Question 1

Stanley Milgram's experiment on obedience to authority supported the commonly held belief that most individuals who commit cruel acts are inherently flawed.

Accepted Answer

Milgram's experiment showed that even "normal" people can be influenced by authority figures to commit cruel acts, suggesting that situational factors play a significant role in behavior.

Question 2

Which of the following meets the sociological definition of a society?
A)mixed martial artists
B)the Dallas Cowboys football team
C)France
D)Alpha Kappa Delta (The sociology honors society)

Accepted Answer

France is a nation-state, with a defined territory, government, and population of individuals who share a common culture and history, meeting the sociological definition of a society. Mixed martial artists, the Dallas Cowboys football team, and Alpha Kappa Delta are all social groups, but they do not meet the criteria of a society as defined by sociology.

Question 3

Which of the following may change over time?
A)culture
B)norms
C)social institutions
D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

Culture, norms, and social institutions are all aspects of society that can change over time due to various factors such as advancements in technology, shifts in values and beliefs, and social movements. Therefore, all of the choices may change over time.

Question 4

Describe "pouring rights" contracts.Discuss the effects of these contracts on long-term and short-term school funding.What do these types of contracts teach students?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe "pouring rights" contracts.Discuss the effects of...

Question 5

The distinction between an ascribed status and an achieved status is always clear.

Accepted Answer

While the distinction between ascribed and achieved status can often be clear, there are also many cases where it is not so clear-cut. Some statuses may have elements of both ascribed and achieved characteristics, or the criteria for achieving a status may be subjective or socially constructed.

Question 6

According to the structural-functionalist perspective,dysfunctional aspects of social life will eventually disappear.

Accepted Answer

The structural-functional perspective argues that any dysfunctional aspects of society will eventually disappear as social arrangements evolve to maximize efficiency and stability. This is due to the belief that society is like a biological organism, with different parts working together to maintain balance and harmony. As such, any dysfunction is seen as a temporary aberration that will be corrected over time.

Question 7

Go to class,do the assigned readings,turn in papers when they're due,and take notes during lectures are statuses associated with the role of college student.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Go to class,do the assigned readings,turn in...

Question 8

In the United States,individual academic achievement is valued.

Accepted Answer

Individual academic achievement is highly valued in the United States, with a strong emphasis placed on academic performance and success in education. This is reflected in the emphasis on grades, standardized test scores, and admissions to prestigious universities and colleges.

Question 9

"Uncle" is an example of an ascribed status.

Accepted Answer

An ascribed status is a social position that is assigned at birth or based on factors such as age, gender, and family relationships. "Uncle" is a family relationship that is ascribed and not achieved through personal merit or effort.

Question 10

Pooja is a senior in college with plans for attending medical school.To keep up her grades,she spends most nights and weekends studying and completing assignments.Brizy,Pooja's best friend and roommate,recently complained to Pooja: "You don't have time to hang out.It's been months since we've watched a movie together.We don't talk like we used to." Pooja wants to be a good student but that's keeping her from also being a good friend.She's frustrated by the fact that the demands of her roles as a student are,at least for now,incompatible with the roles of best friend.Pooja is experiencing
A)role coalition.
B)role conflict.
C)role strain.
D)role reversal.

Accepted Answer

Pooja is experiencing role conflict because the demands of her role as a student are incompatible with her role as a best friend. She wants to excel in both roles, but they are currently conflicting.

Question 11

Which term refers to the language,values,ideas,beliefs,norms,and physical objects that give a society its unique character?
A)symbiosis
B)culture
C)populism
D)structural-functionalism

Accepted Answer

Culture is defined as the language, values, ideas, beliefs, norms, and physical objects that give a society its unique character. Symbiosis refers to the close interaction between two different species, populism refers to a political ideology, and structural-functionalism is a theoretical perspective in sociology.

Question 12

Which social institution is responsible for disseminating news and information quickly in complex,modern societies?
A)family
B)religion
C)mass media
D)judicial

Accepted Answer

The mass media, including newspapers, television, radio, and the internet, are responsible for disseminating news and information quickly in complex, modern societies. They have the ability to reach large audiences quickly and provide a wide range of information on various topics, making them an essential social institution in today's world.

Question 13

Which perspective stresses the importance of social institutions for maintaining social stability?
A)structural-functionalist
B)sydicalism
C)conflict
D)symbolic-interactionist

Accepted Answer

The structural-functionalist perspective emphasizes the interdependence and interconnectedness of social institutions in maintaining social stability. Social institutions such as education, family, and government play important roles in maintaining social order and promoting societal values and norms.

Question 14

Much of our identity comes from our contact with others.

Accepted Answer

Our interactions and relationships with others play a significant role in shaping our beliefs, values, and sense of self. This includes our family, friends, coworkers, and even strangers we encounter in our daily lives.

Question 15

The standards by which people decide on desirable goals and outcomes are called triangulation.

Accepted Answer

The standards by which people decide on desirable goals and outcomes are typically referred to as values, beliefs, or preferences, but not triangulation. Triangulation is a research methodology that involves comparing and contrasting multiple sources of data or perspectives to gain a more comprehensive understanding of a phenomenon.

Question 16

The relationship between an individual and society is reciprocal.

Accepted Answer

This statement means that individuals and society both impact and influence each other. Society shapes individuals through its rules, norms, and values, while individuals also shape society through their actions, beliefs, and values. It is a two-way relationship where both parties have an impact on each other.

Question 17

"College graduate" is an example of an ascribed status.

Accepted Answer

"College graduate" is an example of an achieved status, as it is a position that is earned or chosen through one's actions and efforts, not assigned at birth or involuntarily assumed.

Question 18

Karl Marx is associated with the conflict perspective.

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx's ideas and theories are the basis of the conflict perspective, which analyzes society as a struggle for power and resources between different social groups, particularly those who own and control the means of production and those who do not. Marx believed that this conflict between the ruling class and the working class was the driving force behind social change and historical development.

Question 19

Spectators watching two baseball teams compete in the World Series would be considered an example of a secondary group.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Spectators watching two baseball teams compete in...

Question 20

Most sociologists contend that the meaning and relevance of historical events remains constant over time.

Accepted Answer

Most sociologists believe that the meaning and relevance of historical events can change over time due to shifting social, cultural, and political contexts. For example, the significance of events such as World War II or the Civil Rights Movement may be seen differently depending on the era and cultural perspectives of those interpreting them.

Quiz 2: Seeing and Thinking Sociologically