Question 1

The text points out that ingroup and outgroup distinctions________________________  .

Accepted Answer

The text states that ingroup and outgroup distinctions may encourage social cohesion among group members.

Question 2

Jocelyn is a senior at the local university and plans to attend graduate school to study sociology. During her last semester, she has been using graduate sociology student papers as standards in evaluating her own writing skills. For Jocelyn, the graduate sociology students have become her____________  .

Accepted Answer

The graduate sociology students have become Jocelyn's reference group, as they are the group that she is using to evaluate herself and her own performance in relation to.

Question 3

Members of a country club, sorority or fraternity, or even a group of friends share values and beliefs and are aware of those whom they believe are like them. Sociologists term this awareness____________  .

Accepted Answer

The term that best fits the description is "consciousness of kind." This term describes the awareness and recognition of individuals who share similar values and beliefs, and who are believed to be part of the same social group.

Question 4

In which of these types of groups is the participation of all members crucial to the survival of the group?

Accepted Answer

In a dyad, which is a group of two members, the participation of all members is crucial to the survival of the group because if one member leaves, the group ceases to exist.

Question 5

Which type of theorist is most likely to note the scripted nature of interaction in contemporary society (for example between employees and customers in a fast-food restaurant)?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which type of theorist is most likely...

Question 6

The U.S. Senate consists of 100 members. In this case, 100 refers to the Senate's____________  size.

Accepted Answer

Absolute size refers to the actual number of individuals in a group or institution, so the fact that the Senate consists of exactly 100 members makes it an example of absolute size. Relative size would refer to the Senate's size in comparison to other institutions or groups, coalition size would refer to the number of members in a specific group or alliance, and interaction size is not a commonly used term in this context.

Question 7

Which type of theorist is most concerned with the influence of group size on the interaction among members?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists are most concerned with the influence of group size on the interaction among members. They believe that individuals create meaning through their interactions with others and that group size can affect the nature and quality of those interactions.

Question 8

What is the term used by sociologists to describe individuals' awareness that they share commonalities with certain others?

Accepted Answer

The term used by sociologists to describe individuals' awareness that they share commonalities with certain others is "consciousness of kind." This refers to the recognition that individuals belong to a certain group or category based on shared characteristics such as race, ethnicity, gender, religion, or socioeconomic status. This consciousness of kind can lead to feelings of solidarity and affiliation with those who are perceived as similar, as well as tension and conflict with those who are perceived as different (i.e., outgroup).

Question 9

____________ suggest that groups involve unequal power relationships so that not all members of a group are not equally likely to have their needs met.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists view social groups as involving unequal power relationships, with some members having more power and resources than others. This power imbalance can lead to the needs of some members being prioritized over the needs of others.

Question 10

A(n)____________  is a group that strongly influences a person's behavior and social attitudes, regardless of whether that individual is an actual member.

Accepted Answer

A reference group is a group that strongly influences a person's behavior and social attitudes, regardless of whether that individual is an actual member. This influence can come from a desire to belong or to be perceived as similar to the reference group, or from a desire to distance oneself from the group and its values. Examples of reference groups might include celebrities, role models, or even fictional characters.

Question 11

____________ needs cannot always be met by one person, so being in a group enables one to complete tasks or fulfill a specific goal.

Accepted Answer

Instrumental needs refer to practical or task-oriented needs, which can often be accomplished more efficiently through group effort. Expressive needs refer to emotional and psychological needs, which can sometimes be met through interpersonal relationships but are not necessarily always best met in a group setting. Social needs involve the desire for companionship and social interaction, which can certainly be met through group membership but may also be satisfied in other ways. Individual needs are unique to each person and may or may not be met through group participation.

Question 12

____________ needs are met by opportunities of self-expression and support from family, friends, and peers.

Accepted Answer

Expressive needs relate to the desire to express oneself, whether it be through art, music, writing, or other forms of self-expression. These needs are often met through the support and encouragement of family, friends, and peers. Instrumental needs, on the other hand, relate to practical goals and achievements, social needs relate to relationships and connections with others, and individual needs relate to personal growth and development.

Question 13

Two best friends, married couples, and domestic partnerships are each an example of a(n)____________  .

Accepted Answer

A dyad refers to a group of two people, which fits the description of two best friends, married couples, and domestic partnerships.

Question 14

A(n)____________  is an alliance created in an attempt to reach a shared objective or goal.

Accepted Answer

A coalition is a group or alliance formed for a specific purpose or goal. Option A is also close, but an affiliation denotes a less formal association than a coalition, and it can be ongoing without a specific goal. Option C refers to a pair of individuals or groups that interact, while option D is about making adjustments or compromises to accommodate different opinions or needs.

Question 15

Which of these is an example of a coalition?

Accepted Answer

A coalition is a group of individuals or organizations who come together to achieve a common goal, often through collective action or advocacy. In this case, the teachers are working together to advocate for better wages, making them a coalition. The other options do not involve a group working together towards a common goal.

Question 16

Which of these terms does not fit with the concept of ingroup as well as the others?

Accepted Answer

Consciousness of kind, ethnocentrism, and closed relationship all relate to the concept of ingroup, as they all refer to the social identity and shared characteristics of a group. Cultural relativism, on the other hand, is a perspective that emphasizes understanding and respecting the differences between cultures, rather than judging them against one's own cultural norms. While it is still relevant to intergroup relations and understanding, it does not fit as closely with the concept of ingroup as the other choices.

Question 17

Which of these sociologists first suggested that small groups have interaction patterns that do not exist in larger groups?

Accepted Answer

Georg Simmel is known for his concept of sociability in small groups and how interaction patterns differ in small groups compared to larger ones.

Question 18

A group composed of three members is termed a(n) ____________ .

Accepted Answer

A triad is a group composed of three members.

Question 19

To many____________  , groups and organizations are generally characterized by superficiality and depthlessness in social relationships.

Accepted Answer

Postmodernists argue that in contemporary society, social relationships have become superficial and depthless due to the fragmentation and individualization of social life. This perspective emphasizes the role of technology, media, and consumer culture in shaping social interactions and identities. Symbolic interactionists, on the other hand, focus on the meanings and symbols that individuals use in social interactions, and how these shape their sense of self and social relations. Functionalists emphasize the role of social institutions in maintaining social order and stability. Conflict theorists focus on power struggles and inequality in social relations.

Question 20

Which of these is not likely to constitute a reference group for a person who strongly believes in the value of human rights and equal opportunity?

Accepted Answer

The Ku Klux Klan is known for promoting racism and inequality, which contradicts the values of human rights and equal opportunity. The other three options are more likely to align with those values and be considered reference groups for someone who shares them.

Quiz 7: Class and Stratification in the United States

The text points out that ingroup and outgroup distinctions________________________ .

Members of a country club, sorority or fraternity, or even a group of friends share values and beliefs and are aware of those whom they believe are like them. Sociologists term this awareness____________ .

In which of these types of groups is the participation of all members crucial to the survival of the group?

Which type of theorist is most likely to note the scripted nature of interaction in contemporary society (for example between employees and customers in a fast-food restaurant) ?

The U.S. Senate consists of 100 members. In this case, 100 refers to the Senate's____________ size.