Deck 3: Culture

Question 1

An American traveling abroad observes locals eating chocolate covered crickets. While she does not partake herself, she does not judge the practice. She is exhibiting

A) xenocentrism.
B) ethnocentrism.
C) cultural relativism.
D) monophobicism.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Sociobiology is the systematic study of

A) the social structure within the animal kingdom.
B) the interactions between humans and higher animal forms.
C) the social bases of biological behavior.
D) how biology affects human social behavior.

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Discovery is the

A) combination of existing cultural items into a form that did not previously exist.
B) process of introducing new elements into a culture.
C) process of making known or sharing the existence of an aspect of reality.
D) process by which cultural items spread to different groups.

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Invention is the

A) combination of existing cultural items into a form that did not previously exist.
B) process of introducing new elements into a culture.
C) process of making known or sharing the existence of an aspect of reality.
D) process by which a cultural item is spread from group to group or society to society.

Question 5

Diffusion is the

A) combination of existing cultural items into a form that did not previously exist.
B) process of introducing new elements into a culture.
C) process of making known or sharing the existence of an aspect of reality.
D) process by which a cultural item is spread from group to group or society to society.

Question 6

Anthropologist Horace Miner's description of the body ritual among the Nacirema is used to show

A) cultural differences in what is considered "beautiful."
B) the effects of media on a person's body image.
C) the ability to learn something new about society.
D) how cultural sociology has evolved over the years.

Question 7

Ethnocentrism is the tendency to assume that one's own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to all others. Therefore, ethnocentrism fosters cohesion in a group. This observation would best reflect which sociological perspective?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 8

English-speaking people in the U.S. commonly use words whose origins are from various African, Asian, and non-English-speaking European cultures. This is an example of

A) nonmaterial culture.
B) cultural diffusion.
C) cultural shock.
D) cultural relativity.

Question 9

An American traveling abroad observes locals eating chocolate covered crickets. She expresses disgust to her traveling companions. She is exhibiting

A) xenocentrism.
B) ethnocentrism.
C) cultural relativism.
D) monophobicism.

Question 10

Which of the following concepts employs the kind of value neutrality in scientific study that Max Weber saw as being so important?

A) xenocentrism
B) cultural integration
C) cultural relativism
D) ethnocentrism

Question 11

In his research, George Murdock determined which of the following to be a cultural universal?

A) war
B) astronomy
C) funeral ceremonies
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 12

General customs and practices that are found in every culture are called

A) cultural integration.
B) cultural diffusion.
C) cultural universals.
D) cultural relativism.

Question 13

Communism, the Episcopalian religion, and the microwave oven are all examples of

A) diffusion.
B) innovation.
C) invention.
D) discovery.

Question 14

Which of the following is considered a cultural universal?

A) athletic sports
B) war
C) money restrictions
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 15

A society

A) is a dependent group that owes allegiance to a larger group.
B) is the largest form of human group.
C) contains several different cultures.
D) contains one subculture and many cultures.

Question 16

The tendency to assume that one's own culture and way of life represent the norm or are superior to all others is called

A) culture shock.
B) cultural relativism.
C) ethnocentrism.
D) value stability.

Question 17

The concept of ethnocentrism was originally formulated by

A) Seymour Martin Lipset.
B) W. I. Thomas.
C) William
D) William Graham Sumner.
F) Ogburn.

Question 18

The totality of learned, socially transmitted customs, knowledge, material objects, and behavior is known as

A) culture.
B) society.
C) socialization.
D) social structure.

Question 19

A U.S. sociologist receives a grant to study racial and religious prejudice among the people of southeast Asia. The sociologist makes a serious and unbiased effort to evaluate the norms, values, and customs of these groups in light of the distinctive cultures of which they are a part. This is an example of

A) xenocentrism.
B) ethnocentrism.
C) cultural relativism.
D) cultural deconstruction.

Question 20

A society is

A) the totality of learned, socially transmitted behavior.
B) a fairly large number of people who live in the same territory, are relatively independent of people outside it, and participate in a common culture.
C) the norms, values, and beliefs of a large group of people.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 21

The physical or technological aspects of our daily lives are called

A) norms.
B) material culture.
C) nonmaterial culture.
D) values.

Question 22

Nonmaterial culture

A) is more resistant to change than material culture.
B) is less resistant to change than material culture.
C) changes at the same pace as material culture.
D) does not change once it has been created.

Question 23

Which sociologist coined the phrase "the McDonaldization of society?"

A) Karl Marx
B) George Ritzer
C) Friedrich Engels
D) William
F) Ogburn

Question 24

A new Ford Explorer can be considered

A) material culture.
B) nonmaterial culture.
C) an argot.
D) substance culture.

Question 25

Which sociologist introduced the concept of culture lag to the discipline?

A) William Ogburn
B) Antonio Gramsci
C) Edward Sapir
D) George Ritzer

Question 26

Culture lag is

A) the totality of learned, socially transmitted behavior.
B) viewing people's behavior from the perspective of one's own culture.
C) the physical or technological aspects of our daily lives.
D) a period of maladjustment during which the nonmaterial culture is still adapting to new material conditions.

Question 27

The employees of Indian call centers can be considered

A) a subculture.
B) a counterculture.
C) a dominant culture.
D) All of these answers are correct.

Question 28

George Ritzer's concept of "the McDonaldization of society" refers to the

A) placement of a McDonald's franchise in every community with more than 5,000 inhabitants by the year 2010.
B) domination of numerous sectors of societies throughout the world by principles initially used by fast-food restaurants.
C) existence of a fast-food franchise in countries throughout the world.
D) placement of a McDonald's franchise in every community with more than 5,000 inhabitants, and the domination of numerous sectors of societies throughout the world by principles initially used by fast food restaurants.

Question 29

An argot is a specialized language used by members of a subculture. Doctors and nurses, for example, have developed a language system that is not easily understood by patients but enables medical professionals to communicate more easily, rapidly, and precisely with one another. Which sociological perspective is likely to emphasize the value of this specialized medical language?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 30

Culture lag occurs because people in most societies are

A) less likely to resist change to their material culture.
B) less likely to resist change to their nonmaterial culture.
C) more likely to modify cultural universals.
D) less likely to change their folkways.

Question 31

Given that cultural diffusion could upset the stability of a society, which perspective is most likely to argue that most cultures resist new cultural components that do not fit comfortably into their social system?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 32

Which sociologist defined technology as "information about how to use the material resources of the environment to satisfy human needs and desires?"

A) Seymour Martin Lipset
B) Robin Williams
C) George Murdock
D) Gerhard Lenski

Question 33

The use of the terms "g-man," "honey boat," and "airmail" by sanitation workers in New York is an example of

A) an argot.
B) a taboo.
C) linguistics.
D) nonverbal language.

Question 34

Which sociological perspective argues that subcultures often emerge because the dominant society has unsuccessfully attempted to suppress a practice regarded as improper, such as the use of illegal drugs?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 35

Armed militia groups, such as the one that was involved in the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, are an example of

A) a subculture.
B) a counterculture.
C) a culture.
D) both a subculture and a counterculture.

Question 36

A subculture is

A) a segment of society that shares a distinctive pattern of mores, folkways, and values that differs from the larger group.
B) a large number of people who live in the same territory, are relatively independent of people outside it, and participate in a common culture.
C) the totality of learned, socially transmitted behavior.
D) a specialized language that is used by members of a group.

Question 37

In the U.S., professional gamblers, Armenian Americans, teenagers, and nudists are all examples of

A) cultures.
B) countercultures.
C) subcultures.
D) contracultures.

Question 38

Which sociological perspective suggests that language and symbols offer a powerful way for a subculture to feel cohesive and maintain its identity?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 39

A basketball arena, an airliner, a slice of pizza, and a television set can all be considered examples of

A) xenocentrism.
B) nonmaterial culture.
C) material culture.
D) argot.

Question 40

The belief in a higher power can be considered

A) material culture.
B) nonmaterial culture.
C) an argot.
D) substance culture.

Question 41

In the study of language, which sociological perspective suggests that gender-related language reflects the traditional acceptance of men and women into certain occupations?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 42

Norms governing everyday behavior, the violation of which raises comparatively little concern, are known as

A) mores.
B) cultural universals.
C) folkways.
D) laws.

Question 43

An abstract system of word meanings and symbols for all aspects of culture is called

A) material culture.
B) sanctions.
C) language.
D) argot.

Question 44

Which sociological perspective would maintain that the laws of a society are created by the groups in power and help those groups maintain their superior status?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) global perspective

Question 45

Which of the following is argued by the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

A) Language precedes thought.
B) Language is a given and forms independent of culture.
C) Language homogenizes interpretations of reality across disparate cultures.
D) People cannot conceptualize the world only through language.

Question 46

John is pulled over by a police officer for speeding on the Pennsylvania turnpike. He is given a fine of $120.00 and sent on his way. The fine is considered a

A) more.
B) sanction.
C) norm.
D) law.

Question 47

A law is

A) a norm governing everyday social behavior, the violation of which raises comparatively little concern.
B) an informal norm that is deemed highly necessary to the welfare of a society.
C) a form of governmental social control.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 48

Norms that are generally understood but not precisely recorded are known as

A) mores.
B) sanctions.
C) informal norms.
D) formal norms.

Question 49

Beth travels from New York to Africa and is introduced to living in a dirt-floored hut while she works digging canals for a service trip. It is safe to say she would be experiencing

A) cultural relativity.
B) cultural diffusion.
C) culture shock.
D) cultural integration.

Question 50

A hypothesis concerning the role of languages in shaping cultures was created by linguist(s)

A) William
B) Edward Sapir and Benjamin Whorf.
C) W. I. Thomas.
D) George Murdock.
F) Ogburn.

Question 51

In American society, we often formalize norms into

A) folkways.
B) mores.
C) laws.
D) values.

Question 52

While attending a prestigious lecture at a New York City museum, Bob noisily belches several times and grossly picks his nose. He is violating

A) mores.
B) laws.
C) informal norms.
D) formal norms.

Question 53

Facing forward in an elevator can be considered a(n)

A) informal norm.
B) formal norm.
C) more.
D) sanction.

Question 54

One example of a positive, formal sanction is a

A) salary bonus.
B) demotion.
C) smile.
D) frown.

Question 55

A member of a rural Indian tribe in Central America who is suddenly taken to a large city, such as Mexico City, will probably experience

A) cultural relativity.
B) cultural diffusion.
C) culture shock.
D) cultural integration.

Question 56

Penalties and rewards for conduct relating to a social norm are known as

A) folkways.
B) mores.
C) values.
D) sanctions.

Question 57

Mores are

A) norms governing everyday social behavior, the violation of which raises comparatively little concern.
B) norms that are deemed highly necessary to the welfare of a society.
C) norms that are made by government for society, interpreted by the courts, and backed by the power of the state.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 58

Indigenous Brazilian groups that were once nomadic are now

A) nomadic fisherman.
B) living as equals in Brazilian society.
C) confined to reservations.
D) transitioning to the new Brazil.

Question 59

Culture shock is

A) the act of viewing people's behavior from the perspective of one's own culture.
B) the feeling of surprise that is experienced when people witness cultural practices different from their own.
C) being unaware of the existence of other cultures.
D) a set of beliefs and practices that helps to maintain powerful social, economic, and political interests.

Question 60

Informal norms are

A) norms governing everyday social behavior, the violation of which raises comparatively little concern.
B) deemed highly necessary to the welfare of a society.
C) made by a government for a society, interpreted by the courts, and backed by the power of the state.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 61

Which sociologist created a list of basic values to help define the national character of people living in the U.S.?

A) George Murdock
B) Robin Williams
C) Karl Marx
D) Edward Sapir

Question 62

Collective conceptions of what is considered good, desirable, and proper, as well as bad, undesirable, and improper, are known as

A) values.
B) folkways.
C) mores.
D) sanctions.

Question 63

Sociobiology is founded on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Question 64

Psychologist Shalom Schwartz researched values in more than 60 countries and found which of the following values widely shared?

A) benevolence
B) holding grudges
C) disloyalty
D) power

Question 65

A dominant ideology is

A) a set of cultural beliefs that help to maintain powerful social, economic, and political interests.
B) a subculture that rejects societal norms and values and seeks an alternative lifestyle.
C) a specialized language used by members of a group or subculture.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 66

"Attacks on bilingualism represent an ethnocentric point of view." This statement best reflects the views of which sociological perspective?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Question 67

The belief that conformity to a single language helps to unify members of a society reflects which sociological perspective?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) global perspective

Question 68

A Girl Scout works hard on a difficult project, and when she has completed her work, she is given a badge that she can wear on her uniform. This is an example of

A) a sanction.
B) replication.
C) a more.
D) a typology.

Question 69

Bilingualism is the use of two or more languages

A) in all sectors of public and private life.
B) in particular settings, such as workplaces or educational facilities, treating each language as equally legitimate.
C) only in educational settings.
D) only in workplaces.

Question 70

The statement "Attempts to create bilingualism in the U.S. represent a case of subordinated language minorities seeking opportunities for self-expression" reflects the views of which sociological perspective?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) global perspective

Question 71

Democracy is a good example of an invention.

Question 72

Which sociological perspective would argue that the most powerful groups and institutions control wealth, property, and the means of producing beliefs about reality through religion, education, and the media?

A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) global perspective

Question 73

A worker is frequently late, takes extended "coffee breaks," and makes numerous mistakes while working on important tasks. As a result of poor performance, the worker is fired. This is an example of

A) a sanction.
B) a law.
C) cultural diffusion.
D) replication.

Question 74

According to Robin Williams, which of the following is NOT among the basic American values?

A) nationalism
B) equality
C) frugality
D) the supremacy of science over faith

Question 75

What percentage of the United States-over the age of five-spoke a language other than English as their primary language at home in 2011?

A) 69%
B) 51%
C) 37%
D) 21%

Question 76

A primitive tribe that cultivates the soil by hand has much more culture than a modern, computerized society.

Question 77

In surveys of first-year college students since 1966, which value has shown the strongest gain in popularity?

A) being very well off financially
B) developing a meaningful philosophy of life
C) achieving fame
D) finding true love

Question 78

What term refers to the polarization of society over controversial cultural elements such as abortion, religious expression, gun control, and sexual orientation?

A) cultural shock
B) culture war
C) subcultures
D) contracultures

Question 79

Funerals are found in every culture and thus are a cultural universal.

Question 80

Kissing is an example of a cultural universal.