Question 1

Because of our sense of belonging and loyalty to in-groups, we often judge our own group's traits as virtues, but view the same traits in other groups as vices. This judgment of superiority is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

This judgment of superiority is commonly known as a double standard – holding different groups or individuals to different standards based on our own biases and prejudices. This is often the result of our sense of belonging and loyalty to in-groups, known as in-group favoritism. We view our own group's traits as virtues and positive qualities while at the same time viewing the same traits in other groups as vices and negative qualities.

Question 2

Kody is a member of the L.A. Crips. The other gangs in his territory are the Bloods and Satan's Slaves. Kody feels very antagonistic towards the Bloods and the Slaves. For Kody, these two rival gangs would be considered ________.

Accepted Answer

The definition of an out-group is any group that an individual is not a member of and has a sense of opposition or competition with. In this scenario, the Bloods and Satan's Slaves are out-groups for Kody, as he feels antagonistic towards them. Therefore, the correct choice is D) out-groups.

Question 3

Despite recent confirmation of Milgram's findings, Milgram's experiment on small group phenomenon has received much criticism over the years. For example Kleinfeld criticized the study by making the analogy that "we live in a world that looks a lot like ________."

Accepted Answer

Kleinfeld criticized Milgram's small world phenomenon by comparing the world to "a bowl of clumpy oatmeal," suggesting that while there are connections (the clumps), there are also significant gaps or separations between different groups or individuals, challenging the notion of a closely connected world.

Question 4

If a secondary group does not satisfy one's need for intimate association, which of the following is most likely to occur?

Accepted Answer

Secondary groups, which are larger and more impersonal than primary groups, might break down into smaller, more intimate primary groups if they fail to meet individuals' needs for close association. This is because individuals naturally seek closer, more personal connections when their needs for intimacy are not met in larger group settings.

Question 5

How does the structure and function of groups change as they grow in size?

Accepted Answer

As groups grow in size, they tend to develop a more formal social structure to help organize and facilitate their activities. This can include the establishment of more specific roles and responsibilities, the creation of committees or subgroups, and the adoption of formal rules and procedures. Larger groups may also require more formal communication channels and decision-making processes to ensure that everyone has a voice and that decisions are made effectively.

Question 6

How groups influence individuals and how individuals affect groups is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Group dynamics refers to the ways in which individuals within a group interact with one another, including how they influence each other and how they are influenced by the group as a whole. It encompasses both the internal processes of the group and its impact on individual members. The Hawthorne Effect refers specifically to the phenomenon in which people alter their behavior as a result of being observed or studied. Social solidarity refers to the degree of cohesion within a society or group, while small group phenomenon is a vague term that could refer to various aspects of small group behavior.

Question 7

Milgram's experiment involving the "small world phenomenon" utilized two groups. He referred to these two groups as the ________ and the ________.

Accepted Answer

Milgram's experiment involved two groups: starters and targets. The starters were individuals who were instructed to begin a chain of communication to try and reach a target person who was located several degrees of separation away. This experiment was conducted to test the "small world phenomenon," which suggests that individuals in a large network are connected by only a few degrees of separation.

Question 8

In which group would there be the greatest number of relationships?

Accepted Answer

In a group of nine people, there are more potential relationships than in groups of smaller sizes. The number of potential relationships in a group can be calculated using the formula n(n-1)/2, where n is the number of people in the group. For a group of nine (the starting nine on a baseball team), there are 36 potential relationships, which is more than in the other options provided.

Question 9

In any group of three members, two of the three may have a tendency to alienate the third member and dominate the decision making for the group the trio represents. When this occurs, what term best applies to the two unified members?

Accepted Answer

A coalition refers to an alliance or union between members, often for a specific purpose or to achieve a common goal. In this context, the two members who unite to dominate decision-making form a coalition.

Question 10

Of the following groups, the ________ plays the most significant role in the development of the self.

Accepted Answer

Primary groups, such as family and close friends, have the greatest impact on an individual's development and sense of self. These groups provide emotional support, socialization, and a sense of belonging, all of which are essential for a person's self-concept and self-esteem. In-groups and out-groups may also play a role in shaping one's self-identity, but their influence tends to be more limited and situational. Secondary groups, such as clubs or organizations, are generally less intimate and less influential in terms of identity formation.

Question 11

A leader of a group whose responsibility would be to keep the group moving towards its goal is classified as a(n) ________ leader.

Accepted Answer

An instrumental leader is focused on achieving specific goals and ensuring that the group stays on track towards those goals. This type of leader is task-oriented, rather than being focused on the emotions or relationships within the group.

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

According to Simmel, dyads (groups of two people) are the most unstable because if one member leaves, the group dissolves completely. In contrast, larger groups such as triads or secondary groups may still function even if one member leaves. Primary groups are considered more stable than secondary groups because they have deeper, more personal relationships.

Question 13

A group characterized by intimate, long-term, face-to-face association and cooperation is referred to as a ________.

Accepted Answer

Primary groups are characterized by intimate, long-term, face-to-face association and cooperation. Examples of primary groups include families, close friends, and small work teams. Secondary groups are larger and more impersonal, with less frequent interaction and weaker emotional ties. Cliques are typically small, exclusive groups within a larger social group. Communities refer to larger groups of people who share a common geographic or social space, but may not necessarily have intimate, long-term relationships with each other.

Question 14

For many college professors, their own teachers served as role models. Kody Scott looked up to older gang members as his idols. In both cases, former teachers and older gang members qualify as being ________.

Accepted Answer

Both former teachers and older gang members served as reference groups, as they were the people that influenced and shaped the behaviors and attitudes of the individuals (the college professors and Kody Scott).

Question 15

A phenomenon of group dynamics that results in a decrease in one's willingness to help others as the size of the group increases is referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Diffusion of responsibility occurs when individuals feel less personal responsibility to take action in groups, leading to a decrease in willingness to help others as group size increases. This phenomenon has been demonstrated in various studies and can have serious consequences in emergency situations when prompt action is needed.

Question 16

In which group would diffusion of responsibility be the greatest concern?

Accepted Answer

The graduating class of a large university would have the greatest diffusion of responsibility because it is a large group of people who may not feel individually responsible for taking action or helping out in a situation. This is known as the bystander effect, where an individual is less likely to take action or offer help in a situation when there are other people present. This can lead to a diffusion of responsibility where everyone assumes that someone else will take action, leading to no one taking action at all.

Question 17

Which phrase became synonymous with the research Stanley Milgram conducted on "the small world phenomenon"?

Accepted Answer

The phrase "six degrees of separation" became synonymous with the research Stanley Milgram conducted on "the small world phenomenon." Milgram's research showed that any two people in the world could be connected through a chain of no more than six acquaintances. This idea became known as "six degrees of separation."

Question 18

Jane, Mark, Courtney, and Kelly are enrolled in the 8:00 a.m. sociology course at their college. After studying together for the first test, they started sitting together in class and chose to work together on group projects. During spring break, they decided to go on a trip as a group. These four students would be considered members of a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

The four students have formed a close, exclusive group that values their shared interests and experiences, which fits the definition of a clique. They are not just a casual collection of individuals (an aggregate) or a group that serves as a point of comparison for one or more individuals (a reference group). While they do work together on projects, they have a more personal and informal relationship, which makes them different from a secondary group.

Question 19

With respect to group dynamics, what is the defining characteristic of a small group?

Accepted Answer

The defining characteristic of a small group is that all members can interact directly with one another. This allows for more intimate communication and relationships within the group.

Question 20

Sociologist Judith Kleinfeld felt Milgram "stacked the deck" in his "small world phenomenon" experiment because ________.

Accepted Answer

Kleinfeld believed that Milgram's sample was not representative of the population at large because many of the individuals in his experiment shared a common interest (in this case, bridge) and were likely to know each other already, leading to a biased sample.

Quiz 6: Societies to Social Networks