Question 1

Ascribed status is involuntary and achieved status is voluntary.

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status is assigned to an individual based on characteristics such as race, gender, and family background, which are generally beyond their control. Achieved status, on the other hand, is earned through an individual's efforts, skills, and abilities.

Question 2

Although social structure acts as a major control mechanism to preserve order, it has little to do with what we actually do, feel, or think.

Accepted Answer

Social structure influences our behaviors, emotions, and thoughts as it shapes our perception of reality and the norms and values we internalize, which in turn guide our actions and beliefs.

Question 3

The broadest framework that determines what kind of people we will become is social status.

Accepted Answer

Socialization, which includes a wide range of factors such as family, education, peer groups, media, and culture, plays a more comprehensive role in determining the kind of people we will become, rather than social status alone.

Question 4

Mechanical solidarity and Gemeinschaft both describe the most intimate societies that are personal and have close kinship connections.

Accepted Answer

Mechanical solidarity and Gemeinschaft both refer to traditional societies characterized by strong, personal relationships based on kinship, tradition, and shared customs and values.

Question 5

In studied nonobservance, the individual in a compromised position is able to successfully rationalize the reason for his or her awkward behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of In studied nonobservance, the individual in a...

Question 6

As our military faces the threat of attacks from unidentifiable individuals in civilian areas throughout the world, understanding body language can be utilized as a tool to help them detect threats.

Accepted Answer

Understanding body language can help our military personnel detect potential threats in civilian areas, and is therefore a useful tool in ensuring their safety.

Question 7

Because of their close-knit structure and separation from modernization, the Old Order Amish have been able to resist all change that has challenged the core values of their community.

Accepted Answer

While the Old Order Amish community is known for its resistance to many forms of modern technology and change, it has adapted in various ways over time to meet the needs of its members and to deal with external pressures, showing some flexibility within their core values.

Question 8

Conflict theorists and functionalists would most likely focus on such things as social class and group relationships and would use the macrosociological approach.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists and functionalists both focus on larger social structures and patterns and use the macrosociological approach. They may have different perspectives on issues such as social class and group relationships, but both would analyze these phenomena at a larger societal level.

Question 9

All master statuses are achieved statuses.

Accepted Answer

Master statuses can be either achieved or ascribed. Ascribed statuses are those that a person is born with or involuntarily assigned based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, and family background. Achieved statuses, on the other hand, are earned through individual effort and achievement, such as education, occupation, or income level.

Question 10

Status inconsistency is always detrimental to society and creates interpersonal conflicts that must be resolved.

Accepted Answer

Status inconsistency can lead to social mobility and change, challenging existing structures and potentially leading to societal improvements. It does not always result in negative outcomes or interpersonal conflicts.

Question 11

Some people have a contradiction or a mismatch between their statuses.

Accepted Answer

This is true, as sometimes people may hold multiple statuses (such as being a parent and a college student) that may conflict with each other or have different expectations and responsibilities.

Question 12

The difference between role and status is that we occupy a status and play a role.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Status refers to the social position or rank that an individual holds in a particular society or group, while role refers to the behavior or actions expected of an individual who occupies a particular status. We occupy a status based on factors such as our age, gender, occupation, and education level, while we play a role based on the expectations and obligations associated with that status.

Question 13

To belong to a group is to yield to others the right to make certain decisions about our behavior.

Accepted Answer

When we belong to a group, we often follow certain norms and rules set by the group to maintain cohesion and cooperation. This may involve yielding some decision-making power to the group or its leaders.

Question 14

Of all the social institutions, the mass media is one of the oldest.

Accepted Answer

The mass media is not one of the oldest social institutions. Some examples of older social institutions include family, religion, and government.

Question 15

When Professor Jones is before his class lecturing, he has assumed the front stage, based on the terminology used in dramaturgy.

Accepted Answer

The front stage is the area where individuals perform and where they present themselves to others, such as when a professor is giving a lecture in front of a class. This falls under the concept of dramaturgy, where social life is seen as a theatrical performance.

Question 16

Roles are like fences - they allow a certain amount of freedom but that freedom does not go very far.

Accepted Answer

Like fences, roles provide a structure and boundaries within which individuals can operate, but they also limit the range of behaviors and actions that are deemed acceptable or appropriate for that particular position or function. Just as a fence may keep people within a certain area or prevent them from going too far, roles also constrain individuals to adhere to specific expectations and responsibilities.

Question 17

Stereotypes deeply influence how we react to one another.

Accepted Answer

Stereotypes are often based on preconceived notions and assumptions about certain groups of people. These stereotypes can lead to biases and prejudices that affect how we interact with individuals from those groups.

Question 18

The more industrialized a society becomes, the less formal its social institutions tend to be.

Accepted Answer

Industrialization often leads to the development and strengthening of formal social institutions, such as legal systems, educational systems, and government bureaucracies, to manage the complexities of industrial society.

Question 19

The amount of personal space people require is a cultural universal that is consistent from one culture to the next.

Accepted Answer

The amount of personal space people require can vary across cultures and is influenced by factors such as population density, social norms, and communication styles. For example, people in some cultures may stand or sit closer to each other during conversations than people in other cultures.

Question 20

The sociological significance of social structure is that it guides our behavior.

Accepted Answer

Social structure provides a framework of norms, roles, and institutions that shape our interactions and behavior with others. It gives us a sense of predictability and helps us understand our place and responsibilities in society.

Quiz 4: Social Structure and Social Interaction