Question 1

Joanie volunteers with the Parent Teacher Association. Along with other concerned parents, Joanie tries to enhance the educational experience of the youth in her community. To Joanie, the Parent Teacher Association is an example of an):

Accepted Answer

Normative organizations are those that people join voluntarily to pursue a common interest or gain personal satisfaction or prestige from being a member. The Parent Teacher Association fits this description as it is a voluntary association where members work towards enhancing the educational experience, driven by shared values or goals rather than material rewards.

Question 2

n 1904, Mary McLeod Bethune founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls to provide black women with an opportunity to earn a college degree. The school is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

The Daytona Normal and Industrial Institute for Negro Girls, founded by Mary McLeod Bethune, is an example of a Formal Organization. This is because it was an established institution with structured roles, objectives, and activities aimed at providing education to black women, characteristic of formal organizations.

Question 3

When a judge ruled that Mary was a threat to herself and others, Mary was placed in the Crisis Stabilization Unit of the State Mental Hospital. Since this was against Mary's will, the State Mental Hospital represents an):

Accepted Answer

Coercive organizations are those in which membership is involuntary, such as prisons or mental hospitals where individuals are placed against their will.

Question 4

Latoya likes to use Facebook, but her sister Shante likes to use MySpace. Both of these applications help the sisters maintain the ties that they have with others. As such, Facebook and MySpace help with:

Accepted Answer

Facebook and MySpace are platforms that facilitate social networks by allowing users to connect and communicate with others, thereby maintaining and expanding their social connections.

Question 5

Although five men at the town meeting believed that it was wrong to deny women the right to vote, they kept their opinions to themselves and went along with the group. These men feared that they would be treated unkindly if they disagreed. This reflects which shortcoming of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Self-Censorship occurs when members of a group withhold their dissenting views and counterarguments, often due to the fear of isolation or reprisal, leading to a false appearance of agreement.

Question 6

After graduating from college, Donald landed a job at Microsoft that pays $93,000 per year. In this example, Microsoft is an):

Accepted Answer

Utilitarian organizations are those that people join for a specific material reward, in this case, a job at Microsoft with a salary of $93,000 per year.

Question 7

The School Board Members in Gadsden County met to vote on changing the dress code to allow students more variation in the school uniform. The board members voted against the proposal without discussing the potential benefits of such a change. Each member just conformed to what they believed was the consensus of the group. Because there was no objective thought in their decision, this reflects:

Accepted Answer

Groupthink occurs when a group makes faulty or ineffective decisions for the sake of reaching a consensus, without critically evaluating alternative ideas or viewpoints. In this scenario, the board members' failure to discuss the potential benefits of changing the dress code and their conformity to a perceived consensus without objective thought is indicative of groupthink.

Question 8

Chuiya believes that when ex-cons are released from prison, they must be provided with a new set of skills to be successful in society. As such, Chuiya volunteers at the Reichert Rehabilitation Center teaching ex-cons how to develop resumes and interview for jobs. For Chuiya, the Reichert Rehabilitation Center is an example of an):

Accepted Answer

The Reichert Rehabilitation Center is an example of a Normative Organization because it is based on shared interests and goals, such as helping ex-cons reintegrate into society, which aligns with voluntary, value-driven motivations rather than utilitarian (reward-based), coercive (punishment-based), or bureaucratic structures.

Question 9

Brad was born in poverty. However, he is highly motivated and values education. Brad's individual motivation and education are a part of his:

Accepted Answer

Social capital refers to the networks of relationships among people who live and work in a particular society, enabling that society to function effectively. Brad's individual motivation and value placed on education can enhance his ability to form beneficial relationships and networks, which are key components of social capital.

Question 10

The art gallery holds a monthly wine and cheese reception on the firsriday evening of every month. This is an opportunity for hip, young professionals to meet people with similar interests, beliefs, and social identities. The art gallery is helping the young professionals develop:

Accepted Answer

The art gallery's monthly wine and cheese receptions facilitate interactions among individuals with similar interests, beliefs, and social identities, thereby helping them to develop social networks. These networks are informal structures that connect people through shared interests and social interactions, unlike formal organizations which have defined hierarchies and roles.

Question 11

Under the influence of groupthink, the boys at Ridgemont High decided to make a statement against the school uniform by wearing skirts on the first day of class. The fact that the entire group ignored the warnings that they would be suspended if they were not in uniform is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Collective rationalization occurs when members of a group discount warnings and negative feedback, rationalizing their decision despite evidence or warnings that might challenge its soundness. In this scenario, the boys ignored warnings about suspension, indicating they rationalized their decision to protest the school uniform policy, dismissing the consequences.

Question 12

Groupthink is more likely to occur when there is:

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is more likely to occur in cohesive groups facing external threats with a strong leader who promotes conformity and discourages dissent.

Question 13

On a recent visit to the dentist, Professor Bush learned that her dentist was looking for a new receptionist. When Professor Bush found out that her student Toussant was looking for a job, she referred Toussant to the dentist and Toussant was hired on the spot! Dr. Bush is a member of Toussant's:

Accepted Answer

Professor Bush is part of Toussant's social network, as she facilitated a job opportunity through her connection with the dentist.

Question 14

A decision to attack a rival gang was made by the Blood Demons. Under the influence of groupthink, the Blood Demons were excessively optimistic, believing that they would win the fight. This belief that the desired outcome would occur is called:

Accepted Answer

The Illusion of Invulnerability refers to the overconfidence and excessive optimism that groups sometimes exhibit, leading them to take risky decisions, such as attacking a rival gang, under the belief that they cannot fail.

Question 15

When the 11-member board of directors voted to cut employee health care benefits, there were 9 board members in favor of the cut and 2 board members who did not vote. The resulting tally of 9-0 made it seem as if everyone supported the cut, when in fact all did not. This illustrates:

Accepted Answer

The situation described illustrates the Illusion of Unanimity, where the absence of dissent (due to the 2 members not voting) is interpreted as unanimous agreement, even though not all members supported the decision.

Question 16

Participation in voluntary organizations is:

Accepted Answer

Research and surveys in various countries have shown a trend of decreasing participation in voluntary organizations over recent years. Factors contributing to this decline include changes in work patterns, lifestyle changes, and the rise of digital engagement over traditional forms of community involvement.

Question 17

Angelo is career criminal. He has been sentenced to serve the next 23 years in prison. Because Angelo is forced to go to prison against his own wishes, the prison represents an):

Accepted Answer

Coercive organizations are those in which membership is involuntary, such as prisons. Individuals are forced to join these organizations, as is the case with Angelo being sentenced to prison.

Question 18

The vice president of student government received several anonymous notes from students who were discontent with the new budget. However, the vice president did not share this information with the president. The vice president wanted to protect the leader from views that contradicted the administration's position. This reflects which shortcoming of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Self-Appointed Mind Guards are members of a group who take it upon themselves to protect the group from adverse information that might threaten group complacency. In this scenario, the vice president acts as a mind guard by withholding negative feedback to avoid conflict or discomfort within the leadership.

Question 19

Rachel just signed up to join the neighborhood soccer team. The soccer team is an example of a:

Accepted Answer

A voluntary association is a group of individuals who voluntarily enter into an agreement to form a body (or organization) to accomplish a purpose. Rachel joining the neighborhood soccer team is an example of this, as it's likely based on shared interests and participation is voluntary.

Question 20

Carlos and Paco are immigrants. Carlos told his friend Paco that the community college has job openings for custodial positions. Carlos is a part of Paco's:

Accepted Answer

Carlos is part of Paco's traditional network, which typically includes family, friends, and community members who provide support and share information.

Quiz 6: Groups and Societies

Joanie volunteers with the Parent Teacher Association. Along with other concerned parents, Joanie tries to enhance the educational experience of the youth in her community. To Joanie, the Parent Teacher Association is an example of an) :