Question 1

How do rational choice theorists describe the ways social institutions constrain actions?

Accepted Answer

A)  Actors must consider the scarcity of resources. 
B)  Actors must consider the feasibility of actions as prescribed or prohibited by norms, laws, agendas, and voting rules. 
C)  A consideration of the cumulative social effects of individual actors should be considered. 
D)  A consideration of available information (or lack thereof) should be considered. 
A)  Actors must consider the scarcity of resources. 
B)  Actors must consider the feasibility of actions as prescribed or prohibited by norms, laws, agendas, and voting rules. 
C)  A consideration of the cumulative social effects of individual actors should be considered. 
D)  A consideration of available information (or lack thereof) should be considered. B

Question 2

Which theory focuses on decision-making in relationships utilizing an assumption of rational actors?

Accepted Answer

A)  Exchange Theory 
B)  Rational Choice Theory 
C)  Network Theory 
D)  Positivism 
A)  Exchange Theory 
B)  Rational Choice Theory 
C)  Network Theory 
D)  Positivism A

Question 3

According to network exchange theory, which is a property of weak power networks? Select all, but only those that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Exclusivity 
B)  Required participation 
C)  Competition 
D)  Exclusion 
A)  Exclusivity 
B)  Required participation 
C)  Competition 
D)  Exclusion C, D

Question 4

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of network analysis?

Accepted Answer

A)  A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations. 
B)  An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is. 
C)  A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits. 
D)  Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices. 
A)  A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations. 
B)  An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is. 
C)  A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits. 
D)  Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices.

Question 5

George Homans'_____ proposition explains how actors learn to react to things in their environment in ways that secure rewards.

Accepted Answer

A)  success 
B)  stimulus 
C)  value 
D)  rationality 
A)  success 
B)  stimulus 
C)  value 
D)  rationality

Question 6

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of social exchange theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations. 
B)  An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is. 
C)  A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits. 
D)  Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices. 
A)  A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations. 
B)  An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is. 
C)  A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits. 
D)  Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices.

Question 7

According to George Homans, the most desirable rewards are those that are the most difficult to attain through rational action.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following is a weakness of James Coleman's rational choice theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

Accepted Answer

A)  Coleman is overly focused on the micro-to-macro issue 
B)  Coleman ignores the macro level 
C)  Coleman ignores the micro level 
D)  Coleman ignores the macro-to-micro issue 
A)  Coleman is overly focused on the micro-to-macro issue 
B)  Coleman ignores the macro level 
C)  Coleman ignores the micro level 
D)  Coleman ignores the macro-to-micro issue

Question 9

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that when people are unable to offer equal rewards to those in their associations, power differentials will emerge.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

According to James Coleman's rational choice theory, _____ can be utilitarian because organizations or structures often control the resources individuals utilize in their rational actions.

Accepted Answer

A)  collective behavior 
B)  norms 
C)  corporate actors 
D)  homo socio-economicus 
A)  collective behavior 
B)  norms 
C)  corporate actors 
D)  homo socio-economicus

Question 11

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that people enter into and then maintain associations because they are rewarding.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

Accepted Answer

A)  There is a set of either individual or collective actors. 
B)  Valued resources are controlled entirely by those with power. 
C)  Only those people with power are given opportunity to exchange resources. 
D)  Exchange relations remain disconnected amongst individuals in the network. 
A)  There is a set of either individual or collective actors. 
B)  Valued resources are controlled entirely by those with power. 
C)  Only those people with power are given opportunity to exchange resources. 
D)  Exchange relations remain disconnected amongst individuals in the network.

Question 13

According to Network exchange theory, what is a weakness of social exchange theory?

Accepted Answer

A)  A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations. 
B)  An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is. 
C)  A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits. 
D)  Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices. 
A)  A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations. 
B)  An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is. 
C)  A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits. 
D)  Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices.

Question 14

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

Accepted Answer

A)  People act when motivated by a stimulus. 
B)  People act toward immediate gratification. 
C)  People act in accordance with their preferences. 
D)  People act while assuming they have an endless amount of social resources available. 
A)  People act when motivated by a stimulus. 
B)  People act toward immediate gratification. 
C)  People act in accordance with their preferences. 
D)  People act while assuming they have an endless amount of social resources available.

Question 15

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

Accepted Answer

A)  People act with purpose or intention. 
B)  People act toward immediate gratification. 
C)  People act through accordance with social or cultural defined rules. 
D)  People act while assuming they have an endless amount of social resources available. 
A)  People act with purpose or intention. 
B)  People act toward immediate gratification. 
C)  People act through accordance with social or cultural defined rules. 
D)  People act while assuming they have an endless amount of social resources available.

Question 16

Pete Blau claims _____ ensure conformity within small groups.

Accepted Answer

A)  norms 
B)  particularistic values 
C)  individualistic values 
D)  social facts 
A)  norms 
B)  particularistic values 
C)  individualistic values 
D)  social facts

Question 17

George Homans'_____ proposition refers to how people are more likely to engage in behaviors they have been rewarded for in the past.

Accepted Answer

A)  success 
B)  stimulus 
C)  value 
D)  rationality 
A)  success 
B)  stimulus 
C)  value 
D)  rationality

Question 18

George Homans thought psychological principles explain all social behaviors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

Contemporary exchange and rational choice theories are coterminous.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Peter Blau extended "purer" behaviorism by differentiating between organizations that emerge because of exchange competition and ones explicitly established to achieve specific objectives.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

How do rational choice theorists describe the ways social institutions constrain actions?

Which theory focuses on decision-making in relationships utilizing an assumption of rational actors?

According to network exchange theory, which is a property of weak power networks? Select all, but only those that apply.

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of network analysis?

George Homans'_____ proposition explains how actors learn to react to things in their environment in ways that secure rewards.

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of social exchange theory?

According to George Homans, the most desirable rewards are those that are the most difficult to attain through rational action.

Which of the following is a weakness of James Coleman's rational choice theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that when people are unable to offer equal rewards to those in their associations, power differentials will emerge.

According to James Coleman's rational choice theory, _____ can be utilitarian because organizations or structures often control the resources individuals utilize in their rational actions.

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that people enter into and then maintain associations because they are rewarding.

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

According to Network exchange theory, what is a weakness of social exchange theory?

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

Pete Blau claims _____ ensure conformity within small groups.

George Homans'_____ proposition refers to how people are more likely to engage in behaviors they have been rewarded for in the past.

George Homans thought psychological principles explain all social behaviors.

Contemporary exchange and rational choice theories are coterminous.

Peter Blau extended "purer" behaviorism by differentiating between organizations that emerge because of exchange competition and ones explicitly established to achieve specific objectives.

A Historical Sketch of Sociological Theory: the Early Years

Karl Marx

Emile Durkheim

Max Weber

George Simmel

A Historical Sketch of Sociological Theory: the Later Years

Structural Functionalism, Systems Theory, and Conflict Theory

Varieties of Neo-Marxian Theory

Symbolic Interactionism

Ethnomethodology

Contemporary Feminist Theory

Micro-Macro and Agency-Structure Integration

Contemporary Theories of Modernity

Theories of Race and Colonialism

Globalization Theory

Structuralism, Poststructuralism, and Postmodern Social Theory

Social Theory in the Twenty-First Century

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Exam 11: Exchange, Network, and Rational Choice Theories

How do rational choice theorists describe the ways social institutions constrain actions?

Which theory focuses on decision-making in relationships utilizing an assumption of rational actors?

According to network exchange theory, which is a property of weak power networks? Select all, but only those that apply.

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of network analysis?

George Homans'_____ proposition explains how actors learn to react to things in their environment in ways that secure rewards.

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of social exchange theory?

According to George Homans, the most desirable rewards are those that are the most difficult to attain through rational action.

Which of the following is a weakness of James Coleman's rational choice theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that when people are unable to offer equal rewards to those in their associations, power differentials will emerge.

According to James Coleman's rational choice theory, _____ can be utilitarian because organizations or structures often control the resources individuals utilize in their rational actions.

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that people enter into and then maintain associations because they are rewarding.

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

According to Network exchange theory, what is a weakness of social exchange theory?

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

Pete Blau claims _____ ensure conformity within small groups.

George Homans'_____ proposition refers to how people are more likely to engage in behaviors they have been rewarded for in the past.

George Homans thought psychological principles explain all social behaviors.

Contemporary exchange and rational choice theories are coterminous.

Peter Blau extended "purer" behaviorism by differentiating between organizations that emerge because of exchange competition and ones explicitly established to achieve specific objectives.

A Historical Sketch of Sociological Theory: the Early Years

Karl Marx

Emile Durkheim

Max Weber

George Simmel

A Historical Sketch of Sociological Theory: the Later Years

Structural Functionalism, Systems Theory, and Conflict Theory

Varieties of Neo-Marxian Theory

Symbolic Interactionism

Ethnomethodology

Contemporary Feminist Theory

Micro-Macro and Agency-Structure Integration

Contemporary Theories of Modernity

Theories of Race and Colonialism

Globalization Theory

Structuralism, Poststructuralism, and Postmodern Social Theory

Social Theory in the Twenty-First Century

Filters