Deck 2: Sociological Perspectives and Methods of Research: With Emphasis on Social Robotics

Question 1

A _________ is the contribution a part makes to an existing social order.

A)dysfunction
B)façade of legitimacy
C)symbol
D)function

Answer 1

D

Question 2

A functionalist would likely ask which one of the following questions about socially assistive robots?

A)Who benefits from socially assistive robots and at whose expense?
B)What meanings do people assign to socially assistive robots?
C)What are the intended and unintended consequences of socially assistive robots?
D)How will socially assistive robots affect interaction?

Answer 2

C

Question 3

_____ consist(s)of situations in which two people communicate, interpret, and respond to each other's words and actions.

A)Symbols
B)Social interaction
C)The façade of legitimacy
D)Functions

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Which one of the following statements represents a criticism of the functionalist perspective?

A)It is too liberal.
B)It focuses on the "small stuff."
C)It leaves us wondering about a part's overall effect.
D)It focuses on the "have nots."

Question 5

Which one of the following concepts applies to the façade of legitimacy?

A)logical
B)well-documented assertions
C)misleading
D)fair analysis

Question 6

The question "Who benefits from a particular pattern or social arrangement?" is of most interest to a(n)

A)functionalist.
B)conflict theorist.
C)symbolic interactionist.
D)action theorist.

Question 7

Some governments are investing in socially assistive robots with the hope that they will address the growing demand for care giving. This hope qualifies as a

A)manifest dysfunction.
B)latent function.
C)manifest function.
D)latent dysfunction.

Question 8

A woman argues that the low salary she pays someone from Mexico to watch her children is fair because that woman gets paid more than she would be paid in Mexico. Conflict theorists call this line of reasoning

A)cultural relativity.
B)the facade of legitimacy.
C)a latent function.
D)class consciousness.

Question 9

Which one of the following statements describes the best way to apply the three perspectives?

A)Only one perspective can give us a complete picture of a process or an event.
B)Most sociologists analyze an issue using one perspective.
C)The three perspectives should be viewed as opposing viewpoints.
D)We can acquire a more complete view of something by applying all three perspectives.

Question 10

According to functionalists, poverty exists because

A)the poor are largely unmotivated to work.
B)it contributes in some way to the stability of an existing social order.
C)the poor lack the drive to do better.
D)somebody has to be on the bottom.

Question 11

_____ means unanticipated or unintended.

A)Latent
B)Manifest
C)Function
D)Dysfunction

Question 12

An employer tells workers "If you aren't happy with the pay and working conditions here, go work somewhere else! It's a free country." Conflict theorists call this line of reasoning

A)cultural relativity.
B)sympathetic knowledge.
C)the façade of legitimacy.
D)good business practice.

Question 13

Myra is from Mexico but is now a U.S. citizen. She speaks both Spanish and English, but speaks only English in public because she imagines people will think she an undocumented immigrant if she speaks in Spanish. Symbolic interactionists would call Mayra's assessment of how others see her as an example of

A)social order.
B)self preservation.
C)the negotiated order.
D)self awareness.

Question 14

Which one of the questions listed below is a conflict theorist most likely to ask?

A)How is social order possible?
B)How do meanings change over time?
C)How does a part contribute to societal stability?
D)Who benefits from a particular social arrangement, and at whose expense?

Question 15

______ means anticipated or intended.

A)Latent
B)Manifest
C)Function
D)Dysfunction

Question 16

"Poor people often 'volunteer' for over-the-counter and prescription drug tests." From a functionalist perspective, this statement is describing

A)a façade of legitimacy.
B)the negotiated order.
C)a function of poverty.
D)human nature.

Question 17

_______ use the human body as an analogy for society.

A)Conflict theorists
B)Symbolic interactionists
C)Functionalists
D)Action theorists

Question 18

Who is most likely to ask "how do people involved in interaction take account of each other" and then direct their own conduct accordingly?"

A)functionalists
B)conflict theorists
C)symbolic interactionists
D)classic theorists

Question 19

_______ are consequences that are disruptive to a social order.

A)Functions
B)Dysfunctions
C)Facades of legitimacy
D)Symbols

Question 20

Each of the _____ offers a central question to direct thinking and key concepts to organize answers.

A)theoretical perspectives
B)social actions
C)methods of research
D)negotiated order

Question 21

A trial explanation predicting a relationship between independent and dependent variables is a(n)

A)hypothesis.
B)theory.
C)fact.
D)observation.

Question 22

Behavior influenced by the attention one receives from being the subject of a research study is the

A)Hawthorne effect.
B)latent effect.
C)special subject effect.
D)experimental effect.

Question 23

One strength of the ___________________ perspective is that it focuses on up-close and personal factors that shape interaction and relationships.

A)functionalist
B)conflict
C)symbolic interactionist
D)sociological

Question 24

The independent variable in the hypothesis "Retired populations have a higher suicide rate than employed populations" is

A)employment status.
B)suicide rate.
C)retired populations.
D)employed populations.

Question 25

The question "Is this operational definition really measuring what it claims to measure?" addresses concerns surrounding

A)sampling.
B)validity.
C)reliability.
D)correlations.

Question 26

A researcher studying handwashing uses guidelines set by the American Society of Microbiology to determine if handwashing has taken place: use warm or hot running water and soap while washing for 10 to 15 seconds all surfaces, including wrists, palms, backs of hands, and under fingernails. This guideline is considered

A)an operational definition.
B)the Hawthorne effect.
C)a correlation.
D)a test.

Question 27

The plan for gathering data on a chosen topic is known as the

A)scientific method.
B)hypothesis.
C)research design.
D)hidden curriculum.

Question 28

Which one of the following assumptions applies to the scientific method?

A)Research finding should not be replicated.
B)Research findings can be manipulated to advance a good cause.
C)Truth is confirmed through faith.
D)Knowledge is acquired through observation.

Question 29

Researcher Kandi Stinson spent two years as a member of weight loss group, studying how women spoke about and understood losing weight. Stinson used which one of the following methods?

A)self-administered questionnaire
B)nonparticipant observation
C)participant observation
D)secondary sources

Question 30

Sociologists adhere to the scientific method, which means that they acquire data through

A)testing.
B)surveys.
C)observation.
D)personal interviews.

Question 31

A major criticism of the conflict theory is that it

A)overemphasizes the stability and order that exist in a society.
B)focuses on the "simple stuff ."
C)presents a simplistic view of dominant - subordinate group relationships.
D)understates the tensions and divisions that exist in society.

Question 32

In this data-gathering method there is no possibility that the researcher's facial expression or body language will influence respondents to answer in a particular way. This method is

A)structured interviews.
B)unstructured interviews.
C)participant observation.
D)self-administered questionnaires.

Question 33

If one respondent gives different answers to the same question at two different points in time, the researcher should be concerned about

A)reliability.
B)validity.
C)representativeness.
D)the Hawthorne effect.

Question 34

When there is as likely a chance that any one member of the population will be selected for participation in a study, the sample is considered

A)controlled.
B)biased.
C)random.
D)nonrandom.

Question 35

Researchers should maintain objectivity . This means they should

A)stay away from topics in which they have a personal interest.
B)not accept funding from outside sources.
C)refuse to share data with others.
D)not let personal and subjective views about the topic influence observations or outcome of research.

Question 36

The dependent variable in the hypothesis "Retired populations have a higher suicide rate than employed populations" is

A)employment status.
B)suicide rate.
C)retired populations.
D)employed populations.

Question 37

In research, the variable to be explained or predicted is known as

A)the dependent variable.
B)the independent variable.
C)the hypothesis.
D)the control variable.

Question 38

Which of the following is a false statement about the characteristics of high-quality sociological research?

A)Once a sociological study is completed, findings are considered final.
B)Sociologists invite others to critique their work.
C)Sociological findings endure as long as the research process can be replicated.
D)Sociologists strive to be objective.

Question 39

__________ are concrete and specific criteria for observing and measuring independent and dependent variables.

A)Operational definitions
B)Hypotheses
C)Units of analysis
D)Traces

Question 40

Which of the following would be the best option to obtain a representative sample of students at your college?

A)Ask students eating in the cafeteria at lunchtime to participate in an important study.
B)At random, draw a list of students from the most recent college registrar's list.
C)Stop students as they are walking to their cars in parking lots and ask them to participate.
D)Ask all of the sociology majors to participate in the study.

Question 41

A professor tells a class that her exams will cover information from class lectures, class discussion, and reading assignments. However, the exam includes questions related to only reading assignments. Students complain because the exam is

A)not reliable.
B)not valid.
C)not reliable or valid.
D)objective.

Question 42

One unintended or unexpected disruption of socially assistive robots is that people may actually prefer the company of robots over fellow humans. This situation represents

A)latent function.
B)manifest dysfunction.
C)latent dysfunction.
D)manifest function.

Question 43

A functionalist reading the news headline, "Talking Robots Play Part in Therapeutic Treatment for People With Special Needs," is most likely to ask

A)Who benefit's from talking robots in therapeutic treatment and at whose expense?
B)What meanings do patients assign to talking robots?
C)What are intended and unintended consequences off using talking robots in therapeutic treatments?
D)How will robots know what symptoms to treat?

Question 44

A tree can have different meanings to a farmer, a home builder, a poet, or an environmentalist. In any case the tree acts as a

A)value.
B)norm.
C)symbol.
D)belief.

Question 45

College sports teams, when successful, can have the unanticipated or _____ function of increasing the number of students enrolled.

A)manifest
B)lasting
C)latent
D)short lived

Question 46

Min Kyung Lee studied the meanings employees assigned to a socially assistive robot named Snackbot. Lee's focus suggests she is influenced by the _____ perspective.

A)functionalist
B)conflict
C)symbolic interaction
D)social action

Question 47

Read the following hypothesis: Customers who experience personalized conversations with Snackbot are more likely to cooperate with Snackbot's request than those who experience impersonal scripted conversation. The dependent variable is

A)norm formation.
B)Snackbot.
C)presence or absence of personalized conversation.
D)cooperation (or not)with Snackbot's request.

Question 48

One expected disruption of socially assistive robots relates to increased unemployment as robots replace human workers. This disruption qualifies as a

A)manifest function.
B)manifest dysfunction.
C)latent function.
D)latent dysfunction.

Question 49

The _____ is the best perspective to draw upon for exploring human-robot interactions.

A)functionalist
B)conflict
C)symbolic interaction
D)social action theory

Question 50

If socially assistive robots assume caregiving roles, a number of unanticipated consequences may occur such as the elimination of sexual abuse. This unanticipated consequence is a

A)manifest function.
B)manifest dysfunction.
C)latent function.
D)latent dysfunction.

Question 51

In reviewing the existing literature on socially assistive robots, Lee looked

A)for only the most recent articles published in past years.
B)at on-line articles because articles in print are not relevant.
C)at "gaps" in the literature that her research could address.
D)to replicate an existing study.

Question 52

When symbolic interactionists study socially assistive robots, they are most likely to emphasize

A)functions and dysfunctions.
B)the robot as an interrelated part.
C)interaction dynamics between robots and humans.
D)the robot as a scarce and valued resource.

Question 53

Which of the following is something symbolic interactionists emphasize?

A)means of production
B)functions
C)negotiated order
D)outcomes

Question 54

A conflict theorist reading the news headline "Future Surgeons May Use Robotic Nurse" is most likely to ask:

A)What are the intended and unintended consequences of using robotic nurses?
B)What meanings do surgeons assign to robotic nurses?
C)Who benefits from the use of robotic nurses and at whose expense?
D)How will a robot and patient interact?

Question 55

Read the following hypothesis: Customers who experienced personalized conversations with Snackbot are more likely to cooperate with Snackbot's requests than those who customers experienced impersonal scripted conversation. The independent variable is

A)norm formation.
B)Snackbot.
C)presence or absence of personalized conversation.
D)cooperation (or not)with Snackbot's request.

Question 56

Lee's research involving Snackbot showed that under the right conditions, people can form collegial (even social)relationships with workplace robots. This finding relates to the _____ perspective.

A)functionalist
B)conflict
C)symbolic interactionist
D)social action

Question 57

After reviewing the literature on socially assistive robots, Lee noticed that no study had ever

A)studied socially assistive robots.
B)looked at how robots interact with people.
C)examined how socially interactive robots fit into the culture of a workplace.
D)looked at how people interact with robots.

Question 58

In her research on robots in the workplace Lee distributed a set of questions that she asked people to answer on their own time. This method is known as a

A)participant observation.
B)self-administered questionnaire.
C)structured interview.
D)secondary sources.

Question 59

For her study on robots in the workplace Lee was able to view Snackbot's interactions with people through video/audio feeds. This method of study is known as

A)structural interviews.
B)nonparticipant observation.
C)participant observation.
D)nonstructural interviewers.

Question 60

An expected or _____ function of a sports team is that it can unite fans who are often extremely different from one another.

A)latent
B)lasting
C)manifest
D)relative

Question 61

Describe an operational definition that affects or has affected your life (Hint: job performance measures, tests that measure IQ, the test to get a driver's license qualify). Describe the measure and then comment on reliability and validity of that measure.

Question 62

Lee identified _____ as the most important factor in explaining successful robot- human interaction.

A)people's ability to make personalized small talk with the robot
B)the robot's physical appearance
C)the robot's ability to engage in personalized small talk with people
D)the age of those interacting with robots

Question 63

Think of an invention or new product that has captured media attention. Explain how the three perspectives could guide you in an analysis of that invention.

Question 64

Use three research method concepts ( e.g. hypothesis, independent variable, review of literature, etc)to design a research study you would like to do.

Question 65

After reading Lee's research on human-robot interaction, Gerry concluded that if employers make robots likeable and even preferable to humans, this might distract employee's attention away from the job-killing implications. The view reflects the _____ perspective.

A)functionalist
B)conflict
C)symbolic interaction
D)social action

Question 66

Do some research on social robots to learn in what settings they are being used or projected to be used. For each setting how might you measure human cooperation with robots?

Question 67

Lee divided the customers interacting with Snackbot into two groups : those who received personalized conversations and those who received impersonal conversations. A measure of personalized conversation is which one of the following?

A)"Hi, here is your snack."
B)"The weather is very nice."
C)"I missed seeing you last week when you were out of the office."
D)"Have a nice weekend."

Question 68

In measuring whether people cooperated with Snackbot's requests to do neck stretches, Lee noticed a customer doing neck stretches in a way that mocked Snackbot. Lee was unsure whether such behavior should count as co-operation. Lee asked other researchers helping her and one said it should count and the other said it should not. This situation brings up issues of

A)generalizability.
B)prediction.
C)reliability.
D)validity.