Question 1

The author added three values to the original list of ten core values that Robin Williams identified as the most common in American society. Which of the following is NOT one of the three values added?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The author added three values to the...

Question 2

At the Back to Nature Nudist Colony, Ernie and Morello take a walk every morning along the beach, totally nude. Within the colony, which statement best describes the behavior of Ernie and Morello?

Accepted Answer

Ernie and Morello are adhering to the norms of their subculture, which includes being nude in public spaces within the nudist colony. While this behavior may be considered taboo or a violation of societal norms outside of the colony, within the subculture it is a norm and considered acceptable behavior.

Question 3

When a group has a distinctive way of looking at life, but at the same time its values and norms reflect the dominant culture of its society, the group would be considered a(n)________.

Accepted Answer

A subculture is a group that has its own distinctive way of looking at life, but their values and norms still reflect the dominant culture of its society. They typically have their own unique behaviors, beliefs, and customs that set them apart from mainstream society, but they still share many of the same fundamental values and beliefs. Countercultures, on the other hand, reject or oppose the dominant culture and may have entirely different values and norms. Cultural relativism refers to the idea that different cultures have their own unique values and norms that should be understood and respected on their own terms. Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of cultural beliefs, customs, and values from one society to another.

Question 4

Of the five interrelated core values emerging in American society, the one that is reflected in the "human potential" movement that focuses on "self help, relating, and personal development" is ________.

Accepted Answer

The "human potential" movement is all about individuals reaching their maximum potential, which is based on the core value of self-fulfillment. Thus, the best choice is D.

Question 5

Good nutrition, medical care, comfortable housing, and a nice car are included in a classification of values in American society that sociologist Robin Williams would call ________.

Accepted Answer

These values are related to material comfort, which is one of the categories in Robin Williams' classification of American values.

Question 6

Americans usually recognize hard work, education, and efficiency as desired qualities. Where one of these qualities is found, the other two also apply. This is an example of ________.

Accepted Answer

A value cluster refers to a set of values that tend to go together or are interrelated. In this scenario, hard work, education, and efficiency are all interrelated and form a value cluster in American culture.

Question 7

Many fundamentalist Christians lobby for laws making same-sex marriage illegal. Gays and lesbians consider same-sex relationships and same-sex marriage as basic human rights. Which concept best describes the relationship between these fundamentalist Christians and the gay/lesbian community?

Accepted Answer

The concept that best describes the relationship between these fundamentalist Christians and the gay/lesbian community is a culture war due to conflicting values. Both groups have fundamentally different values and beliefs, which has resulted in a conflict between the two groups. The fundamentalist Christians believe that homosexuality is a sin and that same-sex marriage goes against traditional family values. On the other hand, the gay/lesbian community considers same-sex relationships and marriage as basic human rights. This has resulted in a culture war over legalizing same-sex marriage and other LGBTQ rights.

Question 8

Courtney raises champion sheep, Joe is a cab driver in New York, and Rufus is a member of the RAW family of professional wrestling. What do Courtney, Joe, and Rufus have in common?

Accepted Answer

Courtney's champion sheep raising, Joe's career as a cab driver in New York, and Rufus' membership in the RAW wrestling family are all indications of their membership in subcultures. A subculture is a group of people within a larger culture who share some common values, beliefs, behaviors, or practices that distinguish them from the mainstream culture. In this case, Courtney's sheep-raising is a subculture within the farming and livestock industry, Joe's cab driving is a subculture within the transportation industry, and Rufus' professional wrestling is a subculture within the entertainment industry.

Question 9

Americans glorify academic progress and material success. However, most students do not graduate with honors and most citizens are not wealthy. This condition characterizes the difference between ________ and ________.

Accepted Answer

Ideal culture refers to the values and norms that a society claims to uphold, while real culture refers to the actual behavior and practices of individuals within that society. In American society, there is an idealization of academic and material success, but the reality is that not everyone achieves these ideals. Therefore, B is the best choice as it captures the difference between the idealized culture and the actual culture.

Question 10

The sociologist who identified ten underlying core values of American society was ________.

Accepted Answer

The sociologist who identified ten underlying core values of American society was Robin Williams.

Question 11

Lamont believes in democracy and equality, and when asked to describe himself he cites his appreciation for people of all races and ethnic heritages. But at the same time, Lamont believes women should not be in the armed services and he avoids taking courses from female professors. In view of this, which statement best describes Lamont?

Accepted Answer

Lamont's belief in democracy and equality contradicts his belief that women should not be in the armed services and his avoidance of female professors. This is an example of value contradiction, where two values held by an individual conflict with each other.

Question 12

From a sociological perspective, which statement best classifies 19th century Mormons and 21st century physicians?

Accepted Answer

The answer of From a sociological perspective, which statement best...

Question 13

Which of Williams' U.S. values is contradicts the other values of freedom, democracy, and equality?

Accepted Answer

Group superiority contradicts the values of freedom, democracy, and equality as it promotes the idea that certain groups are superior to others based on race, ethnicity, nationality, or other factors. This goes against the idea that all individuals should have equal rights and opportunities regardless of their background.

Question 14

Several years ago, the gay community applied for a permit to march in the St. Patrick Day's Parade in Boston. When denied, the gay community filed suit and won. Rather than permitting the gay community to march in the parade, the parade trustees cancelled the event. Sociologists would suggest this conflict in values between the trustees of the parade and the gay community would eventually lead to ________.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists would suggest that the conflict in values between the parade trustees and the gay community would eventually lead to social change that brings attention to gay rights and eventual acceptance. This type of conflict often leads to increased visibility and understanding for minority groups, as seen in other civil rights movements in history. Armed conflict is unlikely, and social integration to the extent of a bisexual society is not related to this specific conflict. Consensus that gays are evil is a harmful and discriminatory worldview, and not a likely outcome of this conflict.

Question 15

People from all walks of life, races, religions, and ethnic groups participate in the U.S. legislative process. In view of this, which term best describes American society?

Accepted Answer

The term "pluralistic" refers to a society that is characterized by diversity and the presence of multiple groups, cultures, and beliefs. The fact that people from all walks of life, races, religions, and ethnic groups participate in the U.S. legislative process suggests that America is a pluralistic society.

Question 16

All of the following statements are examples of countercultures, EXCEPT for which one?

Accepted Answer

Being a fan of a sports team does not necessarily constitute a counterculture. The other options all involve groups that go against mainstream societal norms and values.

Question 17

Most American high schools routinely schedule ceremonies to recognize the most talented student athletes and scholars. Such activities illustrate the importance that Americans place on which value, as defined by sociologist Robin Williams?

Accepted Answer

The recognition of talented student athletes and scholars reflects the American value of achievement and success, which is one of the values identified by sociologist Robin Williams in his study of American culture.

Question 18

Sociologists have identified an emerging set of five interrelated values in American society. What are these emerging values?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists have identified an emerging set of five interrelated values in American society that include leisure, self-fulfillment, physical fitness, youthfulness, and environmental concern. These values reflect the growing emphasis on individualism and personal happiness, as well as a concern for the environment and health. While freedom and equality are also important values in American society, they are not included in this emerging set of values. Romantic love and spirituality may be valued by some individuals, but they are not as widely recognized as the values listed in choice B.

Question 19

The anthropologist who gathered data on hundreds of groups around the world to compare their customs, and then concluded that specific customs differed from one group to another, was ________.

Accepted Answer

The anthropologist who gathered data on hundreds of groups around the world to compare their customs, and then concluded that specific customs differed from one group to another was George Murdock.

Question 20

Every December, many Jewish families celebrate Chanukah, the "festival of lights," during which special foods are served, rituals are practiced, and traditional activities take place that are unique to this faith. In this context, members of the Jewish faith would represent which concept?

Accepted Answer

Chanukah celebrations and traditions are unique to the Jewish faith, and are therefore representative of a subculture within the larger society.

Quiz 2: Culture