Question 1

The difference between status and role is that ________.

Accepted Answer

Status refers to our social position or rank in society, whereas role refers to the set of behaviors, rights, and obligations that are associated with a particular status. In other words, we occupy a certain status (such as a doctor, a student, or a parent), but we are expected to play certain roles that are associated with that status (such as providing medical care, studying, or caring for children). It is important to note that roles can be flexible and adaptable, while status is typically more fixed and ingrained in society.

Question 2

Bumper stickers such as "Proud Parent of an Honor Student" and "Warning: This Driver Convicted of DUI" are best described as being ________.

Accepted Answer

Bumper stickers like "Proud Parent of an Honor Student" are status symbols as they display a person's social position or achievements.

Question 3

A focus on the broad features of society to analyze such things as social class and how groups relate to one another is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Macrosociology looks at the big picture of society and analyzes social structures, institutions, and systems. It focuses on large-scale social phenomena such as social class, inequality, and how groups relate to one another on a broader level. Microsociology, on the other hand, focuses on individual interactions and small-scale social phenomena. Meta analysis and qualitative analysis are research methods that can be used in both macrosociology and microsociology.

Question 4

The typical patterns of a group, such as its usual relationships between men and women or students and teachers, are referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Social structure refers to the typical patterns and organization of relationships and institutions within a group or society. Social solidarity refers to the shared values and beliefs that hold a society together, social imperative refers to the pressure to conform to societal norms, and social institutions are the formal organizations and structures within a society.

Question 5

What two sociological perspectives are most linked to macrosociology?

Accepted Answer

Functionalism and the conflict perspective are the two sociological perspectives most linked to macrosociology. Macrosociology focuses on large-scale social structures and systems, and both functionalism and the conflict perspective examine how these structures impact society as a whole. Symbolic interactionism, on the other hand, is a microsociological perspective that focuses on the individual and their interactions with others. Feminism is a social and political movement that focuses on gender equality and is not a sociological perspective.

Question 6

John and Doug are both full professors in a state university, holding doctorate degrees from Ivy League schools. Both make about the same salary and enjoy a similar sense of prestige in the community and on campus. Based only on this information, what do John and Doug have in common?

Accepted Answer

John and Doug have several similarities, including their education, job title, and salary. These factors suggest that they are both members of the same social class, which is likely the upper middle class. However, it is important to note that they may have different backgrounds, experiences, and identities, which may impact their social location and social solidarity.

Question 7

A position in society that cuts across other statuses a person holds, such as being a high-ranking Army officer, a college president, or a handicapped Olympian, would be considered that person's ________.

Accepted Answer

A master status is a position in society that is so important and influential that it overrides other statuses a person may hold. It can be either ascribed (assigned at birth) or achieved (earned through actions or accomplishments). Examples of master statuses include being a celebrity, a politician, a religious leader, or a criminal. In the given options, only C) master status fits the description of a position that cuts across other statuses.

Question 8

Jane is a 49-year-old woman of Irish-German descent. What do these characteristics have in common?

Accepted Answer

Ascribed statuses are characteristics that are assigned to an individual at birth or due to other factors beyond their control, such as ethnicity or gender. In this case, Jane's age, ethnicity, and descent are all examples of ascribed statuses. Achieved statuses, on the other hand, are characteristics that are earned or acquired through personal effort, such as education or employment. Jane's characteristics do not fall under this category. Master status refers to a status that is so dominant that it overshadows other statuses an individual may hold. While Jane's Irish-German descent may be important to her, it is unlikely to be her master status. Status inconsistency refers to a situation where an individual holds multiple statuses that do not align with one another, creating conflicts or confusion. This does not apply to Jane's situation.

Question 9

Andrea is an aspiring associate editor for a major publisher. She is single but feels married to her work. Last year she received a $20,000 bonus for the excellent work she did in promoting new textbooks published by her employer. Based on this information, Andrea's ascribed status is ________ and her achieved status is ________.

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status is a social status a person is born with or receives involuntarily later in life, such as gender or race. Achieved status is a social position a person takes on voluntarily that reflects personal skills, abilities, and efforts. Andrea's ascribed status is "female," and her achieved status is "associate editor."

Question 10

Which of the following topics would most likely be approached based on a macrosociological analysis?

Accepted Answer

Macrosociological analysis involves studying large-scale social structures and institutions, such as the economy, government, or global events like terrorism. Therefore, a study on the impact of terrorism on the travel plans of business people would be more likely to be approached from a macro perspective. The other options involve smaller groups or individual behavior, which are more suited to microsociological analysis.

Question 11

What are the three primary variables in determining one's social class?

Accepted Answer

Income, education, and occupational prestige are widely considered as the three primary variables that determine one's social class. While race and sex may play a role in economic and educational opportunities, they do not determine social class in the same way that income and education do.

Question 12

Dr. Zalewski expects her students to be on time for class, holds them for the entire class period, and has firm deadlines set for reports and other assignments. Sociologically, which statement best describes Dr. Zalewski's approach to teaching?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Zalewski has created a strong sense of social structure in her classroom by setting and enforcing rules and deadlines. This approach is in line with the microsociological perspective, which focuses on the interactions and relationships between individuals in small groups or settings, such as a classroom. It does not involve social stratification or inequality.

Question 13

Which statement regarding status is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Status provides social positions that come with specific roles, expectations, and behaviors. While some statuses may be achieved through one's efforts or abilities, others are ascribed, assigned to us by society regardless of our efforts or abilities. Additionally, status symbols can be both positive and negative and serve to reinforce societal norms and expectations.

Question 14

Signs that identify a position in society that someone occupies are referred to as ________.

Accepted Answer

Status symbols are signs that identify a position in society that someone occupies, such as clothing, jewelry, vehicles, and other possessions that express a person's social status. Achieved master status refers to a status that is obtained through an individual's own efforts and abilities, while ascribed master status is a status that is assigned to individuals based on characteristics outside of their control, such as race or gender. Inherited status is a type of ascribed status and refers to a person's status that is determined by their family or lineage.

Question 15

The definition of the situation is based on an objective interpretation of things as they exist in any social interaction.

Accepted Answer

The definition of the situation is actually subjective and based on the individual and collective interpretations and meanings attributed to things in a social interaction.

Question 16

In Amsterdam, a 21-year-old prostitute is scantily clothed, exhibiting her attributes in a storefront, smiling at potential patrons as they walk by. Based on this mental image, which statement best describes what is in progress?

Accepted Answer

The scenario described depicts social interaction between the prostitute and potential patrons. This interaction involves the exchange of goods and services (sex for money), which is a common feature of social interactions in market economies. While prostitution may be illegal in some jurisdictions, the scenario as described does not provide enough information to determine whether a crime is being committed. Similarly, the prostitute's clothing does not necessarily constitute indecent exposure, as laws regulating public nudity and dress codes vary widely across different cultures and legal systems. Finally, while the scenario could be analyzed from a macrosociological perspective (e.g., exploring the social and structural factors that shape sex work and its cultural meanings), this is not the most specific or accurate description of what is happening in the scene.

Question 17

Which of the following represents an achieved status?

Accepted Answer

Achieved status is a social position that a person can acquire on the basis of merit; it is a position that is earned or chosen. Being a high school drop-out is an example of an achieved status because it results from actions and decisions made by the individual, rather than being assigned at birth or involuntarily assumed.

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of social structure?

Accepted Answer

Social structure refers to the patterned social arrangements and institutions that shape human behavior and interaction. Signaling a right turn with directional signals is an example of a social structure because it is a standardized and widely recognized way of communicating intentions in traffic.

Question 19

Which of the following perspectives is most appropriate for a research sociologist to use?

Accepted Answer

A research sociologist should be able to use both macro and microsociology depending upon the situation. Some research questions may require an understanding of the broader societal or structural factors (macro) while others may require an understanding of individual behavior and interaction (micro). Being able to use both perspectives allows for a more comprehensive analysis of social phenomena.

Question 20

Which sociological perspective is most closely linked to microsociology?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism is the sociological perspective that focuses on the small-scale interactions between individuals and how they give meaning to symbols and gestures. This is closely linked to microsociology, which deals with small groups and individual interactions. The conflict perspective and structural functionalism focus on larger societal structures and institutions, while the feminist perspective emphasizes gender inequality in society.

Quiz 4: Social Structure and Social Interaction