Question 1

Which social scientist created a simulation of prison conditions that illustrated the relationship between social structure and social interaction?
A) Erving Goffman
B) Philip Zimbardo
C) Raymond Mack
D) Gary Huang

Accepted Answer

Philip Zimbardo conducted the Stanford prison experiment, which demonstrated how social structures and roles can influence individual behavior and social interactions.

Question 2

The analysis of how the "definition of the situation" can mold the thinking and personality of the individual is associated with the
A) functionalist perspective.
B) conflict perspective.
C) interactionist perspective.
D) feminist perspective.

Accepted Answer

The "definition of the situation" is a concept from the interactionist perspective, which focuses on how individuals interpret and give meaning to social interactions, shaping their thoughts and personalities.

Question 3

Firas, Randy, and Teresa are science majors, and when they graduate from college, they find jobs as a nurse, a midwife, and a hospital administrator, respectively. These new positions are examples of
A) ascribed status.
B) social roles.
C) achieved status.
D) social networks.

Accepted Answer

Achieved status refers to a social position that a person attains as a result of their own efforts, skills, or choices, such as the jobs Firas, Randy, and Teresa obtained after graduating.

Question 4

Which of the following is an ascribed status?
A) a major league baseball player
B) a corporation president
C) a South African
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

An ascribed status is a social position a person is born into, such as nationality or ethnicity. Being South African is an ascribed status.

Question 5

Everett Hughes' studies of social structure focused on which concept?
A) master status
B) ascribed status
C) achieved status
D) status exit

Accepted Answer

Everett Hughes is known for introducing the concept of "master status," which refers to a status that dominates others and determines a person's general position in society.

Question 6

Mary is 5' 3" tall, a field hockey player who sees little playing time, is 21-years-old, and is African American. Which one of her characteristics is most likely her master status?
A) her height
B) her field hockey team membership
C) her age
D) her African American heritage

Accepted Answer

Her African American heritage is most likely her master status because race is often a primary characteristic that influences how individuals are perceived and treated in society.

Question 7

A woman in her mid-30s has enrolled in a local community college to earn a degree in horticulture. The night before her first major course examination she is asked by her boss to work several additional hours because they have just received a major order that needs to be processed immediately. This student is experiencing
A) role reversal.
B) role conflict.
C) role exit.
D) status incompatibility.

Accepted Answer

Role conflict occurs when there are incompatible demands placed upon a person relating to their different social roles, such as being a student and an employee in this scenario.

Question 8

In sociology, a group is any number of people
A) with similar norms, values, and expectations who regularly and consciously interact.
B) who happen to be together in the same place (e.g., passengers).
C) who share a common feature (e.g., hair color) but do not interact.
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

A group in sociology is defined as people who regularly and consciously interact and share similar norms, values, and expectations.

Question 9

Which one of the following is an example of a group?
A) the members of your sociology class
B) the people who live in the community in which your college is located
C) the members of your college
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

A group is typically defined as a collection of individuals who interact with each other and share a sense of identity or common goals, such as the members of a sociology class.

Question 10

We seek out groups to
A) establish friendships.
B) accomplish certain goals.
C) fulfill social roles that we have acquired.
D) all of these

Accepted Answer

We seek out groups for multiple reasons, including establishing friendships, accomplishing goals, and fulfilling social roles, making all the options correct.

Question 11

You are taking a sociology class from Dr. Jones at your local community college. Which of the following are you most likely to consider an out-group?
A) the members of Dr. Smith's sociology class
B) the students at the local four-year state school
C) the clique of students in the front of your classroom who all attended high school together and now hang out with one another after class
D) the people in the class who are from your old high school

Accepted Answer

The answer of You are taking a sociology class from...

Question 12

Which sociological perspective would be most likely to emphasize that "we" and "they" feelings have the positive aspect of promoting in-group solidarity and a sense of belonging?
A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective emphasizes the positive functions of social phenomena, such as promoting social cohesion and a sense of belonging within a group, which aligns with the idea of "we" and "they" feelings fostering in-group solidarity.

Question 13

Social networks
A) may constrain individuals by limiting their range of interaction.
B) may empower people by making available vast resources.
C) constrain and empower people.
D) none of these

Accepted Answer

Social networks can both constrain individuals by limiting interactions within certain groups and empower them by providing access to a wide range of resources and connections.

Question 14

Members of prestigious law firms often assist their children in obtaining jobs in other law firms or corporations by calling their friends and associates and asking for a favor. This example of networking helps the children of wealthy families maintain the family's high social status. The example best illustrates which sociological perspective?
A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) global perspective

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective focuses on how power and inequality shape social life, highlighting how the wealthy maintain their status and privilege through social networks and connections.

Question 15

The concepts Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft were introduced to sociology by
A) Ferdinand Tö nnies.
B) É mile Durkheim.
C) Jonathan Kozol.
D) William I. Thomas.

Accepted Answer

Ferdinand Tönnies introduced the concepts of Gemeinschaft (community) and Gesellschaft (society) to describe different types of social groups and relationships.

Question 16

In a small town in the Midwest, children all attend the same school and most of the community members attend the same church. Everyone in this community knows everyone else, and they have shared numerous experiences with one another. This community is characterized by
A) Gesellschaft relationships.
B) organic solidarity.
C) mechanical solidarity.
D) Gemeinschaft relationships.

Accepted Answer

Gemeinschaft relationships are characterized by close-knit ties, shared values, and a sense of belonging. In this community, everyone knows everyone else and has shared numerous experiences, which suggests that they have Gemeinschaft relationships.

Question 17

Today Steve went into a grocery store where a stranger checked out his purchases and another stranger bagged his groceries. Then he went to Wendy's and purchased a hamburger from another stranger, and on his way home another stranger changed the oil in his car. These experiences are all characteristic of
A) Gesellschaft relationships.
B) organic solidarity.
C) mechanical solidarity.
D) Gemeinschaft relationships.

Accepted Answer

Gesellschaft relationships are characterized by impersonal and formal interactions, typical in modern urban societies where individuals interact with strangers in a functional and transactional manner, as seen in Steve's experiences.

Question 18

Long-term trends in societies resulting from the interplay of continuity, innovation, and selection are referred to as
A) postmodern society.
B) negotiated order.
C) industrial society.
D) sociocultural evolution.

Accepted Answer

Sociocultural evolution refers to the long-term development and changes in societies due to the interaction of continuity, innovation, and selection.

Question 19

Daniel Bell views post-industrial societies as being positive because he believes they are characterized by interest groups concerned with such national issues as health, education, and the environment working for the common good. Bell's view represents which sociological perspective?
A) functionalist perspective
B) conflict perspective
C) interactionist perspective
D) feminist perspective

Accepted Answer

Daniel Bell's view aligns with the functionalist perspective, which emphasizes the role of societal institutions and structures in maintaining stability and consensus, focusing on how different parts of society work together for the common good.

Question 20

Which one of the following is not a characteristic of bureaucracies, according to Max Weber?
A) goal displacement
B) trained incapacity
C) democracy
D) the Peter Principle

Accepted Answer

Democracy is not a characteristic of bureaucracies according to Max Weber. Bureaucracies are characterized by hierarchical structures, formal rules, and impersonal relationships, not democratic processes.

Quiz 3: Social Interaction, Groups, and Social Structure

Which social scientist created a simulation of prison conditions that illustrated the relationship between social structure and social interaction?

The analysis of how the "definition of the situation" can mold the thinking and personality of the individual is associated with the

Firas, Randy, and Teresa are science majors, and when they graduate from college, they find jobs as a nurse, a midwife, and a hospital administrator, respectively. These new positions are examples of

Which of the following is an ascribed status?

Everett Hughes' studies of social structure focused on which concept?

Mary is 5' 3" tall, a field hockey player who sees little playing time, is 21-years-old, and is African American. Which one of her characteristics is most likely her master status?

In sociology, a group is any number of people

Which one of the following is an example of a group?

We seek out groups to

You are taking a sociology class from Dr. Jones at your local community college. Which of the following are you most likely to consider an out-group?

Which sociological perspective would be most likely to emphasize that "we" and "they" feelings have the positive aspect of promoting in-group solidarity and a sense of belonging?

Social networks

The concepts Gemeinschaft and Gesellschaft were introduced to sociology by

In a small town in the Midwest, children all attend the same school and most of the community members attend the same church. Everyone in this community knows everyone else, and they have shared numerous experiences with one another. This community is characterized by

Long-term trends in societies resulting from the interplay of continuity, innovation, and selection are referred to as

Daniel Bell views post-industrial societies as being positive because he believes they are characterized by interest groups concerned with such national issues as health, education, and the environment working for the common good. Bell's view represents which sociological perspective?

Which one of the following is not a characteristic of bureaucracies, according to Max Weber?