Question 1

A number of factors can influence assimilation. List at least three and give examples of how they influence assimilation.

Accepted Answer

Three factors that can influence assimilation are language proficiency, cultural familiarity, and social support.

Language proficiency can influence assimilation by affecting an individual's ability to communicate and interact with others in a new culture. For example, someone who is fluent in the local language may have an easier time making friends and finding employment, while someone who struggles with the language may feel isolated and have difficulty integrating into the community.

Cultural familiarity can also play a role in assimilation. Individuals who are familiar with the customs, traditions, and social norms of a new culture may find it easier to adapt and feel a sense of belonging. On the other hand, those who are unfamiliar with the culture may experience culture shock and have difficulty adjusting to their new environment.

Social support, such as having friends, family, or community resources, can greatly impact assimilation. Having a support system can provide emotional and practical assistance during the transition to a new culture, making it easier for individuals to adapt and thrive in their new surroundings. Conversely, lacking social support can lead to feelings of isolation and hinder the assimilation process.

Question 2

The reputational method involves

Accepted Answer

A)   asking people how they think others compare to them in social class.
B)   asking people for references.
C)   asking coworkers how they feel about each other.
D)   asking minority groups how they feel about dominant groups. A

Question 3

Discuss both sides of the culture of poverty controversy. What position do most sociologists take? Why?

Accepted Answer

The culture of poverty controversy refers to the debate surrounding the idea that individuals living in poverty develop a specific set of values, attitudes, and behaviors that perpetuate their poverty. Some argue that these individuals have internalized a culture of poverty that leads to a cycle of generational poverty, while others argue that this concept is a form of victim-blaming and ignores the structural factors that contribute to poverty.

On one side of the controversy, proponents of the culture of poverty theory argue that individuals in poverty develop a set of beliefs and values that contribute to their inability to escape poverty. This includes attitudes of hopelessness, helplessness, and a lack of motivation to improve their circumstances. They argue that these cultural traits are passed down through generations, creating a cycle of poverty that is difficult to break.

On the other side, critics of the culture of poverty theory argue that it places blame on the individuals experiencing poverty rather than addressing the systemic issues that contribute to their circumstances. They argue that factors such as lack of access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities, as well as discrimination and economic inequality, are the primary drivers of poverty. They believe that focusing on individual behaviors and values ignores the larger structural issues at play.

Most sociologists take the position that the culture of poverty theory is flawed and that the emphasis should be on understanding the structural and systemic issues that contribute to poverty. They argue that individuals living in poverty are not inherently different from those in higher socioeconomic classes, and that their circumstances are largely a result of external factors such as economic inequality, discrimination, and lack of access to resources. Sociologists advocate for policies and interventions that address these larger systemic issues in order to reduce poverty and inequality. They believe that focusing on individual values and behaviors perpetuates harmful stereotypes and does not address the root causes of poverty.

Question 4

The culture of poverty refers to

Accepted Answer

A)   contributions by the poor to U.S. culture in folk music, literary subjects, and folklore.
B)   maladaptive cultural traits of the poor passed from one generation to the next, creating a perpetual underclass.
C)   cultural tastes of the poor for less expensive goods.
D)   blacks only; other minority groups do not fit this framework.

Question 5

Attitudes tend to stay very stable even if social class situation changes.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Cynthia began working in the copy room of a large corporation but is now the manager of an entire corporate division. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

A)   occupational mobility.
B)   social capital.
C)   paternalism.
D)   social stratification.

Question 7

Daniel P. Moynihan believed that the explanation for high unemployment, welfare dependency, and other social problems was

Accepted Answer

A)   poor social class skills.
B)   pluralism.
C)   family deterioration.
D)   culture shock.

Question 8

Sal is an undergraduate, a member of the dean's list, and a pizza-parlor manager. These are all examples of

Accepted Answer

A)   achieved statuses.
B)   ascribed statuses.
C)   paternalism.
D)   economic determinism.

Question 9

Identify and describe three ways that ethnicity and social class are an interrelated social phenomenon.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Identify and describe three ways that ethnicity...

Question 10

An immigrant social network that creates connections and support is also known as __________.

Accepted Answer

A)   values
B)   social capital
C)   material culture
D)   ideologies

Question 11

According to the theory of ______________, immigrants may have different experiences and outcomes depending on their country of origin, settlement area, social class, race, and education.

Accepted Answer

A)   social capital
B)   segmented assimilation
C)   structural differentiation
D)   paternalism

Question 12

Compare and contrast the power differential theory with the internal-colonialism theory.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the power differential theory...

Question 13

In his book The Ethnic Myth, Stephen Steinberg stressed the importance of social  structure and minimized cultural factors.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

Compare and contrast Stephen Steinberg's and Thomas Sowell's views of a minority 
group's economic success.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast Stephen Steinberg's and Thomas...

Question 15

One connection between ethnicity and social class, according to the text, is

Accepted Answer

A)   the lower the ethnic status, the higher the level of class consciousness.
B)   the lower the ethnic status, the lower the level of class consciousness.
C)   working-class ethnics are less hostile to other minorities than middle-class natives.
D)   ethnic antagonism occurs mostly within social class groupings rather than across social class lines.

Question 16

Milton Gordon's ethclass groupings represent

Accepted Answer

A)   the decline of ethnicity as a significant factor in stratification.
B)   the dominance of ethnicity over social class because of ethnic reawakening.
C)   the sub societies resulting from the intersection of race or ethnicity and social class.
D)   a way of studying social class by examining people's ethical understandings of class.

Question 17

Nonimmigrant "foreign" workers typically plan to stay in the host country.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Cultural differentiation refers to

Accepted Answer

A)   the differences that are present between two cultural groups.
B)   the resources available through contacts and relationships.
C)   the culture of poverty experienced by some groups.
D)   assimilation of immigrant groups.

Question 19

Lewis, Valentine, and Harrington agreed that all people would desire the same things and cherish the same __________if they were in an economic position to do so.

Accepted Answer

A)   values
B)   social capital
C)   material culture
D)   ideologies

Question 20

A majority groups' absolute control and coercive power over a subordinate group is also known as _____________.

Accepted Answer

A)   internal colonialism
B)   paternalism
C)   economic determinism
D)   structural assimilation

Exam 3: Ethnic and Racial Stratification

A number of factors can influence assimilation. List at least three and give examples of how they influence assimilation.

The reputational method involves

Discuss both sides of the culture of poverty controversy. What position do most sociologists take? Why?

The culture of poverty refers to

Attitudes tend to stay very stable even if social class situation changes.

Cynthia began working in the copy room of a large corporation but is now the manager of an entire corporate division. This is an example of

Daniel P. Moynihan believed that the explanation for high unemployment, welfare dependency, and other social problems was

Sal is an undergraduate, a member of the dean's list, and a pizza-parlor manager. These are all examples of

Identify and describe three ways that ethnicity and social class are an interrelated social phenomenon.

An immigrant social network that creates connections and support is also known as __________.

According to the theory of ______________, immigrants may have different experiences and outcomes depending on their country of origin, settlement area, social class, race, and education.

Compare and contrast the power differential theory with the internal-colonialism theory.

In his book The Ethnic Myth, Stephen Steinberg stressed the importance of social structure and minimized cultural factors.

Compare and contrast Stephen Steinberg's and Thomas Sowell's views of a minority group's economic success.

One connection between ethnicity and social class, according to the text, is

Milton Gordon's ethclass groupings represent

Nonimmigrant "foreign" workers typically plan to stay in the host country.

Cultural differentiation refers to

Lewis, Valentine, and Harrington agreed that all people would desire the same things and cherish the same __________if they were in an economic position to do so.

A majority groups' absolute control and coercive power over a subordinate group is also known as _____________.