Question 1

Sociologically, what is a family?

Accepted Answer

The sociological definition of a family includes any group of two or more people who are related by blood, marriage or adoption. This definition is more inclusive and acknowledges the variety of family structures that exist in our society, including single-parent families, blended families, and same-sex families. Choice A is too narrow and doesn't account for the diversity and complexity of family dynamics. Choice B is also too narrow and doesn't necessarily imply a family relationship. Choice C is limited to only legally married couples and excludes other types of family relationships.

Question 2

John was adopted as an infant by the Smiths, and has always considered them his real family. What do sociologists classify the Smith family as it is regarded by John?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists classify the family that one is born into and raised in as the family of orientation. Since John was adopted as an infant by the Smiths, they are the family that he was brought up with and therefore his family of orientation.

Question 3

Maria and Brian recently gave birth to their first child. Based on sociological findings, what is the likely change in the marital satisfaction that Maria and Brian feel towards one another?

Accepted Answer

Sociological research has found that the arrival of a child often leads to a decreased level of marital satisfaction for new parents. The demands of caring for an infant, lack of sleep, and changes in lifestyle can create stress and strain on the relationship.

Question 4

In the United States, what is the choice of a marriage partner most dependent upon?

Accepted Answer

The choice of a marriage partner in the United States is influenced by several factors, such as age, education, class, race, and religion. These factors can affect individuals' preferences and compatibility, as well as social and cultural expectations. While love and attraction may play a role in the decision-making process, they are not the only or most significant factors in choosing a partner for marriage.

Question 5

Frank, Jim, Martha and Louise occupy the same apartment, sharing routine chores such as cooking, cleaning and laundry. Each contributes a share of their earnings to pay utilities and food costs. Sociologists would describe this group as a ________.

Accepted Answer

The group described in the scenario is a household, which refers to a group of people who share a living space and often share expenses and responsibilities for maintaining that space. While this group could also be considered a family, that term tends to imply a stronger emotional bond between members. Patriarchy and clan do not accurately describe this group.

Question 6

Bob and Tom are brothers. Bob has been married for 25 years. Tom has never been married, but he has been in a long-term relationship with the same woman for the past 27 years. Which of the following statements is most likely true?

Accepted Answer

Studies consistently show that married people tend to live longer than single people, which puts Bob at an advantage over Tom. While there are certainly exceptions, it is statistically more likely that Bob will live longer than Tom based on their marital status.

Question 7

In Bongo Bongo, male members of the tribe may each legally have three wives. This is a family relationship defined as ________.

Accepted Answer

Polygyny is the practice of having multiple wives, which is exactly what is described in the scenario. Serial marriage refers to having multiple spouses over the course of a lifetime, while serial monogamy specifically refers to having one spouse at a time but multiple over the course of a lifetime. Polyandry is the practice of having multiple husbands, a relationship structure that is not present in the given scenario.

Question 8

In some tribal societies it is highly encouraged for the son or daughter of one tribe to marry the son or daughter of a neighboring or rival tribe to build camaraderie and form an alliance. This pattern of marital behavior is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Exogamy refers to the cultural practice of seeking a spouse outside one's own group, often with the goal of building alliances or avoiding incestuous relationships. This practice is often seen in tribal societies or small communities where intermarrying with neighboring or rival groups can help maintain peace and create social bonds. Polygyny and polyandry refer specifically to forms of marriage where an individual has multiple spouses, while endogamy refers to the cultural practice of seeking a spouse within one's own group.

Question 9

Based on research, romantic love consists of what two components?

Accepted Answer

Romantic love consists of emotional and cognitive components. The emotional component involves feelings of passion and longing, while the cognitive component involves thoughts such as idealization of the partner and focusing on their positive attributes.

Question 10

What state had the most extreme penalty for interracial marriage?

Accepted Answer

Mississippi had the most extreme penalty for interracial marriage, with a law that imposed imprisonment for up to ten years for anyone who married outside their race. This law was in place until it was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court in the landmark case Loving v. Virginia in 1967.

Question 11

What is the single greatest influence of marital homogamy?

Accepted Answer

Propinquity, or the physical proximity between individuals, is the single greatest influence of marital homogamy. People are more likely to form relationships and marry those who are in close physical proximity, such as those who live in the same neighborhood or attend the same school or church. This increases the likelihood that individuals will share similar backgrounds, interests, and values, leading to greater marital homogamy.

Question 12

In the United States and many other parts of the world, the common practice is for whites to marry whites, African Americans to marry African Americans, and members of specific social classes to marry within their class. This marital practice is called ________.

Accepted Answer

The marital practice described is called endogamy, which refers to the social norm of marrying within one's own social group or category. Exogamy, on the other hand, is the practice of marrying outside of one's social group or category, while polygyny and polygamy both refer to the practice of having multiple spouses, which is not mentioned in the given scenario.

Question 13

Of the following household responsibilities, in which category is there the greatest gap in hours between the husband's duties and the wife's duties?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the following household responsibilities, in which...

Question 14

It is still customary in U.S. society for a bride to accept her husband's last name and for the bride's family to pay for the wedding. What is the line of authority this represents?

Accepted Answer

This represents a patriarchal line of authority where the husband's name and family are prioritized and the bride's family is expected to bear the financial burden of the wedding.

Question 15

Why do functionalists argue that the incest taboo is a nearly universal norm?

Accepted Answer

The incest taboo is seen by functionalists as a way to facilitate the socialization of children and avoid role confusion within the family structure, ensuring clear boundaries and roles are maintained.

Question 16

Bertha has just turned 16 and has caught the special interest of her father because she looks just as attractive and sexy as her mother did when they first dated. Bertha's mother has noticed this and now feels like a maid, not a wife and mother. What do sociologists call this condition of a father seeing his daughter as a possible sexual interest, and a wife feeling as though she is a maid, rather than a wife and mother?

Accepted Answer

What is described in the scenario is an example of "role confusion," which is a state of uncertainty and confusion about one's identity due to conflicting or unclear expectations from others. In this case, the father's inappropriate interest in his daughter disrupts the normal family roles, causing the mother to feel like a maid instead of a wife and mother.

Question 17

Husbands remain primarily responsible for earning the income and wives are primarily responsible for the house and children. This is an arrangement sociologists call ________.

Accepted Answer

The gendered division of labor refers to the traditional arrangement where men are primarily responsible for paid work outside of the home, while women are primarily responsible for domestic work and childcare within the home. This arrangement reinforces gender roles and stereotypes, and can limit opportunities and choices for both men and women.

Question 18

Sociologically, what is the immediate family of husband, wife, and children called who live apart from other kin?

Accepted Answer

The immediate family of husband, wife, and children who live apart from other kin is called the nuclear family in sociology.

Question 19

The feeling of sexual attraction and idealization of another is called ________.

Accepted Answer

Romantic love encompasses the feeling of sexual attraction and idealization of another person. The other options are not commonly used terms to describe this phenomenon.

Question 20

In some Native American tribes, what transpires when a male warrior takes on a berdache?

Accepted Answer

In some Native American tribes, a berdache is a male who takes on the social and ceremonial roles traditionally associated with women. When a male warrior takes on a berdache, he is accepting a male spouse who now takes on all the responsibilities of a woman, such as cooking, cleaning, and raising children. This is seen as a valid and respected union in some Native American cultures.

Quiz 16: Marriage and Family