Question 1

The ________ consists of all those people and organizations involved in creating symbolic meanings and transferring those meanings to cultural goods.

Accepted Answer

The concept described in the statement is known as the fashion system, which includes designers, manufacturers, retailers, media outlets, and consumers, who all work together to create and promote fashion trends and products. The other options are not directly related to this concept.

Question 2

If a consumer believes that "having a free sample" of a product will enhance the likelihood of purchase,then which of the "success" characteristics for new product introduction is being used?

Accepted Answer

The success characteristic being used in this scenario is trialability, which refers to the ease of sampling or trying a new product before committing to a purchase. By offering free samples, the consumer is able to try the product without any financial commitment, increasing the likelihood of purchase.

Question 3

A new product called Bugchaser has just come on the market.It is a wristband containing insect repellent.Mothers have found it especially useful with young children because it is odourless,nontoxic,and nonstaining.This example illustrates which of the following prerequisites for new product success?

Accepted Answer

The example illustrates the prerequisite of relative advantage, as the new product offers advantages such as being odourless, non-toxic, and non-staining, making it more attractive to mothers with young children compared to traditional insect repellents.

Question 4

In the 1920s,________ proposed that "sexually charged areas wax and wane in order to maintain interest,and that clothing styles change to highlight or hide these parts."

Accepted Answer

Flügel proposed this idea in his book "The Psychology of Clothes" published in 1930. Veblen discussed the role of clothing in social status in his book "The Theory of the Leisure Class". Freud's theories focused on the subconscious and Fischer's work was primarily in economics.

Question 5

When the automobile first came out,people went from horse and carriage to a gas-powered machine.A steering wheel,brakes,and a gas pedal took over from a set of reins.As well,a roof came as standard equipment.This would be an example of a:

Accepted Answer

The transition from horse and carriage to the automobile was a major shift in transportation technology, representing a discontinuous innovation. The other answer choices do not accurately describe this situation.

Question 6

Fashion refers to ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Fashion refers to ________.
...

Question 7

Sociologists have observed the relationship between product adoption and class structure.In the "trickle-across effect,":

Accepted Answer

The answer of Sociologists have observed the relationship between product...

Question 8

When Gillette's Mach 3 razor gives way to Gillette's new Mach 3 Turbo,this is known as a:

Accepted Answer

Continuous innovation refers to minor improvements or upgrades to existing products, like the Mach 3 Turbo, which builds on the existing Mach 3 razor.

Question 9

The trickle-down theory was proposed by:

Accepted Answer

The trickle-down theory was proposed by Georg Simmel, a German sociologist and philosopher in the late 19th century. He believed that cultural and economic changes in higher social classes would gradually "trickle-down" to the lower classes over time.

Question 10

Fallon was the son of a very wealthy banker from Connecticut.The first time Fallon saw an artist on MTV wearing a polished bicycle chain around his neck,he knew he had to get an item like that for himself.Fallon's behaviour would best be explained as a ________ theory of fashion.

Accepted Answer

Trickle-up theory of fashion suggests that fashion trends start from lower socio-economic classes and eventually gets adopted by higher classes. In this case, the artist wearing the bicycle chain may represent a lower socio-economic class, and Fallon, who is from a wealthy family, is adopting that trend.

Question 11

Simply put,economists approach fashion in terms of:

Accepted Answer

Economists approach fashion in terms of supply and demand, as the principles of economics apply to the clothing and fashion industry like any other market. They analyze how supply and demand affect prices, production, and consumer behavior.

Question 12

Regardless of how much behavioural change is demanded by an innovation,all of the following tend to be factors which speed up the adoption of innovations EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Lower cost than previous alternatives is not necessarily a factor that speeds up adoption if the innovation requires significant behavioral change. Other factors like compatibility, trialability, and perceived benefits are more influential in encouraging adoption.

Question 13

All of the following are true about the trickle-down theory of fashion,EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

The trickle-down theory primarily focuses on the influence of higher social classes on lower ones, rather than the influence of opinion leaders, which is more related to other theories like the trickle-across or trickle-up theories.

Question 14

Some men find that women's golf clubs have a better feel and give greater accuracy than their own,but they won't adopt them.This is most likely due to:

Accepted Answer

The reluctance to adopt women's golf clubs despite their perceived advantages suggests a lack of compatibility with the product.

Question 15

The "trickle-down theory" of fashion is characteristic of which of the following models of fashion?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The "trickle-down theory" of fashion is characteristic...

Question 16

Monica is pleased in one way that the new style of dress that she bought in New York recently is catching on.But when she sees the lower classes adopting this style,she immediately starts to look around for something new to distance herself from it.This is an example of the theory called:

Accepted Answer

This scenario represents the trickle-down theory of fashion, which suggests that fashion trends start at the top of society and gradually trickle down to lower classes. Monica initially likes the style because it was popular amongst the elite, but when she sees it adopted by lower classes, she no longer wants to associate herself with it and looks for a new trend to distinguish herself.

Question 17

Megan thought it strange that although her bathing suit covered much less skin than did her underwear,she felt comfortable wearing her bathing suit in public at the beach,but she would never think of walking around the beach in her underwear.This is an example of the power of how ________ modify(s)expectations and behaviour.

Accepted Answer

Cultural categories shape our understanding of what is socially acceptable and appropriate in different contexts. In this case, Megan has learned from her culture that it is acceptable to wear a bathing suit in public at the beach, but not underwear. This shows how cultural categories can influence our behavior and expectations.

Question 18

In the late 1980s,CDs began replacing both vinyl records and audio cassettes as the medium of choice for recorded music.This would be viewed as a:

Accepted Answer

The answer of In the late 1980s,CDs began replacing both...

Question 19

Psychological factors can be both informative and confusing in explaining why people desire to be in fashion.For example,the concept of consumers' "need for uniqueness" encompasses their need to be different:

Accepted Answer

Consumers want to stand out but not too much that they feel like outsiders. This desire for uniqueness only exists within the context of the social norms and expectations of the group they identify with. Therefore, choice C accurately reflects this psychological factor. Choices A and B are not relevant to the concept of "need for uniqueness". Choice D is incorrect because the desire to fit in is in contrast to the desire for uniqueness.

Question 20

Fashions tend to "sweep" the country.The process by which certain symbolic alternatives are chosen over others and gain general consensus has been termed:

Accepted Answer

The process described in the question - the selection of certain symbolic alternatives over others and the gaining of general consensus - is best described as collective selection.

Quiz 15: The Creation and Diffusion of Culture