Question 1

A social group decides that the length of someone's big toe represents how intelligent and trustworthy that person is.Soon those with longer big toes have a higher social standing.Though the criteria may seem silly,it becomes a very real way group members are differentiated.This illustrates which sociological concept?

Accepted Answer

The scenario illustrates the Thomas theorem, which states that "if people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences." In this case, even though the idea that big toe length determines intelligence and trustworthiness is arbitrary, it becomes real for the group because they believe in it and act on it.

Question 2

Scientific management is when jobs are

Accepted Answer

Scientific management involves breaking down job tasks into their simplest components and training workers to perform those specific tasks. This often results in deskilling, as workers become specialists in their particular task instead of being trained for a variety of skills. The goal is to improve workplace efficiency and productivity.

Question 3

Which of the following does NOT describe current trends in Internet use?

Accepted Answer

The statement "The Internet often creates a very strict hierarchy of users" does not describe current trends in Internet use. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of the Internet is its potential to break down hierarchies and empower all users to create and share content. The other options (A, B, and D) are all accurate descriptions of current trends in Internet use.

Question 4

A computer company observes workers as they produce laptops to devise a more efficient production plan.After noting work routines,the higher-ups break down the laptop production into many parts and workers go from producing entire laptops to doing a particular task over and over (like only installing the DVR drive).This illustrates which of the following processes?

Accepted Answer

This scenario illustrates the principles of scientific management, which involves breaking down complex tasks into smaller, more manageable components and standardizing work routines to increase efficiency and productivity. By having workers specialize in a particular task, rather than producing entire laptops, the company is applying the principles of scientific management.

Question 5

What are wikis?

Accepted Answer

Wikis are online databases that allow members to create and edit content. This means that multiple people can contribute to the information and it can be constantly updated and improved. It is not limited to just one publisher or expert, making it a collaborative effort. While there may be some inaccuracies, they can also be corrected in a timely manner through the editing process.

Question 6

What is an oligarchy?

Accepted Answer

An oligarchy is a form of government where a small group of people, often from a certain social class or with a certain amount of wealth or power, hold all of the control and decision-making power. They are not elected by the people and do not represent the broader population.

Question 7

Two strangers meet on a train.Despite speaking the same language,they are never able to reach a common understanding about their experiences nor do they have a common set of knowledge with neither being able to take the perspective of the other.What is NEVER achieved in this interaction?

Accepted Answer

Intersubjectivity refers to the ability to share understanding and meaning between individuals. Since the two strangers are unable to reach a common understanding or take each other's perspective, intersubjectivity is never achieved. Stereotypes may or may not be present, and interaction and groupthink may occur to some extent, but the key issue is the lack of intersubjectivity.

Question 8

Groupthink is when

Accepted Answer

Groupthink occurs when individuals within a group prioritize the desire for harmony and conformity over critical thinking and decision-making. Group members may feel pressure to conform to the group's consensus, even if they have reservations or alternative perspectives, leading to a lack of diversity in ideas and potential weaknesses in the group's decision-making process.

Question 9

Darren has three children.To Darren,being a good dad is being a good provider and he spends many overtime hours earning extra money.But when he works overtime,he feels he isn't spending enough time with his children.Darren is experiencing

Accepted Answer

The answer of Darren has three children.To Darren,being a good...

Question 10

The goal of scientific management is to

Accepted Answer

The goal of scientific management is to increase efficiency by taking discretion away from the worker. It involves breaking down tasks into small, simple steps and controlling the workflow through the standardization of processes. This reduces the amount of thinking and decision-making required by workers, allowing for greater efficiency and productivity.

Question 11

Erik spent the afternoon with his close,longtime friends and they played video games together.Later in the day,he went to a video game store and bought a video game from the salesman and then left the store.What type of relationship does Erik have with the video game salesman?

Accepted Answer

Erik's relationship with the video game salesman is a secondary relationship because it is not a close, personal relationship like his friendship with his longtime friends. It is a more transactional relationship where they interacted briefly for the purpose of a business transaction.

Question 12

How are web-based organizations and communities unique from traditional bureaucratic organizations?

Accepted Answer

Web-based organizations and communities tend to be more decentralized as they are not limited by physical boundaries and can connect people from all over the world. This allows for greater participation and collaboration among members, often without a traditional top-down hierarchy. Additionally, web-based organizations often have more fluid and flexible structures compared to traditional bureaucratic organizations.

Question 13

According to the iron law of oligarchy,when power is consolidated in a few top positions in an organization,

Accepted Answer

The iron law of oligarchy states that when power is consolidated in a few top positions in an organization, the select powerholders will misuse their power. This is because they become disconnected from the needs and desires of the wider membership, and are more likely to act in their own interests rather than those of the organization as a whole. Eventually, this can lead to corruption and a loss of trust and legitimacy for the organization.

Question 14

In one community,doctors and teachers are considered to have the most honored jobs,then business managers,and then those who work in politics.The more honored the job,the more income and influence the person holding the position has.This job ranking represents a

Accepted Answer

The job ranking mentioned in the community represents a status hierarchy, where the perceived honor of a job correlates with the income and influence of the person holding that job.

Question 15

A sociologist is mapping out who knows each other in her sociology class.Jill knows Paul and Mike.Mike knows Isaiah,who knows Catherine and Juan.Juan knows Paul as well.The sociologist is looking at the _____ present in her classroom.

Accepted Answer

The sociologist is mapping out the social networks present in her classroom, specifically the connections between individuals and who knows each other. This involves identifying the pattern of social connections and relationships between members of a group or community. The terms "out-group" and "in-group" refer to the social groups and boundaries that individuals may identify with or be excluded from, whereas "social circuits" is not a commonly used term in sociology.

Question 16

Albert is in his first year as a sociology graduate student.He wants to be a symbolic interactionist and is starting a project on soccer teams.Which of the following research questions would Albert be most likely to explore?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on how individuals and groups interact with each other through symbols and meaningful communication. Therefore, Albert would be most interested in exploring how soccer players and coaches interact with each other during practice and matches, which falls within the realm of symbolic interactionism. The other options are not as relevant to symbolic interactionism, as they focus more on economic, cultural, and historical factors rather than interpersonal interactions.

Question 17

Uncritical thinking of social groups where consensus is reinforced rather than critical discussion is

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is the tendency of a group to make irrational and flawed decisions due to group pressure and conformity to the group's norms and values. Critical thinking and divergent opinions are discouraged, and consensus is prioritized over individual ideas. Therefore, the best choice is D, groupthink.

Question 18

At a community meeting,everyone who attended agreed on the proposal offered by the head of the committee.No one was willing to listen to different ideas,criticisms,or alternate plans.This decision-making dynamic represents

Accepted Answer

The scenario described fits the concept of groupthink, which refers to a decision-making dynamic in which a group of people prioritize conformity and consensus over critical thinking and diversity of ideas. In groupthink, there is pressure to maintain harmony and unity, ignoring alternative viewpoints and potential consequences that may arise from the decision.

Question 19

A server at a restaurant accidentally took the incorrect dish to a customer.The customer loudly berated the server over the mistake.The server apologized profusely,forced a smile,and quickly corrected the order.After her shift,the server complained to a co-worker about how rude the customer had been and how angry she had been as a result.What represents the worker's front-stage performance?

Accepted Answer

The worker's front-stage performance refers to the behavior and mannerisms that are displayed in front of customers. In this scenario, the server's forced smile and profuse apologies represent her front-stage performance.

Question 20

Maggie has many social statuses,including mother,wife,daughter,high school principal,and softball player.She often feels she cannot meet all of the responsibilities in her life.For example,last week she had to miss a softball game because she needed to work late and also missed her son's school play.Maggie is experiencing which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Role conflict occurs when the demands of one role Maggie holds are in direct conflict with the demands of another role, as seen in her needing to work late (as a principal) and missing her son's school play and a softball game.

Quiz 7: Interaction, Groups, and Organizations