Question 1

Talcott Parsons contends that societies experience value ________,the development of new values that tolerate and legitimate a greater range of activities.

Accepted Answer

Parsons argues that societies undergo value generalization, where new values emerge that allow for a broader acceptance of diverse activities.

Question 2

Which sociologist pointed out that one cannot devise methods for controlling and utilizing new technology before the introduction of a technique,and that nonmaterial culture typically must respond to changes in material culture?

Accepted Answer

William Ogburn developed the theory of cultural lag, which argues that nonmaterial culture often lags behind material culture in responding to changes. He pointed out that controlling and utilizing new technology requires the development of new social norms and values, which cannot be done before the technology is introduced.

Question 3

The practice of colleges admitting more ethnic minorities and women,under Talcott Parsons's model,is called

Accepted Answer

Under Talcott Parsons's model, the practice of colleges admitting more ethnic minorities and women is referred to as "inclusion." This term reflects the effort to incorporate diverse groups into the social system, enhancing its functionality and cohesion by acknowledging and valuing diversity.

Question 4

If the U.S.Congress passed strict anti-cigarette laws that banned their sale anywhere in the country,it would create serious problems for cigarette manufacturers,retailers,tobacco growers,tobacco farm workers,truckers,and many other employees in the cigarette industry.Each of these groups would probably oppose this legislation because they are examples of

Accepted Answer

Vested interests refer to individuals or groups who have a personal stake or financial interest in a particular issue or industry. In this scenario, the cigarette industry and its various stakeholders have a vested interest in the continued production and sale of cigarettes. Therefore, they would likely oppose the legislation that bans their sale anywhere in the country. The other choices are not relevant in this context. Culture lag refers to the delay in the acceptance of new cultural norms or practices. Nonmaterial culture refers to the non-physical aspects of culture, such as beliefs, values, and norms. Luddites are individuals who oppose technological progress and aim to maintain traditional ways of working.

Question 5

Those people or groups who will suffer in the event of social change and who have a stake in maintaining the status quo are called

Accepted Answer

Vested interests are individuals or groups who have a stake in maintaining the current social, economic, or political order and who may resist change that disrupts their interests. Examples of vested interests include corporations, political elites, and wealthy individuals who benefit from the current system and may resist changes that threaten their power or influence. Apartheids refer specifically to the system of racial segregation that existed in South Africa, while Luddites were 19th-century workers who opposed technological advances that threatened their jobs. Technocrats are individuals who advocate for the use of technology and expertise to solve social problems, rather than relying on political or ideological solutions.

Question 6

Which term refers to the period of maladjustment when the nonmaterial culture is still adapting to new material conditions?

Accepted Answer

Culture lag refers to the period of maladjustment when the nonmaterial culture is still adapting to new material conditions. The term was coined by sociologist William F. Ogburn to describe the delay or lag time between changes in material culture (technology, for example) and changes in nonmaterial culture (norms, values, beliefs). This lag can create tension and conflict within society until the nonmaterial culture catches up to the new material conditions.

Question 7

Which term does Talcott Parsons use to characterize the feature of social change that involves social institutions becoming more specialized in their purposes?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which term does Talcott Parsons use to...

Question 8

Talcott Parsons viewed society as naturally being in a state of

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons believed that society naturally tends towards a state of equilibrium, where all parts of society work together harmoniously to maintain social order and stability. He argued that social institutions and norms help to regulate behavior and reduce conflict within society.

Question 9

The expectation that African and Latin countries will change by moving in the same direction as Western societies is consistent with

Accepted Answer

The expectation that African and Latin countries will change by moving in the same direction as Western societies is consistent with evolutionary theory, which suggests that all societies progress and evolve in a similar pattern, with industrialized Western societies at the top of the evolutionary ladder. Disengagement theory suggests that as societies modernize, the roles of the elderly become less important and they become isolated from society, which is not consistent with the question. World systems theory emphasizes the relationship between dominant and subordinate countries, which is also not directly relevant to the question. Resource mobilization theory concerns social movements and the resources they need to succeed, which is also not directly relevant to the question.

Question 10

Which sociological perspective argues that when changes occur in one part of a society,there must be adjustments in other parts,and if these adjustments do not occur,the society's equilibrium may be threatened?

Accepted Answer

This perspective is known as the functionalist perspective, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining social stability and equilibrium through various social institutions working together. Any changes in one institution require adjustments in others to maintain this balance, or else there is a risk of societal breakdown.

Question 11

Which of these statements about social change is true?

Accepted Answer

Some people, particularly those who benefit from the current social order, may resist social change because it threatens their power or privilege. This is often the case with issues such as civil rights, gender equality, and economic reform. Hence, statement C is true while the other statements are either subjective or incorrect.

Question 12

A group of senators from states that are large suppliers to the space program protest the decision by the federal government to end manned space flights.This group would be an illustration of

Accepted Answer

The group of senators from states that are large suppliers to the space program is an example of vested interests, as they have a stake in the continuation of manned space flights due to the economic benefits it provides to their states. Gemeinschaft refers to a sense of community, technocrats are individuals who hold expertise in a particular field, and bear liberals are not a relevant concept in this context.

Question 13

Talcott Parsons's functionalist view of society as tending toward a state of stability or balance is known as

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons's functionalist view of society posits that all parts of society work together in a state of equilibrium, creating stability and balance. This balance is achieved through the interdependence of different social institutions and the roles and functions they play in society. Therefore, the term used to describe his view of society is the equilibrium model.

Question 14

Which sociological perspective is likely to criticize the functionalist approach to social change for disregarding the crucial significance of change that is needed to correct social injustices and inequalities?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective is likely to criticize the functionalist approach for disregarding the crucial significance of change needed to correct social injustices and inequalities. The conflict perspective believes that society is characterized by competition and conflict between groups with differing objectives and interests, and that social change comes from the struggle between these groups. In contrast, the functionalist perspective views society as a stable system that operates smoothly when each part fulfills its designated function, and sees social change as gradual adaptations to maintain this stability.

Question 15

The Marxist view of social change is appealing to some because it

Accepted Answer

The Marxist view emphasizes the role of human agency in social change, particularly through class struggle, allowing individuals to actively engage in shaping history and addressing injustices, rather than being passive observers of change.

Question 16

A person needing to have his or her car repaired can go to a muffler store,a transmission shop,a tire retailer,or a gas station for a tune-up.Talcott Parsons refers to this type of specialization as

Accepted Answer

The answer of A person needing to have his or...

Question 17

Large families are no longer economically necessary,nor are they commonly endorsed by social norms,but certain religious faiths continue to extol large families and disapprove of using contraception to limit family size.This illustrates

Accepted Answer

The answer of Large families are no longer economically necessary,nor...

Question 18

The role of women in the family has changed dramatically within the United States during the past 50 years.Women have furthered their education and developed careers.This change in the family has necessitated adaptive changes in school systems,corporations,churches,and other facets of society to provide childcare services.This situation reflects which view of social change?

Accepted Answer

The equilibrium model suggests that society is always adapting and changing to maintain balance or stability. In this case, the changing role of women in the family has led to adaptive changes in various sectors of society to provide necessary services such as childcare, in order to maintain balance or stability.

Question 19

In Talcott Parsons's equilibrium model,the incorporation of groups that were previously excluded because of their race,ethnicity,and social class is known as

Accepted Answer

In Talcott Parsons's equilibrium model, the incorporation of groups that were previously excluded because of their race, ethnicity, and social class is known as inclusion. This includes the integration of marginalized groups into society, allowing them to access resources and participate fully in social, economic, and political affairs.

Question 20

Which concept does Talcott Parsons use to indicate the increasing complexity of social organization?

Accepted Answer

Talcott Parsons uses the concept of differentiation to indicate the increasing complexity of social organization. This refers to the specialization and division of labor within society as it becomes more complex. This can be seen in the emergence of different professions and roles within society.

Quiz 16: Social Change in the Global Community