WGU: Sociology Unit Assessment
Social placement, the idea that schools sort children by their capabilities, giving them the jobs they are most suited for, belongs to which sociological perspective? a) functionalism b) the conflict perspective c) symbolic interactionism d) feminism
The correct answer is A. Functionalists came up with the idea of social placement as a function of education.
From a sociological perspective, which factor does not greatly influence a person's socialization? a) blood type b) gender c) socioeconomic status d) race
The correct answer is A. Gender, socioeconomic status, and race all have an effect on a person's socialization.
______ describes an intimate and serious relationship between two people who are living together but are not married. a) Nuclear family b) Cohabitation c) Neolocality d) Matrilocal
The correct answer is B. Cohabitation describes an arrangement where two people living together are engaged in an intimate relationship but are not married.
Which is an example of role conflict? a) Your sister starts working at your company, adding a new status of "coworker." b) Your boss gives you a project that you are not excited about completing. c) You tell your child to clean his room and he throws a tantrum. d) After moving to a new area, you join a new group of friends and aren't sure exactly how you fit into the dynamic yet.
The correct answer is A. In this scenario, your relationship with your sister, now coworker, creates conflicting expectations of how to treat one another. In each other scenario, your role is either very clear, or not in conflict with another role.
Which of the following is not a major sociological perspective? a) conflict perspective b) drive perspective c) functionalism d) symbolic interactionism
The correct answer is B. Conflict perspective, functionalism, and symbolic interactionism are all major perspectives in sociology.
The requirement that all participants in a study be aware of potential risks is known as __________. a) informed consent b) exploitation of participants c) confidentiality d) participant care
The correct answer is A. Informed consent requires that participants in a study are aware of all of the potential risks that could result from their participation in a study.
How would a sociologist working from the symbolic interactionist perspective describe a convict's return to criminal behavior after being released from prison? a) Once labeled as deviant, the convict internalizes the label and therefore continues to commit deviant acts. b) The economic inequality in society forced the convict back into a life of crime because he had no other options available to him. c) The convict's deviance behavior is necessary to clarify socially acceptable standards. d) The convict fell into a life of innovation by adopting new means in order to reach society's goals.
The correct answer is A. Labeling theory posits that deviance is not only something a person does, but what they become because of internalizing the deviant label.
n countries like India and Greece, a matrilocal practice is common. What does that mean? a) a couple lives with or near the parents of the wife b) a couple lives with or near the parents of the husband c) a couple moves away from the household of both sets of parents d) a couple is arranged to marry
The correct answer is A. Matrilocal is the common practice that involves living with or near the wife's parents.
Practices such as performing prayers and meditating are considered ______. a) symbols b) rituals c) myths d) theories
The correct answer is B. Rituals are a set of actions performed mainly for their symbolic or religious value. Prayers and meditation are considered rituals.
Solomon Asch performed a famous experiment in 1956 that demonstrated which sociological phenomenon? a) ethnocentrism b) groupthink c) social norms d) conformity
The correct answer is D. Asch showed that individuals are willing to conform to the opinions of the group, even when they know that the group is wrong and they are right.
What is the best summary of George Herbert Mead's theory of social interactions? a) No one is born knowing how to communicate with one another, and people have to learn what symbols mean and how to use them. b) People interact based on conflict between their statuses in life. c) Each person occupies a specific place in society that contributes to the operation of their social group. d) The unintended consequences of interactions create the basis of society's problems.
The correct answer is A. Mead's theory about social interactions and symbols created the basis for symbolic interactionism.
How could one reduce social loafing? a) make sure each individual's work is reviewed, and that he or she is given praise or criticism b) promote the importance of the task, reminding everyone in the group how important it is c) freshly create a team with individuals who do not know one another d) give the team a strict deadline
The correct answer is A. Often social loafing occurs because the responsibility is dispersed over a group; however, one could lessen the effect of this by holding each individual accountable for his or her work, and offering objective feedback on the quality of the work that they have completed.
How does prejudice differ from discrimination? a) Prejudice is an attitude; discrimination is a treatment. b) Prejudice is a treatment; discrimination is an attitude. c) There is no difference; these are actually synonyms.
The correct answer is A. Prejudice is an attitude (either positive or negative) held about an entire category or people, and discrimination is unequal treatment of a group based on prejudice.
Which of the following behaviors might be defined as deviant by sociologists? a) drinking excessive amounts of alcohol b) living in a cabin without running water or electricity c) getting multiple facial piercings d) all of the above
The correct answer is D. All of these behaviors could be considered deviant, depending on the social norms of the society.
How would Robert Merton describe an individual who rejected the socially acceptable goals of society, as well as the means to achieve these goals, and subsequently created new goals and means? a) rebel b) conformist c) retreatist d) innovator
The correct answer is A. Rebellion is the response to social strain by both rejecting the socially-promoted goal and the legitimate means to achieve it, while also creating new means and goals.
Which of the following types of households has the highest poverty rate in the United States? a) households headed by single females b) households headed by single males c) households with married couples d) households with unmarried couples
The answer is A. The poverty rate of households headed by single females is currently about 30%, which is significantly higher than any other type of household.
Which of the following BEST illustrates the difference between absolute and relative poverty? a) Absolute poverty fluctuates depending on the country; relative poverty is a fixed financial number. b) Absolute poverty is a fixed definition of how poor one is; relative poverty fluctuates depending on the standard of living. c) Absolute poverty occurs only in urbanized areas; relative poverty can be found anywhere. d) Absolute poverty occurs only in developing countries; relative poverty occurs only in developed countries
The answer is B. Those in absolute poverty lack access to basic needs like food and water, regardless of how wealthy others are; those in relative poverty are poor compared to those who live in comfort and luxury around them.
The home and front yard of a gay couple, which displays a large gay pride flag, is vandalized with garbage and spray paint. Which of the following would this crime likely be considered? a) hate crime b) organized crime c) white-collar crime d) property crime
The correct answer is A. A hate crime is one motivated by biases based on characteristics of the victim such as sexual orientation, race, or religion.
According to Saperstein's 2014 study, what is a strange social byproduct of an individual's time in prison? a) they are more likely to categorize themselves as Black, and they are more likely to be categorized by others as Black b) they are more likely to categorize themselves as Black, but others' categorizations are unchanged c) they are more likely to categorize themselves as White and be categorized as White d) they are more likely to categorize themselves as White, but others' categorizations are unchanged
The correct answer is A. After a person spends time in a correctional facility, they are more likely to self-identify as Black. Further, they are more likely to be categorized by others as Black.
An in-group is _______. a) a group to which an individual belongs b) a group to which an individual does not belong c) a group to which only a select few "elite" individuals belong d) a group to which individuals compare themselves
The correct answer is A. An in-group is a group with which an individual identifies and feels a sense of belonging.
Auguste Comte employed which of the following philosophical systems which studied society through a scientific lens? a) positivism b) social Darwinism c) double consciousness d) rationalization
The correct answer is A. Auguste Comte created positivism which applied scientific standards to the study of society.
What is the first step of the sociological research process? a) Ask a question. b) Conduct research. c) Evaluate data. d) Form a hypothesis.
The correct answer is A. Before starting any study, a sociologist must first pose a question that they hope to answer from with their findings.
What does gender have to do with socialization? a) A child's gender may determine how they are treated and essentially affect how they perceive themselves. b) A child's gender determines what career path they will take in life. c) A child's gender affects the way they perceive other people. d) Gender has nothing to do with socialization.
The correct answer is A. Both in the home and in school, a child's gender may influence the way they are treated, affecting their understanding of how they fit into society.
About 90 percent of the world's wealth is contained in a) Europe, North America and rich Asian and Pacific countries b) Europe, rich South American countries and Asia c) Europe, America, and Australia d) Europe, Asia, and America
The correct answer is A. Certain Asian countries such as Japan, China and Australia join with Europe and North America in owning most of the world's wealth.
Radicals or anarchists would be considered members of a ______. a) counterculture b) ethnic group c) enculturation d) diffusion
The correct answer is A. Counterculture is a culture or subculture with values and customs that are usually opposed to those accepted by most of society.
Each culture has certain _______, or culturally accepted ways of doing things that apply to everyday life. a) norms b) symbols c) subcultures d) instincts
The correct answer is A. Cultural norms are mandated ways of doing things that apply to everyday life, such as Americans tipping their restaurant servers.
What sociological observations have led to the term "second shift?" a) Working women pick up more of the housework than working men. b) Most women have shifted their focus from family life to their careers, and are therefore working longer hours than men. c) Women are more frequently forced to work in lower-paying jobs than men. d) Women often have to take second jobs because their first jobs pay little money.
The correct answer is A. The "second shift" refers to the housework and child rearing that must be done after work, (a "second shift"), and surveys have found that working women on average spend more time on such chores than working men.
Which of the following perspectives holds that groups such as political parties and Alcoholics Anonymous provide a function similar to that of religion? a) functionalism b) the conflict perspective c) symbolic interactionism d) None of the above
The correct answer is A. The functionalist perspective posits that certain groups formed in society function like religion because they answer questions of ultimate meaning and give guidelines for daily life.
Which of the following statements best describes the sociological imagination? a) It looks at personal issues from a wider, more general perspective. b) It is the ability to form new images and sensations in the mind. c) It is a method of testing hypotheses through data collection. d) It focuses on a social way of accomplishing personal goals.
The correct answer is A. The sociological imagination approaches individual problems by taking into account social systems.
Which of the following is an example of a victimless crime? a) a man getting drunk in public b) a man embezzling money from a large company he works for c) a man sexually harassing a co-worker d) a man becoming part of a criminal organization that collects money from businesses as "protection"
The correct answer is A. Victimless crimes include vagrancy, prostitution, illegal drug use—in short, any crime with no obvious "victim." Embezzling is a white-collar crime and criminal organizations are part of organized crime.
How might a functionalist classify the popularity and prominence of football in American society? a) Football exacerbates the worst divisions of society, such as between rich athletes and blue collar workers, and maintains the subordinate role of minorities in society. b) Football is almost a religious institution that uses rituals to reinforce common American values, such as competition, and it serves as an outlet for aggression in order to help maintain social cohesion. c) Football encourages gender differences, especially since it is a sport almost exclusive to male athletes. d) Football increases friendship networks, both between players and spectators, and reflects the social structure of our society.
The correct answer is B. A functionalist would say that football serves a specific purpose in society in order to help it better function.
Sweden spends about half the amount the U.S. does on each resident's healthcare and has an infant mortality rate about half that of the United States. What are two key aspects of the Swedish healthcare system? a) Sweden has an out-of-pocket healthcare system in which residents pay for the majority of their healthcare expenses, and the Swedish system is centralized with the national government providing the healthcare. b) Every Swedish resident's major healthcare costs are covered, and the Swedish system is decentralized with local communities providing the healthcare. c) Sweden has a healthcare system in which everyone pays according to his/her means, and the Swedish system is centralized with the national government providing healthcare. d) All healthcare providers in Sweden are public employees (working for the government), and the Swedish system is decentralized with local communities paying for healthcare.
The correct answer is B. Although Swedish residents pay in part for their healthcare, it is significantly subsidized by the government, while local communities retain control over both the healthcare provided and the amount of money healthcare providers receive in compensation.
A researcher tests a sample of elementary school children in the United States on their reading abilities and also counts the number of books in their homes. He finds that those children who have books in their home have better reading skills. What is this an example of? a) Hawthorne effect b) correlation c) causation d) variables
The correct answer is B. Although the researcher found that owning more books is related to better reading ability, this does not mean that one causes the other; they are simply correlated. Perhaps wealthier families can both afford to buy more books and give their children other advantages that improve reading.
Jim steps into a building's elevator with many other random people. How would you describe this collection of humans? a) category b) aggregate c) primary group d) in-group
The correct answer is B. An aggregate is a group of people that come together in time and space temporarily, without regularity, and without knowing one another.
A sociologist analyzing the language of job ads from the early twentieth century looking for gender bias would be an example of which type of research? a) field research b) content analysis c) secondary analysis d) participant observation
The correct answer is B. Analyzing the language of job ads would be a type of content analysis.
Which of the following would be considered an act of deviance in the United States? a) practicing a religion different from those in your community b) being rude and disruptive in class c) completing a community service sentence d) altering your behavior to match that of an in-group
The correct answer is B. Being rude and disruptive during class is deviant and unacceptable behavior.
Which of the following is an example of how cultural capital might perpetuate inequality? a) During a job interview, Roger's expensive brand-name watch makes the CEO interviewing him feel that Roger must be rich. This perception, in turn, makes her feel Roger would be a good employee. b) During a job interview, Clara mentions her love for a new play that has just opened in town. The CEO of the company interviewing her immediately feels a connection because he read a review of the play on his way to work. c) Two people strike up a very meaningful conversation in a café when they realize they are both listening to the same band. d) Sammy's father's wealth enables her to invest in an opera company, which allows her to network with a variety of wealthy people whose connection benefits her company.
The correct answer is B. Bourdieu's idea of cultural capital is the habits, tastes, behavior and dress that signal belonging to the upper class. This intangible "capital" signals belonging to others.
What is a conflict perspective on deviance? a) If society does not provide sufficient means to reach a goal, people will "drop out." b) Deviance is defined by the people who are in control in society. c) Other people's reactions are the most important factors in defining deviance. d) People learn deviance from their peers.
The correct answer is B. Conflict theory states that power relationships are the most important factor in determining who is considered deviant.
Enculturation is the process of ______. a) identifying characteristics of a different culture b) learning, acquiring, and internalizing cultural patterns and practices c) creating a subculture within a larger culture d) representing cultural patterns and practices through symbols
The correct answer is B. Enculturation is the process by which individuals learn and internalize a culture's patterns and practices, often referring to children who are learning their own culture as they grow.
New members of a sorority learn the appropriate behavior and dress at a chapter meeting through _______. a) relativism b) enculturation c) holism d) ethnocentricity
The correct answer is B. Enculturation is the process by which new members of a society learn about the cultural patterns and norms.
Which of the following is usually the earliest agent of socialization in a person's life? a) religion b) family c) mass media d) school
The correct answer is B. Families are important for socialization because they give social context to individuals during their youngest, most formative years.
How would a functionalist view stratification? a) Stratification occurs because each group fights for their own interest. b) Stratification motivates people to work harder. c) Stratification is the result of gender inequality. d) Stratification leads to social mobility.
The correct answer is B. Functionalists hold that society evolves structures that benefit its members. So the uneven distribution of wealth and resources serves as an incentive for greater effort and efficiency.
Because Mary is a girl, she presumes that when she's in high school, she will wear makeup, shop for shoes, and try out for the cheerleading squad. Which of the following do all these characteristics that Mary believes she must employ fall into? a) agents of socialization b) gender roles c) biological roles d) gender schemas
The correct answer is B. Gender roles are essentially the societal norms for each gender. Mary believes it is normal for girls to wear makeup, date boys, and become a cheerleader, so she is employing gender roles.
In which area is there a gender gap in which girls are disadvantaged? a) students pursuing college educations b) participation in STEM fields c) grades d) the ability to express deep and meaningful emotions
The correct answer is B. Girls are less prevalent in STEM fields. In the other categories girls are advantaged relative to boys.
Which is not a characteristic of bureaucracy as defined by Weber? a) interchangeability b) government regulation c) hierarchy d) written communication
The correct answer is B. Government regulation is not a characteristic of bureaucracy as defined by Weber.
Which is an example of systemic racism? a) A single police officer, operating under the "stop and frisk" policy, disproportionately stops and frisks more citizens of color. b) Police officers in the United States, on average, operating under the "stop and frisk" policy, stop disproportionately more citizens of color. c) A new law forces businesses to cover the names of applicants prior to and during the review process so that they are not accidentally influenced by implicit bias. d) all of the above e) none of the above
The correct answer is B. In this example, we see that a disproportionate number of racial and ethnic groups being stopped and frisked reveals an underlying bias that is present in the United States. This is an example of a societal attitude that drives forms of racism. In letter A, a single officer demonstrates individual bias, and in letter C, a law aims to mitigate the effects of systemic or individual racism in the workplace.
Behavior that is preprogrammed is known as _____, which animals — as opposed to humans — are primarily equipped with. a) norms b) instincts c) sanctions d) enculturation
The correct answer is B. Instinct is a complex behavior that is preprogrammed, and animals rely mostly on instinct for survival.
The increasing popularity of meeting via webcam is an example of the _________ of world culture. a) diffusion b) modernization c) relativism d) symbolism
The correct answer is B. Modernization is the unprecedented and rapid change that is technology-driven and impacts every culture.
Which of the following is a sociological theory about why boys (on average) get lower grades than girls (on average)? a) Girls benefit more from higher education. b) Doing poorly in school is a gender norm for boys among their peers. c) Boys' intellectual capacity develop later than girls'. d) Teachers have lower expectations for boys than for girls.
The correct answer is B. One theorist, Amy Hsin, speculated that since Asian-American boys' grades fell in high school, their peers' social norms for "masculine" behavior might be more influential than the early social norms inculcated by their parents.
Running a prostitution ring and engaging in drug trafficking are both examples of what type of crime? a) violent crime b) organized crime c) corporate crime d) property crime
The correct answer is B. Organized crime is when a business organization provides illegal goods or services. Both drug trafficking and organizing prostitution are examples of organized crime.
A common marriage practice that includes living with or near the parents of the husband is known as _____. a) matrilocal b) patrilocal c) neolocality d) kinship
The correct answer is B. Patrilocal refers to the common practice in some cultures that involves living with or near the husband's parents.
______ refers to the worship of or belief in multiple gods. a) Monotheism b) Polytheism c) Animism d) Totemism
The correct answer is B. Polytheism refers to the worship of or belief in multiple gods. Hinduism is a form of polytheism.
Sarah is a White mother. Which of the following is true about those attributes? a) White is a role, while mother is a status. b) White is an ascribed status; mother is an achieved status. c) White is an achieved status, while mother is an ascribed status. d) Both White and mother are roles.
The correct answer is B. Racial categories are defined by the culture and cannot be changed by the individual while becoming a mother is a status women can control.
Which of the following examples best exhibits how a school socializes a student? a) The student learns that breakfast is the first meal of the day. b) The student learns to pay attention and follow the instructions of someone in a position of authority. c) The student reads a book and learns about British history. d) The student learns to respect his or her parents.
The correct answer is B. Schools ideally socialize children by teaching them how to respect authority and rules.
Which of the following is not a system of stratification? a) slavery b) agrarian system c) caste system d) class system
The correct answer is B. Slavery, caste systems, and class systems are all systems of stratification.
Social stratification is the ______. a) process by which people learn who they are in relation to others b) categorization and ranking of groups of people to form a hierarchy c) relationship of cause and effect between variables d) application of the scientific approach to the social world
The correct answer is B. Social stratification is the categorization and ranking of groups of people to form a hierarchy.
What is sociology? a) the academic study of mind and behavior b) the academic study of social behavior c) the study of life and living organisms d) the study of the distribution of goods and services
The correct answer is B. Sociology is a social science that studies social behavior through empirical investigation and critical analysis.
When it comes to family violence, sociologists look to understand: a) the psychological impact family violence has on its members b) the relationship between violence and social organization c) how violence emerges in a family's dynamic d) Sociologists do not study family violence
The correct answer is B. Sociology is primarily focused on understanding the relationship between family violence and social organization, rather than examining the individual reasons for committing family violence.
What is the difference between subcultures and countercultures? a) Subcultures are always less powerful than the dominant culture, while countercultures may be as powerful as the dominant culture. b) Subcultures have their own distinctive language, values, and behaviors, while countercultures are oriented against what they perceive to be flaws in the dominant culture. c) Subcultures are creative forces that eventually change the dominant culture, while countercultures are most often smaller groups that absorb the values, language, and beliefs of the dominant culture. d) Subcultures are always countercultural, but countercultural groups can be as large and powerful as the dominant culture.
The correct answer is B. Subcultures are smaller groups that are distinct from the dominant culture (though not necessarily less powerful), while countercultures are deliberately orienting themselves against the dominant culture.
Which of the following is an example of ethnocentrism? a) German students learn two to three foreign languages in school. b) An American finds it rude when a Chinese person burps loudly at dinner. c) British people speak with a particular accent according to their region. d) A heavy metal music fan does not enjoy listening to folk music.
The correct answer is B. The American in this example is so used to burping in their own culture being rude that they do not realize that burping has a different cultural meaning for a Chinese person (it typically expresses satisfaction with the meal).
How did the educational system of Soviet Russia reflect the culture of the country? a) Teachers stressed the value of communal decision-making through group work. b) The Communist Party expanded the system to make it accessible to all members of society. c) The government placed the blame for educational dysfunction on the teachers. d) The Party stressed the importance of individuality and independence.
The correct answer is B. The Communist Party believed in equal access to resources for all members of society, so it expanded the educational system, which was previously restricted to the nobility.
How did the Green Revolution avert the population bomb scenario? a) By passing measures to protect the environment, the Green Revolution made it possible to avoid a large number of premature deaths. b) By increasing crop yields, the Green Revolution enabled more people to be fed, thereby avoiding mass starvation and social unrest. c) By increasing the use of renewable resources, the Green Revolution made resources more efficient, thereby allowing population growth. d) By creating more social justice, the Green Revolution allowed for lower rates of war and more social harmony.
The correct answer is B. The Green Revolution allowed an increase in food production which averted the overpopulation that would have led to starvation and social unrest.
Both Dominic, a man, and Alice, a woman, were hired as receptionists in July by a large advertising agency. After eight months, Dominic was promoted to account coordinator. Alice was not promoted until 13 months after being hired. What phenomenon best describes this circumstance? a) glass ceiling b) glass escalator c) gender typing d) stratification
The correct answer is B. The glass escalator is the act of men in female-dominated occupations being promoted through the ranks at a faster rate than their female coworkers.
What is the salience principle? a) the principle that states that immigrants often seek to live near those who have similar culture or characteristics b) the principle that states that we categorize other people on the basis of what is most noticeable about them c) the principle that states that judgments about a culture can actually be made by tasting its food d) the principle that states that we categorize people based on the way they teach us to categorize them
The correct answer is B. The salience principle states that we categorize other people on the basis of what is most noticeable (i.e., most salient) about them, such as gender, age, skin color, or cultural dress.
Racism that is expressed via policies and laws is known as _____________. a) explicit bias b) institutional racism c) systemic racism d) individual racism
The correct answer is B. When individual racism becomes embedded into institutions, such as policies, laws, and practices that disproportionately favor or disadvantage one race over another, it is institutional racism.
What is a theory? a) a proposed explanation for something that can actually be tested b) a scientific activity meant to make a certain aspect of the world easier to understand c) a judgment or decision reached through reasoning d) a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe, explain, and sometimes predict social events
The correct answer is D. A theory is a set of logically interrelated statements that attempts to describe, explain, and sometimes predict social events. Theories are often used in social sciences.
What is the difference between correlation and causation? a) Correlation means two variables are unrelated, while causation means two variables are related. b) Correlation means two variables are related, while causation means that one variable causes the other. c) Correlation means one variable causes the other, while causation means the two variables are related. d) Correlation means two variables are affected by an outside force, while causation means two variables are unrelated.
The correct answer is B. When two variables are correlated, it means they are associated, but one does not cause the other. Causation happens when one variable directly causes the other to occur.
What is a hypothesis? a) a tentative statement about the world that the researcher knows to be true b) a tentative statement about the world that cannot be proven or disproven c) a tentative statement about the relationship between two or more concepts d) a tentative statement about the world that helps to explain certain phenomena
The correct answer is C. A hypothesis is the tentative answer to a question being asked, which can be tested through research.
Which of the following describes a sect? a) a religion that is at odds with the current dominant society or religion b) an independent branch of a church with members who disagree with certain aspects of other branches' teachings c) a subdivision of a larger religious group made up of members who share somewhat different beliefs from those of the dominant group d) a religious organization with radical ideals and a charismatic leader
The correct answer is C. A sect is a subdivision of a larger religious group with members who usually share somewhat different beliefs from the dominant group.
Why can't "people with blue eyes" be categorized as an aggregate? a) The members of this group only have one trait in common. b) The members of this group don't necessarily know one another. c) The members of this group are not necessarily united in time and space. d) The members of this group don't necessarily feel any particular affinity.
The correct answer is C. Aggregates are a group of people convene without knowing one another in a location temporarily and without frequency. Unless these "people with blue eyes" are in the same place at the same time at random, this category cannot be considered an aggregate. "People with blue eyes" could instead be considered a category.
An exchange student from China studying in Massachusetts adopts an English name, eats only American foods, and joins an intramural football team at his college. Which of the following concepts is this student exemplifying? a) discrimination b) systemic racism c) assimilation d) implicit bias
The correct answer is C. Assimilation is the process by which someone gives up their distinctive culture and adopts the patterns of the dominant culture.
What social institution led to the "one drop" rule? a) the law, since the law said that a person is Black if his or her mother is Black b) the law, since the law said that a person is Black if his or her mother is a slave c) slavery, since the law that said that a child was a slave if his or her mother was, which eventually led to the idea that a single Black ancestor makes a person Black d) slavery since the law said that only Black people were slaves, therefore people who looked sufficiently White could escape slavery
The correct answer is C. Early Colonial laws stated that any children of slaves were slaves, even if they had White paternity. Over generations, even people whose racial heritage was largely White could still be considered slaves, feeding into the idea that a single Black ancestor made someone Black.
Which of the following is an advantage of field research? a) It has breadth. b) Information can be gathered relatively quickly and easily. c) It can offer a lot of detail about a topic. d) It provides objective information about people and society.
The correct answer is C. Field research can lack breadth, it can be very time-consuming, and different researchers might draw different conclusions about what they observed, but unlike other research methods, it offers detail about the situation.
Which of the following describes a connection that can be made through ancestry, marriage, or adoption? a) family b) marriage c) kinship d) courtship
The correct answer is C. Kinship is connections among individuals that are established through ancestry, marriage, or adoption.
Luciana is a sociologist who studies the experience of first-generation Latinx families in St. Louis. She is asked by a non-profit to consult on how to decrease the stigmatization faced by prisoners upon their release from prison. What ethical issue does Luciana potentially face? a) accurately reporting results b) attribution c) expertise d) informed consent
The correct answer is C. Luciana does not have experience studying the prison population. If she does not explain what her area of expertise is to the non-profit, she might illegitimately benefit from her status as a sociologist without the necessary experience.
Which quality is required to be members of a primary group? a) that they be family b) that the relationship be lifelong c) that the relationship endure regardless of whether a functional reason to interact exists d) that the relationship be rooted in a functional reason for interaction
The correct answer is C. Primary group members do not have to be family. The relationship does not have to be lifelong, and the relationship does not have to be rooted in a functional purpose. However, if there is a functional reason for interaction, the relationship will endure after that reason no longer exists. For example, coworkers that become friends will continue to see one another after each has moved on to a different job.
New dancers who recently joined Ben's dance team are extremely talented. Ben then decides to spend additional time after practice perfecting his technique. Which of the following social groups is Ben responding to in his behavior? a) in-group b) out-group c) reference group d) primary group
The correct answer is C. Reference groups are those to which an individual compares him or herself. Ben compares himself to the new members of his dance team and, subsequently, begins to train harder.
Women noticed that they are not getting the same opportunities and treatment in higher education and they agitate for law that would protect them against discrimination. What theory might explain this social movement? a) transformative theory b) reformative theory c) relative deprivation theory d) declining privilege theory
The correct answer is C. Relative deprivation theory holds that social movements occur when people notice that others seem to have more than they.
Which is an example of a dysfunction of bureaucracy? a) Laura's company has grown so large that several directors were hired last year to coordinate the efforts of each branch. b) Jim's company has needed to send Jim to special coding classes because their system has grown more complicated with the addition of new programs. c) Sanjay has been fairly unmotivated at work recently. He is on a large team of people, each responsible for a specific piece of a long process. His job is simple, repetitive, and no one looks over his shoulder. d) All of the above
The correct answer is C. Sanjay's situation is a typical dysfunction of bureaucracy. When people become divorced from the end result of their efforts, it can be difficult to stay interested in the work. Laura and Jim's situations demonstrate the challenges working in a bureaucracy; however, their companies are not exhibiting the dysfunctions.
The ability to recognize the societal forces that influence individual behavior and attitude is known as __________. a) materialist conception b) organic solidarity c) sociological imagination d) applied sociology
The correct answer is C. Sociological imagination requires one to widen his or her perspective to understand the social forces that shape behavior and attitudes.
At birth, Alex's sex was assigned as "male," but Alex later underwent surgery at 28 years old to transition to a female body. Alex would be considered a _______. a) tomboy b) drag queen c) transsexual d) intersex
The correct answer is C. Someone who is transsexual identifies as a different sex than the one they were assigned at birth and makes the physical (and surgical) transition to the body they more closely identify as.
What would symbolic interactionists think would be a good way to positively impact the environment? a) pass laws to help regulate the behavior of individuals and corporations b) tax corporations and individuals for the pollution they produce c) educate people about the climate dangers and socialize them to change their behavior d) create a grass-roots social movement based on relative deprivation theory
The correct answer is C. Symbolic interactionists would advocate trying to change the way people think about the environment and interact with it.
A young child has a tea party with her dolls and pretends to be the mother. What is this an example of? a) the "game" phase b) self-image c) the "play" phase d) self-conception
The correct answer is C. The child is fantasizing about what it means to be a mother.
Equal pay for women and men is an issue currently being fought for in the United States. Which one of the following names the issue equal pay will fix? a) gender segregation b) gender typing c) gender wage gap d) gendered marketing
The correct answer is C. The gender wage gap is the difference between the average earnings by men and the average earning by women.
Which of the following studies would be following the life course approach? a) a study of whether people choose marital partners with similar levels of education b) a study of whether parents who have greater levels of education have higher expectations of their children than parents with lower levels of education. c) a study that considers whether people who were entering college during the Vietnam era are more politically active than those who were younger or older during the Vietnam war. d) a study that uses a survey to study whether Americans support more tax cuts in more liberal states
The correct answer is C. The life course approach can involve how one cohort of people respond to a significant life event, such as a war, economic boom, or depression
A twenty-year-old woman subconsciously compares her weight to those of women she sees in magazines and is constantly dieting to lose weight. What is this an example of? a) someone in the young adult phase of the life course b) someone in the game stage of development c) the mass media as an agent of socialization d) the influence of companies promoting dieting on our culture
The correct answer is C. The mass media is an important agent of socialization informing people what is "normal" for the society.
People used to consider alcoholics morally blameworthy; now they are considered to have an illness. What is this an example of? a) a shift in what is considered deviant b) scapegoat theory c) the medicalization of deviance d) labeling theory
The correct answer is C. The medicalization of deviance looks at some deviant behaviors as medical illnesses rather than simply non-conforming, deviant behavior.
Which characteristic would most likely be used to categorize a person according to the salience principle? a) where they live b) education c) skin color d) the language they speak
The correct answer is C. The salience principle states that we categorize people on the basis of what is most noticeable. In each of these four cases, skin color would probably be the first and most noticeable thing about a person.
Which type of organization maintains membership by paying members? a) bureaucratic b) coercive c) utilitarian d) primary
The correct answer is C. Utilitarian organizations provide jobs; they pay their members and therefore ensure (to a degree) that they will remain part of the organization.
Who introduced the idea of double consciousness? a) Jane Addams b) Harriet Martineau c) W.E.B. DuBois d) Émile Durkheim
The correct answer is C. W.E.B. DuBois coined the term double consciousness to describe the turmoil that comes with feeling like you have more than one social identity.
How can folkways and mores be compared? a) Folkways are actions that are completely prohibited by a culture, while mores are simply traditional ways of doing something. b) Folkways are traditional ways of doing something, while mores are actions that are completely prohibited by a culture. c) Folkways are values that are considered morally right, while mores are traditional ways of doing something. d) Folkways are traditional ways of doing something, while mores concern moral values.
The correct answer is D. A culture's views on social conduct may be informed by its worldview, its overall beliefs about the world.
Lutheranism is a branch of Protestant Christianity based on the teachings of German professor Martin Luther. Which of the following would Lutheranism be considered? a) cult b) sect c) church d) denomination
The correct answer is D. A denomination in religion is an independent branch of a larger church with members who disagree with certain aspects of the church's teaching.
The anti-obesity movement spearheaded by Michelle Obama would be considered ______. a) transformative b) reformative c) redemptive d) alternative
The correct answer is D. The anti-obesity movement seeks to alter one aspect of individuals' lives; therefore, it's alternative.
What practice do employers use to decrease the ability of low-wage workers to negotiate their wages? a) Employers appeal to the law to restrict what their employees can do to improve their working conditions. b) Employers work with their employees to ensure the wages they are paying are fair. c) Employers regularly pay less than minimum wage in order to reap the maximum amount of profit. d) Employers keep a reserve army of workers they can hire if current employees misbehave.
The correct answer is D. Employers keep a reserve of potential employees, which allows them to threaten current employees with firing.
What is the research method called when a person observes and records in-depth detailed information about a group of people? a) survey b) biography c) experiment d) ethnography
The correct answer is D. Ethnography is the systematic study of a group of people, in order to better understand their social life.
Which is the best way to describe groupthink? a) the norms and values that exist in a group b) a group's tendency to transmit culture to a person c) when an individual suppresses his or her ideals in lieu of the group's d) the conformity that groups exhibit during a decision-making process
The correct answer is D. Groupthink is the conformity and flawed thinking that very close groups exhibit during a decision-making process. An example of this might be that the group is incapable of recognizing a mistake because so many people agree that the decision is correct.
Gillian has her heart set on marrying a man who enjoys the same things she does. Which of the following is this idea reflective of? a) patriarchy b) cohabitation c) kinship d) homogamy
The correct answer is D. Homogamy is the tendency of people to marry others with similar characteristics as them.
Kevin wants to make a lot of money but because he struggles to get a job, he holds up a sign asking for money. Merton would characterize Kevin's response as: a) retreatism, rejecting both the socially-sanctioned means and the socially-sanctioned goals b) ritualism, following the socially-sanctioned means, but not to a socially-sanctioned end c) conformity d) innovation
The correct answer is D. Innovation is rejecting the socially-sanctioned means (getting a job) but accepting the socially-sanctioned ends (obtaining money).
Whose ideas are the basis for the conflict perspective? a) Auguste Comte b) Jane Addams c) Herbert Spencer d) Karl Marx
The correct answer is D. Karl Marx's studies of class conflict are the basis for the conflict perspective in sociology.
A study found that nearly half of highly successful women do not have children, whereas less than 20 percent of highly successful men do not have children. What is one explanation for this? a) Women who work full-time do not typically envision or want a family or children in their future. b) Pregnant women are not permitted to hold down a career in many cases. c) Women who work full-time have a more difficult time finding and committing to a partner. d) Women often feel pressured to choose between their careers and having a family.
The correct answer is D. More successful women do not have kids than successful men because, since women have been the primary caretakers throughout history, they often feel that they have to choose between a family and a rewarding career.
When people take their own culture as the standard for judging others, they are _____. a) relativistic b) globalized c) modernized d) ethnocentric
The correct answer is D. Most people tend to be ethnocentric, or conditioned by their own culture, even if they aren't conscious of it.
Why are operational definitions of variables necessary for research? a) Operational definitions are not usually used in sociological research. b) Each variable needs to be identified as dependent or independent so that the researcher can know which variable is affecting the other. c) Operational definitions are only necessary in experiments. d) Variables need established operational definitions so that they can be measured and the data can be analyzed.
The correct answer is D. Operational definitions of variables are necessary in research so that the variables can be measured and the data can be analyzed.
In what kind of settings can sociology be used? a) academics b) policy research c) criminal justice d) all of the above
The correct answer is D. Other than academics, sociology can be applied to policy research and counseling.
What recent study found evidence that disease is socially constructed? a) Researchers found that women healed more quickly than men even when they had the same injury. b) Researchers found that people from lower income levels were sicker than people from higher income levels. c) Researchers found that men who ran every day were more likely to be identified as healthy by their doctors than women who ran every day. d) Researchers found that Black children were more likely to receive a diagnosis of asthma than White children, even with the same symptoms.
The correct answer is D. Researchers found that the race of a child significantly affected whether he or she received a diagnosis of asthma, indicating that more than just disease symptoms were involved.
Yolanda thinks of herself as spontaneous and outgoing. At a party, she will introduce herself to strangers; in a class, she is likely to strike up a conversation with her classmates. Sociologists call this aspect of personality, _____. a) looking-glass self b) self-assessment c) self-image d) self-concept
The correct answer is D. Self-concept is the fixed understanding that an individual has of herself regardless of social context.
If you wanted to compare the attitudes of Virginia residents towards gun control with the attitudes of Oregon residents, which research method would you choose? a) experiment b) ethnography c) participant observation d) survey
The correct answer is D. Surveys are useful for gleaning information from large groups of people and drawing specific comparisons between respondents.
A _____ is an action that is forbidden or sacred depending on strong cultural beliefs. a) folkway b) norm c) more d) taboo
The correct answer is D. Taboos are actions performed that are forbidden or sacred depending on strong cultural beliefs within a culture.
Roberto is applying for a job as a night watchman, but his employer is looking for someone with a high school diploma. What aspect of the U.S. educational system does this show? a) socialization b) the wage gap c) stratification d) credential society
The correct answer is D. The U.S. is a credential society, requiring evidence of degrees and diplomas even when they aren't necessary for the job.
The conflict perspective argues which of the following about gender? a) The balance of society is dependent on women and men upholding the proper gender roles. b) Society's historically matriarchal culture holds men and women to unequal standards. c) Gender roles dominate the way people behave and interact with one another. d) Inequality in society stems from the gender roles assigned to and expected from men and women.
The correct answer is D. The conflict perspective attributes society's differences in how men and women are treated to inequality, especially now that gender roles are changing.
Protestors march outside of an organization that has acknowledged giving higher salaries to White males than those who work alongside them. Which of the following perspectives do these protestors most likely subscribe to? a) functionalist theory b) symbolic interaction theory c) antifeminist theory d) feminist theory
The correct answer is D. The feminist theory harbors a politically activist viewpoint that seeks equal treatment and opportunity for all individuals.
Recognizing the "generalized other" accompanies which stage of a child's life: a) the fantasy stage b) the particular other stage c) the play stage d) the game stage
The correct answer is D. The generalized other is a community of people who set the standards for what is appropriate.
Brian wakes up with a fever and decides not to go into work. He informs his boss and spends the day lying in bed, watching TV. According to sociologists studying health, is Brian behaving appropriately? Why or why not? a) No, Brian is violating social norms by watching TV all day instead of fulfilling his responsibilities at work. b) No, Brian will be subject to social control in the form of docked wages because he is not at work. c) Yes, Brian risks infecting others at his office and should remain home. d) Yes, Brian is conforming to the sick role that says people have the responsibility to try to get better, and they have the right to neglect their regular responsibilities.
The correct answer is D. The sick role allows people to avoid responsibilities and requires them to try to get better.
Which is an example of how a sociologist would understand how health varies? a) After a vaccine is developed, people no longer suffer from a formerly deadly disease. b) Better nutrition leads to better health. c) After starting to work out on a regular basis, someone has more energy. d) A frail feminine body might be seen as healthy in one culture but diseased in another.
The correct answer is D. What counts as health or illness varies according to cultural norms.
