Deck 11: Exchange, Network, and Rational Choice Theories

Question 1

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

A) People act with purpose or intention.
B) People act toward immediate gratification.
C) People act through accordance with social or cultural defined rules.
D) People act while assuming they have an endless amount of social resources available.

Answer 1

A

Question 2

What field(s) influenced rational choice theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Behaviorism
B) Neoclassical Economics
C) Utilitarianism
D) Game Theory

Answer 2

A, B, C, D

Question 3

How do rational choice theorists describe the ways opportunity costs constrain actions?

A) Actors must consider the scarcity of resources.
B) Actors must consider the feasibility of actions as prescribed or prohibited by social institutions.
C) A consideration of the cumulative social effects of individual actors should be considered.
D) A consideration of available information (or lack thereof) should be considered.

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which theory is the most focused on individual decision-making?

A) Exchange Theory
B) Rational Choice Theory
C) Network Theory
D) Positivism

Question 5

Which theory focuses on decision-making in relationships while rejecting the assumption of rational actors?

A) Exchange Theory
B) Rational Choice Theory
C) Network Theory
D) Positivism

Question 6

George Homans'_____ proposition explains how actors engage in behaviors that bring about the most coveted and desirable rewards.

A) success
B) stimulus
C) value
D) rationality

Question 7

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

A) People act when motivated by a stimulus.
B) People act toward immediate gratification.
C) People act in accordance with their preferences.
D) People act while assuming they have an endless amount of social resources available.

Question 8

George Homans'_____ proposition explains how actors learn to react to things in their environment in ways that secure rewards.

A) success
B) stimulus
C) value
D) rationality

Question 9

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

A) People act when motivated by a stimulus.
B) People act toward achieving goals.
C) People act through accordance with social or cultural defined rules.
D) People act while assuming they have an endless amount of social resources available.

Question 10

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions?

A) People act when motivated by a stimulus.
B) People act toward immediate gratification.
C) People act through accordance with social or cultural defined rules.
D) People consider the availability of resources when acting.

Question 11

Which theory focuses on decision-making in relationships utilizing an assumption of rational actors?

A) Exchange Theory
B) Rational Choice Theory
C) Network Theory
D) Positivism

Question 12

George Homans'_____ proposition explains why rewards better motivators of behaviors as punishments usually only limit behaviors.

A) success
B) stimulus
C) value
D) rationality

Question 13

George Homans'_____ propositions explains how anger is generated via unexpected punishments or reduced rewards.

A) success-stimulus
B) value-rational
C) deprivation-satiation
D) aggression-approval

Question 14

George Homans'_____ proposition claims people consider the costs and benefits of multiple behavioral outcomes before choosing a course of action.

A) success
B) stimulus
C) value
D) reality

Question 15

George Homans'_____ proposition explains why the more often an actor is rewarded for a behavior to the less valuable those rewards become.

A) success-stimulus
B) value-rational
C) deprivation-satiation
D) aggression-approval

Question 16

Which of the following describes rational choice theory's characterization of people's actions? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) People act with purpose or intention.
B) People act toward achieving goals.
C) People act in accordance with their preferences.
D) People consider the availability of resources when acting.

Question 17

Which of the following ideas do Friedman and Hechter consider basic to rational choice theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Actors must consider the scarcity of resources.
B) Actors must consider the feasibility of actions as prescribed or prohibited by norms, laws, agendas, and voting rules.
C) A consideration of the cumulative social effects of individual actors should be considered.
D) A consideration of available information (or lack thereof) should be considered.

Question 18

How do rational choice theorists describe the ways social institutions constrain actions?

A) Actors must consider the scarcity of resources.
B) Actors must consider the feasibility of actions as prescribed or prohibited by norms, laws, agendas, and voting rules.
C) A consideration of the cumulative social effects of individual actors should be considered.
D) A consideration of available information (or lack thereof) should be considered.

Question 19

George Homans'_____ proposition refers to how people are more likely to engage in behaviors they have been rewarded for in the past.

A) success
B) stimulus
C) value
D) rationality

Question 20

George Homans'_____ propositions explains how unexpectedly high rewards are especially pleasing to actors.

A) success-stimulus
B) value-rational
C) deprivation-satiation
D) aggression-approval

Question 21

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

A) There is a set of individual, independent actors.
B) Valued resources are controlled entirely by those with power.
C) Those people with power are given opportunity to exchange resources.
D) Some exchange opportunities have developed into actually used exchange relations.

Question 22

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

A) There is a set of individual, independent actors.
B) Valued resources are control entirely by those with power.
C) Only those people with power are given opportunity to exchange resources.
D) Exchange relations are connected to one another in a single network structure.

Question 23

According to Emerson, which of the following is a core assumption of exchange theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Events are rational because people act to make them as such.
B) Norms explain most, if not all of human behavior.
C) Events become less utility as people become satiated.
D) Benefits people receive are dependent upon the benefits they can offer others in exchange.

Question 24

According to network analysts, atomistic approaches see actors _____.

A) in isolation from the social context
B) as inseparable from the social context
C) as following norms because of their socialization
D) as objectively linked to others

Question 25

Which of the following is a principle of network theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) There are symmetrical ties between individuals that must be analyzed according to the structure of larger networks.
B) Social ties form nonrandom networks that cluster.
C) There are cross-linkages between both individuals and network clusters.
D) The unequal distribution of scarce resources create competition, conflict as well as collaboration and competition.

Question 26

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

A) There is a set of individual, independent actors.
B) Valued resources are distributed among the actors.
C) Those people with power are given opportunity to exchange resources.
D) Exchange relations remain disconnected amongst individuals in the network.

Question 27

Peter Blau claims _____ ensure conformity across different societal groups.

A) norms
B) particularistic values
C) individualistic values
D) social facts

Question 28

Recently, theorists incorporated _____ into exchange theory. Select all, but only those that apply.

A) risk and uncertainty
B) trust
C) commitment
D) emotion

Question 29

According to Cook, O'Brien, and Kollock, which trend indicates a move toward a more integrated exchange theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) More field research on macroscopic issues.
B) More laboratory research on macroscopic issues.
C) Shift in focus to form dyads to larger networks of exchange.
D) Synthesis of exchange theory with other structural sociologies.

Question 30

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of network analysis?

A) A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations.
B) An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is.
C) A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits.
D) Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices.

Question 31

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

A) There is a set of either individual or collective actors.
B) Valued resources are controlled entirely by those with power.
C) Only those people with power are given opportunity to exchange resources.
D) Exchange relations remain disconnected amongst individuals in the network.

Question 32

George Homans'reality proposition is a combination of which other propositions? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Success
B) Stimulus
C) Value
D) Aggression-approval

Question 33

Network analysist see actors _____.

A) in isolation from the social context
B) as following norms because of their values
C) as following norms because of their socialization
D) as objectively linked to others

Question 34

According to network analysts, normative approaches see actors _____.

A) in isolation from the social context
B) as inseparable from the social context
C) as following norms because of their socialization
D) as objectively linked to others

Question 35

According to exchange theorists, what happens when one party in an association cannot offer comparable returns? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) People can force other people to help them.
B) People can attempt to get along without what they need from the others.
C) People can subordinate themselves to the others.
D) People will maintain relationships without rewards in the hopes they will pay dividends in the long term.

Question 36

Which of the following is a component of Emerson's exchange network?

A) There is a set of individual, independent actors.
B) Valued resources are control entirely by those with power.
C) There is a set of exchange opportunities among all the actors in the network.
D) Exchange relations remain disconnected amongst individuals in the network.

Question 37

Pete Blau claims _____ ensure conformity within small groups.

A) norms
B) particularistic values
C) individualistic values
D) social facts

Question 38

According to Molm and Cook, which of the following is an important factor in Richard Emerson's exchange theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Exchanges take place with a power-dependence framework.
B) Behavior is largely dictated by normative orientations.
C) Behaviorism need not assume a rational actor.
D) Social networks span the micro-macro levels of analysis

Question 39

Cost and Profit. Which of the following is stage of Peter Blau's Exchange Theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Personal Exchange Transactions
B) Differentiation of Status and Power
C) Legitimization and Organization
D) Opposition and Change

Question 40

Both George Homans and Pete Blau agree that _____.

A) power differentials emerge in associations when people subordinate themselves to secure rewards
B) we cannot analyze processes of social interaction apart from the social structure that surrounds them
C) social structure emerges from social interaction
D) social structures have a separate existence that affects the process of interaction

Question 41

Which of the following is a weakness of James Coleman's rational choice theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Coleman is overly focused on the micro-to-macro issue
B) Coleman ignores the macro level
C) Coleman ignores the micro level
D) Coleman ignores the macro-to-micro issue

Question 42

Which of the following is a criticism of James Coleman's theory? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) There is too much focus on the macro level.
B) There is no specification of causal mechanisms.
C) The psychological reductionism is incomplete.
D) The over-generality misdirects attention towards fruitless avenues of analysis.

Question 43

According to James Coleman, homo economicus _____.

A) sees a close fit between the individual and society
B) emphasizes the socialization process
C) is unable to deal with the freedom of individuals
D) is able to deal with individual's constrained freedoms

Question 44

According to Network exchange theory, what is a weakness of network analysis?

A) A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations.
B) An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is.
C) A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits.
D) Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices.

Question 45

According to Network exchange theory, what is a weakness of social exchange theory?

A) A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations.
B) An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is.
C) A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits.
D) Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices.

Question 46

According to George Homans, the most desirable rewards are those that are the most difficult to attain through rational action.

Question 47

According to network exchange theory, which is a property of weak power networks? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Exclusivity
B) Required participation
C) Competition
D) Exclusion

Question 48

According to James Coleman's rational choice theory, _____ can be utilitarian because organizations or structures often control the resources individuals utilize in their rational actions.

A) collective behavior
B) norms
C) corporate actors
D) homo socio-economicus

Question 49

Exchange theory, rational choice theory, and network theory all utilize all positivist orientation.

Question 50

George Homans thought psychological principles explain all social behaviors.

Question 51

According to George Homans, the most desirable rewards are those that are both very valuable and highly attainable through rational action.

Question 52

Rational choice theorists focus on the ways preferences or goals are socially defined.

Question 53

Behaviorism is more popular in psychology than sociology.

Question 54

According to network exchange theorist, which is a property of strong power networks? Select all, but only those that apply.

A) Exclusivity
B) Required Participation
C) Competition
D) Exclusion

Question 55

George Homans thought sociological principles could explain all psychological behaviors.

Question 56

According to Network exchange theory, what is a strength of social exchange theory?

A) A means to construct complex representations of social interactions from social relations.
B) An inability to define exactly what a social relationship is.
C) A simple model of actors who make choices based on possible benefits.
D) Sees social structures as an outcome of individual choices rather than determining those choices.

Question 57

According to James Coleman's rational choice theory, _____ can be utilitarian because its goal is disequilibrium as opposed to equilibrium.

A) collective behavior
B) norms
C) corporate actors
D) homo socio-economicus

Question 58

Contemporary exchange and rational choice theories are coterminous.

Question 59

Exchange theory, rational choice theory, and network theory are all related to one another.

Question 60

According to James Coleman's rational choice theory, _____ can be utilitarian because it creates equilibrium as numerous actors give up similar amounts and levels of control over their behavior.

A) collective behavior
B) norms
C) corporate actors
D) homo socio-economicus

Question 61

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that when people are unable to offer equal rewards to those in their associations, power differentials will emerge.

Question 62

Network exchange theory is criticized for being unable to incorporate human agency.

Question 63

Peter Blau extended "purer" behaviorism by differentiating between organizations that emerge because of exchange competition and ones explicitly established to achieve specific objectives.

Question 64

Network theory is relatively new and undeveloped.

Question 65

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that people enter into and then maintain associations because they are rewarding.

Question 66

It is not possible to incorporate the nature and roles of actors in exchange theory.

Question 67

According to Emerson, dependence is having to incur the costs of others in exchanges.

Question 68

For Peter Blau, norms and values mediate the social structures that exist within society.

Question 69

Describe the critiques of rational choice theory that are developed from other sociological perspectives.

Question 70

James S. Coleman is criticized for failing to incorporate authority and subordination into his exchange theory.

Question 71

Compare and contrast social exchange theory with network analysis.

Question 72

According to Emerson, power is the ability to project costs on dependents in exchanges.

Question 73

James S. Coleman applied rational choice theory at the macro level.

Question 74

Watch a few minutes of an interaction happening in a television show or movie and then explain how the actors are, or are not behaving in ways that maximize their interests.

Question 75

Both Peter Blau and George Homans agree that people will maintain associations even when they do not offer rewards.