correct b. Social learning theories overemphasize early socialization and neglect socialization later in life.

Status examples include

Brother or sister, friend, son, daughter, parent, grandparent, college student, registered voter, employer, employee, significant other, spouse

Margaret Mead concluded that the emergence of gender roles is a. influenced equally by biological and social factors. b. determined by geographic region. c. the result of cultural values and socialization. d. caused by social class differences. e. the result of genetic predisposition.

C is correct c. the result of cultural values and socialization.

Which theorist is associated with "impression management?" a. Harry Harlow b. George Herbert Mead c. Erving Goffman d. Margaret Mead e. Charles Horton Cooley

C. Erving Goffman

Looking-Glass Self

Concept introduced by Charles Horton Cooley A self-image based on how we think others see us

Which of these types of theory maintains that socialization takes place through the process of social interaction? a. functionalist theory b. sociobiology c. feminist theory d. symbolic interactionism e. conflict theory

D is correct Symbolic Interactionis

Which theoretical perspective is most helpful in understanding this situation?

Denise tries to make work fun for her employees by hosting birthday parties. symbolic interactionist On average women who work full-time earn less than men who work full-time. feminist scholars Corporation Z brought in recent Somali immigrants to work in the factory when the predominantly Mexican workers went on strike. conflict threorists

Ways we cope with role conflict and strain

Deny the problem. Compromise or negotiate. Set priorities. Compartmentalize Refuse more roles. Exit a role or status.

Master status

Determines a person's identity Highly visible Shapes a person's entire life Examples: gender, race

Which theorist is associated with the "looking-glass self?" a. David Deschanel b. Max Weber c. Emile Durkheim d. Erving Goffman e. Charles Horton Cooley

E is correct Charles Horton Cooley

School:

Enhances cognitive development Transmits knowledge Teaches us to think in different ways Teachers may create a self-fulfilling prophecy. Students perform according to what is expected of them.

Why Socialization?

Establishes our social identity Teaches us role taking Controls our behavior Internalization: process of learning cultural behaviors and expectations so deeply we accept them without question Transmits culture to the next generation

There is no research to support some people's fears that the use of electronic media has a negative impact on children. True or False?

False

Which theorist is associated with the concepts of "me" and "I?"

George Herbert Mead

Which of these questions is most consistent with the conflict perspective on groups and organizations? a. How do workers support each other in ignoring or changing an organization's rules? b. What factors encourage or discourage the emergence of groups? c. How do those with power protect their interests and privileges? d. How do gender stereotypes affect women in groups and organizations? e. How do dysfunctions prevent organizations from being rational and efficient?

How do those with power protect their interests and privileges?

Family as socialization agents

Parents teach children social roles and rules. Parenting occurs through reinforcement and managing the environment.

Identify whether it is ascribed or achieved

Latino: ascribed Bartender: achieved Father: achieved Nurse: achieved Adolescent : ascribed

In Groups

Members of an in-group share a sense of identity that excludes outsiders.

Out Groups

Out-groups are people who are viewed and treated negatively because they are seen as having values, beliefs, or other characteristics different from one's own.

Looking-glass self develops in phases

Perception: We imagine how we appear to others and how they perceive us Interpretation: We imagine how others judge us. Response: We experience self-feelings based on what we think others think.

Mead's three stages of developing sense of self

Prep stage (under age 2): No distinction between self and others; self-centered, self-absorbed Play stage (2 to 6): Distinguish between self and others; imitates significant others, learns role-taking, assumes one role at a time "lets pretend", other play that teaches anticipatory socialization Game Stage (6 and older): understands and anticipates multiple roles, connects to societal roles through generalized other

Peers:

Reinforce desirable behavior or skills Serve as positive role models Teach new skills Encourage high-risk behaviors

According to George Herbert Mead

Self is composed of the "I" and the "Me." I: creative, impulsive, imaginative, spontaneous Me: internalized social roles

Sociological Explanations of Socialization

Social Learning Theory: People learn new attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors through social interaction. Direct socialization: learning through reward and punishment Indirect socialization: learning through modeling and imitation

Symbolic Interaction Theories

Social interaction shapes socialization. Social interaction develops the self: an awareness of one's social identity.

In an experiment on obedience to authority conducted by __________, subjects were instructed to give electric shocks to "learners" who were memorizing words. a. Irving Janis b. Max Weber c. Philip Zimbardo d. Stanley Milgram e. Solomon Asch

Stanley Milgram

In an experiment on obedience to authority conducted by __________, subjects were instructed to give electric shocks to "learners" who were memorizing words. a. Philip Zimbardo b. Max Weber c. Solomon Asch d. Irving Janis e. Stanley Milgram

Stanley Milgram

Popular Culture and the Media

The American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to avoid TV for children younger than 2. 68% of children under 2 view 2 to 3 hours of TV daily. Children ages 6-18 spend 7.5 hours per day using electronic devices. High media use tends to lower grades and personal contentment.

Social Institutions

The five major institutions worldwide are the family, the economy, politics, education, and religion. Other institutions include sports, healthcare, law, and the military.

Social Interaction

The process by which we act toward and react to people around us Central to all human social activity Affected by elements of social structure People respond based on what they think is at stake for them. People influence each other's behavior.

We use impress management in

The setting: physical space Appearance: clothing, hairstyles, props Manner: how we act

Status set

a collection of social statuses that an individual occupies Changes throughout the life course Statuses are always relational—linked to other statuses. Employer—employee Parent—child

Membership in the American Sociological Association (ASA) is what type of voluntary association? a. a group that has a recreational purpose b. a group with a profitable purpose c. a group that is organized around an occupation d. a group that focuses on political issues e. a group with a charitable or altruistic purpose

a group that is organized around an occupation

A primary group is

a relatively small group of people who engage in intimate face-to-face interaction over an extended period of time. Examples: families and close friends

Sociobiology is a

a theoretical approach that applies biological principles to explain the behavior of animals, including human beings

One of the criticisms of bureaucracy is that a. a weak rewards system decreases motivation. b. the managers and employees do not own the business. c. all employees are treated in the same way. d. procedures are too clearly spelled out. e. hiring is impartial and qualifications-based.

a weak rewards system decreases motivation

For interactionists, the most significant characteristic of human communication is a. that people take each other and the social context into consideration. b. variation connected to different amounts of power in society. c. the precision of role performance. d. that role of language in structuring society. e. the ability to communicate nonverbally.

a.

Which of these characteristics is shared by all three micro-level theories of social interaction? a. each explains how people interact in their daily lives b. each explains the impact of gender on interpersonal communication c. each explains who says what and when d. each explains how reality is created through social interaction e. each explains how people learn social interaction

a.

Which of these is the least effective approach to coping with role conflict? a. denying that there's a problem b. setting priorities c. not taking on more roles d. exiting a role e. compartmentalizing roles

a.

expectations so deeply that they are taken for granted and not questioned.

a. Externalization b. Internalization b. is correct c. Socialization d. Incorporation e. Social identity

Which of these is not generally considered an important function of socialization?

a. Socialization controls our behavior. b. Socialization transmits culture to the next generation. c. Socialization established our social identity. d. Socialization prevents personal problems such as loneliness and anxiety. D is Correct e. Socialization teaches us role taking.

When is the socialization process completed?

a. during middle childhood. b. at the end of adolescence. c. at the end of one's life. C. is correct d. during middle-age. e. during the earliest years of life.

The actual behavior of a person who occupies a particular status is termed __________. a. role performance b. role set c. impression management d. status behavior

a. role performance

A person is likely to behave differently among family and friends than at work. This is because there are different socially expected __________ for different situations.

a. roles A. is correct b. statuses c. concepts of self d. sanctions e. identities

You are so nervous about making mistakes and giving a bad public presentation that you don't sleep the night before and can't eat. The morning of your presentation you are so tired and hungry you can barely think and your presentation does not go well. Sociologists would say this is an example of __________. a. a self-fulfilling prophecy b. impression management c. a dramaturgical situation d. the looking-glass self

a. self-fulfilling prophecy

__________ is based on the fundamental premise that any social interaction between two people is based on each person's trying to maximize rewards and minimize punishments. a. Social exchange theory b. Social learning theory c. Symbolic interactionism d. Conflict Theory e. Feminist theory

a. social exchange theory

The feelings of isolation, meaninglessness and powerlessness that result from rigid rules and goal displacement in bureaucracies are termed __________. a. inefficiency b. anomie c. McDonaldization d. alienation e. bureaucracy

alienation

Which of these is most likely to be a member of a secondary group? a. a neighbor you've had for many years b. a grandparent c. an assigned group member for a class project d. a very close friend e. a parent

an assigned group member for a class project

Agents of socialization

are the persons, groups, or institutions that teach us what we need to know to participate effectively in society.

Which theorist is associated with the concepts of "me" and "I?" a. Harry Harlow b. George Herbert Mead c. Erving Goffman d. Margaret Mead e. Charles Horton Cooley

b is correct George Herbert Mead

According to Herbert Mead, the development of self occurs in stages. Which of the following is the correct sequence of stages? a. play stage, preparatory stage, game stage b. preparatory stage, play stage, game stage c. preparatory stage, game stage, play stage d. play stage, game stage, preparatory stage e. game stage, preparatory stage, play stage

b is correct b. preparatory stage, play stage, game stage

Status inconsistency refers to a. social positions that we attain through personal effort. b. the conflict that arises from occupying social positions that are ranked differently. c. the actual behavior of a person who occupies a status. d. shifting communication patterns that govern people's interpersonal relationships. e. the behavior expected of a person who has a particular status.

b.

Which of these statements is not true about roles? a. Roles are based on mutual obligations. b. Roles are virtually identical for any person who occupies the same status. c. Roles can be rigid or flexible. d. Roles are the dynamic aspect of statuses. e. Roles include both formal and informal behaviors.

b.

Which of these theorists introduced dramaturgical analysis to examine social interaction? a. Dave Thomas b. Erving Goffman c. W.I. Thomas d. Robert Merton e. Harold Garfinkel

b. Erving Goffman

The first and most influential socialization agent is __________. a. the health care system b. the family c. the education system d. peers and generalized others e. the media

b. the family

Role

behavior that is expected of a person in a particular status A student is expected to read, take notes, write papers, and attend class. Roles are based on mutual obligations. A professor must grade the papers written by the students.

Many professionals attempt to manage role conflict by working long hours during the week and reserving the weekend for leisure time with family and friends. This is an example of __________. a. compromise b. role exit c. compartmentalization d. problem denial e. priority setting

c.

Which of these is not an example of an ascribed status? a. 40 years old b. blind c. father d. Latino e. female

c. father

Socialization that requires first unlearning previously held attitudes and beliefs, and old ways of doing things, is termed __________. a. reverse socialization b. primary socialization c. resocialization d. advanced socialization e. anticipatory socialization

c. resocialization

__________ arises from tension between multiple statuses; __________ is the stress arising from incompatible demands within a single status. a. Role strain, role conflict b. Role conflict; role set c. Role conflict; role strain d. Status inconsistency; status strain e. Role set; role conflict

c. role conflict, role strain

A __________ is the behavior expected from a person occupying a particular __________. a. performance; status b. norm; role c. role; status d. status; role e. value; role

c. role, status

Formal organizations

complex and structured secondary groups deliberately created to achieve specific goals Include voluntary associations and bureaucracies

social groups

consists of two or more people who interact with one another and who share a common identity. Examples: family, friends, athletic team

Doublespeak is a term for a. being able to speak two languages. b. advertising language. c. offensive or vulgar language. d. language that pretends to communicate but doesn't. e. lies.

d.

Role conflict emerges from: a. stress arising from incompatible demands of a role set for a particular status. b. physical and emotional violence in social interaction. c. stress arising from incompatible demands among roles affiliated with a single status. d. stress created by incompatible role requirements for multiple statuses. e. anxiety created by being associated with a particular status

d.

A master status a. never changes throughout a person's life. b. is usually positive. c. is always an achieved status. d. determines a person's identity. e. is always an ascribed status.

d. determines a person identity

Euphemisms, technical jargon like "bureaucratese", and inflated language are examples of __________. a. role performance b. the Thomas Theorem c. constructed language d. doublespeak e. ethnomethodology

d. doublespeak

Which of these is not considered a part of social structure? a. groups b. social institutions c. norms d. values e. status

d. values

Which of these theorists introduced dramaturgical analysis to examine social interaction? a. Harold Garfinkel b. Dave Thomas c. Robert Merton d. W.I. Thomas e. Erving Goffman

e. Goffman

Which of these is the best example of a status set? a. man, woman, girl, boy b. teenager, gamer, smart c. teaching, guiding, providing emotional support d. child, adult, elderly e. college student, boyfriend, man

e. college student, boyfriend, man

Sociologists use the term __________ for people of similar age and social status, and having similar interests. a. primary group b. socialization group c. outgroup d. counterculture e. peer group

e. peer group

Conducting research, grading papers, lecturing in class, and meeting with students during office hours together make up a __________ for a university professor. a. role performance b. impression management c. status set d. status inconsistency e. role set

e. role set

The Thomas Theorem states that a. people hate in others the things they love in themselves. b. an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. c. opposites attract. d. perseverance is the key to all success. e. situations defined as real are real in their consequences.

e. situations defined as real are real in their consequences.

For sociologists the term __________ refers to a social position that a person occupies within society. a. structure b. occupation c. norm d. prestige e. status

e. status

A teacher who works in the summer as a bartender is an example of __________. a. a master status b. impression management c. a role set d. role conflict e. status inconsistency

e. status inconsistency

Which of these characteristics is shared by all three micro-level theories of social interaction? a. each explains the impact of gender on interpersonal communication b. each explains how people learn social interaction c. each explains how reality is created through social interaction d. each explains who says what and when e. each explains how people interact in their daily lives

each explains how people interact in their daily lives

Symbolic interactionists

emphasize that how people define a situation shapes group dynamics and organizations.

Feminist scholars

emphasize the different positions of men and women in organizations. Women often hit the glass ceiling: attitudes or organizational biases in the workplace that prevent them from advancing to leadership positions

Symbolic interaction theory

examines how people communicate knowledge, ideas, beliefs, and attitudes and how they interpret situations.

Dramaturgical analysis

examines social interaction as if it were a stage where people act out different scenes Impression management: suppressing unfavorable traits and stressing favorable ones Front stage: where the actual performance takes place Backstage: a place, concealed from the audience, where people can relax or prepare

A reference group consists of people from a particular outgroup.

false

A web of more than six people is necessary before it can be considered a social network.

false

All voluntary associations have a bureaucratic structure.

false

Feminist scholars have focused as much attention on the impact of gender roles on men as they have on gender roles for women.

false

Functionalism is most effective as an explanation for worker alienation and dissatisfaction within an organization.

false

Functionalist theory provides the best explanation for how socialization works at the micro or individual level. true or false?

false

Groupthink is only an issue at the highest levels of governmental decision-making.

false

Informal networks develop only in the lower ranks of a bureaucracy.

false

Men and women are extremely different in their approaches to social interaction. true or false?

false

Most gestures have the same meaning, regardless of social context. true or false?

false

Most people are happiest when they give more than they receive during any type of social interaction. true or false?

false

Research supports the view that most Americans are individualists who do not conform to group pressure.

false

Resocialization is always involuntary. true or false?

false

Social structure may not be noticeable until a cultural rule or norm is violated. true or false?

false

Socialization is more important within highly industrialized societies than within less industrialized, more traditional societies. true or false?

false

Sociologists consider religion to be an ascribed status. true or false?

false

Sociologists recognize that some statuses are more important than others. true or false?

false

The most effective means of coping with role conflict is avoidance and ignoring any problems. true or false?

false

The term role refers to the formal behaviors associated with a status, but does not refer to any informal behaviors. true or false?

false

Janis's research

focused on why people in groups may make disastrous and irrational decisions.

A complex and structured group that has been deliberately created to address a particular goal is termed __________. a. a reference group b. McDonaldization c. a social institution d. a formal organization e. groupthink

formal organization

Which theoretical perspective emphasizes that groups and organizations are composed of interrelated, mutually dependent parts? a. symbolic interactionism b. social exchange theory c. feminist theory d. conflict theory e. functionalism

functionalism

The __________ refers to a collection of attitudinal or organizational biases that work together to limit women's upward mobility in the workplace. a. glass ceiling b. invisible barrier c. glass elevator d. glass escalator e. corporate ladder

glass ceiling

The results of Asch's experiment involving making visual judgments concluded that a. Americans are even more individualistic than most believe. b. most people do not conform when they know doing so is wrong. c. individuals are more likely to conform within a laboratory than in real life. d. group opinion has considerable impact on the individual. e. outgroups have more power than ingroups over the individual.

group opinion has considerable impact on the individual

For functionalists

groups and formal organizations are composed of interrelated, mutually dependent parts. Bureaucratic regulations allow goal achievement, presumably benefitting all employees. Organizations can be dysfunctional.

All of the different categories of groups are

ideal types—general traits that describe a social phenomenon. Ideal types are composite pictures. Specific descriptions of reality can vary.

Role strain

involves incompatible demands among roles within a single status Examples: an employee with more than one boss; nurses who must be both compassionate and firm

Impression management

involves presenting ourselves in a favorable light by controlling settings, appearances, and manner.

A reference group

is a group of people that shape our behavior, values, and attitudes. We do not have to be members of our reference groups.

A social network

is a web of social ties that links an individual to others. Networks may be tightly knit and have clear boundaries or large and impersonal with fluid boundaries. The Internet includes many interlocking social networks such as Facebook.

A voluntary association

is created by people who share a common set of interests and who are not paid for their participation. Examples: book clubs, charity organizations Vary in organizational structure Usually not as formal as other organizations

A secondary group

is usually large, formal, impersonal, and a temporary collection of people that pursues a specific goal or activity. Examples: classes, work groups, volunteer organizations

Doublespeak

language that pretends to communicate but really doesn't Euphemisms: unofficial words or phrases that avoid an unpleasant reality Gobbledygook: overwhelms with big words

Weber believed that bureaucracies were superior to other forms of organizations because they are a. accepting of workers' personal likes and dislikes. b. more lenient and flexible in handling business. c. more efficient and more predictable. d. less formal and more productive. e. less demanding of workers

more efficient and more predictable

The social construction of reality

occurs as people perceive and understand through social interaction. Monday is Monday because people agree that it is. Race is constructed differently in different societies.

Conflict theorists contend that

organizations are based on differences in power and control. Place in an organization is often based on race, ethnicity, gender, or social class. Owners and managers exploit workers.

A relatively small group of people with whom we maintain face-to-face interaction over a long period of time is termed a __________. a. idealized group b. outgroup c. reference group d. secondary group e. primary group

primary group

A relatively small group of people with whom we maintain face-to-face interaction over a long period of time is termed a __________. a. reference group b. outgroup c. primary group d. idealized group e. secondary group

primary group

__________ groups meet our expressive needs and __________ groups meet our instrumental needs. a. Primary; secondary b. Primary; ideal c. Ideal; secondary d. Ideal; primary e. Secondary; primary

primary, secondary

Groupthink

refers to a deterioration of mental efficiency, reality testing, and moral judgments that results from in-group pressures.

Status inconsistency

refers to occupying social positions that create conflict because they are ranked differently. A person who is both a student and an instructor may experience status inconsistency.

According to functionalists, there are five major social institutions worldwide: family, political institutions, economy, __________ and __________. a. religion, peers b. peers, real estate c. religion, education d. education, work force e. peers, education

religion, education

Reference groups

shape an individual's self-image, behavior, values, and attitudes. We may already belong to a reference group (family) or we may hope to belong (active participants in future occupation).

Statuses and roles are organized around

shared expectations and goals. Norms specify rights, duties, and sanctions. A formal hierarchy indicates who is in charge.

__________ are abstract, yet organized and established systems of norms and values that meet one of a society's basic needs. a. Primary organizations b. Secondary organizations c. Formal organizations d. Bureaucracies e. Social institutions

social institutions

Which of these is not one of the characteristics that make up the ideal type of bureaucracy? a. hierarchy of authority b. social networks that strengthen morale c. division of labor and specialization d. impersonality e. explicit written rules and regulations

social networks that strengthen morale

From the perspective of __________, workers make choices, change rules, and shape their identities within an organization. The outcomes of their efforts depend on shared interpretations of the situation. a. symbolic interaction b. social exchange theory c. feminist theory d. conflict theory e. functionalism

symbolic interaction

From the perspective of __________, workers make choices, change rules, and shape their identities within an organization. The outcomes of their efforts depend on shared interpretations of the situation. a. feminist theory b. social exchange theory c. functionalism d. symbolic interaction e. conflict theory

symbolic intreraction

Role performance

the actual behavior of a person who occupies a status Individuals enact roles differently. An extrovert will play the role of student differently from an introvert.

Role set

the different roles attached to a single status A student may interact differently with a professor and a fellow student. A nurse will interact differently with a doctor, another nurse, and a patient.

Role conflict

the frustration and uncertainties a person experiences when confronted with the requirements of two or more statuses Examples: being a supervisor and a friend; being a mother, student, employee, and volunteer

Socialization

the lifelong process of social interaction in which the individual acquires a social identity and ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that are essential for effective participation in a society

Erving Goffman analyzed social life as

theater

A primary factor in job satisfaction is effective leadership.

true

Across all cultures, women smile more often than men. true or false?

true

Almost everyone sees others as members of ingroups or outgroups, depending on their ascribed and achieved statuses.

true

Both roles and statuses are relational or complementary. true or false?

true

Conflict theorists argue that inequality within an organization enables workers to be exploited.

true

Interaction is the key to creating and maintaining any type of social group.

true

Once they are established, bureaucracies are almost impossible to make smaller or close.

true

One's occupation is often considered a master status. true or false?

true

Online social interaction has both positive and negative consequences. true or false?

true

Social institutions are abstractions.

true

Socialization is always complete, freeing people from having to make individual choices. true or false?

true

Statuses are always relational or connected to other statuses. true or false?

true

The average young American spends every waking minute outside of school using some form of electronic device. true or false?

true

The social construction of reality typically takes place through face-to-face interaction. true or false?

true

There is a tendency for a bureaucracy to become dominated by an increasingly smaller group of people.

true

The smallest possible social group consists of __________ people. a. five b. seven c. four d. three e. two

two or more

Which of these is not part of the definition of a secondary group? a. large group size b. infrequent meetings c. shared goal or pursuit of activity d. permanent collection of people e. usually formal

usually formal