Deck 11: Looking Good: Ideology, Intersectionality, and the Beauty Industry

Question 1

In contemporary North American culture, beauty is associated with all of the following, EXCEPT one. Which is the exception?

A) Youth
B) Maturity
C) Thinness
D) Fair complexion

Answer 1

B

Question 2

The main purpose of body work in our culture is:

A) fulfilling cultural expectations about appearance
B) fulfilling cultural expectations of heteronormativity
C) achieving peace of mind
D) achieving health

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Sociologist W.I. Thomas contributed the following to the understanding of social construction of ideas:

A) ideas are neither true nor false
B) ideas reflect group norms
C) ideas have real effects
D) ideas are easy to change

Answer 3

C

Question 4

The textbook makes a point that individual experiences of cultural norms of appearance vary with individual:

A) psychological make-up
B) childhood socialization
C) social skills
D) social location

Question 5

According to the textbook, which of the following sociological thinking frames is the most useful for understanding the relationship between beauty norms and the beauty industry?

A) Material/cultural
B) Structure/agency
C) Micro/macro
D) Ideal/real

Question 6

Research has shown that the following trait is viewed as desirable in African-American, but undesirable in Caucasian men:

A) extreme thinness
B) keen sense of fashion
C) careful grooming
D) physical strength

Question 7

Knowing that norms of appearance reflect intersecting axes of inequality in our society, which of the following statements would you expect to be true?

A) The same level of physical strength is desirable in both African-American women and men
B) The same level of physical strength is desirable in African-American and Caucasian men
C) Appearance of Latina women is judged by comparing them to Latino men
D) Appearance of Latina women is judged by comparing them to Caucasian women

Question 8

Research has shown that norms of appearance for men and women have converged in recent decades. In which of the following areas have they NOT converged?

A) Fear of fat
B) Fear of objectification
C) Emphasis on strength and masculinity of men
D) Emphasis on strength and femininity of women

Question 9

Research has found that female models with darker complexion are more likely to be depicted as:

A) sexualized
B) sophisticated
C) smart
D) shy

Question 10

How does the textbook explain the fact that many people continue to pursue virtually unattainable appearance ideals?

A) These ideals happen to coincide with actors' free choices
B) These ideals are hegemonic and socially powerful
C) These ideals have historically become more realistic
D) These ideals are deeply contested

Question 11

Advertisements for Dove skin care for men claim that use of their products will result in "strong skin," whereas the corresponding products for women claim to achieve "soft skin." Which of the following is NOT likely to be an effect of these advertising campaigns?

A) Men stop buying Dove products
B) Women stop buying Dove products
C) Gender inequality is contested
D) Gender inequality is upheld

Question 12

According to Simmel's explanation of fashion cycles, who decides when a new fashion trend will begin?

A) Fashion industry
B) Consumer advocates
C) Masses
D) Elites

Question 13

Contrary to Simmel's views, contemporary sociology of fashion acknowledges that mass consumers of fashion exercise significant agency. Which of the following concepts explains how mass consumers choose which fashions to adopt and which to ignore?

A) Style
B) Lifestyle
C) Originality
D) Trickle-up fashion

Question 14

Which of the following aspects of beauty ideology could be documented by content analysis?

A) The proportion of racialized models in magazine advertising
B) Reasons why editors do not choose racialized models
C) Structural supports for racism in fashion industry
D) Historic roots of racism in our society

Question 15

Sociological research into modelling has found that its preference for the white beauty ideal is caused by:

A) deliberate discrimination
B) racism of individual designers and editors
C) attempt to minimize business risk
D) attempt to minimize negative publicity

Question 16

How did the notion of self-improvement in North American culture change over the course of the 20th century?

Question 17

What is the relevance of race to North American beauty ideals? Describe one instance of resistance to the racialized nature of these beauty ideals.

Question 18

"Women should have fairer skin than men." Is this statement ideological? Explain the reasons for your answer.

Question 19

Define intersectionality. How does this phenomenon influence the understanding of masculinity in our society?

Question 20

Define the "culture of bodily lack." What is its connection with consumerism? Use an example to explain your answer.

Question 21

Define "fast fashion." What is its cultural and material significance?