Question 1

Honor killings are primarily seen in Middle Eastern and __________ cultures.
A) Western European
B) Eastern European
C) South Asian
D) African

Accepted Answer

Honor killings are most commonly associated with certain South Asian cultures, although they have also been reported in other regions such as the Middle East and North Africa. They are not typically associated with Western or Eastern European or African cultures.

Question 2

In 1978, cult leader Jim Jones forced more than 900 of his followers to drink poisoned Flavor Aid, which led to their deaths. In the run-up to this event, Jones had strictly enforced discipline, mocked and ridiculed anyone who expressed doubts, and even had doubters sedated. This extreme effort to enforce conformity is an example of
A) the expressive self.
B) bureaucracy.
C) social influence.
D) an out-group.

Accepted Answer

Jim Jones used social influence to enforce conformity among his followers, including tactics such as ridicule, sedation, and strict discipline.

Question 3

Actual group productivity never equals potential productivity. This is because
A) the tasks that groups usually work on are not very interesting, which decreases motivation.
B) time is lost to coordinating and organizing group members.
C) group members never identify with the group thoroughly enough to give it their full attention.
D) there is no way to recognize group members for their efforts.

Accepted Answer

Time is lost to coordinating and organizing group members, which reduces the amount of time available for actual productive work.

Question 4

The Asch experiment yielded different results when other researchers tried to replicate it decades later, but a recent replication of Milgram's experiment had virtually the same results. What important implications does Milgram's research have for contemporary society?
A) It demonstrates that the power of conformity can still lead to real-life instances of obedience.
B) It demonstrates how people can avoid social influence that would lead to criminal actions.
C) It challenges the notion that authoritative figures have any real power over personal decisions.
D) It demonstrates that people who cave to social pressure have major character flaws, which helps employers avoid poor employees.

Accepted Answer

Milgram's research demonstrates that people can be easily influenced to obey authority figures, even if it means causing harm to others. This has important implications for contemporary society, such as in the context of obedience to authority in the military or in government institutions. It also highlights the need for individuals to be aware of the social influence that can impact their decision-making processes.

Question 5

Which of the following strategies could be used as a way to minimize social loafing?
A) ensuring that no one in the group has a particularly interesting or rewarding job
B) ensuring that all group members are well educated and have the proper training
C) finding ways to recognize individual effort
D) adding more members to the group

Accepted Answer

Finding ways to recognize individual effort can help to motivate individuals to contribute more to the group effort and decrease the likelihood of social loafing. This can include giving praise or rewards for individual achievements within the group. Ensuring that no job is particularly interesting or rewarding (A) is not an effective strategy as it may lead to decreased motivation and engagement in the task. While ensuring that all group members are well-educated and trained (B) may contribute to individual performance and group effectiveness, it does not necessarily address social loafing specifically. Adding more members to the group (D) may also not be effective, as it can lead to diffusion of responsibility and a larger potential for social loafing.

Question 6

A man arrested for driving under the influence must attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in accordance with a court order. He attends the meetings so as to avoid a jail sentence and a hefty fine, but not because he wants to. What do sociologists call this kind of conformity?
A) identification
B) internalization
C) proscription
D) compliance

Accepted Answer

This is an example of compliance, which is a type of conformity in which individuals conform to social norms or expectations to avoid negative consequences or gain rewards. The man is attending AA meetings to comply with a court order and avoid punishment, rather than because he internalizes the values or beliefs of AA.

Question 7

Individual members of a large group often neglect their responsibilities when a task needs to be completed because it is impossible for any one person to receive credit or blame. This phenomenon is called
A) regression toward the mean.
B) groupthink.
C) group polarization.
D) social loafing.

Accepted Answer

Social loafing occurs when individuals in a group exert less effort than they would if working alone, often because they feel their individual contribution will not be recognized or may be lost among the efforts of the group as a whole.

Question 8

A college professor has a large collection of controversial counterculture T-shirts, but makes sure to never wear these shirts to class. What is this kind of conformity called?
A) identification
B) compliance
C) internalization
D) groupthink

Accepted Answer

The type of conformity that is described in the scenario is compliance. Compliance involves conforming to the norms or expectations of a group in order to gain acceptance, but not necessarily internalizing those norms or beliefs as one's own. The professor is choosing to conform to the norm of professional dress in the classroom in order to maintain a professional image and avoid potential conflicts or distractions.

Question 9

A student at a university explains that he doesn't want to join a fraternity because he believes they create negative in-group and out-group dynamics. What perspective best describes his views?
A) symbolic interactionism
B) coercive power
C) structural functionalism
D) conflict theory

Accepted Answer

The student's concern about the negative dynamics created by fraternities reflects a conflict theory perspective, which sees social inequality and differences in power as driving forces in society. In this case, the student is identifying the way in which fraternities create an in-group/out-group dynamic that can lead to exclusion and marginalization of those who are not part of the group.

Question 10

Which type of conformity has occurred when someone joins an animal rights group and then adopts a vegan diet?
A) social networks
B) internalization
C) compliance
D) social atomism

Accepted Answer

Internalization is the type of conformity in which individuals adopt the beliefs and values of a group and incorporate them into their own personal beliefs. In this case, the individual has joined an animal rights group and has fully embraced their beliefs by adopting a vegan diet. This indicates that they have internalized the group's values and beliefs.

Question 11

Only 25 percent of subjects in the Asch experiment were "independents" who refused to
A) give the wrong answer.
B) inhabit the role of "guard."
C) obey authorities asking them to shock participants.
D) inhabit the role of "prisoner."

Accepted Answer

In the Asch experiment, the "independents" were the 25 percent of subjects who refused to give the wrong answer, even though others in the group were doing so. The other answer options (B, C, and D) are not related to this experiment or its findings.

Question 12

Students often complain when they hear their instructor assign group work. One of the biggest problems associated with group assignments is that one person often ends up doing most of the work while others take it easy. This is called
A) anomie.
B) social identity.
C) social loafing.
D) compliance.

Accepted Answer

Social loafing is a phenomenon where individuals put in less effort when working in a group than they would if they were working alone. This can lead to uneven distribution of work and frustration for those who are putting in more effort.

Question 13

What is the strongest type of conformity that can occur as a result of social influence or peer pressure?
A) social loafing
B) identification
C) internalization
D) compliance

Accepted Answer

The strongest type of conformity is internalization, which means that an individual has come to accept and believe in the values and norms of a group as their own. This is the deepest level of conformity, as it stems from a true change in the individual's beliefs and attitudes. Social loafing and compliance are less strong forms of conformity, as they often arise from a desire to fit in or avoid punishment. Identification is a step above compliance, as it involves mimicking the behavior or beliefs of a group in order to fit in, but does not necessarily involve a deep internalization of those beliefs.

Question 14

What was the Asch experiment measuring?
A) the power of peer pressure
B) the extent of social networks
C) the value of teamwork compared with individual effort
D) the type of organization that can best achieve social goals

Accepted Answer

The Asch experiment was measuring the power of peer pressure and how it can influence an individual's perception and behavior.

Question 15

The mother of a university student is worried about her son joining a fraternity. She worries that peer pressure and groupthink may lead her son to do things he wouldn't normally do, such as binge drinking. What perspective best describes her views?
A) symbolic interactionism
B) coercive power
C) structural functionalism
D) conflict theory

Accepted Answer

The mother's concern revolves around the influence of social interactions and the pressure to conform within the fraternity, which aligns with symbolic interactionism. This perspective focuses on how individuals interpret and respond to social symbols and interactions within specific contexts.

Question 16

Which of the following phenomena is a reason that group efficiency declines as groups increase in size?
A) social loafing
B) rationalization
C) socialization
D) identification

Accepted Answer

Social loafing is the tendency of individuals to exert less effort in group settings than when working alone. As groups increase in size, individuals may feel less accountable and assume that their contributions will not be noticed or valued, leading to a decrease in overall group efficiency.

Question 17

What does social identity theory suggest about teamwork?
A) Teamwork and efficiency are at their best when tasks are repetitive and boring.
B) Teamwork is most efficient when there is little or no recognition of individual effort.
C) The most efficient teams are made up of members with a strong shared social identity.
D) The most efficient teams are made up of primary group members.

Accepted Answer

Social identity theory suggests that individuals form their self-concept and social identity based on the groups they belong to. Thus, the most efficient teams are made up of members with a strong shared social identity. This shared identity fosters a sense of belonging and cooperation, leading to greater teamwork and higher performance. Options A, B, and D are incorrect because they do not align with the principles of social identity theory.

Question 18

Members of a fraternity believe that they help create social cohesion by bringing together students with shared values. What perspective best describes their views?
A) symbolic interactionism
B) coercive power
C) structural functionalism
D) conflict theory

Accepted Answer

The fraternity members believe they are contributing to the function (social cohesion) of society by bringing together students with shared values. This aligns with the principles of structural functionalism, which emphasizes the ways in which social institutions contribute to the overall functioning of society.

Question 19

The new graduate students in a university program often gather after class for beer and pizza. What is it an example of if one new graduate student doesn't like beer or pizza but accompanies the group anyway because he wants to make friends?
A) internalization
B) compliance
C) shared values
D) identification

Accepted Answer

Identification occurs when an individual conforms to the expectations of a group to establish or maintain a relationship, even if they do not personally agree with or enjoy the group's activities.

Question 20

The mother of a university student encourages her son to join a fraternity. She hopes that peer pressure and groupthink may lead her son to do things he hasn't tried before, such as volunteering and attending formal events. What perspective best describes her views?
A) symbolic interactionism
B) coercive power
C) structural functionalism
D) conflict theory

Accepted Answer

The answer of The mother of a university student encourages...

Quiz 5: Separate and Together: Life in Groups

Honor killings are primarily seen in Middle Eastern and __________ cultures.

Actual group productivity never equals potential productivity. This is because

The Asch experiment yielded different results when other researchers tried to replicate it decades later, but a recent replication of Milgram's experiment had virtually the same results. What important implications does Milgram's research have for contemporary society?

Which of the following strategies could be used as a way to minimize social loafing?

A man arrested for driving under the influence must attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings in accordance with a court order. He attends the meetings so as to avoid a jail sentence and a hefty fine, but not because he wants to. What do sociologists call this kind of conformity?

Individual members of a large group often neglect their responsibilities when a task needs to be completed because it is impossible for any one person to receive credit or blame. This phenomenon is called

A college professor has a large collection of controversial counterculture T-shirts, but makes sure to never wear these shirts to class. What is this kind of conformity called?

A student at a university explains that he doesn't want to join a fraternity because he believes they create negative in-group and out-group dynamics. What perspective best describes his views?

Which type of conformity has occurred when someone joins an animal rights group and then adopts a vegan diet?

Only 25 percent of subjects in the Asch experiment were "independents" who refused to

Students often complain when they hear their instructor assign group work. One of the biggest problems associated with group assignments is that one person often ends up doing most of the work while others take it easy. This is called

What is the strongest type of conformity that can occur as a result of social influence or peer pressure?

What was the Asch experiment measuring?

The mother of a university student is worried about her son joining a fraternity. She worries that peer pressure and groupthink may lead her son to do things he wouldn't normally do, such as binge drinking. What perspective best describes her views?

Which of the following phenomena is a reason that group efficiency declines as groups increase in size?

What does social identity theory suggest about teamwork?

Members of a fraternity believe that they help create social cohesion by bringing together students with shared values. What perspective best describes their views?

The new graduate students in a university program often gather after class for beer and pizza. What is it an example of if one new graduate student doesn't like beer or pizza but accompanies the group anyway because he wants to make friends?

The mother of a university student encourages her son to join a fraternity. She hopes that peer pressure and groupthink may lead her son to do things he hasn't tried before, such as volunteering and attending formal events. What perspective best describes her views?