Deck 13: Education and Religion

Question 1

A symbol is anything that stands for or represents something else to which people attach meaning.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Education can be formal or informal and can occur in a variety of settings.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

According to functionalists, education benefits taxpayers because more highly educated people are:

A) less likely to pay higher taxes.
B) less likely to rely on public assistance programs.
C) more likely to divert taxable income.
D) less likely to lead healthier lifestyles.
E) more likely to incur high federal health care costs.

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Worldwide, the largest religious group is Buddhists.

Question 5

A criticism of feminist theorists is that they are more interested in women's than men's gender gaps.

Question 6

A charismatic leader is someone that followers see as having exceptional or superhuman powers and qualities.

Question 7

According to functionalists, which of the following is a latent function of education?

A) Schools are socialization agencies that teach children how to get along with others.
B) Education transmits knowledge and culture.
C) Education promotes cultural innovation.
D) Education benefits taxpayers.
E) Schools provide childcare for the growing number of single-parent families.

Question 8

According to functionalists, which of the following is a manifest function of education?

A) Education is good for business.
B) Schools provide childcare for two-income families.
C) Education decreases job competition.
D) Education promotes cultural innovation.
E) High schools are matchmaking institutions.

Question 9

Civil religion refers to the belief that hard work, diligence, self-denial, frugality, and economic success would lead to salvation in the afterlife.

Question 10

The effects of tracking are usually short-lived.

Question 11

According to a multi-year project by Cantrell and Kane in 2013, the most accurate way to evaluate elementary school teachers is through the assessment of the methods used by them for instructional delivery.

Question 12

Compared with teachers in top-performing countries, a higher number of U.S. teachers do not have a bachelor's degree or higher in the subjects they teach.

Question 13

According to functionalists, a manifest function of education is that it:

A) decreases job competition.
B) brings unmarried people together.
C) increases societal cohesion.
D) creates social networks.
E) offers business opportunities.

Question 14

Which of the following is a change undergone by U.S. education and schooling since the beginning of the twentieth century?

A) Women and racial-ethnic groups have dropped out of colleges and universities.
B) Student diversity in colleges has decreased.
C) Community colleges have flourished.
D) Cheating has become rare in colleges and graduate schools.
E) Student loan debt has significantly decreased since 2004.

Question 15

To increase a high school's prestige, superintendents and principals may pressure teachers to offer Advanced Placement (AP) courses and students to take them.

Question 16

A common criticism is that interactionists' ignore the ways that religion promotes social inequality at the micro level.

Question 17

In higher education, affirmative action refers to the financial aid provided to students from high-income families.

Question 18

Children who read proficiently by the end of the third grade are more likely to do well in other subjects.

Question 19

A sanction is a formal and repeated behavior that unites people.

Question 20

Conflict theorists maintain that education promotes upward mobility because of a hidden curriculum, credentialism, and privilege.

Question 21

According to conflict theorists' perspective on education, which of the following statements is true of legacies?

A) They include students who belong to low-income families.
B) They do not include students with inferior academic records.
C) They are always given seats on the basis of their accomplishments.
D) They include students whose parents studied in a different university.
E) They are given privilege in selective colleges and universities.

Question 22

Which of the following statements is true of an achievement gap?

A) Fifty years ago, the largest achievement gap was between social classes.
B) It refers to the difference in earnings that occurs due to age-related differences.
C) The achievement gap between children from high- and low-income families has reduced since the 1960s.
D) Achievement gaps among minority groups are due to factors like English language proficiency and social class.
E) It is overemphasized by functional theorists.

Question 23

Which of the following is a criticism of the functionalist perspective on education?

A) Functionalists disregard the power of individuals to change the course of events.
B) Functionalists overlook the fact that a college degree is important.
C) Functionalists ignore the fact that education provides people with an opportunity for upward mobility.
D) Functionalists gloss over the latent functions of education.
E) Functionalists ignore rising college costs and student loan debt.

Question 24

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between the views of functionalists and conflict theorists on credentialism?

A) Functionalists maintain that credentialism gives rise to achievement gaps, while conflict theorists contend that credentialism reduces achievement gaps.
B) Functionalists maintain that for many positions, people succeed because of ability or other factors, while conflict theorists contend that credentialism stimulates upward social mobility.
C) Functionalists maintain that credentialism rewards people for their accomplishments, while conflict theorists contend that for many positions, people can gain skills on the job with a few weeks of training.
D) Functionalists maintain that credentialism does not account for efficiency, while conflict theorists contend that credentialism sorts out those who are the most qualified for jobs.
E) Functionalists maintain that credentialism restricts upward social mobility, while conflict theorists contend that credentialism offers a great sense of achievement.

Question 25

Identify a true statement about the hidden curriculum at schools in low-income and working-class neighborhoods.

A) They only include reading, writing, and learning other skills.
B) They prepare students to work in bureaucracies that require deference to authority.
C) They encourage leadership, creativity, independence, and people skills.
D) They stress obedience, following directions, and punctuality.
E) They prepare students to work in high-paid jobs.

Question 26

Conflict theorists maintain that education:

A) reduces achievement gaps.
B) creates and perpetuates social inequality.
C) provides people with an opportunity for upward mobility.
D) contributes to society's stability, solidarity, and well-being.
E) makes a big difference in lifetime earnings.

Question 27

Mathew and Jane met during their first semester at college. They dated throughout the four years of their study and eventually got married. This scenario illustrates the _____ function of education.

A) labeling
B) manifest
C) latent
D) tracking
E) obligatory

Question 28

Which of the following is a common criticism of feminist theories?

A) They devote too much attention to issues such as why boys are more disruptive in elementary school.
B) They overstate the importance of social class achievement gaps.
C) They overstate the importance of credentialism and credential inflation.
D) They address women's education barriers but not their choices.
E) They are more interested in men's than in women's gender gaps.

Question 29

Which of the following statements best explains how education decreases job competition?

A) Earnings vary by occupation even with the same major field of study.
B) By expanding a person's intellectual horizons, education increases earnings.
C) Education teaches children how to get along with others and prepares them for adult economic roles.
D) Educational institutions create social networks that can lead to jobs or business opportunities.
E) The more time that young adults spend in school, the longer the jobs of older workers are safe.

Question 30

According to functionalists, which of the following is a latent function of education?

A) It is good for business.
B) It is a source of knowledge.
C) It increases cultural integration.
D) It promotes cultural innovation.
E) It benefits taxpayers.

Question 31

Which of the following statements is true of tracking?

A) It allows teachers to develop curricula for students with similar ability.
B) It creates and reinforces equality among students.
C) It involves sorting students based on their racial or ethnic group.
D) The effects of tracking decrease over time.
E) Teachers tend to have high expectations for low-track students.

Question 32

Travis is a high school graduate. When he applied for a job at a fast food restaurant, the employers at the restaurant rejected his application because they were hiring only college graduates for the current vacancy. This scenario illustrates the process of _____.

A) streaming
B) grade inflation
C) credential inflation
D) tracking
E) secularization

Question 33

Double segregation refers to:

A) separating students not only by race but also by income.
B) separating schools not only by neighborhoods but also by funding.
C) separating students not only by ability but also by grades.
D) separating people not only by their sects but also by their leaders.
E) separating religions not only by population but also by impact.

Question 34

Rebecca is a middle school student. In addition to emphasizing academic excellence, her school also lays stress on the importance of conforming to school rules, dressing appropriately, and being respectful to all authority figures on campus. In this case, which of the following terms best describes the nonacademic requirements of the school?

A) Streaming
B) Tracking
C) Credentialism
D) Self-fulfilling prophecy
E) Hidden curriculum

Question 35

Which of the following statements is true of conflict theorists' view on education and social control?

A) Conflict theorists maintain that credentialism rewards people for their accomplishments.
B) Conflict theorists overlook the importance of social class achievement gaps.
C) Conflict theorists maintain that the hidden curriculum reproduces the existing class structure.
D) Conflict theorists maintain that credentialism sorts out those who are the most qualified for jobs.
E) Conflict theorists believe that education contributes to society's stability, solidarity, and well-being.

Question 36

Tracking, the process of assigning students to specific educational programs and classes on the basis of test scores, previous grades, or perceived ability, is also known as:

A) racial grouping.
B) affirmative action.
C) labeling.
D) marginalization.
E) streaming.

Question 37

According to studies by Gewertz in 2009, Kahlenberg in 2010, and Dwyer et al. in 2013, which of the following best explains why many colleges are giving men preferential treatment in admissions?

A) To enroll privileged male students as legacies
B) To maintain workers for jobs in the stratification hierarchy
C) To avoid large gender imbalances in their student bodies
D) To admit talented low-income and minority students
E) To handle the stress of their economic and social position

Question 38

In the context of education, which of the following is a criticism of conflict theorists?

A) They exaggerate the benefits of education.
B) They ignore achievement gaps that are a result of social class.
C) They gloss over rising college costs and student loan debt.
D) They overlook the fact that people can gain skills on the job with a few weeks of training.
E) They overstate the importance of social class achievement gaps.

Question 39

According to a study by Bollag in 2007, in which of the following ways does credential inflation affect students from low-income families?

A) They are not imparted nonacademic knowledge.
B) They fall further behind.
C) They get easy access to a college education.
D) They obtain scholarships.
E) They become academically inclined to obtain a college degree.

Question 40

Many symbolic interactionists maintain that tracking:

A) creates and reinforces inequality.
B) causes gender imbalances in student bodies.
C) leads to credential inflation.
D) creates social networks.
E) lessens social class achievement gaps.

Question 41

Which of the following statements is true of major world religions?

A) The religiously unaffiliated group includes African traditional religions and Chinese folk traditions.
B) Worldwide, the largest religious group is Hindus.
C) No religious group comes close to being a global majority.
D) The third largest religious group is Shintoists.
E) Christians outnumber non-Christians 2 to 1.

Question 42

In the context of social class, which of the following statements is true of religion?

A) People with higher educational levels are more religious than those with less education.
B) As education increases, the importance of religion generally decreases.
C) As income increases, the importance of religion also increases.
D) People with less education are generally nonreligious.
E) Education and religion are not correlated.

Question 43

Which of the following is a criticism of the functionalists' perspective on religion?

A) It implies that religion is indispensable to leading a good life.
B) It ignores religion's role in challenging homophobia and uniting people.
C) It attaches too much credence to Marx's concept of false consciousness.
D) It overlooks the progress and variation of women's leadership in organized religion.
E) It focuses on micro-level behavior of religion and ignores social inequality at the macro level.

Question 44

According to functionalists, in which of the following ways does society benefit from religion?

A) Religion decreases gender discrimination and inequality.
B) Religion provides equal access for all groups.
C) Religion rewards people for their individual accomplishments.
D) Religion acts as the opium of the people.
E) Religion provides meaning in life and offers hope for the future.

Question 45

_____ is the act of integrating religious beliefs into secular life.

A) Creationism
B) Civil religion
C) Protestant ethic
D) False consciousness
E) Fundamentalism

Question 46

In the context of high schools in the United States, which of the following statements is true of Advanced Placement (AP) courses?

A) They are as demanding as college courses.
B) They offer the same content as college courses.
C) They are gatekeeping tools that exclude lower socioeconomic students from higher education.
D) AP courses offer high school students college-level curricula and exams.
E) All public high schools offer AP courses.

Question 47

Tracking often leads to:

A) meritocracy.
B) cultural innovation.
C) socialization.
D) labeling.
E) credentialism.

Question 48

Which of the following best illustrates civil religion?

A) George breaking away from the Catholic Church to form his own sect
B) Zach taking a solemn oath before providing testimony in court
C) Jessica teaching creationism in her science class
D) Edward permitting students to leave classes for religious instruction
E) John committing violent crimes against religious minorities

Question 49

Which of the following is a reason for the presence of grade inflation in many colleges and universities?

A) It increases the chances of students' challenging a grade.
B) It increases the credibility of colleges and universities.
C) It reduces the chances of students' cheating in an exam.
D) It decreases student complaints.
E) It increases student attrition.

Question 50

_____ refers to the ways people demonstrate their religious beliefs.

A) Tracking
B) Spirituality
C) Secularization
D) Religiosity
E) Credentialism

Question 51

Leah is a teacher at a public school. She teaches her students that God created humans on the sixth day. In this scenario, Leah illustrates _____.

A) credentialism
B) grade inflation
C) meritocracy
D) secularism
E) fundamentalism

Question 52

In the context of the U.S. education system, which of the following statements is true of elementary education?

A) The SAT is becoming an increasingly controversial issue in elementary schools.
B) Incompletion of homework does not affect a student's test score.
C) Test scores are valid and reliable measures of teacher effectiveness.
D) A teacher's quality of undergraduate education affects test scores.
E) Test scores are not affected by school funding.

Question 53

Religiously unaffiliated people:

A) comprise 32 percent of the world's population.
B) identify with folk religions.
C) may or may not believe in God.
D) include followers of Australian aboriginal religions.
E) are the world's first largest religious group.

Question 54

Imogen is part of a group that rejects all conventional beliefs in society and religion. The group promotes vegetarianism, celibacy, and abstinence from drugs, alcohol, and technology. Its activities are aimed at preparation for the apocalypse and comprise bizarre rituals. In this scenario, Imogen is a member of a _____.

A) consortium
B) cult
C) sect
D) clique
E) faction

Question 55

Stanley is the founder of a new religious movement (NRM). His followers believe that he is the reincarnation of a Christian prophet, and they have devoted their lives to him. He is viewed as a supernatural being who serves as a mediator between them and God. In this case, Stanley is most likely a(n) _____.

A) charismatic leader
B) transactional leader
C) permanent deacon
D) authoritarian leader
E) secular leader

Question 56

Emily was always considered a bright student. As a result, she was assigned to classes that involved critical thinking and complex problem solving, while other students were assigned to classes that involved simple skills. She was allotted large quantities of homework that was conceptually complicated. Moreover, she was provided with better quality instruction than other students. In this case, Emily's separation from average students is a result of _____.

A) a hidden curriculum
B) tracking
C) credentialism
D) meritocracy
E) an achievement gap

Question 57

In which of the following ways does religion promote social control?

A) Many religious organizations help the poor and sick.
B) Religion helps people cope with the daily struggles of survival.
C) Many religious people try to follow societal rules for fear of punishment in the afterlife.
D) Communal worship and rituals increase social contacts and help people develop a sense of identity.
E) Religion provides meaning in life and offers hope for the future.

Question 58

Jay belongs to a Hindu subgroup that was formed recently. The subgroup acknowledges the presence of other religious groups and agrees that other groups also possess the truth. In this case, the religious subgroup that Jay belongs to can be classified as a _____ of Hinduism.

A) cult
B) sect
C) denomination
D) symbol
E) faction

Question 59

_____, a popular term for the religiously unaffiliated, include Asians, young people, males, political independents, those living in the Pacific and New England regions, college graduates, and people in higher-income brackets.

A) Folk religionists
B) Nones
C) Aborigines
D) Theists
E) Deists

Question 60

Which of the following statements is true of spiritual people?

A) They believe that there is no God.
B) They demonstrate their religious beliefs through religious ways.
C) They are not necessarily religious.
D) They perform the ordinary and everyday activities of life.
E) They have reserved seats in selective universities regardless of their ability.

Question 61

Critically evaluate the feminist theorists' views on education.

Question 62

Discuss the issues faced in postsecondary educational institutions.

Question 63

In the context of the American population, discuss how age impacts the religious beliefs of people.

Question 64

Identify the reasons for grade inflation. Briefly discuss the consequences of grade inflation and cheating.

Question 65

Define religion. Briefly explain the terms sacred and profane.

Question 66

Illustrate the differences between teachers in the United States and other developed nations.

Question 67

Discuss the feminist perspective on religion. Critically evaluate it.

Question 68

Conflict theorists believe that religion:

A) promotes and reinforces social inequality.
B) is not innate, but socially constructed.
C) plays a role in bringing consensus and harmony in society.
D) is the most common means of learning.
E) provides meaning in life and offers hope for the future.

Question 69

Discuss the various factors which indicate that religion is flourishing in the United States.

Question 70

In the context of religion, which of the following is a criticism of feminist scholars?

A) Many feminist scholars view religion as an opiate to people.
B) Feminist scholars imply that religion is indispensable to leading a good life.
C) The progress of women in organized religion is overemphasized by many feminist scholars.
D) Feminist scholars attach too much credence to Marx's concept of false consciousness.
E) Religious women are not as oppressed as many feminist scholars claim.

Question 71

Define tracking. What are the consequences of tracking?

Question 72

A criticism of the symbolic interactionists is that they:

A) view religion as an opiate of the people.
B) attach too much credence to Marx's concept of false consciousness.
C) ignore the positive effect of religion on physical and emotional health.
D) overlook the ways that religion promotes social inequality at the macro level.
E) believe that religion is indispensable to leading a good life.

Question 73

Discuss the dysfunctional aspects of religion according to the functionalists' perspective. Support your answer with examples from U.S. history.

Question 74

How does education create and perpetuate social inequality? Support your answer with examples.

Question 75

How do symbolic interactionists view religion?

A) For symbolic interactionists, religion promotes and reinforces social inequality.
B) For symbolic interactionists, religion is not innate but socially constructed.
C) Symbolic interactionists recognize that religion can be dysfunctional when it harms individuals.
D) Symbolic interactionists see religion as a tool that dominant groups use to control society.
E) Symbolic interactionists imply that religion is indispensable to leading a good life.

Question 76

How do religion, religiosity, and spirituality differ from each other?

Question 77

Describe two manifest functions and two latent functions of education.

Question 78

Feminist theorists agree with conflict theorists that religion:

A) can promote social change.
B) offers hope for the future.
C) can foster violence and inequality.
D) is innate, not socially constructed.
E) provides meaning in life.

Question 79

Discuss the characteristics of a church.

Question 80

Describe and illustrate some of the major world religions.