Question 1

According to symbolic interactionists, how is culture created?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists argue that culture is created through the interactions of individuals within groups, using shared symbols and meanings to communicate and understand the world around them. This perspective emphasizes the importance of symbols, language, and interaction in the formation of cultural norms and values.

Question 2

A child learns how to communicate using both verbal and nonverbal methods. The channels that provide these methods of communication create meaning for society. Which sociological perspective would propose this?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the use of symbols, including language and gestures, in interpersonal communication and how these symbols create social reality for individuals. This perspective is most concerned with the meanings that people derive from and attribute to social interactions, including the process of learning communication methods.

Question 3

A child begins to wear clothes that he believes his friends will find appealing. Which sociological theory would see this action as a means of socialization?

Accepted Answer

The looking glass self theory, proposed by Charles Horton Cooley, suggests that individuals develop their self-concept based on how they believe others perceive them. The child wearing clothes to appeal to friends aligns with this theory as it reflects the child's attempt to shape their self-image based on perceived social feedback.

Question 4

A child sees a homeless person on a park bench and grimaces, as he has seen his mother do many times. The mother sees this reaction and smiles at the child. According to Cooley, this type of parental feedback is important because the child is ______.

Accepted Answer

Cooley's concept of the "looking-glass self" suggests that individuals form their self-image based on how they believe others perceive them. In this scenario, the child is responding to the perceived positive feedback (the mother's smile) for mimicking her grimace, indicating that the child is interpreting and responding to what he feels the feedback means, rather than simply learning to obey or engaging in behavior deemed correct without understanding the social implications.

Question 5

Considering the looking glass self theory, how would an individual starting a new job be most likely to react to praise during the first week of work?

Accepted Answer

The looking glass self theory posits that individuals form their self-concepts based on how they believe others perceive them. Therefore, receiving praise during the first week of work would likely lead an individual to integrate that positive feedback into their self-concept, influencing their view of themselves as a competent and valued worker.

Question 6

A college professor is collecting assignments from the students. One student did not complete the assignment and fails to turn it in. According to Goffman, this is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

This scenario is an example of a violation of a social script according to Erving Goffman's dramaturgical analysis. In this context, the social script would be the expected behavior or actions in a given situation, which in this case involves students completing and turning in assignments. The student's failure to do so deviates from the expected behavior, thus violating the social script.

Question 7

According to Goffman, when an individual uses a credit card to buy an expensive smartphone, the ______.

Accepted Answer

Goffman’s dramaturgical analysis suggests that individuals use props to manage impressions in social interactions. In this context, the credit card acts as a prop to demonstrate the wealth or financial capability of the individual, aligning with the social script of portraying affluence.

Question 8

A woman buys a designer dress to wear to her high school reunion and talks to others about her successful career and new house. Which of these is considered a prop that the woman is using in the front stage of the reunion?

Accepted Answer

The designer dress is a physical object she uses to present herself in a certain way at the reunion, fitting the concept of a "prop" in the context of front stage behavior, where individuals use various means to manage impressions in social situations.

Question 9

A couple attends a formal event with another couple with whom they would like to become friends. The couple makes a point to wear nice clothes and choose topics of conversation carefully. This couple is engaging in ______ management.

Accepted Answer

The couple is engaging in impression management, which involves controlling the way they are perceived by others, in this case, by dressing nicely and choosing conversation topics carefully to make a good impression.

Question 10

Which is a subject that could be studied through the symbolic interactionist perspective?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on individual interactions and the meanings people attach to them. A girl competing on her high school's debate team involves personal interactions and the meanings she and others attach to those experiences.

Question 11

A symbolic interactionist would most likely study a corporation's decision to hire a White applicant over a better qualified racial minority by studying the ______.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists focus on the meanings and experiences individuals attach to social interactions. They would study the personal experiences and interactions of the applicants to understand the decision-making process.

Question 12

Which perspective is a combination of symbolic interactionism and conflict theory?

Accepted Answer

Social constructionism is a perspective that combines elements of symbolic interactionism, which focuses on individual interactions and the meanings people attach to objects, events, and behaviors, with elements of conflict theory, which emphasizes the role of power and inequality in shaping social life. This approach suggests that social reality is constructed through both individual interactions and broader social forces, including conflicts between different groups.

Question 13

An immigrant family works hard and builds a lucrative business over the years. Yet, their success is restricted due to several anti-immigrant policies. Which perspective would find it most important to study this issue by focusing on immigration policy development, not the specific case of the immigrant family?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An immigrant family works hard and builds...

Question 14

According to the ______ perspective, stratification is ultimately created and sustained through social systems, which must be made more just.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the ______ perspective, stratification is...

Question 15

When we say that society determines what is "reasonable," we mean that it is ______.

Accepted Answer

The concept of what is "reasonable" is socially constructed, meaning it is defined and shaped by societal norms, values, and beliefs.

Question 16

Theoretical perspectives are groups of theories that explain how sociologists see the world.

Accepted Answer

Theoretical perspectives in sociology are frameworks or sets of ideas that provide explanations for how society operates, guiding sociologists in their research and understanding of social phenomena.

Question 17

When individuals work for the good of their society, they are participating in social solidarity.

Accepted Answer

Social solidarity refers to the sense of unity and mutual support within a society, where individuals work together for the common good and welfare of the community, demonstrating a commitment to collective well-being.

Question 18

Emilie Durkheim focused on social solidarity, which is based on order in society.

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim, a founding figure in sociology, emphasized the importance of social solidarity, viewing it as the basis for social order and cohesion within a society. He explored how different types of social structures and regulations contribute to societal integration and stability.

Question 19

Structural functionalists agree that rapid social change is a benefit to social equilibrium.

Accepted Answer

Structural functionalists believe that rapid social change can disrupt social equilibrium, as it challenges the existing social structures and norms, potentially leading to social instability.

Question 20

Conflict theorists do NOT see societal problems as a result of individual bad behavior.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists believe societal problems stem from inequalities and conflicts within social structures, not from individual bad behavior.

Quiz 2: Understanding Theory