Deck 5: Power

Question 1

The "ability to bring about an intended outcome" is an example of which approach to power?

A) "power to"
B) domination
C) coercion
D) meso-level power

Answer 1

A

Question 2

Which approach to power is most typical of feminist scholarship?

A) persuasion
B) soft power
C) empowerment
D) opposition

Answer 2

C

Question 3

According to French and Raven, what type of power is among the six bases of power in small groups and organizations?

A) reward
B) legitimate
C) expert
D) All these answers are correct.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Some societies are powerful because they have access to resources and knowledge that enables them to accomplish goals. This approach to power is attributed to which theorist?

A) Dorothy Smith
B) Talcott Parsons
C) Emile Durkheim
D) Michel Foucault

Question 5

The fact that history textbooks still disproportionately highlight the achievements of men over those of women, and thus have the power to define men as more important and more able agents of history, is an example of what type of power?

A) patriarchal
B) political
C) cultural
D) masculine

Question 6

At which level of society does domination occur?

A) micro level
B) macro level
C) meso level
D) all levels

Question 7

From Michel Foucault's distinctive perspective of power, people

A) are coerced by centralized power.
B) resist coercive authority.
C) willingly self-regulate to conform.
D) are vulnerable to persuasion.

Question 8

Michel Foucault described power as

A) a punitive system.
B) knowledge systems.
C) a control system.
D) institutional influence.

Question 9

Who defined power as the ability to bring about an intended outcome, even when opposed by others?

A) Virginia Held
B) Nancy Hartsock
C) Max Weber
D) Bertrand Russell

Question 10

The ability to control and allocate resources defines which type of power?

A) political power
B) cultural power
C) economic power
D) reward power

Question 11

Karl Marx focused on what level of the operation of power in a society?

A) macro
B) micro
C) meso
D) All these answers are correct.

Question 12

Public schools in wealthy neighborhoods are typically better funded, better equipped, and more successful than their counterparts in underprivileged areas. This inequality is a result of the residents' greater ________ power.

A) economic
B) persuasive
C) reward
D) cultural

Question 13

________ is an approach to power that centers on overcoming opposition.

A) Domination
B) Empowerment
C) Deception
D) Conflict

Question 14

Which strategy contributes to empowerment?

A) convincing and persuasion
B) rewarding compliance
C) financial incentive
D) education and training

Question 15

Persuasion is a strategy typical of which approach to power?

A) domination
B) empowerment
C) direct conflict
D) deception

Question 16

Employees' respect for their boss's position and authority is an example of what kind of power?

A) expert power
B) legitimate power
C) soft power
D) organizational power

Question 17

Television shows and movies disproportionately portray the wealthy in a positive light, often as glamorous, able, and good. In contrast, negative characters are often portrayed as poor, criminal, and morally deficient. This is an example of what type of power the media exert over their audience?

A) informational
B) soft
C) legitimate
D) cultural

Question 18

Antonio Gramsci's concept of power as "hegemony" is based on

A) the manipulation of ideas to manufacture consent.
B) superior military power to dominate other nations.
C) superior economic power to manipulate other nations.
D) the achievement of global political supremacy.

Question 19

When organizations form coalitions in order to pool their resources, they are participating in

A) domination.
B) networking.
C) charity.
D) None of these answers is correct.

Question 20

Soft power tactics focus on

A) collaboration and friendship.
B) logical persuasion.
C) rewards and incentives.
D) emotional appeal.

Question 21

Power that uses force to accomplish obedience is

A) traditional.
B) illegitimate.
C) rational.
D) primitive.

Question 22

Which of the following does NOT describe the typical charismatic leader?

A) He or she inspires devotion in followers.
B) The leader determines to whom he or she will transfer power.
C) His or her power is short-lived.
D) The leader's power is derived from his or her personal characteristics.

Question 23

Power that is accepted voluntarily is ________ power.

A) soft
B) economic
C) hegemonic
D) legitimate

Question 24

Long-term hostages tend to identify with their captor's point of view over time and voluntarily comply with their demands. This phenomenon is called

A) going native.
B) the Stockholm syndrome.
C) the Belgian illusion.
D) the prisoner's dilemma.

Question 25

Based on Max Weber's understanding of status, people who are wealthy and powerful

A) have a guaranteed status.
B) can have low status.
C) do not care about status.
D) always have high status.

Question 26

Power that sets rules for others to follow is referred to as ________ power.

A) political
B) rational
C) arbitrary
D) cultural

Question 27

The queen of England's power is legitimate because it is based on what kind of authority?

A) unquestionable authority
B) regal authority
C) charismatic authority
D) traditional authority

Question 28

Wealthy women CEOs enjoy the privileges of their class and status, but at the same time have to contend with the lower status women are assigned in the male-dominated business environment. Which theory of power best addresses this contradiction?

A) Patricia Hill Collins: intersectionality theory
B) Max Weber: theory of power as privilege
C) Dorothy Smith: standpoint theory
D) Michel Foucault: power/knowledge

Question 29

________ is based on the acceptance of rules and laws.

A) Legal power
B) Traditional authority
C) Rational-legal authority
D) Political power

Question 30

Which type of power is based on the ability to define social reality?

A) referent power
B) political power
C) cultural power
D) informational power

Question 31

Max Weber defined a person's status as

A) inseparable from class.
B) existing apart from the individual.
C) indistinguishable from class.
D) independent and distinct from class.

Question 32

Power whose legitimacy depends on a personal characteristic of the leader is referred to as ________ authority.

A) devotional
B) inspirational
C) charismatic
D) traditional

Question 33

________ is a condition that exists when those in power have successfully spread their ideas-and marginalized alternative viewpoints-so that their perspectives and interests are accepted widely as being universal and true.

A) Feudalism
B) The Stockholm Syndrome
C) Hegemony
D) Social closure

Question 34

The most effective way to resist power for those who are weak and low in status, power, and resources is

A) indirect confrontation.
B) education.
C) collective disobedience.
D) demonstration of revolt.

Question 35

Max Weber defined legitimate power as based on

A) democratic elections.
B) the acceptance of and belief in authority.
C) acceptance by the majority.
D) accountability to a constituency.

Question 36

Patricia Hill Collins's concept of a matrix of domination is best described as

A) a silent conspiracy.
B) multidimensional oppression.
C) hidden domination.
D) indirect oppression.

Question 37

The power of the president of the United States is legitimate because it is based on what kind of authority?

A) rational-legal authority
B) charismatic authority
C) popular authority
D) democratic authority

Question 38

What does it mean to say a category is "socially constructed"?

A) It is dependent upon a society's definition.
B) It is continually revised.
C) It is changeable.
D) All these answers are correct.

Question 39

According to Dorothy Smith's "standpoint theory," people view society and power from

A) an oppositional stance.
B) an individualistic perspective.
C) a biased standpoint.
D) the perspective of their group.

Question 40

________ theory focuses on multiple viewpoints, especially the perspectives of the oppressed.

A) Standpoint
B) Privilege
C) Vision
D) Noncompliance

Question 41

Lai is a powerful and wealthy businesswoman who enjoys all the benefits of her class background. To attain her position, however, she struggled to overcome the disadvantage and discrimination of her gender in a male-dominated business environment. This scenario corresponds with which concept?

A) matrix of domination
B) social closure
C) traditional authority
D) power as knowledge

Question 42

Sociologists interested in systems of stratification would most likely focus on which of the following?

A) age-based groups
B) urban and rural populations
C) class, race, and gender
D) ethnic groups

Question 43

According to Max Weber, the opportunities offered by a person's economic position are known as

A) rewards.
B) life chances.
C) economic advantages.
D) illegitimate powers.

Question 44

Which of the following best describes the Indian caste system?

A) closed, without social mobility
B) based on a strict legal system
C) open, with limited social mobility
D) based on force

Question 45

The structure of inequality in the feudal system of medieval Europe is most similar to

A) an early European democracy.
B) the European capitalist system.
C) the Indian caste system.
D) early U.S. democracy.

Question 46

All systems of stratification essentially contain which of the following combinations of factors?

A) powerful group and an inspirational leader
B) distinct racial groups and prejudice
C) unequal distribution of resources and an ideology
D) prejudice and power

Question 47

Within what framework did Karl Marx place his examination of class?

A) status
B) life chances
C) the economy
D) privilege

Question 48

Which theoretical perspective focuses on the multiplicity of dimensions of inequality and their interaction?

A) interdependence theory
B) intersectionality theory
C) standpoint theory
D) political power theory

Question 49

The ideology that justifies the capitalist system of stratification is centered on

A) the role of wealth.
B) individual achievement.
C) the role of the state.
D) progressive innovation.

Question 50

A country that promotes the collective good, deemphasizes individual interests, and supports economic equality is built on which type of system?

A) socialism
B) capitalism
C) communism
D) collectivism

Question 51

Systems of stratification based on an achieved status typically

A) allow social mobility.
B) prohibit social mobility.
C) disregard achievement.
D) discourage achievement.

Question 52

The system of racial oppression in the United States prior to the 1960s is an example of which system of stratification?

A) class-based
B) agriculture-based
C) caste-based
D) achievement-based

Question 53

Under the Indian caste system, the Dalits are a social group

A) who can only worship with other castes, but cannot work with them.
B) that occupies the highest rank.
C) that exists outside of the varna system.
D) of priests and clergy.

Question 54

Which of the following is an example of an ascribed status?

A) college student
B) female
C) musician
D) poor

Question 55

According to Max Weber, ________ is the process used by members of a dominant status group to maximize their advantage by excluding nonmembers from the benefits of membership.

A) social exclusion
B) social divide
C) segregation
D) social closure

Question 56

What ideology justifies the Indian caste system?

A) traditional Hindu doctrine
B) traditional Confucian doctrine
C) rational pragmatism
D) elitism

Question 57

How do sociologists view the categories of race, class, and gender?

A) inherent and inevitable
B) natural and biologically determined
C) unchangeable and perpetual
D) socially constructed

Question 58

What factor is essential to the continued survival of a system of stratification?

A) large financial backing
B) ample resources
C) an ideology
D) dedicated members

Question 59

The Indian caste system is based on

A) personal achievement.
B) ascribed status.
C) achieved status.
D) segregation.

Question 60

Systems of stratification based on an ascribed status

A) allow upward social mobility.
B) discourage social mobility.
C) facilitate social mobility.
D) allow virtually no social mobility.

Question 61

In the United States, "individual achievement" is the focus of the ideology behind the system of stratification. This idea, that individual effort determines one's lot in life,

A) implicitly justifies inequality.
B) promotes individual achievement.
C) improves the economy.
D) promotes justice.

Question 62

From the sociological perspective, inequality is seen as

A) socially constructed.
B) inherent and inevitable.
C) unchanging.
D) having no solution.

Question 63

Democratic socialism emphasizes

A) individual sacrifice.
B) economic equality.
C) state control over the individual.
D) limited freedom.

Question 64

A country that supports close government involvement in the economy, higher taxation, and a generous social welfare policy is an example of which system?

A) communism
B) authoritarianism
C) democratic socialism
D) state socialism

Question 65

What is the principal difference between capitalist and socialist ideologies?

A) focus on freedom vs. control
B) focus on money vs. government
C) focus on the individual vs. the collective
D) focus on democracy vs. authority

Question 66

In contrast to caste systems, class systems

A) offer less social mobility.
B) offer more social mobility.
C) are closed.
D) are more rigid.

Question 67

In the study of a patriarchal system, which type of domination would be of main interest to a sociologist?

A) cultural practices
B) coercion
C) physical violence
D) fear

Question 68

Political participation in the United States depends most heavily on which of the following factors?

A) party affiliation
B) religious affiliation
C) class
D) patriotism

Question 69

The ideology behind a socialist system focuses on

A) the collective good.
B) individual achievement.
C) wealth and prosperity.
D) high taxes.

Question 70

Which system accomplishes the LEAST inequality?

A) capitalism
B) communism
C) state socialism
D) democratic socialism

Question 71

A system in which women play a secondary role to men and have less than equal access to resources and positions of power is known as

A) a matriarchy.
B) a patriarchy.
C) an oligarchy.
D) a plutocracy.

Question 72

In the Indian caste system, which is necessary to change one's caste affiliation?

A) education
B) hard work and financial success
C) a bribe
D) Virtually no mobility is possible.

Question 73

In the United States, wealth and resources are

A) distributed fairly equally.
B) distributed unequally.
C) spread across classes.
D) held by the majority.

Question 74

Systems of stratification based primarily on an ascribed status typically

A) allow virtually no social mobility.
B) encourage social mobility.
C) strive to lower inequality.
D) have little or no inequality.

Question 75

Sociologists see social inequality as being rooted in

A) a lack of individual effort.
B) greed.
C) factors beyond an individual's control.
D) personal choice.

Question 76

The system of state socialism includes which of the following?

A) political oppression
B) a focus on individual achievement.
C) equality as a primary goal
D) a reverence for progressive attitudes

Question 77

Some feminists argue that male domination of women is based on the system of capitalism. From this perspective, women play the role of

A) "happy homemakers."
B) cheap and oppressed labor.
C) spendthrifts who are addicted to shopping.
D) less-competent employees than men.

Question 78

A system of inequality is not viable without

A) political power.
B) economic domination.
C) authority.
D) a justifying ideology.

Question 79

In the socialist system, the role of the government is

A) limited.
B) to promote equality.
C) to restrict freedom.
D) to discourage individual achievement.

Question 80

The feudal estate system of stratification was based on

A) political domination.
B) class inequality.
C) an ascribed status.
D) an achieved status.