Question 1

In Kanter's theory, the sacrifice mechanism is one component of which type of commitment?

Accepted Answer

Kanter's theory identifies the sacrifice mechanism as part of instrumental commitment, where individuals remain committed to an organization because they see leaving as a loss of invested resources.

Question 2

What concept was developed to explain the unclear and delayed passage to adulthood experienced by American youth today?

Accepted Answer

Emerging Adulthood is the concept developed to explain the phase of life between adolescence and full-fledged adulthood, characterized by exploration and instability, which describes the delayed and unclear transition to adulthood for many young people today.

Question 3

When some sociologists argue that religion is largely socialized-learned from family and groups the family channels children into-they are saying that religion is

Accepted Answer

When sociologists argue that religion is largely socialized, meaning learned from family and the groups into which children are channeled, they are describing religion as an ascribed characteristic. This means it is something people are born into rather than something they achieve or choose individually.

Question 4

What is the most likely consequence of increasing rates of religious intermarriage and marital dissolution (divorce, separation) on the intergenerational transmission of religion?

Accepted Answer

Increasing rates of religious intermarriage and marital dissolution can lead to a decrease in religious cohesion within a family. This can result in a weaker transmission of religious beliefs and practices to children, making it more likely for both children and parents to disengage from attending religious services.

Question 5

In order to belong to a religious group, a person must give up his previous friends and family and focus all friendship on the group.In Kanter's theory, this is an example of which mechanism of commitment?

Accepted Answer

Renunciation in Kanter's theory refers to the process of giving up previous ties and relationships to strengthen commitment to a new group or belief system.

Question 6

The author of your textbook notes, "liberal churches may have lower levels of commitment because they emphasize individuality and personal self-esteem." Unlike conservative churches, liberal communities de-emphasize which commitment mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Liberal churches often place less emphasis on sacrifice as a commitment mechanism compared to conservative churches. This is because they focus more on individuality and personal self-esteem, which can lead to a lower level of communal sacrifice and strict adherence to demanding practices or beliefs.

Question 7

Mortification can help extremely close-knit groups function more harmoniously and smoothly because

Accepted Answer

Mortification helps reduce large egos, leading to fewer arguments and less assertion of personal opinions, thus promoting harmony in close-knit groups.

Question 8

Research indicates that religion has

Accepted Answer

Research and observations suggest that religion, particularly in modern contexts like North America, has become more of a personal choice or preference, akin to selecting options from a menu, rather than a deeply ingrained aspect of one's identity. This reflects broader societal shifts towards individualism and away from traditional, institutional forms of religion.

Question 9

Which commitment mechanism results in individuals deciding that leaving the group is too costly?

Accepted Answer

Sacrifice is a commitment mechanism where individuals perceive the cost of leaving the group as too high, thus reinforcing their commitment to stay.

Question 10

Sociologists suggest that most people continue in the religious traditions of their parents and grandparents because

Accepted Answer

Childhood socialization into a religion is a powerful influence on an individual's religious beliefs and practices. This process involves learning and internalizing the beliefs, values, practices, and norms of the religion from a young age, often through family traditions, rituals, and teachings. This early and profound exposure tends to make the religion a core part of an individual's identity, making changes in religious beliefs or affiliations less common.

Question 11

_________ refer to the fluctuations in religiosity we see as people move through the life course, and ________ refer to the fluctuations in religiosity we see in an entire population living through a specific time in history.

Accepted Answer

Age effects refer to changes in religiosity as individuals age, while period effects are changes in religiosity across the whole population due to historical or social events.

Question 12

In Kanter's theory, which of the following would strengthen instrumental commitment?

Accepted Answer

Investment strengthens instrumental commitment in Kanter's theory because it involves putting resources such as time, energy, or money into a group or organization, which then increases the individual's stake in the success and continuity of that group or organization.

Question 13

A young recruit to a religious group is constantly asked to focus on her inadequacies and to confess all behaviors, thoughts, and feelings which might violate the norms of the group.Leaders frequently point out her faults and weaknesses as a way of "helping her grow in the spirit." According to Kanter's commitment theory, which type of commitment mechanism does this represent?

Accepted Answer

This scenario describes the process of mortification, according to Kanter's commitment theory. Mortification involves stripping away an individual's existing social identity and replacing it with a new one that aligns with the group's values, often through the process of confessing and focusing on personal inadequacies.

Question 14

The authors of your textbook argue that religion in the United States has been changing in recent decades by becoming

Accepted Answer

The authors suggest that religion in the United States is becoming more of an individual choice (achieved) rather than something one is born into (ascribed), and that people are increasingly tailoring their religious beliefs and practices to fit their personal preferences, indicating a move towards more individualistic approaches to religion.

Question 15

Consider the following two statements in relation to the course material: (A) Family religiousness is the most powerful predictor of adulthood religiousness; and (B) Parent-child transmission of religiousness is not inevitable.Which of the following is correct?

Accepted Answer

Both statements are accurate. Family religiousness is indeed a strong predictor of an individual's religiousness in adulthood, indicating the significant influence of the family environment on religious beliefs and practices. However, the transmission of religiousness from parents to children, while common, is not guaranteed, acknowledging individual differences and external influences that can affect a person's religious orientation.

Question 16

Kanter's research on religious communities has shown that when members make big sacrifices for the group,

Accepted Answer

Kanter's research indicates that making significant sacrifices for a group leads to increased commitment to the group and the organization itself, as the sacrifices strengthen the bond and sense of belonging within the group.

Question 17

The three phases of the "disestablishment of religion" in America identified by Philip Hammond are

Accepted Answer

Philip Hammond identifies the three phases of the "disestablishment of religion" in America as the separation of religion from government, the reduction of Protestantism's monopoly on Americanism and the American elite, and the move away from denominational and organizational expressions of faith towards more individualized forms of religious identity.

Question 18

In Kanter's theory, which of the following would strengthen moral commitment?

Accepted Answer

Transcendence strengthens moral commitment by aligning actions with higher values or principles, fostering a deeper sense of purpose and dedication.

Question 19

The importance of reference groups in religious commitment reflects the concept of __________, in which members cut ties with outsiders and define them as evil or insignificant.

Accepted Answer

Renunciation involves cutting ties with outsiders and defining them as evil or insignificant, which aligns with the concept of reference groups in religious commitment.

Question 20

According to the authors of your textbook, the typical sequence in the process of becoming religiously committed is to be committed to

Accepted Answer

The typical sequence in the process of becoming religiously committed, as described by authors of textbooks on religion or sociology, often starts with social connections or friendships (members as friends), which then lead to a deeper involvement with the organization itself, and finally culminates in a commitment to the belief system of the organization. This sequence highlights the importance of social bonds in the process of religious commitment.

Quiz 5: Becoming and Being Religious