Question 1

Which sociological perspective might observe the division of labor among the staff members in a hospital emergency room and focus on how the allocation of responsibilities affects their social behavior?
A)Functionalist perspective
B)Conflict perspective
C)Interactionist perspective
D)Global perspective

Accepted Answer

The interactionist perspective focuses on how individuals interact with one another and how they create and maintain social order through their behavior. This perspective would be interested in the division of labor in the emergency room and how it affects the behavior and interactions of staff members. This perspective is concerned with the micro-level interactions between individuals, which aligns with the focus on the behavior and communication between staff members.

Question 2

The failure of various government intelligence-gathering organizations to detect the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001,illustrates which poorly functioning aspect of government bureaucracy?
A)Division of labor
B)Hierarchy of authority
C)Impersonality
D)Employment based on technical qualifications

Accepted Answer

The failure of various government intelligence-gathering organizations to detect the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001,illustrates the poorly functioning aspect of government bureaucracy known as division of labor. Division of labor refers to the specialization of tasks and responsibilities within an organization, which can lead to a lack of coordination and communication between different units. In the case of the September 11 attacks, the division of labor between different intelligence agencies prevented them from sharing information effectively and detecting the impending threat.

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a formal organization?
A)A community college basketball team
B)The people in a New York City subway car
C)The General Motors Corporation
D)The local kids' swim team

Accepted Answer

The General Motors Corporation is a clear example of a formal organization as it has a hierarchical structure, established goals and rules, and clear division of labor and roles. The other options are not necessarily formal organizations as they may lack these characteristics.

Question 4

Activists in a large city join forces to create a new organization with the goal of preserving landmark buildings that have historical importance.At first,the organization functions democratically,but over time it is taken over by three people.These leaders establish a bureaucratic structure that helps them to maintain control of the organization.These developments can be best explained by
A)Parkinson's law.
B)the Peter principle.
C)the iron law of oligarchy.
D)the scientific management approach.

Accepted Answer

The iron law of oligarchy states that in any organization, even those with democratic ideals, power will eventually become concentrated in the hands of a few individuals. This is exactly what happens in the scenario described, as the leaders of the organization establish a bureaucratic structure that helps them maintain control. Parkinson's law, the Peter principle, and scientific management approach are not relevant in this context.

Question 5

The tendency of workers in a bureaucracy to become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems is known as
A)goal displacement.
B)oligarchy.
C)manifest destiny.
D)trained incapacity.

Accepted Answer

Trained incapacity refers to the phenomenon where workers become so specialized in their tasks that they become unable to see beyond their own duties and lose the ability to adapt or innovate when necessary. This can lead to blind spots and a failure to notice obvious problems or opportunities for improvement.

Question 6

In The Communist Manifesto,Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels charged that the capitalist system reduces workers to a mere "appendage of the machine," which leads to extreme
A)motion sickness.
B)alienation.
C)anomie.
D)goal displacement.

Accepted Answer

Marx and Engels argued that capitalism alienates workers from the products they produce, from the process of production, from their own labor, from other workers, and from their own potential as human beings. This alienation results in workers feeling like they are mere cogs in a machine, reduced to a means of production rather than valued individuals. The concept of workers being reduced to an "appendage of the machine" is a metaphor for this idea of alienation.

Question 7

Oligarchies emerge because
A)people in leadership roles have skills,knowledge,or charismatic appeal.
B)the most capable people always rise to the top of a bureaucracy,and they are respected by their followers,who permit them to rule unhindered.
C)the rank and file of a movement or organization look to leaders for direction and thereby reinforce the process of rule by a few.
D)people in leadership roles have skills,knowledge,or charismatic appeal;and the rank and file of a movement or organization look to leaders for direction and thereby reinforce the process of rule by a few.

Accepted Answer

Both options A and C contribute to the emergence of oligarchies. Leaders with skills, knowledge, or charismatic appeal can gather followers who look to them for direction and reinforce their authority. Therefore, the combination of these two factors leads to oligarchy formation. Option B is not accurate since bureaucracy and oligarchy are different forms of power structure.

Question 8

The "iron law of oligarchy" is a principle
A)of organizational life according to which even democratic organizations will become bureaucracies ruled by a few individuals.
B)under which organizations are established on the basis of common interests.
C)of organizational life according to which each individual in a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence.
D)under which organizations are created to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Accepted Answer

The "iron law of oligarchy" is a principle that suggests that even organizations that start out democratic will eventually become ruled by a few individuals or an oligarchy. This is because decision-making becomes more efficient when a few people are in charge, and over time these individuals may consolidate their power and become entrenched in their positions. The principle is named "iron" because it seems to be an inevitable part of organizational life, rather than a mere possibility.

Question 9

A domestic abuse counselor fails to listen to an injured woman because the woman has no valid proof of U.S.citizenship.This is an example of
A)goal displacement.
B)goal multiplication.
C)trained incapacity.
D)hierarchy of authority.

Accepted Answer

The counselor's focus on citizenship status rather than the immediate need for help reflects goal displacement, where the original goal of providing support is overshadowed by bureaucratic procedures.

Question 10

Goal displacement is
A)the tendency for workers in a bureaucracy to become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems.
B)a principle of organizational life according to which each individual within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence.
C)overzealous conformity to official regulations within a bureaucracy.
D)the process by which a group,organization,or social movement becomes increasingly bureaucratic.

Accepted Answer

Goal displacement occurs when adherence to rules and procedures becomes more important than achieving the organization's original objectives, leading to overzealous conformity to official regulations within a bureaucracy.

Question 11

A bureaucracy is a(n)
A)two-member group.
B)small group in which there is little intimacy or mutual understanding and in which relationships are impersonal.
C)organization established on the basis of common interest whose members volunteer or even pay to participate.
D)component of a formal organization that uses rules and hierarchical ranking to achieve efficiency.

Accepted Answer

A bureaucracy is a component of a formal organization that uses rules and hierarchical ranking to achieve efficiency. It is characterized by standard operating procedures, division of labor, and a well-defined hierarchy of authority. Bureaucracies are often associated with government organizations, but they can also be found in private corporations and other large organizations.

Question 12

A college is run by a board of trustees,which hires a president,who in turn selects vice presidents,deans,and other administrators.This is an example of the bureaucratic characteristic of
A)written rules and regulations.
B)division of labor.
C)impersonality.
D)hierarchy of authority.

Accepted Answer

The fact that the college's administration is organized in a hierarchical structure with a board of trustees at the top, a president beneath them, and various other administrators beneath the president demonstrates the bureaucratic characteristic of hierarchy of authority.

Question 13

Which of these comments about a bureaucracy is correct?
A)The division of labor does not really produce any positive consequences.
B)The hierarchy of authority has the negative consequence for the individual of depriving employees a voice in decision making.
C)An organization's written rules and regulations have the positive consequence of leading to goal displacement.
D)Hiring is based on technical qualifications rather than on favoritism.

Accepted Answer

The statement that hiring is based on technical qualifications rather than on favoritism is correct, as bureaucracies are known for hiring and promoting based on merit rather than personal relationships or connections. The other statements are incorrect or do not accurately reflect the positive or negative consequences of a bureaucracy's characteristics.

Question 14

The untested hypothesis that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is referred to as
A)goal displacement.
B)the Peter principle.
C)trained incapacity.
D)bureaucracy.

Accepted Answer

The untested hypothesis that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is referred to as the Peter principle. This means that once employees are promoted to a certain level, they may no longer possess the necessary skills or abilities required for further promotion, and may therefore remain in a position where they are no longer effective or efficient.

Question 15

According to the classical theory of formal organizations,workers are motivated almost entirely by
A)economic rewards.
B)fear of their superiors.
C)norms of conformity to the group.
D)the need for job satisfaction.

Accepted Answer

According to the classical theory of formal organizations, workers are primarily motivated by economic rewards. This theory assumes that workers are rational and will work harder and better if they are rewarded with higher pay or other incentives. The other options, fear of superiors and norms of conformity, are more in line with theories of organizational behavior that emerged later. The need for job satisfaction is also important, but it is not the primary factor considered in classical organizational theory.

Question 16

By working at a specific task,people are more likely to become highly skilled and carry out a job with maximum efficiency.This is the rationale for the bureaucratic characteristic of
A)employment based on technical qualifications.
B)hierarchy of authority.
C)division of labor.
D)written rules and regulations.

Accepted Answer

The division of labor is the bureaucratic characteristic that involves assigning specific tasks to individuals or groups based on their skills and expertise. By doing this, people can become highly skilled and efficient in carrying out these tasks, resulting in increased productivity and effectiveness within the organization. The other options (employment based on technical qualifications, hierarchy of authority, and written rules and regulations) are also bureaucratic characteristics, but they do not directly relate to the rationale presented in the question.

Question 17

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is called a(n)
A)coalition.
B)ideal type.
C)metaphor.
D)questionnaire.

Accepted Answer

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is known as an ideal type. Coalitions are groups of entities or individuals working together for a common purpose, while metaphors are figures of speech used for comparison. Questionnaires are survey instruments used to collect data from individuals.

Question 18

Bureaucratization is
A)an element or process of society that may disrupt a social system or lead to a decrease in stability.
B)organized patterns of beliefs and behavior centered on basic social needs.
C)the process by which a group,organization,or social movement becomes increasingly bureaucratic.
D)the process through which an organization identifies an entirely new objective because its traditional goals have been either realized or denied.

Accepted Answer

Bureaucratization refers to the process of an organization becoming more bureaucratic, with a focus on rules, hierarchy, and standardization. This can bring greater efficiency and accountability, but can also lead to rigidity, inflexibility, and alienation from the original mission or purpose. Choice A may describe some of the effects of bureaucratization, but is not a definition. Choice B is a definition of culture. Choice D refers to the process of goal displacement, which may occur in a bureaucratic organization, but is not the same as bureaucratization.

Question 19

Special-purpose groups designed and structured in the interests of maximum efficiency are known as
A)informal organizations.
B)formal organizations.
C)coalitions.
D)primary groups.

Accepted Answer

Formal organizations are designed and structured to achieve specific goals and objectives. They have clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and rules that are meant to optimize productivity and efficiency. Informal organizations, on the other hand, are not explicitly established, and they arise naturally among individuals or groups who share common interests or goals. Coalitions refer to temporary partnerships formed by two or more organizations or groups to achieve a specific objective. Primary groups are small, close-knit groups of people who share close, personal relationships and are characterized by a sense of intimacy and mutual support.

Question 20

Which of the following does Marx and conflict theorists believe is weakened by restricting workers to very small tasks?
A)Job security
B)Family values
C)Economic positions
D)Hierarchy of control

Accepted Answer

Restricting workers to very small tasks can lead to job insecurity because it makes it easier to replace individual workers, as their tasks are so simplified and specialized. Marx and conflict theorists argue that this division of labor under capitalism alienates workers and undermines their job security.

Quiz 5: Social Interaction, groups, and Social Structure

Which sociological perspective might observe the division of labor among the staff members in a hospital emergency room and focus on how the allocation of responsibilities affects their social behavior?

The failure of various government intelligence-gathering organizations to detect the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001,illustrates which poorly functioning aspect of government bureaucracy?

Which of the following is an example of a formal organization?

The tendency of workers in a bureaucracy to become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems is known as

In The Communist Manifesto,Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels charged that the capitalist system reduces workers to a mere "appendage of the machine," which leads to extreme

Oligarchies emerge because

The "iron law of oligarchy" is a principle

A domestic abuse counselor fails to listen to an injured woman because the woman has no valid proof of U.S.citizenship.This is an example of

Goal displacement is

A bureaucracy is a(n)

A college is run by a board of trustees,which hires a president,who in turn selects vice presidents,deans,and other administrators.This is an example of the bureaucratic characteristic of

Which of these comments about a bureaucracy is correct?

The untested hypothesis that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is referred to as

According to the classical theory of formal organizations,workers are motivated almost entirely by

By working at a specific task,people are more likely to become highly skilled and carry out a job with maximum efficiency.This is the rationale for the bureaucratic characteristic of

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is called a(n)

Bureaucratization is

Special-purpose groups designed and structured in the interests of maximum efficiency are known as

Which of the following does Marx and conflict theorists believe is weakened by restricting workers to very small tasks?