Question 1

In ________ societies,tradition was important because the customs that were passed down through the generations helped guide everyday life.

Accepted Answer

Premodern societies relied heavily on tradition to shape and guide their daily lives. These societies often lacked complex systems of governance and formal education, so customs and beliefs passed down orally from generation to generation played a significant role in maintaining social order and providing a sense of continuity and stability.

Question 2

Which of the following is a reason why the egalitarian nature of American democracy has made Americans more likely than Europeans to enlist in voluntary organizations?

Accepted Answer

Immigrants often formed organizations to connect with others who shared their cultural values and experiences, which was facilitated by the egalitarian nature of American democracy.

Question 3

How does the dialectic theory assume social change occurs?

Accepted Answer

The dialectic theory assumes that social change occurs out of conflict between opposing forces or ideas. It suggests that this conflict leads to a synthesis of the opposing ideas, creating a new and improved way of thinking or acting. This process is often seen as cyclical rather than linear.

Question 4

Rap music,the Seagram Building in New York City,and the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris are cultural examples from which time period?

Accepted Answer

The cultural examples listed are all associated with the postmodern time period, which began in the late 20th century and is characterized by an emphasis on irony, fragmentation, and a rejection of grand narratives. Rap music, the Seagram Building, and the Centre Georges Pompidou all embody these postmodern characteristics in different ways.

Question 5

During the modern period,science competed with ________ as the primary source for knowledge.

Accepted Answer

During the modern period, the rise of scientific discoveries and advancements challenged traditional religious beliefs and practices. As a result, science competed with religion as the primary source for knowledge. While philosophy and theory also played important roles in shaping beliefs and ideas during this time, their influence was not as widespread as that of science and religion. Capitalism, while a significant economic system, was not necessarily a source for knowledge in the same way that religion and science were.

Question 6

How does a dialectic work?

Accepted Answer

A dialectic typically involves the process of conflict or contradiction between different ideas, which leads to a resolution or synthesis of the opposing viewpoints. This process can then lead to social change or transformation.

Question 7

New technologies like the Internet and social media are major contributors to rapid social:

Accepted Answer

New technologies such as the internet and social media have connected individuals from all over the world, resulting in greater communication, and the sharing of ideas and information. This has led to the rapid spread of new ideas, a broadening of perspectives, and significant changes in social norms and behaviors.

Question 8

Describe an example of mass collective action,and explain why it fits the category.Describe an example of crowd collective action,and explain why it fits the category.In your view,which type of action is more likely to make substantive change in a large-scale society like the United States,and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe an example of mass collective action,and...

Question 9

Social change:

Accepted Answer

Social change can be caused by a variety of factors, including new ideas and technologies. Social movements may contribute to social change, but they are not the only cause. The pace of social change can vary and is not necessarily limited to centuries. Conflict may be one way that social change occurs, but it is not the only way.

Question 10

The time period that is characterized by concentric circles of social affiliation is the period of:

Accepted Answer

The concentric circles of social affiliation refer to the social structure of premodern societies, where social status and identity were mainly determined by one's birth or family background. This system was characterized by clear hierarchies and limited social mobility, as individuals were largely restricted to their assigned status at birth. Modern and postmodern societies, on the other hand, prioritize individual achievement and merit-based social mobility rather than relying on traditional social hierarchies. Therefore, the correct answer is B) premodern societies.

Question 11

A building that breaks the traditional rules of architecture and borrows liberally from several genres to create a new and unique style is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A building that breaks the traditional rules of architecture and borrows from several genres refers to postmodernism. Postmodern buildings often incorporate elements from past architectural styles and blend them with modern design principles to create a new and unique style. Premodernism refers to the period before modernism, which began in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and early modernism refers to the early stages of modernist architecture. Therefore, neither A nor B are the best choices. While modernism does break from traditional forms of architecture, it does not incorporate elements from past styles in the way postmodernism does, so C is not the best choice. Therefore, D, postmodernism, is the best choice for this question.

Question 12

A focus on science,universal truths,and objectivity was a characteristic of which period?

Accepted Answer

The focus on science, universal truths, and objectivity is a key characteristic of the modern period. This period is characterized by a belief in progress and reason, which emphasized the importance of scientific method and empirical evidence as a way of understanding the world. The scientific revolution of the 17th century was a crucial turning point in this respect, as it marked the emergence of scientific inquiry as a distinct and rigorously objective method of knowledge production.

Question 13

What was one of the largest American social movements that effected major social change?

Accepted Answer

The civil rights movement was one of the largest American social movements that effected major social change, specifically in terms of ending legal segregation and discrimination against African Americans. The movement involved a wide range of tactics, including protests, boycotts, and legal challenges, and was ultimately successful in achieving major legislative victories such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Question 14

Which sociologist suggested that modernity was a time when each person was a unique combination of overlapping group affiliations?

Accepted Answer

Georg Simmel suggested that modernity was a time when each person was a unique combination of overlapping group affiliations, which he referred to as "the stranger" or "the outsider within." He argued that the individual in modern society is a member of many social groups at the same time but is ultimately defined by none of them, resulting in a sense of detachment and individualism.

Question 15

Compare and contrast the theories of collective action: convergence theory,contagion theory,and emergent norm theory.In your comparison,describe two things these theories have in common.In your contrasts,describe at least three differences between the theories.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Compare and contrast the theories of collective...

Question 16

Today,most women know that smoking during pregnancy is putting their babies in danger.The cause of this "social change" was probably mostly due to:

Accepted Answer

The "social change" referenced in the statement was likely brought about by new ideas, particularly those related to healthcare and the dangers of smoking during pregnancy becoming more widely known and accepted.

Question 17

Environmental activists who wish to ban all carbon emissions spur a countermovement by manufacturers whose factories must emit some pollutants to operate at a profit.When these two groups come together to formulate new environmental policies,it is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This is an example of a dialectic, which refers to a process of resolving conflict between two opposing ideas or groups through dialogue and compromise. The environmental activists and manufacturers are coming together to find a middle ground in environmental policies, which involves finding a balance between reducing carbon emissions and allowing manufacturers to operate at a profit.

Question 18

Research discovering the link between smoking and cancer has led to decreases in cigarette smoking in the past several decades.This demonstrates the role that ________ can play in social change.

Accepted Answer

Research that uncovers new information, such as the link between smoking and cancer, represents the introduction of new ideas. These ideas can significantly influence public behavior and policy, leading to social change, such as the decrease in cigarette smoking.

Question 19

A society that relies purely on tradition to choose its leaders would be classified as:

Accepted Answer

A society that relies purely on tradition to choose its leaders would be classified as premodern. Premodern societies are characterized by a lack of modern technology, a strong sense of community, and a reliance on tradition and hierarchy. In premodern societies, power and authority are often based on lineage, religion, or other traditional cultural values, rather than on merit or individual achievement.

Question 20

Which is one of the major breaks between the postmodern period and the modern period?

Accepted Answer

The idea of multiculturalism and the acceptance of multiple narratives is a major break between the postmodern and modern periods. The modern period placed an emphasis on a single narrative and objective truth, while the postmodern period recognizes and celebrates a diversity of perspectives and voices. The other choices do not accurately reflect the main differences between the two periods.

Quiz 18: Collective Action,Social Movements,and Social Change