Question 1

When the Ku Klux Klan staged a march in Whoville on the Fourth of July, they were met by members of the Black Panthers. After a few taunts and racial slurs, both sides engaged in a bloody melee that left several people hospitalized and the town in chaos. This event, now known as the Whoville Race Riot, was a form of collective behavior explained by which theory?
A) convergence theory
B) emergent norm theory
C) group polarization theory
D) value-added theory

Accepted Answer

Convergence theory explains how people from different backgrounds come together to engage in collective behavior, such as a riot.

Question 2

What is the basic model that influenced the development of cyclical approaches to understanding social change?
A) the repetitive cycles of nature
B) the belief in the Alpha and the Omega as a part of early religious practice
C) ancient folklore from Greece and Rome
D) the theory of Karl Marx regarding thesis, antithesis, and synthesis

Accepted Answer

The basic model that influenced the development of cyclical approaches to understanding social change is the observation of repetitive cycles in nature, such as seasons and life cycles, which led to the conceptualization of social and historical change as cyclical.

Question 3

What term do sociologists use to describe gradual, large-scale changes that are imperceptible to people as they go about their daily lives?
A) macro-change
B) ethnomethodology
C) phenomenology
D) dramaturgy

Accepted Answer

Sociologists use the term "macro-change" to describe gradual, large-scale changes that are imperceptible to people as they go about their daily lives. This term emphasizes the broad societal level of the change rather than individual or micro-level experiences.

Question 4

What theory acknowledges that societies differ according to their level of complexity and that over time there is greater social differentiation among social institutions?
A) emergent norm theories
B) neoevolutionary theories
C) radical conflict theories
D) convergence theories

Accepted Answer

Neoevolutionary theories acknowledge that societies differ according to their level of complexity and that over time there is greater social differentiation among social institutions. These theories propose that societies evolve through stages of increasing complexity and differentiation, with the emergence of new technologies and social institutions driving this process.

Question 5

What is the common name of the legislation that was passed after the 9/11 attack on America and renewed in 2006 that expanded the government's authority to "spy" on private citizens?
A) the USA PATRIOT Act
B) the Communications Enforcement Act
C) the National Surveillance Act
D) the Bush Act

Accepted Answer

The common name of the legislation that was passed after the 9/11 attack on America and renewed in 2006 is the USA PATRIOT Act. This act expanded the government's authority to surveil private citizens in the interest of national security.

Question 6

What are widespread anxiety and frantic reactions by large numbers of people to some perceived threat, such as UFOs landing or Satanists taking over the world?
A) urban legend
B) mass hysteria
C) Stockholm syndrome
D) Klinefelter syndrome

Accepted Answer

Mass hysteria refers to widespread anxiety and frantic reactions by large numbers of people to some perceived threat, such as UFOs landing or Satanists taking over the world. Urban legend, Stockholm syndrome, and Klinefelter syndrome are not applicable in this context.

Question 7

In a social movement, what is the term to describe the sharing of resources with other organizations with similar beliefs and goals?
A) incipiency
B) bloc mobilization
C) institutionalization
D) mobilization

Accepted Answer

Bloc mobilization refers to the sharing of resources, such as manpower, funding, and media platforms, with other organizations that have similar beliefs and goals. This can enhance the strength and impact of the social movement.

Question 8

What is the theory of social change developed by Theodore Caplow that has had a revival among New Age groups and is based on the premise that "everything that goes around comes around"?
A) emergent norm theory
B) contagion theory
C) convergence theory
D) contemporary cyclical theory

Accepted Answer

The theory of social change developed by Theodore Caplow that has had a revival among New Age groups and is based on the premise that "everything that goes around comes around" is the contemporary cyclical theory.

Question 9

When the War of the Worlds was broadcast by Orson Welles, people all over America became paralyzed with fear and looked to the skies for landing UFOs. What is the best term that describes their flight based on a hysterical belief such as this?
A) riot
B) mob action
C) hypnotic suggestion
D) panic

Accepted Answer

The best term that describes the reaction of people to the radio broadcast of War of the Worlds is "panic" because it was a sudden overwhelming fear that affected a large number of people, causing them to act irrationally and desperately.

Question 10

What is the source of social change that includes cataclysmic events such as floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes?
A) technological change
B) population explosion
C) physical environment
D) discovery

Accepted Answer

Cataclysmic events such as floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes are all part of the physical environment, which can be a source of social change. These events can disrupt societies and cause changes in the way people live, work, and interact with each other. For example, a major earthquake might lead to the construction of stronger buildings or the relocation of a city to a safer location.

Question 11

Cathy heard that a popular fried chicken chain was actually using its secret recipe to bread and cook rats rather than chicken parts. The stock of the chicken joint plummeted. What term is used to describe such a complex but popular tale that has an implicit warning (don't eat the chicken!)?
A) tainted fashion
B) capitalism sabotage
C) urban legend
D) imperialistic rumor

Accepted Answer

The best choice is C because the scenario described fits the definition of an urban legend - a story with some basis in truth that spreads through word of mouth or media and often contains a warning or cautionary message. Additionally, the other choices (tainted fashion, capitalism sabotage, imperialistic rumor) do not accurately capture the nature of the story or the warning it conveys.

Question 12

What is a process through which societies become more internally differentiated and complex as they move from simple to complex social institutions?
A) compartmentalization
B) geopolitical change
C) modernization
D) positivism

Accepted Answer

The process described is known as modernization, which involves the development of more complex social institutions and often coincides with urbanization, industrialization, and technological advancements. This leads to increased differentiation and specialization within societies.

Question 13

What is an organized, goal-directed effort by a large number of people to promote or resist change outside of established institutions?
A) cultural innovation
B) social movement
C) reformulation
D) compartmentalization

Accepted Answer

A social movement is an organized, goal-directed effort by a large number of people to promote or resist change outside of established institutions. A cultural innovation refers to the introduction of something new to a culture, while reformulation refers to the process of rethinking or transforming something that already exists. Compartmentalization refers to separating different aspects of one's life or work. None of these terms fully capture the definition of a social movement.

Question 14

What is the popular theory of social change that suggests all forms of life, including societies, progress from the simple to the complex form?
A) emergent norm theory
B) convergence theory
C) cyclical evolution
D) unilineal evolution

Accepted Answer

Unilineal evolution theory suggests that human societies progress from the simple to the complex form. This theory dominated the field of sociology and anthropology during the 19th century, though it has been largely discredited in modern times.

Question 15

The changes in American society were rapid and dramatic in the 1950s. Who was the sociologist who called this period "an earthquake of change" ?
A) Arthur Shostak
B) G. William Domhoff
C) Thomas Hickey
D) C. Wright Mills

Accepted Answer

C. Wright Mills called the changes in American society in the 1950s "an earthquake of change" in his book "The Power Elite."

Question 16

What is the difference between a mob and a riot?
A) Nothing, they are virtually identical.
B) Everything, they share nothing in common except being types of crowds.
C) A riot is more widespread, sustained, and involves more people than a mob.
D) A mob is always nonviolent and benevolent in nature, and a riot is always hostile and destructive.

Accepted Answer

A mob is typically a group of people who gather quickly and disperse quickly, often motivated by a single event or cause. A riot, on the other hand, is a more sustained and widespread disturbance that involves larger groups of people and can be more violent and destructive. While both involve groups of people, the scale and intensity of a riot makes it more severe than a typical mob.

Question 17

A social movement with which set of factors has the greatest chance of being successful?
A) personal orientation, multiple issues, major reform
B) large support system, multiple issues, democratic framework
C) bureaucratically organized, single issue, minor reform
D) personal orientation, single issue, democratic framework

Accepted Answer

A bureaucratically organized movement with a single issue and a focus on minor reform is more likely to succeed because it can concentrate its resources and efforts on a specific, achievable goal, and the bureaucratic organization provides structure and efficiency.

Question 18

What are the three "mentalities" or world views that Pitirim Sorokin argued that all societies pass through as a part of cyclical theory?
A) thesis, antithesis, synthesis
B) physical, metaphysical, theological
C) ideational, sensate, idealistic
D) symbolic, concrete, abstract

Accepted Answer

Pitirim Sorokin argued that all societies pass through three mentalities or world views as a part of cyclical theory: ideational, sensate, and idealistic. The ideational mentality is characterized by a focus on spiritual and other-worldly concerns, while the sensate mentality is characterized by a focus on material and sensory pleasures. The idealistic mentality seeks to reconcile these two extremes and create a more holistic worldview.

Question 19

What was the theory of collective behavior developed by Neil Smelser that required an understanding of group dynamics and an examination of the larger social context, including structural conduciveness and social control factors?
A) emergent norm theory
B) value-added theory
C) group conflict theory
D) contagion theory

Accepted Answer

The theory of collective behavior developed by Neil Smelser is the value-added theory, which argues that collective behavior arises from a combination of structural conduciveness, structural strain, generalized beliefs, precipitating factors, mobilization for action, and social control. This theory requires an understanding of group dynamics and an examination of the larger social context.

Question 20

What are the two major kinds of social movement organizations based on their membership structure?
A) volunteer and professional
B) utilitarian and coercive
C) rural and urban
D) civil and private

Accepted Answer

The two major kinds of social movement organizations based on their membership structure are volunteer and professional. Volunteer organizations rely on unpaid members who are motivated by their commitment to the cause, while professional organizations often have paid staff and may be more hierarchical in structure.

Quiz 20: Social Change, Collective Behavior, and the Future

What is the basic model that influenced the development of cyclical approaches to understanding social change?

What term do sociologists use to describe gradual, large-scale changes that are imperceptible to people as they go about their daily lives?

What theory acknowledges that societies differ according to their level of complexity and that over time there is greater social differentiation among social institutions?

What is the common name of the legislation that was passed after the 9/11 attack on America and renewed in 2006 that expanded the government's authority to "spy" on private citizens?

What are widespread anxiety and frantic reactions by large numbers of people to some perceived threat, such as UFOs landing or Satanists taking over the world?

In a social movement, what is the term to describe the sharing of resources with other organizations with similar beliefs and goals?

What is the theory of social change developed by Theodore Caplow that has had a revival among New Age groups and is based on the premise that "everything that goes around comes around"?

When the War of the Worlds was broadcast by Orson Welles, people all over America became paralyzed with fear and looked to the skies for landing UFOs. What is the best term that describes their flight based on a hysterical belief such as this?

What is the source of social change that includes cataclysmic events such as floods, droughts, volcanic eruptions, and earthquakes?

Cathy heard that a popular fried chicken chain was actually using its secret recipe to bread and cook rats rather than chicken parts. The stock of the chicken joint plummeted. What term is used to describe such a complex but popular tale that has an implicit warning (don't eat the chicken!) ?

What is a process through which societies become more internally differentiated and complex as they move from simple to complex social institutions?

What is an organized, goal-directed effort by a large number of people to promote or resist change outside of established institutions?

What is the popular theory of social change that suggests all forms of life, including societies, progress from the simple to the complex form?

The changes in American society were rapid and dramatic in the 1950s. Who was the sociologist who called this period "an earthquake of change" ?

What is the difference between a mob and a riot?

A social movement with which set of factors has the greatest chance of being successful?

What are the three "mentalities" or world views that Pitirim Sorokin argued that all societies pass through as a part of cyclical theory?

What was the theory of collective behavior developed by Neil Smelser that required an understanding of group dynamics and an examination of the larger social context, including structural conduciveness and social control factors?

What are the two major kinds of social movement organizations based on their membership structure?