Question 1

David Riesman described tradition-directed social character as which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  eagerness to adopt the latest fashions and fads 
B)  rigid conformity to established ways of life 
C)  being highly individualistic 
D)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  eagerness to adopt the latest fashions and fads 
B)  rigid conformity to established ways of life 
C)  being highly individualistic 
D)  All of the above are correct. B

Question 2

Sociologists point out that:

Accepted Answer

A)  some societies change and others do not. 
B)  social change happens all the time. 
C)  all social change is good. 
D)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  some societies change and others do not. 
B)  social change happens all the time. 
C)  all social change is good. 
D)  All of the above are correct. B

Question 3

Define the concepts gemeinschaft and gesellschaft in ways that make their difference clear.

Accepted Answer

Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft are two concepts introduced by German sociologist Ferdinand Tönnies to describe different types of social relationships and communities.

Gemeinschaft refers to a traditional, rural, and close-knit community where individuals are bound together by strong personal and emotional ties. In a Gemeinschaft, people have a sense of belonging and mutual support, and social relationships are based on shared values, traditions, and a sense of common identity. This type of community is often characterized by face-to-face interactions, a strong sense of solidarity, and a focus on the collective well-being of its members.

On the other hand, Gesellschaft refers to a modern, urban, and more impersonal society where social relationships are based on rationality, self-interest, and formal institutions. In a Gesellschaft, individuals are connected through contractual and utilitarian relationships, and social interactions are often based on individual achievement, competition, and the pursuit of personal goals. This type of society is characterized by a division of labor, formal organizations, and a focus on individual rights and freedoms.

In summary, the key difference between Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft lies in the nature of social relationships and the basis of community. Gemeinschaft emphasizes close personal ties and a sense of shared identity, while Gesellschaft emphasizes formal institutions and individual self-interest. These concepts help us understand the different ways in which communities and societies are organized and how social relationships are structured.

Question 4

Emile Durkheim claimed that the defining trait of modernity was:

Accepted Answer

A)  faith in established tradition. 
B)  kinship. 
C)  common beliefs. 
D)  an increasing division of labor. 
A)  faith in established tradition. 
B)  kinship. 
C)  common beliefs. 
D)  an increasing division of labor.

Question 5

Emile Durkheim's concept of mechanical solidarity parallels Tönnies's concept of gesellschaft.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

What is "postmodernity"?

Accepted Answer

Postmodernity refers to the cultural, in

Question 7

William Ogburn's theory of cultural lag states that non-material culture usually changes faster than material culture.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

A criticism of Tönnies's thinking about modernity is that he:

Accepted Answer

A)  saw modernity as entirely positive. 
B)  claimed modern people are business-like in their relationships. 
C)  overlooked the fact that strong social ties still exist in modern society. 
D)  did not see the Industrial Revolution as making much difference in social patterns. 
A)  saw modernity as entirely positive. 
B)  claimed modern people are business-like in their relationships. 
C)  overlooked the fact that strong social ties still exist in modern society. 
D)  did not see the Industrial Revolution as making much difference in social patterns.

Question 9

Social change has as many causes as it has many consequences. In this essay, identify and discuss several causes of social change, including cultural processes (invention, discovery, and diffusion), social conflict, ideas, and demographic patterns. Of these factors, which do you think is the most important? Why?

Accepted Answer

Social change is a complex phenomenon th

Question 10

Modernity is the product of social changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Although a number of indicators show that life in the United States is getting better, some indicators suggest that life is getting worse. Which of the following is a bigger problem than it used to be?

Accepted Answer

A)  infant mortality 
B)  poverty among old people 
C)  suicide among young people 
D)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  infant mortality 
B)  poverty among old people 
C)  suicide among young people 
D)  All of the above are correct.

Question 12

Read the four statements below about postmodernism. One of them is not correct which one is it?

Accepted Answer

A)  The future probably will not be as good as the present. 
B)  Science does not hold all the answers. 
C)  Cultural debates are intensifying. 
D)  The family and other social institutions are not changing. 
A)  The future probably will not be as good as the present. 
B)  Science does not hold all the answers. 
C)  Cultural debates are intensifying. 
D)  The family and other social institutions are not changing.

Question 13

Saying that people are "essentially united in spite of all separating factors" is a good way to describe what Tönnies called gemeinschaft.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Max Weber saw which of the following as evidence of modernization?

Accepted Answer

A)  the rise of capitalism 
B)  the rise of science 
C)  the spread of bureaucracy 
D)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  the rise of capitalism 
B)  the rise of science 
C)  the spread of bureaucracy 
D)  All of the above are correct.

Question 15

Karl Marx considered the defining trait of modern society to be capitalism.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

Karl Marx was a major architect of mass-society theory.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

In the United States, our culture makes us think that modernity always involves which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  progress 
B)  inequality 
C)  tradition 
D)  celebrating the past 
A)  progress 
B)  inequality 
C)  tradition 
D)  celebrating the past

Question 18

A mass society is one that:

Accepted Answer

A)  has expanding bureaucracy. 
B)  is affluent in terms of economic production. 
C)  has lost much of its traditional social ties. 
D)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  has expanding bureaucracy. 
B)  is affluent in terms of economic production. 
C)  has lost much of its traditional social ties. 
D)  All of the above are correct.

Question 19

Sociologists explain that the consequences of social change are:

Accepted Answer

A)  always positive. 
B)  always negative. 
C)  usually both positive and negative. 
D)  impossible to assess. 
A)  always positive. 
B)  always negative. 
C)  usually both positive and negative. 
D)  impossible to assess.

Question 20

If you were following the class-society approach, which factor would you focus on as shaping modern society the most?

Accepted Answer

A)  rationality 
B)  interdependency 
C)  capitalism 
D)  anomie 
A)  rationality 
B)  interdependency 
C)  capitalism 
D)  anomie

Exam 24: Social Change: Traditional, Modern, and Postmodern Societies

David Riesman described tradition-directed social character as which of the following?

Sociologists point out that:

Define the concepts gemeinschaft and gesellschaft in ways that make their difference clear.

Emile Durkheim claimed that the defining trait of modernity was:

Emile Durkheim's concept of mechanical solidarity parallels Tönnies's concept of gesellschaft.

What is "postmodernity"?

William Ogburn's theory of cultural lag states that non-material culture usually changes faster than material culture.

A criticism of Tönnies's thinking about modernity is that he:

Modernity is the product of social changes brought on by the Industrial Revolution.

Although a number of indicators show that life in the United States is getting better, some indicators suggest that life is getting worse. Which of the following is a bigger problem than it used to be?

Read the four statements below about postmodernism. One of them is not correct which one is it?

Saying that people are "essentially united in spite of all separating factors" is a good way to describe what Tönnies called gemeinschaft.

Max Weber saw which of the following as evidence of modernization?

Karl Marx considered the defining trait of modern society to be capitalism.

Karl Marx was a major architect of mass-society theory.

In the United States, our culture makes us think that modernity always involves which of the following?

A mass society is one that:

Sociologists explain that the consequences of social change are:

If you were following the class-society approach, which factor would you focus on as shaping modern society the most?

The Sociological Perspective

Sociological Investigation

Culture

Society

Socialization

Social Interaction in Everyday Life

Groups and Organizations

Sexuality and Society

Deviance

Social Stratification

Social Class in the United States

Global Stratification

Gender Stratification

Race and Ethnicity

Aging and the Elderly

The Economy and Work

Politics and Government

Families

Religion

Education

Health and Medicine

Population, Urbanization, and Environment

Collective Behavior and Social Movements

Filters