Chapter 5
Select all that apply Which of the following are examples of how an ascribed status can influence an achieved status? a. A female student is discouraged from pursuing a career as an engineer. b. An employee recommends their friend for a job, and the friend is hired. c. A student who attended a prestigious college is admitted to a respected graduate program. d. An older job applicant is rejected because he is perceived as being "out of touch."
a. A female student is discouraged from pursuing a career as an engineer. d. An older job applicant is rejected because he is perceived as being "out of touch."
U.S. public schools are funded primarily through property taxes. This means children living in affluent communities go to schools that have better equipment and higher-paid teachers than children living in less wealthy communities. As a result, children in wealthier communities often receive a better education than children in impoverished communities. Which sociological theory best explains this problem? a. Conflict b. Functionalist d. Interactionist
a. Conflict
Select all that apply Which of the following statements are true about industrial society? a. It relies on new sources of energy. b. It depends on mechanization to produce its goods and services. c. It applies human and animal sources of power to labor tasks. d. It focuses on traditional tools and equipment for agricultural production.
a. It relies on new sources of energy. b. It depends on mechanization to produce its goods and services.
Select all that apply Which of the following statements are true about industrial society? a. It relies on new sources of energy. b. It focuses on traditional tools and equipment for agricultural production. c. It applies human and animal sources of power to labor tasks. d. It depends on mechanization to produce its goods and services.
a. It relies on new sources of energy. d. It depends on mechanization to produce its goods and services.
Lee is supervising her best friend at work and feels awkward about disciplining him. What is she experiencing? a. Role conflict b. Role reversal c. Role exit d. Role ambivalence
a. Role conflict
You left your community to attend college and obtain a law degree. After working many years with various law firms, you return home to work as a prosecutor. However, you find yourself facing social pressure when you must prosecute members of your community for crimes. What is this an example of? a. Role conflict b. Role strain c. Role exit d. Role reversal
a. Role conflict
______ refers to socially defined positions within a group or society. a. Status b. Technology c. Group d. Coalition
a. Status
Select all that apply Which of the following are characteristics of preindustrial societies? a. They subsist on existing foods. b. They depend on mechanization to produce goods and services and new inventions. c. They create artifacts and pass them on from one generation to the next. d. They plant crops but have limited technologies.
a. They subsist on existing foods. c. They create artifacts and pass them on from one generation to the next. d. They plant crops but have limited technologies.
True or false: In some cultures around the world, race/ethnicity and gender function as master statuses, affecting an individual's potential to achieve a desired professional or social status. a. True b. False
a. True
Select all that apply According to interactionists, which factors define our understanding of reality? a. Various groups' power within society b. The standards and values of dominant groups c. The standards and values of subordinate groups d. Social interaction
a. Various groups' power within society b. The standards and values of dominant groups d. Social interaction
A type of formal organization that uses rules and hierarchical ranking to achieve efficiency is known as a. a bureaucracy. b. a reference group. c. an anarchy. d. an in-group.
a. a bureaucracy.
Select all that apply According to the scientific management approach, workers are assumed to be a. a resource just like a machine. b. dedicated and have an emotional need for job satisfaction. c. efficient because of scientific planning and careful supervision. d. motivated almost entirely by economic rewards.
a. a resource just like a machine. c. efficient because of scientific planning and careful supervision. d. motivated almost entirely by economic rewards.
Which of the following is an example of the ideal purpose of a coalition? a. affluent and working-class residents working together to improve sidewalks and streets b. gang members working independently to find other gangs to avenge their members' deaths c. several nonprofits independently serving the needs of the various disenfranchised groups in different ways
a. affluent and working-class residents working together to improve sidewalks and streets
Agrarian societies feature a. an increase in agricultural technology and more specialized roles within society. b. limited, unspecialized agricultural technology. c. agriculture aided by mechanical power and advanced tools. d. large numbers of people who gather readily available food and fibers
a. an increase in agricultural technology and more specialized roles within society.
The sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies used the term Gemeinschaft to refer to a(n) ______ society and the term Gesellschaft to refer to a(n) ______ society. a. close-knit; impersonal b. impersonal; urban c. complex; community-oriented d. urban; rural
a. close-knit; impersonal
Robert Merton referred to the overzealous conformity to official rules and regulations as goal a. displacement. b. setting. c. conformity. d. achievement.
a. displacement.
Which of the following are characteristics of a typical bureaucracy? a. division of labor b. employment based on technical qualifications c. unqualified directors d. written rules and regulations
a. division of labor b. employment based on technical qualifications d. written rules and regulations
Select all that apply Which of the following are advantages for people who develop social networks? a. empowering people by making several types of resources available b. helping people find employment c. making connections to people in other groups d. ensuring anonymity and avoiding interaction with other people
a. empowering people by making several types of resources available b. helping people find employment c. making connections to people in other groups
Which type of society is based on kinship ties, little division of labor, and scarce resources? a. hunting-and-gathering b. postindustrial c. horticultural d. postmodern e. agrarian f. industrial
a. hunting-and-gathering
According to conflict theorists, major institutions help a. maintain the privileges of the most powerful individuals b. balance society and make it more equitable c. promote opportunity for all members of society, regardless of status d. uplift the weakest individuals at the expense of the powerful
a. maintain the privileges of the most powerful individuals
In societies with minimal division of labor, a collective consciousness develops that emphasizes group solidarity. This collective frame of mind is called a. mechanical solidarity. b. classical theory. c. alienation. d. organic solidarity.
a. mechanical solidarity.
A series of social relationships that link a person directly to others and indirectly to still more people is known as a social a. network. b. coalition. c. group. d. institution.
a. network.
What is a small group that is characterized by intimate, face-to-face association and cooperation called? a. primary group b. aggregate c. out-group d. secondary group
a. primary group
Select all that apply There are a number of functions that a social institution must fulfill to survive. What are some of those functions? a. providing a sense of purpose b. separating people into higher and lower status positions c. teaching new recruits d. preserving order
a. providing a sense of purpose c. teaching new recruits d. preserving order
Select all that apply Which of the following are elements of social structure? a. roles b. statuses c. buildings d. groups
a. roles b. statuses d. groups
Select all that apply Which of the following are elements of social structure? a. social institutions b. social networks c. social roles d. social conflicts e. statuses f. groups
a. social institutions b. social networks c. social roles e. statuses f. groups
"President of the United States," "mother," and "wife" are all examples of ______ positions. a. status b. job c. superior d. title
a. status
Select all that apply Which of the following are characteristics of a formal organization? a. structured for maximum efficiency b. rejecting of bureaucratic structures c. designed for a special purpose d. created for casual functioning
a. structured for maximum efficiency c. designed for a special purpose
The meanings we attach to someone's behavior tend to reflect the norms and values of a. the dominant culture. b. the most liked individuals. c. the exploited. d. the subordinate group.
a. the dominant culture.
True or false: Ascribed status and achieved status function independently of one another. a. True b. False
b. False
True or false: Ascribed statuses have the same social meanings in every society. a. True b. False
b. False
True or false: Interactionists believe that our perception of reality is defined by objective aspects of social life. a. True b. False
b. False
True or false: Interactionists believe that our perception of reality is defined by objective aspects of social life. a. True b. False
b. False
According to the interactionist perspective, what shapes the meanings we attach to people's behaviors? a. Our noninteractions with them and the larger society b. Our interactions with them and with the larger society c. The way their behaviors are defined by minority groups in society d. Our ability to ignore them and those of the larger society
b. Our interactions with them and with the larger society
Select all that apply Which of the following are characteristics of preindustrial societies? a. They depend on mechanization to produce goods and services and new inventions. b. They subsist on existing foods. c. They plant crops but have limited technologies. d. They create artifacts and pass them on from one generation to the next.
b. They subsist on existing foods. c. They plant crops but have limited technologies. d. They create artifacts and pass them on from one generation to the next.
An industrial society is defined as a. a society that is highly technological and relies on the mass consumption of consumer goods. b. a society that depends on mechanization to produce goods and services and relies on new inventions to facilitate production. c. a society that has stable settlements and relies on improved technology to produce larger crop yields. d. a society that is nomadic and relies on readily available foods and fibers.
b. a society that depends on mechanization to produce goods and services and relies on new inventions to facilitate production.
An industrial society is defined as a. a society that is nomadic and relies on readily available foods and fibers. b. a society that depends on mechanization to produce goods and services and relies on new inventions to facilitate production. c. a society that is highly technological and relies on the mass consumption of consumer goods. d. a society that has stable settlements and relies on improved technology to produce larger crop yields.
b. a society that depends on mechanization to produce goods and services and relies on new inventions to facilitate production.
Select all that apply According to Max Weber, there are five basic characteristics that make up an ideal bureaucratic structure. What are those basic characteristics? a. employment based on social connections b. employment based on technical qualifications c. sociocultural evolution d. written rules and regulations e. division of labor f. hierarchy of authority g. impersonality
b. employment based on technical qualifications d. written rules and regulations e. division of labor f. hierarchy of authority g. impersonality
In a ______ society, people plant seeds and crops but still use minimal agricultural technology. a. hunting-and-gathering b. horticultural c. agrarian d. postmodern
b. horticultural
According to the sociologist Herbert Blumer, our response to other people's behavior is based on the ______ we attach to their actions. a. thoughts b. meaning c. feeling d. social roles
b. meaning
Sarah is looking for a job. Her friend Abdul tells his uncle, who then tells his friend. This process is called a. Facebooking. b. networking. c. role exit. d. referencing.
b. networking.
In a(n) ______ society, statuses and social roles are in a constant state of flux. All members are dependent on each other for survival because the division of labor has become so complex. a. organized b. organic c. technical d. mechanical
b. organic
Which type of society is economically engaged primarily in the processing and control of information and has a main output of services instead of manufactured goods? a. postmodern b. postindustrial c. industrial d. agrarian
b. postindustrial
According to the sociologist Émile Durkheim, organic solidarity exists when societies become a. more urbanized and less interdependent on each person's expertise. b. less advanced technologically and less interdependent on each person's expertise. c. more advanced technologically and more interdependent on each person's expertise. d. less specialized and every person can perform the same task.
c. more advanced technologically and more interdependent on each person's expertise.
The connections that individuals make with people in different social circles are known as social a. statuses. b. conflicts. c. networks. d. media.
c. networks.
Your best friend decides that she likes the goth subculture. She begins to dress in black, hang out with new people, listen to new music, and act unlike her previous self. Sue has adopted the goths as a(n) a. coalition. b. out-group. c. reference group. d. secondary group.
c. reference group.
The term social interaction refers to the ways in which people a. form predictable relationships. b. create social roles. c. respond to one another. d. do their job.
c. respond to one another.
The process of disengaging from a role that is central to one's self-identity to establish a new role and identity is called a. role strain. b. role differentiation. c. role exit. d. role identity.
c. role exit.
A formal, impersonal group in which there is little social intimacy or mutual understanding is called a ______ group. a. primary b. coalition c. secondary d. reference
c. secondary
Students who expect their professor to be knowledgeable about her subject and show up to class are holding the professor to a(n) ______ role. a. ascribed b. master c. social d. achieved
c. social
Which of the following refers to the long-term social trends in societies that result from the interplay of continuity, innovation, and selection? a. mechanical solidarity b. organic solidarity c. sociocultural evolution d. technological revolution
c. sociocultural evolution
The hypothesis that states that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is known as a. goal displacement. b. division of labor. c. the Peter principle. d. bureaucratization.
c. the Peter principle.
If a specific group has the ability to deliberately affect the way we define and conceptualize our social reality, what do we know about that group? a. It lacks resources. b. It has loose social interaction. c. It is cohesive. d. It has power.
d. It has power.
Sandy had worked for the same company for 15 years. Over the years the company began to modernize, and some workers were replaced by technology. Emphasis was placed on efficiency and predictability. Sandy's company was undergoing a. the iron law of oligarchy. b. the Peter principle. c. sociocultural evolution. d. McDonaldization.
d. McDonaldization.
The process by which the principles of bureaucratization, namely predictability, efficiency, and dependence on non-human technology, are coming to dominate more sectors of U.S. and global society is called a. goal displacement. b. hierarchy of authority. c. Fordism. d. McDonaldization.
d. McDonaldization.
Which of the following best describes the interactionist perspective? a. Institutions are the primary determinant of our social behavior. b. Institutions have little effect on our interactions besides for providing the essential functions society needs. c. Our institutions interact with status by giving more power to the highest status people in society. d. Our behavior is conditioned by our roles, statuses, groups, and institutions.
d. Our behavior is conditioned by our roles, statuses, groups, and institutions.
Which of the following best describes the interactionist perspective? a. Our institutions interact with status by giving more power to the highest status people in society. b. Institutions have little effect on our interactions besides for providing the essential functions society needs. c. Institutions are the primary determinant of our social behavior. d. Our behavior is conditioned by our roles, statuses, groups, and institutions.
d. Our behavior is conditioned by our roles, statuses, groups, and institutions.
If a woman keeps getting into trouble at work for taking time off to handle family emergencies, what is she experiencing? a. Role exit b. Role reversal c. Role strain d. Role conflict
d. Role conflict
What is the primary purpose of a coalition? a. To bring a community together to socialize outside of primary groups b. To explore various groups' solutions to community problems c. To improve interracial understanding within communities d. To bring people together to work toward a common goal
d. To bring people together to work toward a common goal
Rank the four stages of role exit in the order they occur, with the first stage at the top. a. creation of a new identity b. action or departure c. search for alternatives d. doubt
d. doubt c. search for alternatives b. action or departure a. creation of a new identity
The large secondary groups that increasingly dominate contemporary society are known as ______ organizations. a. social networking b. ideal c. virtual d. formal
d. formal
Your boss is a staunch follower of the rules, which were written decades ago and no longer apply in an era of modern technology. Your boss suffers from a. McDonaldization. b. alienation. c. the Peter principle. d. goal displacement.
d. goal displacement.
When people with similar norms, values, and expectations interact with each other, they form a a. role. b. crowd. c. status. d. group.
d. group.
What is the modern, alternative way of considering bureaucratic dynamics that emphasizes the role of people, communication, and participation in a bureaucracy? a. scientific management approach b. classical theory c. modern unions theory d. human relations approach
d. human relations approach
Which type of society is based on kinship ties, little division of labor, and scarce resources? a. industrial b. postindustrial c. postmodern d. hunting-and-gathering e. agrarian f. horticultural
d. hunting-and-gathering
Which group gives its members a collective sense of "us"? a. aggregate b. out-group c. secondary group d. in-group
d. in-group
Integrated and persistent social networks focused on making sure society's core needs are met are called social a. norms. b. coalitions. c. groups. d. institutions.
d. institutions.
The term social interaction refers to the ways in which people a. form predictable relationships. b. do their job. c. create social roles. d. respond to one another.
d. respond to one another.
Which type of society is technologically sophisticated and preoccupied with consumer goods and media images? a. horticultural b. agrarian c. postindustrial d. hunting-and-gathering e. postmodern f. industrial
e. postmodern
A person having a difficult time performing all of the duties required by a demanding job is experiencing role _________.
strain
Statuses, social roles, groups, social networks, and social institutions are the five elements of social ___________.
structure
In a ______ society, people plant seeds and crops but still use minimal agricultural technology. a. postmodern b. hunting-and-gathering c. horticultural d. agrarian
c. horticultural
Sociologists use the term social ______ to describe the ways in which people respond to one another. a. integration b. communication c. interaction d. structure
c. interaction
According to conflict theorists, major institutions help a. promote opportunity for all members of society, regardless of status b. balance society and make it more equitable c. maintain the privileges of the most powerful individuals d. uplift the weakest individuals at the expense of the powerful
c. maintain the privileges of the most powerful individuals
A status that dominates and determines a person's general position in society is called a(n) ______ status. a. achieved b. acquired c. master d. ascribed
c. master
According to Durkheim, people in a society with few social roles and little division of labor experience a. Gemeinschaft. b. Gesellschaft. c. mechanical solidarity. d. organic solidarity.
c. mechanical solidarity.
In a(n) ______, occupations devoted to the teaching, generation, or dissemination of ideas are common, and jobs in such fields as advertising, human resources, and computer information systems are typical. a. bureaucracy b. postindustrial society c. horticultural society d. industrial societySelect all that apply Which of the following statements are true about industrial society? Multiple select question. It applies human and animal sources of power to labor tasks. It relies on new sources of energy. It depends on mechanization to produce its goods and services. It focuses on traditional tools and equipment for agricultural production.Select all that apply Which of the following statements are true about industrial society? Multiple select question. It applies human and animal sources of power to labor tasks. It relies on new sources of energy. It depends on mechanization to produce its goods and services. It focuses on traditional tools and equipment for agricultural production.
b. postindustrial society
Select all that apply According to the functionalist view, which of the following are the major tasks of a social institution if it is to survive? a. inhibiting creativity and prohibiting economic growth b. preserving order c. replacing personnel d. teaching new recruits e. producing and distributing goods and services f. providing and maintaining a sense of purpose
b. preserving order c. replacing personnel d. teaching new recruits e. producing and distributing goods and services f. providing and maintaining a sense of purpose
A set of expectations for people who occupy a given position or status is called a social a. status. b. role. c. group. d. norm.
b. role.
All social interaction takes place within a(n) ______, including those interactions that redefine social reality. a. social role b. social structure c. achieved status d. group network
b. social structure
Effie had a solid education, a great attitude, and an eagerness to learn. As a result, she was steadily promoted to more responsible positions. After two years, Effie was promoted to a director position, but she discovered she did not have the qualifications or skills the position required. Effie was a victim of a. division of labor. b. the Peter principle. c. goal displacement. d. an oligarchy.
b. the Peter principle.
The sociologist Robert Michels argued that the rank and file of a movement or organization look to leaders for direction. As such, they reinforce the process of rule by a few. He referred to this idea as a. McDonaldization. b. the iron law of oligarchy. c. bureaucratization. d. impersonality.
b. the iron law of oligarchy.
When workers become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems, they are experiencing a. alienation. b. trained incapacity. c. the Peter principle. d. laziness.
b. trained incapacity.
In this type of community, there is little agreement about values, and social control relies on formal means, such as laws and policies. a. Gemeinschaft b. organic c. Gesellschaft d. mechanical
c. Gesellschaft
What do sociologists call a group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior? a. an out-group b. a social network c. a reference group d. an in-group
c. a reference group
Feeling estranged or dissociated from the surrounding society is called a. trained incapacity. b. bureaucratization. c. alienation. d. division of labor.
c. alienation.
Agrarian societies feature a. limited, unspecialized agricultural technology. b. large numbers of people who gather readily available food and fibers c. an increase in agricultural technology and more specialized roles within society. d. agriculture aided by mechanical power and advanced tools.
c. an increase in agricultural technology and more specialized roles within society.
What type of status is assigned at birth and includes a person's ethnicity, sex, and age? a. achieved b. master c. ascribed d. acquired
c. ascribed
A(n) ______ is a component of formal organization that uses rules and hierarchical ranking to achieve efficiency. a. oligarchy b. autonomous unit c. bureaucracy d. meritocracy
c. bureaucracy
The term ______ refers to the unofficial activities and interactions that are a basic part of daily operations within formal organizations. a. human relations approach b. iron law of oligarchy c. bureaucracy's other face d. mechanical solidarity
c. bureaucracy's other face
A(n) ______ is a group that is designed for a special purpose and structured for maximum efficiency. a. reference group b. oligarchy c. formal organization d. formal agency
c. formal organization