Question 1

Most of the time, we engage in _________________ behavior, the behavior safest with casual acquaintances because it is scripted.

Accepted Answer

Front-stage behavior is the behavior that is the safest with casual acquaintances because it is scripted and follows social norms and expectations. Backstage behavior is the opposite, where one's true self or behavior is revealed. On-stage behavior refers to the behavior exhibited when performing in front of an audience, and unstaged behavior is not a commonly used term in social psychology.

Question 2

Which of the following theories would be most likely to argue that people take the underlying rules of interaction for granted?

Accepted Answer

Ethnomethodology focuses on how people use commonsense knowledge to make sense of their social world, including underlying rules of interaction that are often taken for granted. This theory emphasizes the importance of examining the basic assumptions and norms that underlie social order.

Question 3

Reciprocity, or a mutual offering of favors, is a motivator for interaction according to:

Accepted Answer

Rational choice theory proposes that individuals make decisions based on a cost-benefit analysis, and reciprocity can be seen as a benefit that motivates individuals to interact and offer favors in return. Other options (linguistic relativity theory, ethnomethodology, and dramaturgy) do not directly address the motivator of reciprocity in social interactions.

Question 4

Which of the following is an achieved status?

Accepted Answer

An achieved status is a social position a person takes on voluntarily that reflects personal ability and effort. Being a parent is an example of an achieved status because it is a role that an individual assumes as a result of personal choice, actions, and effort, rather than being automatically assigned at birth or by societal norms.

Question 5

After experiencing combat, many veterans experience internal disorder, conflict, and a sense of normlessness because of the chaos created by war. Émile Durkheim would say that they are feeling:

Accepted Answer

Anomie is a state of normlessness and a lack of social order, which can result from experiencing chaotic and destabilizing events such as combat. This can lead to feelings of confusion, disillusionment, and disorientation, which are common among many veterans returning from war.

Question 6

Through our social networks, we are linked to:

Accepted Answer

Our social networks can connect us to various groups and organizations, including religious organizations, political subcultures, and even global organizations like the United Nations. Therefore, option D is the best choice since it encompasses all of the above options.

Question 7

Our social networks include:

Accepted Answer

Our social networks can include private interactions with close friends and family, small groups such as clubs or organizations, and even global organizations such as social media platforms that connect people from all over the world. Therefore, the best answer is D, all of the above.

Question 8

Which of the following is an ascribed status?

Accepted Answer

An ascribed status is a status that is assigned to an individual at birth or is beyond their control, such as their gender or race. Being a daughter is an example of an ascribed status. A physician, employee, and friend are all examples of achieved statuses, which are statuses that an individual acquires through their own efforts and choices.

Question 9

Carolina's daughter wants to go to a local concert that will keep her out past curfew. Although Carolina feels that as a good mom, she should be her daughter's friend and consider her daughter's wishes, she also believes that a good mother should provide structure by maintaining rules. Carolina is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

The answer of Carolina's daughter wants to go to a...

Question 10

Nicole addresses an introductory sociology course as a guest lecturer. She is most likely to address the class while standing at a:

Accepted Answer

As Nicole is a guest lecturer addressing a whole class, she would most likely stand at a public distance, which is the distance beyond 12 feet and typically used for public speaking or formal lectures. Personal distance (4-12 feet) is more appropriate for conversations with acquaintances, social distance (12-25 feet) for professional interactions, and intimate distance (0-4 feet) for close personal interactions.

Question 11

Sue is in biology class. Her professor explains a theory that she doesn't understand. The professor asks if there are any questions and no one raises their hand. Sue is reluctant to raise her hand because she feels uncomfortable. This is an example of the:

Accepted Answer

Sue's reluctance to raise her hand due to feeling uncomfortable is an example of the "Social construction of reality," which suggests that our perception of reality is shaped by the social processes and interactions we engage in. In this case, the social norms and dynamics of the classroom influence Sue's behavior and decision not to ask a question.

Question 12

Maria interviews Eric for an entry-level position at the firm where she works. According to Edward Hall, the two will most likely sit at a(n)__________ distance from one another.

Accepted Answer

A social distance of approximately 4 to 12 feet is considered appropriate for business or formal settings, which would include a job interview at a firm. An intimate distance (less than 1.5 feet) or personal distance (1.5 to 4 feet) would be too close and inappropriate for a professional job interview. A public distance (over 12 feet) would be too far apart for effective communication.

Question 13

Lee promised his brother Kirby that he would watch the Cincinnati Bengals's football game with him at home. However, Lee's friend Sue won tickets on a local radio station, and she wants Lee to come to the game with her. Because Lee is torn between his role as Sue's friend and Kirby's brother, Lee is experiencing:

Accepted Answer

Lee is experiencing role conflict because he is torn between two roles (friend and brother) that have conflicting demands (watching the game with Kirby at home or going to the game with Sue).

Question 14

Isabella is a good student; she attends sociology class, does well in her other studies, and would never break a campus rule. Unfortunately, her brother Craig is addicted to drugs, steals from their mother, and lives on the streets. One day, Craig calls Isabella and asks her to let him stay in her dorm. Isabella knows that visitors are not allowed in the dormitory, but she wants to help her brother. According to role theorists, Isabella is feeling:

Accepted Answer

Isabella is experiencing role conflict because she is torn between her role as a good student who follows rules in the dormitory and her role as a caring sister who wants to help her brother.

Question 15

_______________ govern social contexts to let us know what is the right and proper behavior in social interaction.

Accepted Answer

Norms are the social expectations that guide our behavior in different contexts. They provide guidelines for appropriate conduct to maintain a cohesive and functioning society. Sanctions (B) are the consequences that follow norm violations, statuses (C) refer to the positions we occupy in society, and ethnomethodologies (D) are the methods people use to make sense of their everyday social interactions.

Question 16

___________________ is interaction using facial expressions, the head, eye contact, body posture, gestures, touch, walk, status symbols, and personal space.

Accepted Answer

Nonverbal communication includes all of the elements listed in the question and refers to communication that occurs through body language and behavior rather than words or language.

Question 17

When Stanley Milgram set out to understand the distance between individuals in society, he found that we need to go through an average of __________ individuals before accessing a previously unacquainted target.

Accepted Answer

Stanley Milgram's studies on the "small world problem" found that on average, participants were connected to the target person through six degrees of separation, or six intermediaries. This led to the concept of "six degrees of separation" in popular culture.

Question 18

Andrew meets his girlfriend in an airport terminal coffee shop after being apart for the past three months. They will most likely communicate within:

Accepted Answer

Intimate distance is typically used for close relationships such as those between romantic partners or close family members. As Andrew is meeting his girlfriend after being apart for three months, it is likely that they will want to be within intimate distance to express their affection and catch up on personal details. Choices A, B, and D are less likely as they involve greater physical distance, which may not be ideal for reconnecting after a long separation.

Question 19

Cindy just changed her major from psychology to sociology and is trying to make friends in her sociology class. One day, Jack, a fellow sociology major, says, "psychology is only for people interested in studying rats." Cindy laughs, even though she disagrees with him and did not think the joke was funny. According to dramaturgists, Cindy is performing ___________ behavior.

Accepted Answer

Front-stage behavior refers to the behavior that is performed in front of others and is influenced by the social norms and expectations of the situation. Cindy's response of laughing at the joke made by Jack, even though she disagreed with him and did not find it funny, is an example of front-stage behavior.

Question 20

__________ refer to our social positions and _________ refer to the expectations associated with a social position.

Accepted Answer

Statuses refer to our social positions, while roles refer to the expectations associated with those positions. Choices A and B both refer to master statuses and status sets, which are related concepts but not directly addressing the question. Choice C incorrectly switches the terms roles and statuses.

Quiz 5: Interaction, Groups, and Organizations: Connections That Work