Deck 5: Social Interaction, groups, and Social Structure

Question 1

Which of the following is an example of a social institution?

A)The U.S.government
B)A group of passengers on an inner-city bus
C)The members of a stamp-collecting society
D)A children's playgroup

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Jan,Randy,and Terry are science majors,and when they graduate from college,they find jobs as a nurse,a midwife,and a hospital administrator,respectively.These new positions are examples of

A)statuses.
B)social roles.
C)groups.
D)social networks.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is true regarding marriage in Japan?

A)Most husbands do not call their wife by name.
B)Husbands say "I love you" more often than those of other nationalities.
C)Most married Japanese couples do not actually love one another.
D)Marriage is considered more a relationship than a social status.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Ray is an African American who is currently enrolled at a four-year university where he is studying social work.Which of the following is his achieved status?

A)Social worker
B)Male
C)African American
D)College student

Question 5

William I.Thomas wrote from which perspective when observing that people respond not only to the objective features of a person or situation,but also to the meaning that person or situation has for them?

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

Question 6

Which of the following statements about social roles is correct?

A)The roles that belong to a social status are always performed in the same manner.
B)Social roles are always performed in the same manner by those holding ascribed,but not achieved,statuses.
C)Actual performance of a role varies from individual to individual.
D)Role expectations and actual role performances never vary.

Question 7

An ascribed status is a social position

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 earned.
D)that is reached as a result of negotiation.

Question 8

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

Question 9

You walk into your women's studies class,and you look at the person sitting to your left.He is the only male in the class;he is about 20 years old,wears a wedding ring,and carries a bag with a tennis racquet.Which of his characteristics is most likely his master status in the context of this class?

A)His age
B)His marital status
C)His gender
D)His interest in tennis

Question 10

Which term is used by sociologists to refer to a set of expectations for people who occupy a given social position or status?

A)Social role
B)Structural role
C)Achieved role
D)Ascribed role

Question 11

Ascribed statuses may be based on an individual's

A)race,gender,and age.
B)age,educational achievements,and gender.
C)employment status,age,and race.
D)gender,race,and social class.

Question 12

Which of the following terms is used to refer to organized patterns of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs?

A)Social networks
B)Social institutions
C)Functional prerequisites
D)Communities

Question 13

Social interaction is

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 14

Which term is used by sociologists to refer to any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society?

A)Status
B)Culture
C)Social structure
D)Gemeinschaft

Question 15

Which of the following terms refers to the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships?

A)Socialization
B)Social structure
C)Social interaction
D)Culture

Question 16

Which of the following is considered an achieved status?

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

Question 17

A social network is

A)a social structure that derives its existence from the social interactions through which people define and redefine its character.
B)an attempt to reach agreement with others concerning some objective.
C)a series of social relationships that link a person directly to others and therefore indirectly to still more people.
D)the way in which a society is organized into predictable relationships.

Question 18

According to Herbert Blumer,a distinctive characteristic of human interaction is that

A)the reality of humans is shaped only by our perceptions.
B)humans respond to behavior in a negative fashion.
C)humans interpret or define each other's actions.
D)humans will only react to each other's actions.

Question 19

Philip Zimbardo's study of a simulated prison environment that used college students as prisoners and prison guards

A)indicated that it is impossible to replicate a "real life" situation in a laboratory.
B)demonstrated that a social structure can influence the type of social interactions that occur.
C)indicated that social interactions are not influenced by social structure characteristics.
D)demonstrated that a social structure cannot influence the type of social interactions that occur.

Question 20

Which sociological perspective emphasizes that social roles contribute to a society's stability by enabling members to anticipate the behavior of others and to pattern their own actions accordingly?

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

Question 21

In Ebaugh's four stages of the process of role exit,which of the following is a core element of the first stage?

A)Searching for alternatives
B)Identity creation
C)Doubt
D)Action

Question 22

A master status is a

A)category used by sociologists for any of the full range of socially defined positions within a large group or society.
B)social position attained by a person largely through his or her own efforts.
C)status that dominates others and thereby determines a person's general position within society.
D)series of social relationships linking a person directly to others and therefore indirectly to still more people.

Question 23

An achieved status is a social position

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 24

When Malcolm X's eighth grade teacher ignored Malcolm's academic and social successes and dismissed his desired career goal of lawyer and instead suggested he become a carpenter,the teacher was viewing Malcolm's race as a(n)

A)achieved status.
B)master status.
C)ascribed status.
D)assigned status.

Question 25

Which of the following is most likely to be a secondary group?

A)The members of a small weekly seminar class in cultural diversity
B)The members of a small commune in Idaho
C)The members of the United Nations General Assembly
D)The members of a family

Question 26

Which type of group is most important for socialization?

A)Primary groups
B)Coalitions
C)Out-groups
D)Secondary groups

Question 27

Which of the following statements about an ascribed status is correct?

A)It is easy to change when an individual becomes older.
B)It has the same social meaning in every society.
C)It is based on an individual's skills.
D)It is generally biological in origin,but it is significant mainly because of the social meanings attached to it within a given culture.

Question 28

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

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

Question 29

Which of the following is a characteristic of a secondary group?

A)They are generally small.
B)Relationships are generally superficial.
C)The dynamic is cooperative and friendly.
D)The interaction is intimate and usually a face-to-face association.

Question 30

Transitioning from high school to college is an example of

A)role conflict.
B)role exit.
C)role acceptance.
D)role strain.

Question 31

Penelope is a twenty-year-old Hispanic female.She is currently enrolled at her local community college.The achieved status in this scenario is

A)Penelope's education.
B)Penelope's gender.
C)Penelope's age.
D)Penelope's race/ethnicity.

Question 32

Which type of group plays a pivotal role in the socialization process and the development of roles and statuses?

A)Secondary groups
B)Primary groups
C)Aggregates
D)Formal organizations

Question 33

A primary group is a small group that is

A)characterized by impersonality,with little intimacy or mutual understanding.
B)characterized by intimate,face-to-face association and cooperation.
C)used as a standard for evaluating oneself and one's behavior.
D)characterized by impersonality and face-to-face associations.

Question 34

Elaine is a clinical sociologist who practices marriage and family therapy.She is also a college professor.One of her current students asks her if she can make an appointment for a therapy session.Elaine tells the student that she will refer her to a colleague because she feels that holding therapy sessions with a student might create

A)role strain.
B)role conflict.
C)role exit.
D)status displacement.

Question 35

Which of the following is likely to be a primary group?

A)All of the players in the National Hockey League
B)The American Civil Liberties Union
C)The members of a neighborhood softball team
D)All American citizens

Question 36

Which term is used to refer to incompatible expectations that arise when the same person holds two or more social positions?

A)Role strain
B)Role conflict
C)Role ambiguity
D)Role exit

Question 37

Any group or category to which people feel they belong is called a(n)

A)dyad.
B)triad.
C)in-group.
D)out-group.

Question 38

Which term is used to refer to a formal,impersonal group in which there is little social intimacy or mutual understanding?

A)Primary group
B)Secondary group
C)Tertiary group
D)Reference group

Question 39

Role exit is defined as

A)the process of disengagement from a role that is central to one's self-identity in order to establish a new role and identity.
B)a difficulty that occurs when incompatible expectations arise from two or more social positions held by the same person.
C)a difficulty that occurs when incompatible expectations arise within one social position occupied by an individual.
D)a set of expectations of people who occupy a given social position.

Question 40

The difficulty that arises when the same social position imposes conflicting demands and expectations is known as

A)role conflict.
B)role strain.
C)role exit.
D)resocialization.

Question 41

Proper behavior for the in-group is often viewed as unacceptable behavior for the out-group.Sociologist Robert Merton describes this process as the conversion of "in-group virtues" into

A)"in-group vices."
B)"out-group virtues."
C)"out-group vices."
D)goal displacement.

Question 42

Which sociological perspective suggests that a society or a relatively permanent group must accomplish certain major tasks if it is to survive?

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

Question 43

The destructive consequences of tensions between in-groups and out-groups would probably be stressed by which sociological perspective?

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

Question 44

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

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

Question 45

Which of the following is true of the functional perspectives?

A)Finding or producing new members is not sufficient.
B)Groups should not replace personnel when they die.
C)Patriotism does not generally help people develop and maintain a sense of purpose.
D)Failure to preserve order is not dangerous.

Question 46

The conflict perspective holds that social institutions

A)maintain the privileges of the powerful individuals and groups within a society.
B)preserve order and equality.
C)train personnel equitably.
D)provide and maintain a sense of basic fairness.

Question 47

Which of the following perspectives emphasizes that our social behavior is conditioned by the roles and statuses we accept,the groups to which we belong,and the institutions within which we function?

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

Question 48

The patriotic behavior of U.S.citizens on January 20,2009 in coming to witness the Inauguration of President Barack Obama represents what kind of functionalist prerequisite?

A)Teaching new recruits
B)Preserving order
C)Replacing personnel
D)Providing and maintaining a sense of purpose

Question 49

According to the text,network research is beginning to focus on

A)face-to-face encounters.
B)social media.
C)letter writing.
D)phone calls.

Question 50

A group to which people feel they do not belong is called a(n)

A)social network.
B)primary group.
C)reference group.
D)out-group.

Question 51

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

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

Question 52

Which of the following networks is more likely to become elitist or exclusionary?

A)In-groups
B)Out-groups
C)Reference groups
D)Coalitions

Question 53

Sociological research that maps sexual relationships amongst high school students is an example of research on

A)ascribed statuses.
B)role exit.
C)social networks.
D)social institutions.

Question 54

A woman who has not attended school in 13 years enrolls for classes at the local community college.She is afraid that her younger classmates might not accept her.On the first day of class,she observes the clothing styles of her classmates,and after school she goes shopping and purchases similar clothes.Her classmates could be considered

A)a reference group.
B)a secondary group.
C)a focus group.
D)a status group.

Question 55

Functional prerequisites are

A)tasks that a society or relatively permanent group must accomplish if it is to survive.
B)organized patterns of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs.
C)social relationships that link a person directly to others and therefore indirectly to still more people.
D)attempts to reach agreement with others concerning some objective.

Question 56

A temporary or permanent alliance geared toward a common goal is referred to as

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

Question 57

Which sociological perspective emphasizes the role of reference groups in setting and enforcing standards of conduct and belief?

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

Question 58

The role of a social institution from a functionalist perspective is to

A)meet basic social needs.
B)foster everyday behavior.
C)preserve autonomy.
D)influence the masses.

Question 59

Which term is used by sociologists when speaking of any group that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior?

A)Primary group
B)Secondary group
C)Tertiary group
D)Reference group

Question 60

Which of the following statements pertaining to coalitions is true?

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 61

Which sociological perspective might observe the division of labor among the staff members in a hospital emergency room and focus on how the allocation of responsibilities affects their social behavior?

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

Question 62

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

Question 63

Which of the following is an example of a formal organization?

A)A community college basketball team
B)The people in a New York City subway car
C)The General Motors Corporation
D)The local kids' swim team

Question 64

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

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

Question 65

The tendency of workers in a bureaucracy to become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems is known as

A)goal displacement.
B)oligarchy.
C)manifest destiny.
D)trained incapacity.

Question 66

In The Communist Manifesto,Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels charged that the capitalist system reduces workers to a mere "appendage of the machine," which leads to extreme

A)motion sickness.
B)alienation.
C)anomie.
D)goal displacement.

Question 67

Oligarchies emerge because

A)people in leadership roles have skills,knowledge,or charismatic appeal.
B)the most capable people always rise to the top of a bureaucracy,and they are respected by their followers,who permit them to rule unhindered.
C)the rank and file of a movement or organization look to leaders for direction and thereby reinforce the process of rule by a few.
D)people in leadership roles have skills,knowledge,or charismatic appeal;and the rank and file of a movement or organization look to leaders for direction and thereby reinforce the process of rule by a few.

Question 68

The "iron law of oligarchy" is a principle

A)of organizational life according to which even democratic organizations will become bureaucracies ruled by a few individuals.
B)under which organizations are established on the basis of common interests.
C)of organizational life according to which each individual in a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence.
D)under which organizations are created to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Question 69

A domestic abuse counselor fails to listen to an injured woman because the woman has no valid proof of U.S.citizenship.This is an example of

A)goal displacement.
B)goal multiplication.
C)trained incapacity.
D)hierarchy of authority.

Question 70

Goal displacement is

A)the tendency for workers in a bureaucracy to become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems.
B)a principle of organizational life according to which each individual within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence.
C)overzealous conformity to official regulations within a bureaucracy.
D)the process by which a group,organization,or social movement becomes increasingly bureaucratic.

Question 71

A bureaucracy is a(n)

A)two-member group.
B)small group in which there is little intimacy or mutual understanding and in which relationships are impersonal.
C)organization established on the basis of common interest whose members volunteer or even pay to participate.
D)component of a formal organization that uses rules and hierarchical ranking to achieve efficiency.

Question 72

A college is run by a board of trustees,which hires a president,who in turn selects vice presidents,deans,and other administrators.This is an example of the bureaucratic characteristic of

A)written rules and regulations.
B)division of labor.
C)impersonality.
D)hierarchy of authority.

Question 73

Which of these comments about a bureaucracy is correct?

A)The division of labor does not really produce any positive consequences.
B)The hierarchy of authority has the negative consequence for the individual of depriving employees a voice in decision making.
C)An organization's written rules and regulations have the positive consequence of leading to goal displacement.
D)Hiring is based on technical qualifications rather than on favoritism.

Question 74

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

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

Question 75

According to the classical theory of formal organizations,workers are motivated almost entirely by

A)economic rewards.
B)fear of their superiors.
C)norms of conformity to the group.
D)the need for job satisfaction.

Question 76

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

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

Question 77

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

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

Question 78

Bureaucratization is

A)an element or process of society that may disrupt a social system or lead to a decrease in stability.
B)organized patterns of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs.
C)the process by which a group,organization,or social movement becomes increasingly bureaucratic.
D)the process through which an organization identifies an entirely new objective because its traditional goals have been either realized or denied.

Question 79

Special-purpose groups designed and structured in the interests of maximum efficiency are known as

A)informal organizations.
B)formal organizations.
C)coalitions.
D)primary groups.

Question 80

Which of the following does Marx and conflict theorists believe is weakened by restricting workers to very small tasks?

A)Job security
B)Family values
C)Economic positions
D)Hierarchy of control