Question 1

The untested hypothesis that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is referred to as

Accepted Answer

A) goal displacement. 
B) the Peter principle. 
C) trained incapacity. 
D) bureaucracy. 
A) goal displacement. 
B) the Peter principle. 
C) trained incapacity. 
D) bureaucracy. B

Question 2

Activists in a large city join forces to create a new organization with the goal of preserving landmark buildings that have historical importance.At first,the organization functions democratically,but over time it is taken over by three people.These leaders establish a bureaucratic structure that helps them to maintain control of the organization.These developments can be best explained by

Accepted Answer

A) Parkinson's law. 
B) the Peter principle. 
C) the iron law of oligarchy. 
D) the scientific management approach. 
A) Parkinson's law. 
B) the Peter principle. 
C) the iron law of oligarchy. 
D) the scientific management approach. C

Question 3

Discuss Max Weber's ideal type of bureaucracy.Is it possible to have a perfect bureaucracy? Why or why not?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber's ideal type of bureaucracy is a hierarchical organization with clear levels of authority, a division of labor, and a set of rules and procedures for decision-making. According to Weber, this type of bureaucracy is efficient, rational, and predictable, making it an ideal form of organization for large, complex institutions such as government agencies or corporations.

However, it is important to note that Weber's ideal type of bureaucracy is just that - an ideal. In reality, it is difficult to achieve a perfect bureaucracy for several reasons. First, human behavior and interactions within an organization can be unpredictable and may not always align with the formal rules and procedures. This can lead to inefficiencies and conflicts within the bureaucracy.

Additionally, the rigid structure of a bureaucracy can sometimes stifle creativity and innovation, as employees may feel constrained by the rules and regulations. This can hinder the organization's ability to adapt to changing circumstances and may lead to stagnation.

Furthermore, the potential for bureaucratic red tape and inefficiencies can also arise due to the sheer size and complexity of large organizations. This can result in delays and inefficiencies in decision-making and implementation.

In conclusion, while Max Weber's ideal type of bureaucracy may offer many benefits in terms of efficiency and predictability, it is unlikely that a perfect bureaucracy can be achieved in practice. Human behavior, organizational dynamics, and the inherent limitations of large institutions make it difficult to fully realize the ideal type of bureaucracy. However, this does not mean that efforts should not be made to improve bureaucratic processes and structures in order to minimize inefficiencies and maximize effectiveness.

Question 4

A(n)________ is any number of people with similar norms,values,and expectations who regularly and consciously interact.

Accepted Answer

A) group 
B) negotiation team 
C) organic solidarity 
D) aggregate 
A) group 
B) negotiation team 
C) organic solidarity 
D) aggregate

Question 5

By working at a specific task,people are more likely to become highly skilled and carry out a job with maximum efficiency.This is the rationale for the bureaucratic characteristic of

Accepted Answer

A) employment based on technical qualifications. 
B) hierarchy of authority. 
C) division of labor. 
D) written rules and regulations. 
A) employment based on technical qualifications. 
B) hierarchy of authority. 
C) division of labor. 
D) written rules and regulations.

Question 6

Which sociological perspective is especially interested in ascribed statuses because they often confer privileges or reflect a person's membership in a subordinate group?

Accepted Answer

A) Functionalist perspective 
B) Conflict perspective 
C) Interactionist perspective 
D) Global perspective 
A) Functionalist perspective 
B) Conflict perspective 
C) Interactionist perspective 
D) Global perspective

Question 7

A group of businesswomen meet on a monthly basis to assist one another in advancing their careers.They give each other job leads and advice,and they invite business leaders to attend their sessions to provide further assistance.This group is an example of

Accepted Answer

A) role connection. 
B) impression management. 
C) status assistance. 
D) social networking. 
A) role connection. 
B) impression management. 
C) status assistance. 
D) social networking.

Question 8

Discuss how the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism,conflict theory,and interactionism view the role of social institutions in society.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism, conflict theory, and inte

Question 9

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) coalition. 
B) ideal type. 
C) metaphor. 
D) questionnaire. 
A) coalition. 
B) ideal type. 
C) metaphor. 
D) questionnaire.

Question 10

Social interaction is

Accepted Answer

A) the process of learning norms,values,beliefs,and other requirements for effective participation in social groups. 
B) the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships. 
C) the ways in which people respond to one another. 
D) a series of relationships linking a person directly to others and therefore indirectly to still more people. 
A) the process of learning norms,values,beliefs,and other requirements for effective participation in social groups. 
B) the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships. 
C) the ways in which people respond to one another. 
D) a series of relationships linking a person directly to others and therefore indirectly to still more people.

Question 11

Which of the following was characteristic of the emergence of postmodern societies?

Accepted Answer

A) Workplaces moved from the family cottage to centralized locations. 
B) Individuals,villages,and regions began to exchange goods and services and become interdependent. 
C) Formal educational institutions developed. 
D) Mass consumption of consumer goods and media images. 
A) Workplaces moved from the family cottage to centralized locations. 
B) Individuals,villages,and regions began to exchange goods and services and become interdependent. 
C) Formal educational institutions developed. 
D) Mass consumption of consumer goods and media images.

Question 12

An achieved status is a social position

Accepted Answer

A) attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts. 
B) "assigned" to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics. 
C) that is assigned to an individual at birth. 
D) that is given to an individual based upon his or her age,race,or gender. 
A) attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts. 
B) "assigned" to a person by society without regard for the person's unique talents or characteristics. 
C) that is assigned to an individual at birth. 
D) that is given to an individual based upon his or her age,race,or gender.

Question 13

Which of the following is considered an achieved status?

Accepted Answer

A) Race 
B) Gender 
C) Occupation 
D) Age 
A) Race 
B) Gender 
C) Occupation 
D) Age

Question 14

The failure of various government intelligence-gathering organizations to detect the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001,illustrates which poorly functioning aspect of government bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

A) Division of labor 
B) Hierarchy of authority 
C) Impersonality 
D) Employment based on technical qualifications 
A) Division of labor 
B) Hierarchy of authority 
C) Impersonality 
D) Employment based on technical qualifications

Question 15

Daniel Bell views post-industrial societies as consensual,because he believes that post-industrial societies are characterized by interest groups concerned with such national issues as health,education,and the environment working for the common good.Bell's view represents which sociological perspective?

Accepted Answer

A) Functionalist perspective 
B) Conflict perspective 
C) Interactionist perspective 
D) Feminist perspective 
A) Functionalist perspective 
B) Conflict perspective 
C) Interactionist perspective 
D) Feminist perspective

Question 16

A condition of estrangement or dissociation from the surrounding society is referred to as alienation.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Bureaucratization only takes place within large-group settings.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Which of the following statements pertaining to coalitions is true?

Accepted Answer

A) Coalitions can be broad-based. 
B) Coalitions can usually only take on one objective. 
C) Coalitions are formed with groups that are small. 
D) Coalitions can only be narrow. 
A) Coalitions can be broad-based. 
B) Coalitions can usually only take on one objective. 
C) Coalitions are formed with groups that are small. 
D) Coalitions can only be narrow.

Question 19

A college law enforcement major watches the behavior of television police detectives with great admiration.These detectives could be considered

Accepted Answer

A) an out-group. 
B) a focus group. 
C) a triad. 
D) a reference group. 
A) an out-group. 
B) a focus group. 
C) a triad. 
D) a reference group.

Question 20

In a small town in the Midwest,all of the children attend the same school and most of the community members attend the same church.Everyone in this community knows everyone else,and they have shared numerous experiences with one another.This community would be characterized by Ferdinand Tönnies with the term

Accepted Answer

A) Gesellschaft. 
B) organic solidarity. 
C) mechanical solidarity. 
D) Gemeinschaft. 
A) Gesellschaft. 
B) organic solidarity. 
C) mechanical solidarity. 
D) Gemeinschaft.

The untested hypothesis that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is referred to as

Discuss Max Weber's ideal type of bureaucracy.Is it possible to have a perfect bureaucracy? Why or why not?

A(n)________ is any number of people with similar norms,values,and expectations who regularly and consciously interact.

By working at a specific task,people are more likely to become highly skilled and carry out a job with maximum efficiency.This is the rationale for the bureaucratic characteristic of

Which sociological perspective is especially interested in ascribed statuses because they often confer privileges or reflect a person's membership in a subordinate group?

A group of businesswomen meet on a monthly basis to assist one another in advancing their careers.They give each other job leads and advice,and they invite business leaders to attend their sessions to provide further assistance.This group is an example of

Discuss how the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism,conflict theory,and interactionism view the role of social institutions in society.

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is called a(n)

Social interaction is

Which of the following was characteristic of the emergence of postmodern societies?

An achieved status is a social position

Which of the following is considered an achieved status?

The failure of various government intelligence-gathering organizations to detect the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001,illustrates which poorly functioning aspect of government bureaucracy?

A condition of estrangement or dissociation from the surrounding society is referred to as alienation.

Bureaucratization only takes place within large-group settings.

Which of the following statements pertaining to coalitions is true?

A college law enforcement major watches the behavior of television police detectives with great admiration.These detectives could be considered

Understanding Sociology

Sociological Research

Culture

Socialization and the Life Course

Mass Media and Social Media

Deviance, crime, and Social Control

Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States

Global Inequality

Racial and Ethnic Inequality

Stratification by Gender

The Family and Intimate Relationships

Education and Religion

Government and the Economy

Health, population, and the Environment

Social Change in the Global Community

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Exam 5: Social Interaction, groups, and Social Structure

The untested hypothesis that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is referred to as

Discuss Max Weber's ideal type of bureaucracy.Is it possible to have a perfect bureaucracy? Why or why not?

A(n)________ is any number of people with similar norms,values,and expectations who regularly and consciously interact.

By working at a specific task,people are more likely to become highly skilled and carry out a job with maximum efficiency.This is the rationale for the bureaucratic characteristic of

Which sociological perspective is especially interested in ascribed statuses because they often confer privileges or reflect a person's membership in a subordinate group?

A group of businesswomen meet on a monthly basis to assist one another in advancing their careers.They give each other job leads and advice,and they invite business leaders to attend their sessions to provide further assistance.This group is an example of

Discuss how the three major sociological perspectives of functionalism,conflict theory,and interactionism view the role of social institutions in society.

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is called a(n)

Social interaction is

Which of the following was characteristic of the emergence of postmodern societies?

An achieved status is a social position

Which of the following is considered an achieved status?

The failure of various government intelligence-gathering organizations to detect the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001,illustrates which poorly functioning aspect of government bureaucracy?

A condition of estrangement or dissociation from the surrounding society is referred to as alienation.

Bureaucratization only takes place within large-group settings.

Which of the following statements pertaining to coalitions is true?

A college law enforcement major watches the behavior of television police detectives with great admiration.These detectives could be considered

Understanding Sociology

Sociological Research

Culture

Socialization and the Life Course

Mass Media and Social Media

Deviance, crime, and Social Control

Stratification and Social Mobility in the United States

Global Inequality

Racial and Ethnic Inequality

Stratification by Gender

The Family and Intimate Relationships

Education and Religion

Government and the Economy

Health, population, and the Environment

Social Change in the Global Community

Filters