Question 1

________ is a hierarchical formal organization characterized by rationality and efficiency that strives toward improved efficiency and the most effective attainment of common goals.
A) Primary group
B) Control group
C) Bureaucracy
D) Culture

Accepted Answer

The characteristics described in the question are those of a bureaucracy. A bureaucracy is a formal organization that is hierarchical and strives toward improved efficiency and effective attainment of common goals. Primary group and control group refer to different types of groups, while culture is a broader concept that includes shared beliefs, values, practices, and norms of a society or group.

Question 2

Members of the lower classes in Pakistan intentionally deform children to make them more effective as beggars. This example shows the power of social groups to affect an individual's ________.
A) health
B) perceptions
C) convictions
D) knowledge

Accepted Answer

This example illustrates the power of social groups to affect an individual's health, as the intentional deformation for begging purposes directly impacts the physical well-being of the children involved.

Question 3

________ suicide happens when an individual experiences conflicting group expectations or is confronted with ambiguous expectations.
A) Egoistic
B) Altruistic
C) Anomic
D) Rational

Accepted Answer

Anomic suicide occurs when an individual is uncertain about their place in society or experiences a breakdown of social norms and values. This can lead to a sense of meaninglessness and detachment, which may ultimately result in suicide. Conflicting or ambiguous expectations from different groups can contribute to this sense of social disorientation and lead to anomic suicide. Egoistic suicide, on the other hand, occurs when an individual feels disconnected or isolated from society, while altruistic suicide occurs when an individual sacrifices themselves for the benefit of their group or community. Rational suicide refers to a deliberate and considered decision to end one's own life, often due to terminal illness or extreme suffering.

Question 4

One of the earliest sociological studies, which was conducted in Europe, showed that one's attachment to social groups affects the probability of ________.
A) suicide
B) success
C) crime
D) deviance

Accepted Answer

The earliest sociological study referred to in the question is the Durkheim's study of suicide. Durkheim found that one's strong attachment to social groups decreases the probability of suicide. Therefore, the correct choice is A) suicide.

Question 5

________ was the nineteenth-century sociologist who found that social groups affect the probability of suicide.
A) Ritzer
B) Durkheim
C) Marx
D) Weber

Accepted Answer

Émile Durkheim is the sociologist who found that social groups affect the probability of suicide. In his seminal work "Suicide" (1897), Durkheim identifies four types of suicide and argues that social integration and regulation affect the likelihood of suicide.

Question 6

All of the following are examples of how interaction potential has been magnified in the last few years EXCEPT
A) YouTube
B) LinkedIn
C) Twitter
D) forums

Accepted Answer

Forums have been a long-standing method for online interaction and have not seen the same level of magnification in interaction potential in recent years as platforms like YouTube, LinkedIn, and Twitter. These newer platforms have introduced more dynamic and widespread ways of connecting and sharing content, significantly enhancing interaction potential.

Question 7

________ are groups whose members are intimately involved in an informal fashion with each other in face-to-face and long-lasting interaction.
A) Secondary groups
B) Primary groups
C) Tertiary groups
D) Social groups

Accepted Answer

Primary groups are characterized by close, face-to-face relationships between members who interact regularly and consider themselves to be part of a family or tribe. These groups serve important emotional and social needs, often shaping the individual's sense of identity and providing a support network. Examples of primary groups include families, friends, and small communities. Secondary groups are more formal and bureaucratic, such as schools or corporations, and tend to be focused on specific goals or tasks. Tertiary groups are less intimate and involve less direct interaction, such as professional associations or online communities. Social groups encompass all types of groups, both formal and informal, that individuals belong to.

Question 8

________ suicide happens when an individual has minimal ties to a social group and lacks social support.
A) Egoistic
B) Altruistic
C) Anomic
D) Rational

Accepted Answer

Egoistic suicide refers to a situation where an individual feels disconnected from society and lacks social support. This can arise from feelings of isolation and a lack of meaningful social relationships. As a result, the person may feel like they have nothing to live for and may take their own life. Altruistic suicide, on the other hand, occurs when a person sacrifices their life for the greater good of their community or social group. Anomic suicide arises from a breakdown in the social order, such as during times of economic or political upheaval, and rational suicide refers to a situation where an individual makes a well-considered decision to end their life, often due to unrelenting physical or emotional pain.

Question 9

The dehumanization of society that is characteristic of bureaucracies and which Max Weber feared would accompany modern society has been called the ________ .
A) dead end of rationality
B) iron cage of rationality
C) steel trap of rationality
D) paradox of rationality

Accepted Answer

The term "iron cage of rationality" is used to describe the dehumanization and loss of individual freedom within bureaucratic systems, and is commonly associated with Max Weber's concerns about modern society. The other answer choices are not commonly used or associated with this concept.

Question 10

All of the following reasons account for variations in the behavior of people holding identical statuses EXCEPT
A) conflicting expectations from multiple statuses.
B) the innate tendency of human beings to rebel.
C) unclear messages as to which behavior is expected.
D) personality traits such as being passive or aggressive.

Accepted Answer

While conflicting expectations, unclear messages, and personality traits can all account for variations in behavior, the innate tendency to rebel is not necessarily a universal trait among all individuals holding identical statuses.

Question 11

All of the following statements describe social organizations EXCEPT
A) they reinforce stability.
B) they change gradually.
C) they are predictable.
D) they remain static.

Accepted Answer

The statement "they remain static" is not accurate, as social organizations are constantly evolving and changing over time.

Question 12

________ was the sociologist given credit for originating the argument that rationality and bureaucracies would dehumanize society.
A) Weber
B) Freud
C) Mead
D) Marx

Accepted Answer

Weber originated the concept of "iron cage", which argued that the rationalization of society and the prevalence of bureaucracies would lead to an increase in efficiency but also to the disenchantment and dehumanization of individuals.

Question 13

Some Appalachian families expose themselves and their children to injury or death by practicing serpent handling in their church services, showing the power of a social group to affect an individual's ________.
A) behavior
B) health and life
C) religious beliefs
D) attitude toward animals

Accepted Answer

Serpent handling is a practice in which people handle venomous snakes as a demonstration of their faith. This practice can lead to injury or death, and it is a clear example of how a social group can affect an individual's health and life.

Question 14

If Annika Sorenstam, applied and was not accepted to the Augusta National Golf Club because of the club's exclusive policy that limits membership to males only, her being a female was her ________.
A) role
B) norm
C) symbol
D) master status

Accepted Answer

Annika Sorenstam's female gender would constitute her master status in this situation, as it is the characteristic that is most dominant and defines her position in relation to the exclusive policy of the Augusta National Golf Club.

Question 15

Although human beings are biologically programmed to eat, drink, sleep, and engage in sexual activity, social groups significantly shape how these drives are met. This statement illustrates the power of social groups to affect an individual's _______.
A) perceptions
B) behavior
C) convictions
D) health

Accepted Answer

Social groups can significantly influence an individual's behavior in fulfilling basic biological needs such as eating, drinking, sleeping, and engaging in sexual activity. The cultural norms, values, and expectations of a group can shape how these needs are met and expressed by individuals within the group.

Question 16

________ suicide is when individuals are totally group-oriented and kill themselves for the good of the group.
A) Egoistic
B) Altruistic
C) Anomic
D) Rational

Accepted Answer

Altruistic suicide is committed for the benefit of a social group, while egoistic suicide is committed due to lack of social integration or attachment. Anomic suicide is related to a breakdown in social norms and values, and rational suicide is a decision made by an individual based on reason and deliberate planning.

Question 17

A/An________ is a collection of individuals who happen to be at the same place at the same time.
A) social group
B) aggregate
C) social class
D) anomie

Accepted Answer

An aggregate is a group of people who are in the same place at the same time, but they do not necessarily interact or have anything in common beyond their physical location. It is a temporary and random collection of individuals, such as people waiting at a bus stop or standing in line at a grocery store. Social groups, on the other hand, are characterized by shared characteristics, interests, values, or goals, and have some level of social interaction and interdependence. Social class refers to the hierarchical positioning of individuals or groups based on their economic, social, and cultural capital. Anomie refers to a state of normlessness and social chaos that may arise when there is a breakdown of social norms and values, resulting in a loss of direction and purpose for individuals and society as a whole.

Question 18

________ are comprised of people who have a common identity, share a common culture, and define themselves as a distinct social unit.
A) Sanctions
B) Social groups
C) Aggregates
D) Norms

Accepted Answer

Social groups are defined as groups of people who have a common identity, share a common culture, and define themselves as a distinct social unit. Sanctions refer to the consequences of violating norms, while aggregates refer to collections of people who happen to be in the same place at the same time but do not necessarily interact. Norms refer to the shared expectations and rules about behavior that exist within a society or social group.

Question 19

Asch's experiment with subjects who compared the length of a line drawn on a card examined how the group affects the individual's ________.
A) perceptions
B) life cycle
C) wealth potential
D) life expectancy

Accepted Answer

Asch's experiment tested how the group influences an individual's perceptions by asking subjects to compare the length of a line drawn on a card. The experiment aimed to show how the presence of others in a group can lead individuals to conform and give incorrect answers to fit in with the group.

Question 20

________ is the term used by sociologist George Ritzer to describe the increasing bureaucratization of social life.
A) McDonaldization
B) Conflict
C) Functionalism
D) Symbolic interactionism

Accepted Answer

Sociologist George Ritzer coined the term "McDonaldization" to describe the spread of the fast-food restaurant model into other areas of society, such as education, healthcare, and the workplace. It refers to the increasing standardization, efficiency, and calculability of social institutions and the dehumanizing effects this can have on individuals.

Quiz 2: The Structure of Social Groups

________ is a hierarchical formal organization characterized by rationality and efficiency that strives toward improved efficiency and the most effective attainment of common goals.

Members of the lower classes in Pakistan intentionally deform children to make them more effective as beggars. This example shows the power of social groups to affect an individual's ________.

________ suicide happens when an individual experiences conflicting group expectations or is confronted with ambiguous expectations.

One of the earliest sociological studies, which was conducted in Europe, showed that one's attachment to social groups affects the probability of ________.

________ was the nineteenth-century sociologist who found that social groups affect the probability of suicide.

All of the following are examples of how interaction potential has been magnified in the last few years EXCEPT

________ are groups whose members are intimately involved in an informal fashion with each other in face-to-face and long-lasting interaction.

________ suicide happens when an individual has minimal ties to a social group and lacks social support.

The dehumanization of society that is characteristic of bureaucracies and which Max Weber feared would accompany modern society has been called the ________ .

All of the following reasons account for variations in the behavior of people holding identical statuses EXCEPT

All of the following statements describe social organizations EXCEPT

________ was the sociologist given credit for originating the argument that rationality and bureaucracies would dehumanize society.

Some Appalachian families expose themselves and their children to injury or death by practicing serpent handling in their church services, showing the power of a social group to affect an individual's ________.

If Annika Sorenstam, applied and was not accepted to the Augusta National Golf Club because of the club's exclusive policy that limits membership to males only, her being a female was her ________.

Although human beings are biologically programmed to eat, drink, sleep, and engage in sexual activity, social groups significantly shape how these drives are met. This statement illustrates the power of social groups to affect an individual's _______.

________ suicide is when individuals are totally group-oriented and kill themselves for the good of the group.

A/An________ is a collection of individuals who happen to be at the same place at the same time.

________ are comprised of people who have a common identity, share a common culture, and define themselves as a distinct social unit.

Asch's experiment with subjects who compared the length of a line drawn on a card examined how the group affects the individual's ________.

________ is the term used by sociologist George Ritzer to describe the increasing bureaucratization of social life.