Deck 5: Groups and Organizations

Question 1

All passengers on an international flight are an example of a:

A) crowd.
B) category.
C) group.
D) population.
E) peer group.

Answer 1

crowd.

Question 2

Which of the following is the most important primary group in every society?

A) its government
B) the peer group
C) its economic advisors
D) playgroups
E) the family

Answer 2

the family

Question 3

Why did Cooley refer to some groups as "primary groups"?

A) They are among the first groups we experience in life.
B) They are formed during primary school.
C) They provide for material needs.
D) They provide opportunity for commodity exchanges.
E) They primarily produce goods.

Answer 3

They are among the first groups we experience in life.

Question 4

Which of the following statements about primary groups is correct?

A) They are of primary importance to the socialization process.
B) They provide discomfort and insecurity.
C) Members of primary groups display a social orientation.
D) They provide access to other people.
E) They are usually long-term.

Question 5

What term did Cooley use to refer to a large impersonal social group whose members pursue a specific goal or activity?

A) close group
B) emotive group
C) primary group
D) peer group
E) secondary group

Question 6

When you speak at your university's commencement ceremonies, Cooley suggests you are speaking to a ________ group.

A) close
B) bored
C) primary
D) secondary
E) peer

Question 7

Applying Cooley's criteria, which is the best illustration of a primary group?

A) a PTA meeting
B) a family gathering for Christmas
C) a corporate board meeting
D) a reunion of the graduating class of 1977
E) a package tour to Europe

Question 8

Applying Cooley's criteria, which of the following is the best illustration of a secondary group?

A) a gathering of brothers and sisters
B) a meeting of good friends
C) a meeting of the Rotary Club
D) a luncheon of mothers and daughters
E) a Mother's Day celebration

Question 9

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

A) a means to an end
B) social orientation
C) short-term
D) medium-term
E) goal orientation

Question 10

Which of the following is a characteristic of secondary groups?

A) social orientation
B) personal orientation
C) an end in itself
D) long-term
E) short-term

Question 11

Select the attribute that is characteristic of secondary groups.

A) small size
B) warm, informal interaction
C) strong emotional ties
D) long-term duration
E) goal orientation

Question 12

Select the statement about secondary groups that is correct.

A) They are necessarily informal and emotional.
B) They have the same characteristics as primary groups.
C) They have a personal orientation.
D) They are important for what they can do for us.
E) Members give of themselves freely and also take freely.

Question 13

A group where the leader focuses on the accomplishment of goals uses:

A) task group leadership.
B) expressive leadership.
C) secondary group leadership.
D) instrumental leadership.
E) authoritarian leadership.

Question 14

You are asked to assume leadership of a troubled group that is rife with debilitating conflict. To restore stability, what leadership style should you adopt?

A) task group leadership
B) expressive leadership
C) secondary group leadership
D) instrumental leadership
E) authoritarian leadership

Question 15

In which type of leadership situation will the leader form a secondary, but not primary, relationship with other group members?

A) task group leadership
B) expressive leadership
C) authoritarian leadership
D) secondary group leadership
E) instrumental leadership

Question 16

A successful leader receives a distant respect in what type of leadership?

A) task group
B) expressive
C) authoritarian
D) secondary group
E) instrumental

Question 17

A successful leader uses humour to lighten serious moments in what type of leadership?

A) task group
B) expressive
C) authoritarian
D) secondary group
E) instrumental

Question 18

A female has been assigned a leadership role in your group. Given tradition, what type of leadership style would she be expected to show?

A) task group leadership
B) expressive leadership
C) authoritarian leadership
D) secondary group leadership
E) instrumental leadership

Question 19

________ leaders focus on instrumental concerns, make decisions unilaterally, and demand strict compliance from subordinates.

A) Authoritarian
B) Laissez-faire
C) Democratic
D) Bureaucratic
E) Creative

Question 20

You have been asked to lead a group that needs to learn how to make collective decisions on an egalitarian basis. What leadership style would you use?

A) authoritarian
B) laissez-faire
C) democratic
D) bureaucratic
E) creative

Question 21

________ leaders tend to downplay position and power, allowing the group to function on its own.

A) Authoritarian
B) Laissez-faire
C) Democratic
D) Bureaucratic
E) Creative

Question 22

Asch's study in which participants were asked to match a "standard"line to one of three comparison lines demonstrates how individuals

A) will conform when they are in a group of people who are important to them.
B) will conform when they are in a group of people who have power over them.
C) will conform in order to avoid the discomfort of being different.
D) will not conform unless they are paid to do so.
E) work hard to maintain their independence in groups.

Question 23

Select the appropriate conclusion from Milgram's experiments on authority.

A) During times of war, values toward authorities and violence change markedly.
B) Thresholds of physical pain differ substantially.
C) People are surprisingly likely to follow not only the directions of "legitimate authority figures," but also those of groups of "ordinary individuals."
D) The conclusions from Solomon Asch's study of conformity were incorrect.
E) Authority figures are usually mistrusted and are not effective in eliciting obedience in experimental situations.

Question 24

What is the sociological term for group members to conform, resulting in a narrow view of some issue?

A) conformist cognizance
B) doublethink
C) blind spot
D) tunnel vision
E) groupthink

Question 25

Which of the following represents "groupthink"?

A) A group shares information widely and makes an excellent community policy recommendation.
B) A group leader makes a decision without consulting anyone, and the decision is a bad one.
C) A group follows the policy directives of their constituency "to the letter."
D) A group seeks consensus, not opinion differences, and as a result makes a poor policy recommendation.
E) A group seeks opinion differences, and as a result makes a poor policy recommendation.

Question 26

A young graduate student is trying to figure out how her professor will respond to her research paper. What type of group does her professor represent?

A) outsider group
B) authority group
C) reference group
D) emulation group
E) master group

Question 27

What is an accurate generalization from Stouffer's studies of World War II soldiers?

A) When we serve in a unit with a high promotion rate, we are optimistic.
B) We make judgments about ourselves in isolation, perceiving well-being objectively.
C) Whatever our situation, we form a subjective sense of our well-being by looking at ourselves in relation to specific reference groups.
D) When we serve in units with low promotion rates, our esteem is greater than in high promotion units.
E) When we serve in small units, our chances of promotion are greater.

Question 28

A social group that a member feels respect and commitment toward is a/an:

A) partisan group.
B) reference group.
C) out-group.
D) subculture.
E) in-group.

Question 29

What has research shown about in-groups and out-groups?

A) In-group-out-group distinctions actually promote racial harmony.
B) In-group-out-group distinctions inhibit ethnocentrism.
C) In-group-out-group distinctions give people an unclear sense of their place in a world of diversity.
D) In-group-out-group boundaries lead to unfairly negative views of out-groups.
E) In-group-out-group boundaries are inevitable.

Question 30

A sociological term for a social group with two members is a/an:

A) pair.
B) triad.
C) myriad.
D) couple.
E) dyad.

Question 31

A triad is a/an:

A) pyramidal organization.
B) social group with three members.
C) term for a trial marriage.
D) unstable social group.
E) three-generational family.

Question 32

Which of the following statements regarding the influence of social diversity on intergroup contact is true?

A) Heterogeneous groups turn inward.
B) Social disparity promotes contact.
C) Social boundaries foster physical boundaries.
D) Segregated groups turn outward.
E) Large groups turn inward.

Question 33

You are linked by weak social ties to persons with whom you have little in common in terms of identity and interaction. The sociological term for these linkages is:

A) a network.
B) a structural web.
C) a lineage.
D) social structure.
E) camaraderie.

Question 34

Which of the following is a way in which social diversity influences intergroup contact?

A) Social boundaries create physical boundaries.
B) Large groups turn inward.
C) The smaller the group, the greater the conflict.
D) Diverse groups turn inward.
E) Diverse groups are less likely to interact with outsiders.

Question 35

Which of the following typically characterizes networks?

A) primary relationships
B) strong sense of membership
C) sharp boundaries of membership
D) indirect connections among the members
E) secondary relationships

Question 36

The fact that networks of more privileged categories of people are more likely to lead people in these categories to higher-paying jobs illustrates the importance of:

A) social capital.
B) groupthink.
C) reference groups.
D) anticipatory networking.
E) rationalization.

Question 37

In which of the following ways is the internet reflecting what sociologists have learned about group interaction?

A) It is breaking up into a large number of smaller social groups.
B) It is showing signs of "groupthink."
C) Users are beginning to display group conformity.
D) Expressive leaders are beginning to emerge.
E) Formal rules are interfering with communications.

Question 38

Large secondary groups that are organized to achieve goals are referred to as:

A) social organizations.
B) formal organizations.
C) bureaucracies.
D) businesses.
E) competitive organizations.

Question 39

What types of formal organizations are called voluntary associations?

A) normative organizations
B) utilitarian organizations
C) coercive organizations
D) social organizations
E) creative organizations

Question 40

Your criminology class is touring a maximum-security prison. This is a ________ organization.

A) normative
B) utilitarian
C) coercive
D) social
E) competitive

Question 41

What types of formal organizations bestow material benefit on members?

A) normative organizations
B) coercive organizations
C) social organizations
D) creative organizations
E) utilitarian organizations

Question 42

For parents, what type of formal organization is the Lions Club?

A) a normative organization
B) a utilitarian organization
C) a coercive organization
D) a social organization
E) a creative organization

Question 43

For patients who are involuntarily committed, what type of formal organization are mental hospitals?

A) a normative organization
B) a utilitarian organization
C) a coercive organization
D) a social organization
E) a competitive organization

Question 44

What is the largest formal organization in Canada?

A) the federal government
B) the capitalist system
C) the Internet
D) the Red Cross
E) the Canadian International Development Agency

Question 45

According to Max Weber, tradition:

A) encourages organizational change.
B) encourages organizational efficiency.
C) makes a society liberal.
D) limits organizational efficiency.
E) limits sentiments about the past.

Question 46

An imprisoned individual is a member of a/an____________ organization.

A) voluntary
B) normative
C) rational
D) utilitarian
E) coercive

Question 47

Which of the following characterizes bureaucratic organizations?

A) role uniformity
B) social competence
C) rules and regulations
D) personality
E) similarity of offices

Question 48

According to Weber, the rise of the "organizational society"is based on:

A) tradition.
B) colonialism.
C) rationalization of society.
D) rationality.
E) sentimentality.

Question 49

What term refers to an organizational model rationally designed to perform tasks efficiently?

A) formal organization
B) complex organization
C) social organization
D) bureaucracy
E) aristocracy

Question 50

The task of assigning people to the highly specialized duties within a bureaucracy represents the function of:

A) specialization.
B) rules and regulations.
C) the hierarchy of offices.
D) technical competence.
E) traditional leadership.

Question 51

Analyzing patterns of power and responsibility in an organization is examining:

A) specialization.
B) rules and regulations.
C) the hierarchy of positions.
D) technical competence.
E) impersonality.

Question 52

________ is the term for the method in which a bureaucracy controls an organization's functioning to ensure predictability.

A) Specialization
B) Rules and regulations
C) The hierarchy of offices
D) Technical competence
E) Impersonality

Question 53

What term refers to impersonal evaluation based on performance in bureaucracies?

A) specialization
B) rules and regulations
C) the hierarchy of offices
D) technical competence
E) formal, written communications

Question 54

You have been asked as a consultant to evaluate the fairness with which all the members of an organization are treated. You are thus evaluating the organization's:

A) rules and regulations.
B) impersonality.
C) hierarchy of offices.
D) formal, written communications.
E) specialization.

Question 55

What element of bureaucracy leads to the accumulation of files that guide the organization?

A) rules and regulations
B) impersonality
C) hierarchy of offices
D) formal, written communications
E) traditional leadership

Question 56

Which of the following is one of the factors in the organizational environment that can influence the operation of an organization?

A) economic trends
B) social patterns
C) internal officials
D) primary groups
E) secondary trends

Question 57

Informality in organizations:

A) decreases the amount of communication in the organization.
B) decreases the amount of "gossip" that circulates in an organization.
C) can provide necessary flexibility on the job.
D) prevents the personalization of surroundings.
E) can provide opportunities to revolt against the organization.

Question 58

A worker who feels like a small cog in an endlessly moving machine is experiencing

A) retreatism.
B) bureaucratic inertia.
C) bureaucratic retreatism.
D) bureaucratic ritualism.
E) bureaucratic alienation.

Question 59

What term did Merton coin to describe focusing on rules and regulations to the point of undermining an organization's goals?

A) bureaucratic retreatism
B) bureaucratic innovation
C) bureaucratic ritualism
D) bureaucratic inertia
E) bureaucratic leadership

Question 60

What is the rule of the many by the few called?

A) bureaucracy
B) oligarchy
C) formal organization
D) dictatorial organization
E) anarchy

Question 61

Which of the following is true regarding oligarchy?

A) It cannot survive in the hierarchical structure of bureaucracy.
B) It increases people's confidence in their elected leaders.
C) It can reduce the accountability of leaders to the people who elected them.
D) It thrives on political competition and term limits.
E) There are no current organizations that resemble the outdated oligarchy.

Question 62

Which of the following represent the three steps involved in scientific management?

A) observe the operations for a task, provide incentives, punish poor performance
B) provide incentives, punish poor performance, provide feedback
C) set goals, analyze data, hire workers
D) observe the operations for a task, analyze the data, provide incentives
E) set goals, increase competition, provide incentives

Question 63

Males and females age 20 to 64 represent approximately the same percentage of the total population aged 20 to 64. Therefore, which of the following statements regarding gender and management is true?

A) Males hold only 50% of management positions.
B) Females hold only approximately 35% of management positions.
C) Males hold 90% of management positions.
D) Females hold only 15% of management positions.
E) Males hold more than 90% of management positions.

Question 64

What trait has been described as a "female advantage"?

A) less need to ask questions
B) less emphasis on communication
C) more flexible leadership
D) more concrete thinking
E) greater intuition

Question 65

According to Kanter, an organization with many dead-end jobs turns workers into

A) the paid "other workers" at the end of the company's chain of command.
B) socially isolated out-groups.
C) less productive "zombies" who are never asked for their opinion on anything.
D) underrepresented employees.
E) incompetent staff members.

Question 66

Which of the following is a gender-linked pattern that contributes to the "female advantage"for companies attempting to be more flexible and democratic?

A) Men place greater value on communication skills and share information more than women do.
B) Men are more flexible leaders who typically give their employees greater autonomy.
C) Women have a greater "information focus" and are more likely to ask questions.
D) Men tend to emphasize the interconnectedness of an organization's operations.
E) Women have an "image focus" that directs their attention to their reputation.

Question 67

Which of the following statements most accurately describes Japanese formal organizations?

A) Japanese formal organizations undermine primary relationships.
B) In Japan, formal organizations are developed in the context of a highly heterogeneous society.
C) Japan's organizations reflect the Japanese strong collective spirit.
D) Japanese organizations are unfriendly.
E) Japanese organizations value rugged individualism.

Question 68

In what respect are Canadian and Japanese formal organizations distinctly different?

A) hiring and advancement, lifetime security, and profit motive
B) lifetime security, holistic involvement, and entrepreneurial spirit
C) holistic involvement, broad-based training, and profit motive
D) non-specialized training, profit motive, and entrepreneurial spirit
E) lifetime security, broad-based training, and quality circle discussions

Question 69

The open, flexible organization:

A) has a pyramid shape.
B) has a clear chain of command.
C) has many workers do their jobs in teams.
D) reports performance flow from the bottom up.
E) has extensive rules and regulations.

Question 70

Which of the following is a way in which today's organizations differ from those of a century ago?

A) creative restriction
B) a hierarchical organization
C) cooperative work teams
D) more flexibility
E) less day-to-day supervision

Question 71

According to Brooks, the current standard that healthy organizations should emulate is the

A) ecosystem.
B) machine.
C) telephone.
D) automobile.
E) solar system.

Question 72

The McDonaldization of society refers to:

A) the proliferation of McDonald's restaurants around the world.
B) how McDonald's organizational principles are coming to dominate our society.
C) how bureaucracy worldwide is filled with red tape and inefficiency.
D) the complexity and lack of predictability in modern society.
E) the competitiveness of modern society.

Question 73

Which of the following is one of the principles of McDonaldization?

A) inefficiency
B) standardization
C) creativity
D) freedom
E) unpredictability

Question 74

What does the history of the McDonald's organization reflect?

A) the shortcomings of mass production
B) that the McDonald brothers could have been very rich
C) the death of small business in North America
D) that McDonald's guiding principles have come to dominate our social life
E) the importance of the service industries

Question 75

The principles of McDonaldization _______________________ that formal organizations would crush the human spirit.

A) contradict Weber's view
B) show that Weber was being overly pessimistic when he argued
C) show that people have more control over "the system" than Weber believed when he argued
D) support Weber's view that rational systems were efficient but dehumanizing when he argued
E) support Weber's view that a move to more rational systems would spark creativity when he argued

Question 76

As bureaucracy and computer-based technology have spread throughout Canadian society, privacy:

A) is greater than ever.
B) has not changed at all.
C) is threatened as never before.
D) has no legal protections at all.
E) is nonexistent.

Question 77

The emergence of a post-industrial economy brought a flatter, more flexible model of formal organizations that prize communication and creativity that resulted in:

A) an increased danger of worker alienation.
B) decreases in productivity.
C) decreases in employee autonomy.
D) an increased threat of losing employment due to downsizing.
E) "unintelligent organizations."

Question 78

Advances in technology have led to which of the following?

A) a gain of privacy for all citizens
B) known people having access to information about you
C) enactment of laws giving citizens the right to examine government records kept on them
D) success of laws to address the extent of the privacy problem
E) a reduction in efficiency

Question 79

People riding on the same subway form a social group.

Question 80

To be members of a "category,"people must think of themselves as a special "we."