Question 1

According to Robert Putnam, what does the decline in bowling leagues indicate?

Accepted Answer

Robert Putnam argues that the decline in bowling leagues is a symbol of the decreasing importance of social connections in society, indicating increasing anomie and a decline in collective bonds.

Question 2

What do sociologists call patterns of interaction between groups and individuals?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists call patterns of interaction between groups and individuals "group dynamics".

Question 3

Robert Merton points out that people remember Abraham Lincoln, one of America's great heroes, as frugal, thrifty, and sparing, yet they describe these same traits differently when a member of a racial or ethnic minority possesses them. Merton suggests that a Japanese American might be described as stingy, miserly, and penny pinching. What explains this double standard?

Accepted Answer

Merton's theory of the self-fulfilling prophecy suggests that people's expectations of a particular group can influence their behavior and ultimately reinforce those expectations. In this case, Lincoln is remembered positively despite demonstrating behavior that would be negatively perceived in others because he is a member of the in-group of white Americans. On the other hand, a Japanese American is viewed negatively for exhibiting the same behavior because they are seen as part of an out-group. This is an example of the impact of stereotypes and discrimination on the perception of behavior.

Question 4

All over Los Angeles cars can be seen sporting a bumper sticker that says, "My favorite teams are UCLA and whoever is playing USC." What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

The bumper sticker reflects hostility towards USC, which is an out-group. This is an example of intergroup competition and negative attitudes towards a rival group.

Question 5

Members of a table tennis club in Upstate New York seem to have come together as much for connections with others as for the love of the game. This club can be viewed as a counterpoint to the message of Robert Putnam's Bowling Alone because:

Accepted Answer

The table tennis club in Upstate New York is an example of a type of civic engagement that brings neighbors together, which is the opposite of the message of Robert Putnam's Bowling Alone about the decline of social capital and civic engagement in American society. The club demonstrates the continued importance of social interaction and face-to-face communication in building social connections, rather than the isolation and disconnection associated with individualism and technology.

Question 6

The social rules that govern a specific part of the Internet are called:

Accepted Answer

The term netiquette refers to the social rules and customs that govern behavior on the Internet. It includes guidelines for how to communicate effectively and respectfully online, such as avoiding spamming, trolling, or flaming other users, using proper grammar and spelling, and respecting others' privacy and intellectual property rights. Compliance refers to adherence to specific laws, regulations, or policies, which may or may not relate to netiquette. Etiquette is a broader term that includes social norms for behavior in any setting, not just online. Internet standards and practices refer to technical specifications and protocols that govern how data is transmitted and processed on the Internet, while web rules may refer to guidelines for creating and maintaining websites.

Question 7

Individuals today are more likely to identify themselves through personal characteristics than through group membership or affiliation. Why is this cause for concern to some sociologists?

Accepted Answer

Some sociologists view the trend of individuals identifying themselves primarily through personal characteristics as a cause for concern because it may lead to a lack of prioritization of the common good and collective goals over individual goals and desires. This could have negative implications for social cohesion and cooperation.

Question 8

Which of the following statements would be most convincing to a sociologist if you were trying to explain the shift from A- and B-mode responses to C-mode responses on the Twenty Statements Test?

Accepted Answer

The shift from A- and B-mode responses to C-mode responses on the Twenty Statements Test is likely due to the accelerated pace of social change, which makes it increasingly difficult to think about the self in terms of group membership. As society becomes more complex and individualistic, people may have a harder time identifying with groups or categories and may instead focus more on defining themselves as unique individuals. This explanation aligns with sociological theories of modernization and individualization.

Question 9

A 28-year-old woman is on the verge of a big promotion at work. Because she didn't finish college until she was 25, she wonders about getting her career moving, especially since the entry-level job she has is not impressive. She decides to attend her 10-year high school reunion only if she is promoted. If her old high school classmates can have this influence on her ultimate decision, what do sociologists say they represent?

Accepted Answer

The woman's high school classmates in this scenario serve as a reference group, which is a group individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own behavior. In this case, the woman is using the success and achievements of her old classmates as a benchmark for her own success and career progression.

Question 10

The sense of solidarity, or team spirit, that an individual feels toward her group is called:

Accepted Answer

Group cohesion refers to the sense of unity and solidarity that individuals feel toward their group. It includes the feelings of commitment, loyalty, and responsibility to the group and its members.

Question 11

George was getting ready to do his student teaching in a school district where he hopes to be employed after graduation. Over the weekend, some friends tagged George in several wild party pictures that they posted on the social networking site Facebook. On Monday the principal of the school called George, saying that they would not be able to work George into their schedule. What grounds would the principal have for making that decision?

Accepted Answer

Many employers view pictures of partying and other "wild" activities as red flags, and may choose not to hire someone based on those images. While George's privacy settings may protect him from some viewers, it is possible that the principal or other school officials saw the photos through a mutual friend or other means. Additionally, while George has a right to free association, that right is not absolute and can be limited in certain circumstances, such as when it may interfere with the safety or well-being of others. Ultimately, potential employers do have a lot of discretion in hiring decisions and may choose not to hire someone for reasons that may not be immediately obvious or apparent.

Question 12

Groups we use as standards to evaluate ourselves (either positively, in terms of the positions we aspire to achieve, or negatively, in terms of the positions we wish to avoid) are called:

Accepted Answer

Reference groups are groups that individuals use as a standard for evaluating themselves and their own attitudes, values, and behaviors. These groups may be aspirational (i.e. groups that individuals aspire to join) or avoidance (i.e. groups that individuals wish to avoid being associated with). Secondary groups are groups that people come together with for a specific purpose or goal, while in-groups and out-groups are groups based on social identity and network refers to the web of relationships among individuals. Therefore, the best choice is B.

Question 13

Robert Putnam's research can be exemplified by his description of a decline in bowling leagues. Which of the following might serve as evidence that Putnam's concerns are overblown?

Accepted Answer

The growth of online support groups suggests that while traditional forms of socializing like bowling leagues may be declining, people are still finding ways to connect with others and receive emotional support. This contradicts Putnam's argument that social capital is on the decline and suggests that new forms of social capital are emerging. The other choices are not directly related to Putnam's concerns about the decline of social capital and may be unrelated or even support his argument in some cases.

Question 14

Emile Durkheim worried that, in an increasingly fragmented modern world, individuals would feel less and less connected to groups, which would lead to:

Accepted Answer

Durkheim believed that the weakening of social bonds and shared values in modern society would lead to a sense of normlessness, or anomie. This could manifest in a variety of ways, including feelings of alienation, disorientation, and purposelessness.

Question 15

What do sociologists call a group that provides standards by which an individual can judge his own accomplishments?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists call a group that provides standards by which an individual can judge his own accomplishments a reference group. This group serves as a point of comparison for an individual's behavior, values, and beliefs, and may include friends, family, co-workers, or other individuals with whom the individual identifies.

Question 16

Although individuals always feel loyalty toward their in-group, under what circumstances would this loyalty be particularly strong?

Accepted Answer

Research has shown that when the differences between the in-group and the out-group are sharply defined, the loyalty toward the in-group is particularly strong. This is because the greater the perceived differences between the groups, the more likely individuals are to view the out-group as a threat, and thus become more loyal to their in-group in order to protect it.

Question 17

Sociologists are interested in how social groups have changed over time. Of particular note is the degree to which individuals base their identities on group membership. How has this changed in recent American history?

Accepted Answer

Americans are increasingly valuing individualism and personal identity over traditional group identities. This shift reflects broader societal changes, including the rise of social media, which allows for more personalized expressions of identity, and a cultural shift towards valuing diversity and individual experiences.

Question 18

When people attend high school class reunions, they often compare their own personal and professional successes and failures to those of their former classmates. This means that classmates are a(n):

Accepted Answer

Classmates at high school reunions serve as a reference group, as individuals compare themselves to their former peers to evaluate their personal and professional successes and failures.

Question 19

The Twenty Statements Test asks respondents to make twenty true statements about themselves that begin with the phrase "I am." Why is this test discussed in a chapter about social groups?

Accepted Answer

The Twenty Statements Test was developed to measure the extent to which individuals base their identity on membership in groups, making it relevant to the study of social groups.

Question 20

Expecting Rain is a website devoted to the life and work of Bob Dylan, and it includes a bulletin board where fans can have conversations with one another about their favorite albums. The website has rules prohibiting illegally copied materials and pornographic or provocative content. What are these rules called?

Accepted Answer

These rules are an example of netiquette, or the guidelines for appropriate online behavior. Netiquette helps to promote respectful communication and prevent inappropriate or harmful content in online communities.

Quiz 5: Separate and Together: Life in Groups