Question 1

A(n) __________ status is a social position conferred at birth or received involuntarily later in life, based on attributes over which the individual has little or no control, such as race/ethnicity, age, and gender.
A) ​achieved
B) ​central
C) ​ascribed
D) ​universal

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status refers to a social position that is assigned to an individual on the basis of their characteristics such as race, ethnicity, age or gender - characteristics that they are born with or have little control over. The other options, achieved status (A), central status (B), and universal status (D) are not applicable in this context as they do not pertain to characteristics determined at birth or beyond an individual's control.

Question 2

All of these statements about social structure are true, except______________________.
A) ​it is not essential for individual well-being
B) ​it is essential for the survival of society
C) ​it provides a web of familial support and social relationships
D) ​it connects individuals to the larger society

Accepted Answer

Social structure is essential for the survival and functioning of society as it provides the framework for social relationships and institutions. It also connects individuals to the larger society and provides a sense of identity and belonging. However, while social structure can contribute to individual well-being, it is not necessarily essential for it as individuals can still thrive and have fulfilling lives outside of social structures.

Question 3

A(n) __________ status is a social position a person assumes voluntarily as a result of personal choice, merit, or direct effort.
A) ​achieved
B) ​central
C) ​ascribed
D) ​universal

Accepted Answer

Achieved status refers to a social position that a person assumes voluntarily based on personal choices, efforts, and abilities. These statuses can be gained through education, skill development, or personal achievements, and individuals are recognized for their achievements and abilities in such statuses. In contrast, ascribed statuses are social positions that are assigned to individuals based on characteristics such as gender, race, and family background.

Question 4

Which of these is not an achieved status?
A) ​teacher
B) ​mother
C) ​sister
D) ​tennis coach

Accepted Answer

A sister is typically considered an ascribed status, as it is a position one is born into, unlike the other options which are achieved through personal effort or choice.

Question 5

The sociological term for any physical or social attribute or sign that devalues a person's social identity and disqualifies that person from full social acceptance is __________.
A) ​deviance
B) ​stigma
C) ​anomie
D) ​alienation

Accepted Answer

Stigma refers to any physical or social attribute that discredits a person's social identity and excludes that person from full social acceptance. Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms. Anomie refers to a state of normlessness or a breakdown in social norms. Alienation refers to a feeling of isolation and detachment from society.

Question 6

__________ refers to the state of being part insider and part outsider in the social structure, such as that of immigrants who simultaneously share the life and traditions of two distinct groups.
A) ​Alienation
B) ​Stigmatization
C) ​Social marginality
D) ​Anomie

Accepted Answer

Social marginality describes the situation where individuals occupy a position in the social structure that is in between two or more social groups, and they are considered part outsider and part insider to each group. This is often the experience of immigrants who simultaneously share the life and traditions of two distinct groups. Alienation refers to the feeling of disconnection and isolation from society. Stigmatization is the process of labeling and stereotyping individuals based on their perceived differences. Anomie refers to the breakdown of social norms and values.

Question 7

Amber is a first grade teacher, a daughter, a wife, a mother, a Presbyterian, a soccer coach, and a Kansas resident. Taken together, all of these socially defined positions constitute her __________.
A) ​status grouping
B) ​status set
C) ​status category
D) ​status diagram

Accepted Answer

Amber's various socially defined positions, such as being a teacher, daughter, wife, etc., make up her status set. This includes all of her roles and the corresponding expectations and obligations that come with them.

Question 8

Which of these is not considered one of the five traditional social institutions?
A) ​family
B) ​education
C) ​military
D) ​economy

Accepted Answer

The five traditional social institutions are family, education, religion, economy, and government. Military is not one of the traditional institutions.

Question 9

The mass media is an example of a(n) _______ institution.
A) ​traditional
B) ​evolving
C) ​primary
D) ​emergent

Accepted Answer

The mass media is considered an emergent institution because it has developed and evolved significantly with technological advancements and plays a crucial role in shaping modern society.

Question 10

Which of these statements about social structure is false?
A) ​Social structure gives us the ability to interpret the social situations we encounter.
B) ​A predictable social structure makes it easier to develop one's self-concept.
C) ​Social structure creates stability within society.
D) ​Social structure creates relationships that are generally equal.

Accepted Answer

Social structure does not necessarily create relationships that are equal. In fact, social structure often creates hierarchical relationships based on factors such as wealth, race, gender, and social status.

Question 11

__________ theorists emphasize that social structure is essential because it creates order and predictability in a society.
A) ​Functionalist
B) ​Conflict
C) ​Symbolic interactionist
D) ​Premodern

Accepted Answer

Functionalists view social structure as necessary for maintaining order and stability in society. They believe that each part of society plays a specific role in ensuring that the overall system functions smoothly. Social structure provides individuals with clear expectations and rules to follow, which creates predictability and reduces uncertainty.

Question 12

The sociological term for the process by which people act toward and respond to other people, and which is considered the foundation for all relationships and groups in society, is __________.
A) ​response patterns
B) ​social interaction
C) ​symbolic interactionism
D) ​structural functionalism

Accepted Answer

The definition provided best fits the term social interaction, which refers to the way in which people act toward and respond to each other. Response patterns are a component of social interaction, but do not encompass the full scope of the concept. Symbolic interactionism and structural functionalism are theoretical approaches within sociology and do not specifically refer to this process.

Question 13

Which of these is not generally considered a component of the social structure?
A) ​social institutions
B) ​social institutions.
C) ​values and beliefs
D) ​social roles

Accepted Answer

Values and beliefs are considered part of culture, not social structure, which typically includes social institutions, social roles, and other elements that organize society.

Question 14

Social structure consists of all of these, except __________.
A) ​institutions
B) ​values
C) ​groups and organizations
D) ​status and roles

Accepted Answer

Values are individual beliefs and attitudes and do not necessarily reflect the broader social structure. The other three options (institutions, groups and organizations, and status and roles) are key components of social structure.

Question 15

At the __________, the social structure of a society has several essential elements: social institutions, groups, statuses, roles, and norms.
A) ​mesolevel
B) ​macrolevel
C) ​metalevel
D) ​microlevel

Accepted Answer

The macrolevel refers to the social structure of a society, which includes social institutions, groups, statuses, roles, and norms. The mesolevel refers to intermediate structures between individuals and society, and the microlevel refers to the level of individual interactions and experiences. The metalevel is not a commonly used sociological term.

Question 16

__________ theorists maintain that in capitalistic societies, where a few people control the labor of many, the social structure reflects a system of relationships of domination and subordination.
A) Differential association
B) ​Symbolic interactionist
C) ​Conflict
D) ​Functionalist

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists argue that in capitalist societies, the social structure is based on the dominant-subordinate relationship between the owners of the means of production and the workers. This creates a power imbalance where a small group of capitalists exploits the labor of the working class for their own benefit, perpetuating inequality and maintaining their position of dominance.

Question 17

Jorge is a male born to Mexican American parents; he was assigned these positions at birth. He is an adult and-if he lives long enough-will someday become an "older adult," later in life. All of these are considered __________ statuses.
A) ​universal
B) ​achieved
C) ​central
D) ​ascribed

Accepted Answer

These statuses are ascribed because Jorge was born into them rather than achieving them through his own efforts.

Question 18

Teacher, student, professional athlete, rock musician, and homeless person are all examples of __________.
A) ​roles
B) ​labels
C) ​statuses
D) ​classes

Accepted Answer

These are examples of social statuses, which are defined as a position in society that comes with a set of expectations and rights. Roles refer to the behaviors and expectations associated with a particular status, while labels and classes are more general terms.

Question 19

Being homeless, having immigrant status, wearing a prison uniform, and having a visible physical disability are all examples of __________.
A) ​stigmas
B) ​social norms
C) ​anomie
D) ​role conflicts

Accepted Answer

These are all examples of stigmas, which are negative labels or stereotypes that society applies to individuals or groups based on certain characteristics, behaviors, or statuses. Stigmas can lead to discrimination, social exclusion, and unequal treatment.

Question 20

A __________ is a socially defined position in a group or society characterized by certain expectations, rights, and duties, and it exists independently of the specific people occupying the position.
A) ​role
B) ​label
C) ​status
D) ​class

Accepted Answer

A status is a social position that is defined by the expectations, rights, and duties associated with it. It exists independently of the specific people occupying the position. A role, on the other hand, refers to the behavior expected of a person in a particular position or status. A label is a term used to describe or categorize a person, while a class refers to a grouping of people based on social, economic, or educational factors.

Quiz 4: Social Structure and Interaction in Everyday Life

A(n) __________ status is a social position conferred at birth or received involuntarily later in life, based on attributes over which the individual has little or no control, such as race/ethnicity, age, and gender.

All of these statements about social structure are true, except______________________.

A(n) __________ status is a social position a person assumes voluntarily as a result of personal choice, merit, or direct effort.

Which of these is not an achieved status?

The sociological term for any physical or social attribute or sign that devalues a person's social identity and disqualifies that person from full social acceptance is __________.

__________ refers to the state of being part insider and part outsider in the social structure, such as that of immigrants who simultaneously share the life and traditions of two distinct groups.

Amber is a first grade teacher, a daughter, a wife, a mother, a Presbyterian, a soccer coach, and a Kansas resident. Taken together, all of these socially defined positions constitute her __________.

Which of these is not considered one of the five traditional social institutions?

The mass media is an example of a(n) _______ institution.

Which of these statements about social structure is false?

__________ theorists emphasize that social structure is essential because it creates order and predictability in a society.

The sociological term for the process by which people act toward and respond to other people, and which is considered the foundation for all relationships and groups in society, is __________.

Which of these is not generally considered a component of the social structure?

Social structure consists of all of these, except __________.

At the __________, the social structure of a society has several essential elements: social institutions, groups, statuses, roles, and norms.

__________ theorists maintain that in capitalistic societies, where a few people control the labor of many, the social structure reflects a system of relationships of domination and subordination.

Jorge is a male born to Mexican American parents; he was assigned these positions at birth. He is an adult and-if he lives long enough-will someday become an "older adult," later in life. All of these are considered __________ statuses.

Teacher, student, professional athlete, rock musician, and homeless person are all examples of __________.

Being homeless, having immigrant status, wearing a prison uniform, and having a visible physical disability are all examples of __________.

A __________ is a socially defined position in a group or society characterized by certain expectations, rights, and duties, and it exists independently of the specific people occupying the position.