Question 1

Social Mobility
-Which is not an example of intergenerational mobility?

Accepted Answer

Lisa's move from bank teller to manager is not an example of intergenerational mobility, which is social mobility from one generation of a family to another. Instead it is an example of intragenerational mobility, which is one person moving between social classes. If we knew that Lisa's father worked as a janitor his entire life, then we might be able to say it is both intergenerational and intragenerational. Jeff's move from wealth to poverty is an example of downward intergenerational mobility.

Question 2

Social Mobility
-Matthew was born into the lower class, but has always desired to attain the American Dream of owning a nice home and making an income that will leave him without financial worries. What path might help him pursue this dream?

Accepted Answer

Matthew might be able to reach the American Dream by winning the lottery, having a ground breaking idea, or pursuing a college degree. Many Americans desire upward social mobility and these are all paths that they use in their attempt to succeed. Sadly, due to an increasingly rigid class system and economic hardships, the American Dream is harder to attain than ever before.

Question 3

Social Mobility
-What is deskilling?

Accepted Answer

Deskilling is the decrease in skills needed for a job due to technological advances. Deskilling has led to lower wages for jobs that now require fewer skills. Deskilling has been occurring ever since the introductions of machines and computers that have taken over some worker tasks and have made some workers obsolete.

Question 4

Social Mobility
-Louisa's father grew up poor, but moved his family into the upper class with the earnings from his advertising firm. What sociological term now fits the family's position in the social class system?

Accepted Answer

Louisa's family is part of the new rich or nouveau riche. These are people who have created wealth within their own lifetime. Old money refers to wealth passed down through generations. Social mobility is the move from one social class to another.

Question 5

Social Mobility
-Which of the following has led to a recent erosion of the middle class in the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

All of the above have led to a recent erosion of the U.S. middle class. With less job security and fewer chances for promotion, middle class citizens are experiencing difficulty meeting the increasing cost of living and dealing with the fall of the housing market. These economic hardships have led some members of the middle class to fall into the lower class.

Question 6

Social Movements
-What type of social movement is the disability rights movement?

Accepted Answer

The disability rights movement is a reform movement. Such a movement seeks to make changes within the existing social system. Other examples of reform movements are the civil rights, women's rights, and gay and lesbian rights movements.

Question 7

Social Movements
-Martin has joined a group that seeks to make a complete change in the social structure. What type of social movement has he joined?

Accepted Answer

Martin has joined a revolutionary movement. This type of movement focuses on action that brings total social change. Terrorism is one type of action that some revolutionary groups use to meet their goals.

Question 8

Social Movements
-What is the main goal of a religious movement leader?

Accepted Answer

Leaders of religious movements seek to change the belief systems of others. In early New England, Puritanism grew rapidly. Scientology is a modern religious movement that is often mentioned by the media.

Question 9

Social Movements
-Which of the following is not an alternative movement?

Accepted Answer

Terrorism is not an alternative movement; instead, it is a revolutionary movement. An alternative movement is one that focuses on changes in personal behavior. Temperance sought to eliminate drinking, while New Age beliefs focus on spiritual wellbeing.

Question 10

Social Movements
-Pro-life groups seek to undo legislation that allows abortions. What type of social movement is this? Choose all that apply.

Accepted Answer

Pro-life groups are an example of reactionary or resistance movements. Such movements seek to undo changes. Often the initial change occurred due to a reform movement such as the pro-choice movement. Those who oppose the change may then create a reactionary or resistance movement.

Question 11

Social Movements
-What are the phases of a social movement?

Accepted Answer

The three phases of a movement are the preliminary, coalescence, and institutionalization stages. In the preliminary phase, people become aware there is a problem. In the formation or coalescence phase, people begin to organize to face the problem, and in the institutionalization phase, the movement has formed into a structured organization such as Greenpeace.

Question 12

Social Movements
-Which of the following contributes to the growth of a social movement?

Accepted Answer

The availability of resources to organizers is a contributing factor to the growth of a social movement. Other factors include inequality, a desire for change in identity, lack of social control, and citizens who are unhappy with the status quo. If there is strong social control, it is more difficult for movements to grow even if inequality does exist.

Question 13

Social Movements
-Which of the following is explained by the relative deprivation theory?

Accepted Answer

Minorities organizing to seek their fair share of something they feel deprived of is explained by the relative deprivation theory. Participants in the Civil Rights Movement sought to end political deprivation experienced by African American citizens. Marx believed that deprivation suffered by the lower classes would cause them to rise up against those who were oppressing them.

Question 14

Social Movements
-Mark lives in a city where there is a great deal of structural strain and many people who feel the system cannot meet their needs. What is this situation an example of?

Accepted Answer

Structural strain is one of the conditions that can lead to a social movement. Many social movements, but not all, develop as a result of structural strain. A social movement may also develop if there are strong leaders or if a major event spurs mobilization.

Question 15

Social Movements
-Many social movements use the Internet as a resource to promote their cause. What social movement theory explains this best?

Accepted Answer

Members of a social movement using the Internet to promote their cause is best explained by resource mobilization theory. The Internet allows movement organizers to bring movement participants together, gain new members, and educate others about their cause. The Internet is a low cost and easily accessible resource for movements.

Question 16

Social Movements
-Through the women's rights movement, women were able to create a new identity based on freedom from patriarchal constraints. What social theory focuses on how ideology allows a new identity to emerge through a social movement?

Accepted Answer

The new social movement theory explains how the link between culture and ideology can create a new identity through a social movement. Women have found a new identity through the various phases of the women's rights movement. Those who support gay marriage rights could help homosexuals realize a new identity if gay marriage is recognized in all states.

Question 17

Social Movements
-Which of the following is not a type of collective behavior?

Accepted Answer

People waiting for a train is not an example of collective behavior. The people waiting for the train are likely not acting differently in a group setting than they would as individuals. Collective behavior occurs when people put aside usual norms and follow new patterns of behavior within a group setting. New fads and flash mobs are fun types of collective behavior, while protests and riots emerge because of serious societal problems.

Question 18

Social Movements
-What is a characteristic of collective behavior?

Accepted Answer

A group of people acting together is showing collective behavior. Such groups act in a logical fashion and they often have established new behaviors to deal with new situations. Rumors, not speeches, are used to convey hidden information.

Question 19

Social Movements
-Which of the following does not hinder the growth of a social movement?

Accepted Answer

A major social problem does not under the growth of a social movement. Rather, a social problem can cause a movement to emerge and grow if people are aware of the problem or if people can be educated about it. A lack of resources can be a major hindrance to a social movement, as is strong social control that may seek to stop the movement.

Question 20

Theory History
-What is the term for Auguste Comte's theory that scientific inquiry, when applied to the study of society, can help us better understand our own society?

Accepted Answer

Positivism suggests that scientific inquiry in sociology can best help us understand society. A methodical study of society, and applying what is learned, is thought to develop the best social policies. Some believe this works well for the majority in society but can ignore the needs of minorities.

Quiz 4: CLEP: Sociology

Social Mobility -Which is not an example of intergenerational mobility?

Social Mobility -Matthew was born into the lower class, but has always desired to attain the American Dream of owning a nice home and making an income that will leave him without financial worries. What path might help him pursue this dream?

Social Mobility -What is deskilling?

Social Mobility -Louisa's father grew up poor, but moved his family into the upper class with the earnings from his advertising firm. What sociological term now fits the family's position in the social class system?

Social Mobility -Which of the following has led to a recent erosion of the middle class in the U.S.?

Social Movements -What type of social movement is the disability rights movement?

Social Movements -Martin has joined a group that seeks to make a complete change in the social structure. What type of social movement has he joined?

Social Movements -What is the main goal of a religious movement leader?

Social Movements -Which of the following is not an alternative movement?

Social Movements -Pro-life groups seek to undo legislation that allows abortions. What type of social movement is this? Choose all that apply.

Social Movements -What are the phases of a social movement?

Social Movements -Which of the following contributes to the growth of a social movement?

Social Movements -Which of the following is explained by the relative deprivation theory?

Social Movements -Mark lives in a city where there is a great deal of structural strain and many people who feel the system cannot meet their needs. What is this situation an example of?

Social Movements -Many social movements use the Internet as a resource to promote their cause. What social movement theory explains this best?

Social Movements -Through the women's rights movement, women were able to create a new identity based on freedom from patriarchal constraints. What social theory focuses on how ideology allows a new identity to emerge through a social movement?

Social Movements -Which of the following is not a type of collective behavior?

Social Movements -What is a characteristic of collective behavior?

Social Movements -Which of the following does not hinder the growth of a social movement?

Theory History -What is the term for Auguste Comte's theory that scientific inquiry, when applied to the study of society, can help us better understand our own society?