Question 1

A political campaign is a social movement because it has leadership.

Accepted Answer

A political campaign is not inherently a social movement because it primarily focuses on electing a candidate or promoting specific policies, rather than broader social or cultural change, which is characteristic of social movements. Leadership is a common feature in many organized activities, not just social movements.

Question 2

Bhutan's attempt to achieve Gross National Happiness, rather than a higher gross national product, reflects its attempt to:

Accepted Answer

Bhutan's attempt to focus on Gross National Happiness is in part an attempt to reject the Western emphasis on consumerism and material goods. While the country does strive for development and modernization, its approach is unique in that it prioritizes the well-being and happiness of its citizens over economic growth.

Question 3

Fads often result in lasting social change.

Accepted Answer

Fads are typically characterized by their short-lived popularity and do not usually result in lasting social change, as they lack the depth and widespread adoption necessary to influence long-term societal norms and behaviors.

Question 4

Many have noticed that the U.S. economy seems increasingly focused on producing and managing information, rather than on making things. What term or concept could describe this shift?

Accepted Answer

Postmodernism is a term that can describe the shift in the U.S. economy towards focusing on producing and managing information rather than on manufacturing goods. This concept reflects a broader cultural, economic, and technological shift in society towards valuing information and services over traditional industrial production.

Question 5

Not all social movements challenge the norms or values of the dominant culture.

Accepted Answer

Some social movements may seek to work within the existing cultural framework and make incremental changes rather than challenge the entire system or its values. Examples include movements for legalizing same-sex marriage or increasing access to education or healthcare for marginalized groups. These movements may not necessarily challenge the status quo, but instead aim to make changes that are more inclusive and equitable within the existing cultural norms.

Question 6

The decline of traditional communities, the increase in individual autonomy, and a strong belief in the power of science and technology to improve the world are typical of:

Accepted Answer

The decline of traditional communities and the increase in individual autonomy are characteristic of modernity, which is defined by the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and secularism. Additionally, the belief in the power of science and technology to improve the world is a key aspect of modernity. Postmodernity, on the other hand, questions the very foundations of modernity and challenges the idea of progress through science and technology. The less-developed world and traditional societies are not necessarily defined by these characteristics, as they may have different social, cultural, and economic systems. Cultural imperialism may be related to the spread of modernity, but it is not a defining feature of modernity itself.

Question 7

Social change is often the result of human action.

Accepted Answer

Social change refers to the alteration or modification of social structures or cultural elements over time, and it is often the result of human action, such as protests, advocacy movements, and collective actions aimed at achieving social and political goals. While social change can also result from external factors, such as technological innovations, environmental factors or historical events, human agency is typically one of the main drivers of social change.

Question 8

In what way has Bhutan resisted the forces of globalization?

Accepted Answer

Bhutan has resisted the forces of globalization by limiting the presence of chain stores in the capital city. This is part of their "high-value, low-impact" tourism policy, which prioritizes cultural preservation and environmental protection over mass tourism and consumerism. While the country does have electricity and internet access, it has also placed restrictions on certain types of online content to preserve Bhutanese values and culture. Bhutan also has a relatively low infant mortality rate, but this is not directly related to resistance to globalization. Shopping hours and online merchants are not major factors in Bhutan's resistance to globalization.

Question 9

Both Woodstock 1999 and the Seattle World Trade Organization protests illustrate how collective behavior can turn into a riot.

Accepted Answer

Both events started as peaceful gatherings with shared goals and values, but they escalated into violent incidents due to various factors such as overcrowding, lack of organization, and controversial actions taken by law enforcement.

Question 10

If you go to Indonesia on vacation and have a conversation with your cab driver about your favorite television program, it's possible because of:

Accepted Answer

Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of cultural beliefs and social activities from one group to another. In this scenario, the conversation about a television program between the tourist and cab driver is an example of cultural diffusion as the television program may have originated in a different culture but is now widely known and appreciated in Indonesia.

Question 11

The Information Revolution is transforming Western society from:

Accepted Answer

The Information Revolution is shifting Western society from the modern era towards the postmodern era. Modernism is characterized by an emphasis on reason, science, and technology to produce progress and social change. On the other hand, postmodernism is characterized by skepticism towards the grand narratives of modernism, and a questioning of established norms and values. The Information Revolution, with its emphasis on communication and the dissemination of information, has facilitated this shift towards postmodernism.

Question 12

Most social institutions began as social movements.

Accepted Answer

Many social institutions, such as labor unions, civil rights organizations, and feminist groups, started as social movements before becoming established as permanent entities within society.

Question 13

The political theorist Benjamin Barber argues that exported American movies aren't just mindless entertainment because they sell American values and ideals. What term or concept could describe these exports?

Accepted Answer

The concept of exporting American movies that sell American values and ideals can be described as cultural imperialism, which refers to the domination of one culture over another through cultural products and values.

Question 14

The kind of government that a person lives under has very little effect on his ability to join a social movement.

Accepted Answer

The type of government can greatly influence a person's ability to join a social movement. In authoritarian regimes, for example, people may face censorship or violent repression for expressing dissenting views, making it difficult to organize or participate in social movements. On the other hand, democratic systems with free speech protections may provide more opportunities for individuals to organize and participate in social movements.

Question 15

The suffrage movement worked to gain the vote for all women, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Accepted Answer

The suffrage movement primarily focused on gaining the vote for white women, often excluding women of color from their efforts and advocacy.

Question 16

Focusing on ideas and cultural debates rather than on material things and questioning the achievements of science and technology are both characteristic features of:

Accepted Answer

Focusing on ideas and cultural debates rather than on material things and questioning the achievements of science and technology are both characteristic features of postmodernity. Postmodernism is marked by a skepticism towards grand theories, ideologies, and narratives, as well as a preference for deconstruction, fragmentation, and playfulness. It also tends to value diversity, hybridity, and difference, and to emphasize the role of power, discourse, and language in shaping our perceptions and constructions of reality.

Question 17

Social change happens only at times of great upheaval, like the French Revolution or the Civil War.

Accepted Answer

While social change can certainly be accelerated during times of great upheaval, it can also happen through incremental progress and small changes over time. Many important social movements, such as the fight for civil rights or LGBTQ+ rights, have been driven by sustained grassroots efforts and legislative changes rather than sudden, cataclysmic events.

Question 18

What is the uneven distribution of technology called between different parts of a society or of the world?

Accepted Answer

The uneven distribution of technology between different parts of a society or of the world is called the digital divide. This refers to the gap between those who have access to technology, particularly the internet, and those who do not. This divide can have significant social and economic implications, as those without access to technology may be excluded from educational, employment, and other opportunities that are increasingly dependent on digital literacy and access to information.

Question 19

If you saw an advertisement that used the phrase "better living through chemistry," you would expect it to be associated with:

Accepted Answer

The answer of If you saw an advertisement that used...

Question 20

Increasingly over the second half of the twentieth century, people in every nation came to watch more of the same movies. What would your text call this phenomenon?

Accepted Answer

Cultural leveling refers to the process in which cultures become more similar or homogenous, often due to globalization and the spread of mass media like movies. This phenomenon is described in the question stem, as people from different nations began to watch more of the same movies. Therefore, cultural leveling is the most appropriate term to describe this phenomenon.

Quiz 16: Social Change: Looking Toward Tomorrow