Question 1

Juan and Sylvester are collaborating on a project at work,but are having trouble agreeing on objectives and goals.Henry senses the trouble they are having and steps in to help them refine their goals and come to an agreement.The manager is pleased with Henry's success in diffusing a potentially problematic situation and promotes Henry to project leader.Henry assumed which of Simmel's roles?
A) mediator
B) team leader
C) divide et impera
D) tertius gaudens

Accepted Answer

D

Question 2

A classroom would not typically fall under Simmel's classification of a small group because:
A) there is no face-to-face interaction.
B) it is not unifocal in perspective.
C) there are formal arrangements or roles.
D) the relationships are equal.

Accepted Answer

A classroom has formal arrangements or roles, such as a teacher and students, which is a characteristic of a formal organization. Simmel's classification of a small group refers to a group of individuals who interact face-to-face, have informal relationships, and lack formal arrangements or roles.

Question 3

Simmel describes three basic forms of political relations a third party can assume when joining a dyad.Which of the roles listed below was NOT discussed by Simmel?
A) a third party who helps resolve conflict
B) a third party who benefits from conflict
C) a third party who drives a wedge between a dyad
D) a third party who engages the dyad

Accepted Answer

Simmel discusses the third parties who either help resolve conflict, benefit from conflict, or drive a wedge between a dyad. However, he does not discuss a third party who engages the dyad.

Question 4

The most important difference between primary and secondary groups has to do with:
A) size, because it is impossible to have intimacy in secondary groups.
B) the kinds of relationships that exist within them.
C) whether the people in the group trust each other.
D) the level of competition for scarce resources within the group.

Accepted Answer

The most important difference between primary and secondary groups has to do with the kinds of relationships that exist within them. Primary groups are characterized by face-to-face interactions, close relationships, and long-term commitments. On the other hand, secondary groups are larger and focus on achieving specific goals or objectives. The relationships in secondary groups tend to be more impersonal and short-term. While size may be a factor, it is not the most important difference, and trust and competition for resources may exist in both primary and secondary groups.

Question 5

When your lecture class in which only the professor was speaking breaks off into ten small groups of five students,it has switched from being ____________ to being ____________.
A) a dyad; a triad
B) formal; informal
C) a group; a network
D) unifocal; multifocal

Accepted Answer

The class was initially unifocal, with one professor speaking to the entire class. When it breaks into small groups, it becomes multifocal, as each group can focus on its own discussion.

Question 6

According to Simmel,the essential feature of a party is that it is:
A) multifocal.
B) unifocal.
C) unfocused.
D) difficult to control.

Accepted Answer

Simmel's concept of a party emphasizes that it is a social gathering where the attention is centered on the group interaction rather than a particular activity or objective. A party is characterized by multiple social interactions, conversations, and engagements happening simultaneously, making it multifocal. Simmel argued that this complexity of social networks and interactions is what distinguishes a party from other forms of social gatherings like meetings, where the focus is unifocal and limited.

Question 7

Who wrote a classic work distinguishing dyads from triads and argued that the number of people in a group is important in determining the form social relationships will take within that group?
A) Durkheim
B) Fake
C) Simmel
D) Cooley

Accepted Answer

The classic work distinguishing dyads from triads and arguing the importance of group size for social relationships is "The Sociology of Georg Simmel," written by German sociologist Georg Simmel.

Question 8

Which sociologist distinguished between primary and secondary groups?
A) Georg Simmel
B) Max Weber
C) Erving Goffman
D) Charles Horton Cooley

Accepted Answer

Charles Horton Cooley is credited with the concept of primary and secondary groups in sociology.

Question 9

A married couple and their firstborn child are a type of group known as:
A) a dyad.
B) a triad.
C) a party.
D) a small group.

Accepted Answer

The group consisting of a married couple and their firstborn child is a triad, which is a group of three individuals.

Question 10

Parenting coordinators are sometimes brought in by the court to help relieve tension between divorcing parents.When a dispute arises between the parents,the parenting coordinator can step in and help moms and dads "keep the peace." The coordinator plays the role of:
A) the third that rejoices.
B) divide and conquer.
C) mediator.
D) counselor "at large."

Accepted Answer

A parenting coordinator's role is to mediate between the parents and help them come to a mutually agreed upon solution. They do not take sides or try to divide the parents. Additionally, they are not there to provide counseling services, but rather to help with specific issues related to parenting and co-parenting.

Question 11

When you go on a date with one other person,you have formed a:
A) union.
B) party.
C) relationship.
D) dyad.

Accepted Answer

A dyad is a group of two people and is most appropriate in the context of a date involving only two individuals. The other options may not accurately describe a date.

Question 12

What kind of group ceases to exist if even one member leaves the group?
A) dyads
B) triads
C) affinity groups
D) informal groups

Accepted Answer

Dyads are groups consisting of two members. If one member leaves, the group no longer exists as it requires both members to be present.

Question 13

In which of the following groups is a coalition formation impossible?
A) dyads
B) secondary groups
C) primary groups
D) triads

Accepted Answer

A coalition is formed when two or more individuals align themselves against another individual or group. In dyads, there are only two individuals, so there is no possibility of forming a coalition.

Question 14

You and your friend have created a technology start-up.Since its inception,it has become very successful and you've had to hire many employees.At what point will you realize that it has become,in Simmel's terms,a large group?
A) when you don't know everyone's name
B) when formal job titles are created and formal hierarchies between employees emerge
C) when you have to build cubicles for your employees' privacy
D) when you begin issuing stock options to employees as part of their compensation package

Accepted Answer

According to Simmel, a large group is characterized by the emergence of formal structures and hierarchies. The creation of formal job titles and hierarchies between employees is a clear sign that the group has become larger and more complex.

Question 15

Sociologist Georg Simmel (1950)argues that "size matters" in a group primarily because the number of people in a group determines:
A) how large the group can become.
B) what people will say.
C) what people think about others.
D) the structure social relations will take.

Accepted Answer

According to Georg Simmel, the number of people in a group determines the structure social relations will take. This is because larger groups tend to have more formalized structures and rules, while smaller groups may have more informal and personal relationships between members. Therefore, the size of a group can impact how individuals interact and relate to one another within that group.

Question 16

When a dyad becomes a triad,the third member can gain tremendous power.Which role involves playing one member against the other for his or her own advantage?
A) mediator
B) divide and conquer
C) the third that rejoices
D) coalition

Accepted Answer

The answer of When a dyad becomes a triad,the third...

Question 17

If the buying public can be seen as playing two producers off against each other and promoting their self-interest by gaining the lowest price,the buying public could be viewed as playing the role of:
A) the third that rejoices.
B) divide and conquer.
C) mediator.
D) monopoly.

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the third that rejoices" refers to a situation where a third party benefits from the competition or conflict between two other parties. In this context, the buying public benefits from the competition between producers by obtaining lower prices.

Question 18

A person who intentionally tries to drive a wedge between two other people is termed by Simmel as:
A) divide and conquer.
B) the third that rejoices.
C) slash and burn.
D) scapegoat.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A person who intentionally tries to drive...

Question 19

If stepsiblings are asked to share bedrooms or other possessions,and one of them views such sharing as an intrusion,he or she may have difficulty overcoming the tendency to play the role of ____________ between his or her parent and the new stepmother or stepfather.
A) tertius gaudens
B) divide et impera
C) mediator
D) arbitrator

Accepted Answer

"Divide et impera" refers to a strategy of maintaining control by encouraging division among others, which aligns with the context of a stepsibling viewing sharing as an intrusion and potentially causing division between the parent and stepparent.

Question 20

According to Simmel,which of the following groups is the most fragile?
A) triad
B) dyad
C) primary group
D) secondary group

Accepted Answer

According to Simmel, a dyad is the most fragile group because it consists of only two members, and if one member leaves, the group ceases to exist.

Quiz 5: Groups and Networks

A classroom would not typically fall under Simmel's classification of a small group because:

Simmel describes three basic forms of political relations a third party can assume when joining a dyad.Which of the roles listed below was NOT discussed by Simmel?

The most important difference between primary and secondary groups has to do with:

When your lecture class in which only the professor was speaking breaks off into ten small groups of five students,it has switched from being to being .

According to Simmel,the essential feature of a party is that it is:

Who wrote a classic work distinguishing dyads from triads and argued that the number of people in a group is important in determining the form social relationships will take within that group?

Which sociologist distinguished between primary and secondary groups?

A married couple and their firstborn child are a type of group known as:

Parenting coordinators are sometimes brought in by the court to help relieve tension between divorcing parents.When a dispute arises between the parents,the parenting coordinator can step in and help moms and dads "keep the peace." The coordinator plays the role of:

When you go on a date with one other person,you have formed a:

What kind of group ceases to exist if even one member leaves the group?

In which of the following groups is a coalition formation impossible?

You and your friend have created a technology start-up.Since its inception,it has become very successful and you've had to hire many employees.At what point will you realize that it has become,in Simmel's terms,a large group?

Sociologist Georg Simmel (1950) argues that "size matters" in a group primarily because the number of people in a group determines:

When a dyad becomes a triad,the third member can gain tremendous power.Which role involves playing one member against the other for his or her own advantage?

If the buying public can be seen as playing two producers off against each other and promoting their self-interest by gaining the lowest price,the buying public could be viewed as playing the role of:

A person who intentionally tries to drive a wedge between two other people is termed by Simmel as:

If stepsiblings are asked to share bedrooms or other possessions,and one of them views such sharing as an intrusion,he or she may have difficulty overcoming the tendency to play the role of ____________ between his or her parent and the new stepmother or stepfather.

According to Simmel,which of the following groups is the most fragile?