Chapter 1 Practice Questions

1) The main focus or unit of analysis for sociologists is the __________. A) group B) individual C) stranger D) upper class

A

13) Jose, who is Mexican, moves to San Antonio from Mexico City. This is an example of __________. A) emigration B) immigration C) naturalization D) nationalization

A

21) According to Parrillo, a category of people who share visible biological characteristics and are regarded as a single group is a(n) __________. A) race B) ethnic group C) social deviant D) status

A

23) Racism __________. A) is a human invention B) supports the superiority of the human race C) forces the majority group to experience prejudice and discrimination D) prevails when people believe that a small group of races is superior in some aspects to others

A

25) Melissa has been referring to the Japanese as a race because they stand out as an identifiable group to her. She is __________. A) using the term "race" incorrectly B) applying a more modern usage of the term "race" C) using the term "race" correctly D) applying a more traditional usage of the term "race"

A

33) Arguing Western civilization derives from the black African influence on Egyptian civilization is a bolder form of __________. A) Afrocentrism B) categoric knowing C) false consciousness D) interactionist theory

A

37) An ethnic group held up as a role model for a newly arrived group was probably __________. A) an object of scorn and condemnation itself at one time B) the beneficiary of governmental assistance C) a political force from the time they first immigrated D) quick to learn English and assimilate

A

41) Functionalist theory emphasizes __________. A) social equilibrium B) the importance of social class C) imbalance of power D) the power of symbols in constructing social life

A

47) Even though women make up a statistical majority, they do not have equal representation in government and face significant economic inequalities. This illustrates the idea that minority groups __________. A) receive unequal treatment as a group B) are easily identifiable because of distinguishing physical or cultural characteristics that are held in high esteem C) are biologically similar D) are rare in modern societies

A

49) Matt believes that the frustrations and struggles between social groups and classes are what structure and determine society. He is a __________. A) conflict theorist B) functionalist C) symbolic interactionist D) racist

A

7) A 2001 study of social distance found __________. A) increased diversity in society B) decreasing levels of acceptance of diverse groups among college students C) that social distance continues to rise D) an increased acceptance of diversity for all groups except whites

A

11) As acculturation takes place, __________. A) strangers' consciousness increases as the freshness of their perception is lost B) the natives' abstract typification about the strangers become more concrete through social interaction C) the stranger begins questioning daily activities D) there is more conflict between the natives and the strangers

B

15) A minority group __________. A) is determined by a group's numerical representation B) is determined by a group's relative power in society C) is not tied to social status at all D) can never achieve power in society

B

19) Jessica is a woman who lives in the United States where females outnumber males. She is __________. A) a member of a majority group B) a member of a minority group C) a stranger D) a neighbor

B

27) Underrepresenting non-European material in textbooks and classes exemplifies __________. A) Afrocentrism B) Eurocentrism C) categoric knowing D) reciprocal typification

B

29) Social identity theory explains that __________. A) the assumption that "we" are better than "they" does not often result in ridicule, contempt, or hatred toward the outgroup B) the ingroup almost automatically views the outgroup as inferior C) groups rarely retain their values and standards while recognizing the superiority of another group D) countless people reject their own ingroup by becoming voluntary exiles, expatriates, and so on

B

3) In a new social setting, strangers __________. A) experience very few situations as potentially problematic B) lack the natives' knowledge of shared realities C) are not aware of things unnoticed by the natives D) are typically treated as equals with natives

B

35) Susan, a Texas cattle rancher, thinks the Japanese custom of eating raw fish is disgusting. This is an example of __________. A) ethnicity B) ethnocentrism C) poor taste D) cultural relativism

B

43) A __________ perspective focuses on who benefits from a particular situation. A) functionalist B) conflict C) interactionist D) societist

B

5) Social distance studies have found __________. A) an erratic pattern, depending on world or economic situations B) a fairly consistent pattern over the decades C) greater distance only between racial groups D) elimination of social distance between groups after two generations

B

9) When a visiting Korean asks for pizza rather than sushi, the host may conclude that all Koreans like pizza. This is an example of __________. A) prejudice B) categoric knowing C) discrimination D) intersubjective understanding

B

17) Which of the following is an example of an ascribed status? A) Writer B) Mormon convert C) Female D) New immigrant

C

2) Natives usually perceive strangers __________. A) objectively B) hospitably C) categorically D) indifferently

C

31) Studying race and ethnic relations is __________. A) easier than most other subjects because of our familiarity with minority problems B) easier because most people are sensitive to the problems and needs of others C) difficult because our values, attitudes, and experiences make our objectivity almost impossible D) difficult because the subject defies a logical or scientific explanation

C

45) A sociologist who investigates how people interpret the situations they are in is probably a(n) __________. A) functionalist B) conflict theorist C) interactionist D) societist

C

39) Mills states that an issue is a public matter when it is __________. A) not relevant to group behavior study in sociology B) less important than the welfare of the group C) only important to sociologists after thorough study of the group D) intricately connected to the larger historical context of society

D

51) Within any society, groupings of people by race, religion, tribe, culture, or lifestyle can generate a sense of familiarity and belonging.

False

53) There are very few studies that examine the how much people like those who are similar in appearance to them.

False

57) Cross-racial friendships on college campuses are increasingly rare.

False

55) Since strangers experience a "lack of historicity," they often observe things that go unnoticed by the natives, such as natives' customs, social institutions, appearances, and lifestyle.

True

59) Functionalists believe that society is a stable, cooperative social system in which everything has a function and provides the basis of a harmonious society.

True

69) Strict new laws enacted in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Sweden and the U.S. in the 1990's resulted in a marked increase in __________.

deportations

63) __________ refers to the movement of people into a new country to become permanent residents.

immigration

67) Sociologists define a(n) __________ as a group to which individuals belong and feel loyal. A(n) __________ consists of all people to whom an individual does not have a sense of belonging and loyalty.

in-group, out-group

65) By __________, Alfred Schutz meant that people from the same social world mutually "know" the language, customs, beliefs, symbols, and everyday behavior patterns that the stranger usually does not.

intersubjective understanding

61) To understand intergroup relations, we must recognize that differences among various peoples cause each group to view other groups as __________.

strangers