Question 1

According to Stanley Milgram, ordinary people will ______ to orders given by someone in a position of power or authority, even if those orders have negative consequences.

Accepted Answer

Milgram's famous obedience experiment showed that individuals are likely to conform to authority figures even when it means causing harm or pain to others. The study was a demonstration of the power that authority figures can exert over individuals and the willingness of individuals to obey those in authority. Participants in the study were ordered to administer electric shocks to individuals when they answered questions incorrectly, even though the individuals receiving the shocks were actors with no actual harm being done. Despite this, many participants obeyed the orders of the person in authority and continued to administer shocks beyond what they thought was safe or reasonable.

Question 2

Which sociologist conceptualized social closure?

Accepted Answer

The sociologist who conceptualized social closure is Max Weber. Social closure refers to the processes through which groups and individuals seek to maintain or enhance their social status by restricting access to resources or opportunities. Weber argued that social closure could take many forms, including economic, political, and cultural exclusion.

Question 3

Martin's biology class is divided into groups for a project.Each group must assign roles.The leader of Martin's group encourages each student to share ideas and suggestions.The members of his group feel equal and valued.Which type of leader does this group have?

Accepted Answer

A transformational leader encourages individual creativity and supports collective decision-making. They inspire and motivate their group members to work towards a common goal and create a positive and empowering work environment. The leader in Martin's group encourages open communication and values each member's input, indicating a transformational leadership style.

Question 4

Prison guards use their authority and force to make prisoners comply.This is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Legitimate authority is based on the belief in the rightness of a person's or institution's right to exercise control, and is often established by law or tradition. In this example, the prison guards' authority to use force is granted by prison regulations and their position as guards within the prison system.

Question 5

April, a sophomore class leader for her anthropology class, is able to get the rest of the class to cooperate on a project even though there is no consequence for not doing so.How is April able to do this?

Accepted Answer

April is exercising legitimate authority, which means her classmates recognize her leadership position and are willing to follow her guidance even without the threat of consequences. This form of authority is based on the perceived legitimacy of the leader's role.

Question 6

Which of the following examples illustrates groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink occurs when individuals within a group prioritize conformity and consensus over critical thinking and decision-making. In this scenario, the advertising agency decides to air an ad despite concerns about its potential offensiveness, indicating that the group prioritized consensus and agreement over critical evaluation of the ad's potential impact.

Question 7

Which of the following is an accurate conclusion about conformity based on the Asch study?

Accepted Answer

The Asch study found that people are more likely to conform when others conform, even if they know the answer is incorrect. This suggests that conformity is influenced by social pressure and the desire to fit in with the group.

Question 8

Which of the following is one of the findings in Asch's conformity experiment?

Accepted Answer

Asch found that many people discount their own perceptions rather than contradict group consensus. This is often referred to as conformity.

Question 9

Which of the following types of power is more likely to result in highly motivated and satisfied group members?

Accepted Answer

Personal power is based on personal characteristics such as expertise, charisma, and interpersonal skills. This type of power is more likely to result in highly motivated and satisfied group members because individuals are influenced by the leader's personality, values and qualities rather than their position or authority. In contrast, positional power and coercive power rely on fear and authority to influence others, which can result in higher turnover rates and lower job satisfaction. Transactional leadership also focuses on rewards and punishments, rather than building relationships and trust with group members, which can lead to lower motivation and satisfaction in the long run.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of groupthink?

Accepted Answer

Groupthink refers to a situation in which members of a group strive for consensus and prioritize harmony over critical thinking. In this scenario, the group of scientists is making a decision despite evidence of a flaw in the system, likely due to a desire to avoid conflict and maintain agreement within the group.

Question 11

______ refers to when members of a group ignore anything that goes against the group consensus.

Accepted Answer

Groupthink is a psychological phenomenon where group members prioritize conformity and unanimity over critical thinking and decision-making. They tend to ignore any dissenting views or opinions and go along with the group consensus, even if it may not be the best decision.

Question 12

Who would be most likely to use personal power?

Accepted Answer

Transformational leaders are focused on inspiring and empowering their followers. Therefore, they are most likely to use personal power, which is based on the leader's personal qualities and characteristics rather than their formal position or authority.

Question 13

What statement best represents a sociological approach to understanding leaders?

Accepted Answer

A sociological approach to understanding leaders focuses on the ways in which leaders are able to influence the behavior of other members of a group. This approach looks at the social dynamics and power relations within a group, and how leaders are able to navigate and shape these dynamics to achieve their goals. Option B is not representative of a sociological approach, as it does not prioritize the social context in which leadership occurs. Option C is incorrect, as persuasion is a commonly used tool of leadership. Option D is not entirely accurate, as leaders may still be able to achieve a goal in the face of resistance depending on the strength of their leadership skills and the specific context in which they are operating.

Question 14

Sociologist Irving Janius undertook historical research to determine if ______ played a part in U.S.foreign policy decisions, including the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in 1961.

Accepted Answer

Janius' research focused on group dynamics and the influence of groupthink in foreign policy decision making, particularly surrounding the Bay of Pigs invasion. Thus, the best choice is C) groupthink. A) legitimate authority, B) social capital, and D) transformational leadership do not address the specific research topic of Janius.

Question 15

Which of the following examples demonstrates positional power?

Accepted Answer

In this scenario, the office supervisors have positional power because they have been given the authority to give directions to the workers. The workers follow their directions based on this authority, rather than on personal or influence-based power.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of conformity?

Accepted Answer

Conformity refers to the act of conforming or adhering to social norms or group expectations. In this scenario, the newly initiated gang member is conforming to the group's expectations as he follows the crew orders and gets their emblem tattooed on his chest.

Question 17

Mr.Bell has taught eighth-grade English for the past 5 years.He has assigned the same books to his classes each year but does not take suggestions from students who want more diversity in the readings.Mr.Bell is an example of what type of leader?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Mr.Bell has taught eighth-grade English for the...

Question 18

What is the distinction between a transformative leader and a transactional leader?

Accepted Answer

The distinction between a transformative leader and a transactional leader is that a transformative leader has the ability to leave their mark on their followers and organizations. They inspire and motivate their followers to strive for more and push towards a common goal. In contrast, a transactional leader focuses on exchanging rewards or punishments for followers' performance and adhering to a set of rules and procedures. They maintain the status quo but do not necessarily have a long-lasting impact on their followers or organizations. Therefore, the correct answer is C.

Question 19

Nelson Mandela is an example of a ______ leader who instilled a sense of mission or higher purpose in group members.

Accepted Answer

Nelson Mandela is widely considered a transformational leader who inspired and motivated his followers to work towards a common goal. He had a vision for a free and equal South Africa, and he worked tirelessly to achieve that goal. He encouraged his supporters to be courageous, to put the needs of the group above their own interests, and to work together to achieve their mission. In this way, he instilled a sense of mission or higher purpose in his group members, which is a key characteristic of transformational leadership.

Question 20

Which social scientists researched obedience to authority to help explain how ordinary German citizens would participate in the systemic functions of the Holocaust?

Accepted Answer

Stanley Milgram conducted a series of experiments on obedience to authority that helped explain how ordinary individuals could become complicit in immoral and inhumane actions like the Holocaust. His research demonstrated the power of obedience to authority figures and the willingness of many individuals to comply with orders, even if it went against their own beliefs and values.

Quiz 5: Groups, Organizations, and Bureaucracies