Question 1

An example of an aggregate is
A) a family with members living in different states.
B) the audience at a Broadway show.
C) a Little League baseball team.
D) a bird-watching club.

Accepted Answer

An aggregate refers to a group of individuals who are gathered in one place or attending a specific event. The audience at a Broadway show fits this definition, as they are all gathered together to watch the performance. The other options describe groups of individuals who are dispersed across different locations or are part of an ongoing organization, rather than being gathered for a specific purpose.

Question 2

A characteristic of primary groups is that they
A) are larger and more anonymous than secondary groups.
B) are often formal or impersonal.
C) tend to be based on specific roles or activities.
D) involve a strong sense of belonging.

Accepted Answer

A primary group is characterized by a strong sense of belonging and emotional connection among its members. This is often seen in families or close-knit friend groups. Size and anonymity are not defining features, and they tend to be based on personal relationships rather than specific roles or activities. Primary groups are also typically informal and personal, rather than being structured in a formal or impersonal way.

Question 3

John gets a job with a large firm that audits small businesses. While working at the firm, he becomes friends with Dave, who invites him to attend a weekly poker game. The game soon becomes a meaningful part of John's social life. This is an example of the
A) distinction between primary groups and secondary groups.
B) way secondary groups produce anonymous relationships.
C) way primary groups can lead to membership in secondary groups.
D) way secondary group ties can lead to membership in primary groups.

Accepted Answer

The scenario illustrates how connections formed in secondary groups, like a workplace, can lead to deeper, more personal relationships characteristic of primary groups, such as the poker game group.

Question 4

________ are the webs of direct and indirect ties that connect individuals to others who may influence them.
A) Social networks
B) Reference groups
C) Inner circles
D) In-groups

Accepted Answer

The webs of direct and indirect ties that connect individuals to others who may influence them are known as social networks. Reference groups refer to groups that individuals compare themselves to and aspire to be similar to, while inner circles and in-groups refer to specific groups of people with whom individuals have close relationships.

Question 5

Sociologically, what is the difference between a group and a crowd?
A) Individuals associated with a group don't share any common attributes.
B) Individuals associated with a group feel a shared identity and have ongoing social relations.
C) Individuals associated with a group don't have ongoing social relations.
D) Individuals associated with a crowd remain in contact.

Accepted Answer

A group is characterized by a shared identity and ongoing social relations, while a crowd is a transient gathering of individuals who may not have any shared identity or ongoing social relations. In other words, individuals in a group know each other and have some sort of connection, while individuals in a crowd may be strangers brought together temporarily by a shared situation or event.

Question 6

Through a sociological lens, a ________ would be considered a group.
A) collection of sightseers at a tourist attraction
B) high school chess club
C) gathering at a crime scene
D) line at the grocery store

Accepted Answer

A group can be defined as two or more individuals who interact with each other and share a sense of belonging or identity. The high school chess club fits this definition as it involves a specific set of individuals who regularly interact with each other while sharing a common interest and identity. The other options do not necessarily involve a shared sense of identity or regular interaction among the individuals present.

Question 7

One of the baristas at José's local coffee shop always greets him by name. She often asks how school is going and seems to care about his answer. How would we characterize José's relationship with the barista?
A) She is a "consequential stranger" who bridges the gap between primary and secondary groups.
B) She fits perfectly into what would be considered a primary group.
C) She fits perfectly into what would be considered a secondary group.
D) She is a member of the bourgeoisie.

Accepted Answer

José's relationship with the barista is more of a friendly and familiar acquaintance rather than a close relationship. This type of relationship is known as a "consequential stranger" who bridges the gap between primary and secondary groups. The barista's behavior suggests that she cares about José, but their interactions are limited to the coffee shop and do not extend beyond that setting. Therefore, it is not a primary group relationship. And there is no evidence to suggest that the barista is a member of the bourgeoisie.

Question 8

What are people a part of if they associate with each other on a regular basis because they enjoy spending time together?
A) a primary group
B) a secondary group
C) a reference group
D) a social network

Accepted Answer

A primary group is a small social group whose members share personal and lasting relationships. It is characterized by face-to-face interaction, intimacy, and a strong sense of commitment. People who associate with each other on a regular basis because they enjoy spending time together fit the definition of a primary group. The other choices are not appropriate because a secondary group is larger and more impersonal, a reference group is a group that serves as a standard for comparison, and a social network refers to a web of social relationships that links one person to others.

Question 9

Why do sociologists not consider fans of the rock musician Bruce Springsteen to be a group?
A) The fans need to have at least two things in common.
B) The fans share no attributes.
C) The fans are never in the same physical location.
D) The fans do not interact regularly.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists define a group as individuals who interact regularly and are aware of their identity as a group. While fans of Bruce Springsteen may share common interests and occasionally be in the same location (e.g., concerts), they do not regularly interact with each other in a way that forms a cohesive, interacting group identity.

Question 10

An individual belongs to a ________ if the members are mostly anonymous to one another.
A) secondary group
B) primary group
C) crowd
D) social network

Accepted Answer

A secondary group is characterized by impersonal, formal, and business-like relationships, often with a specific goal or activity in focus. Members of a secondary group may not know each other personally, which aligns with the description of members being mostly anonymous to one another.

Question 11

How should all left-handed people in the United States be classified?
A) as a category
B) as a crowd
C) as an aggregate
D) as a group

Accepted Answer

The answer of How should all left-handed people in the...

Question 12

The sociologist Duncan Watts examined the way people may change their minds about whom to vote for based on the opinions of friends and acquaintances. What concept was Watts studying?
A) social networks
B) bureaucracy
C) charismatic authority
D) rationalization

Accepted Answer

Watts was studying the influence of social networks on individuals' decision-making.

Question 13

Many sociologists have worried that the modern economy demands both geographic and occupational mobility, which, in turn, means that bureaucratic organizations have become the norm. What sort of groups might become weaker or strained if people have to move frequently throughout their lives for work?
A) crowds
B) secondary groups
C) categories
D) primary groups

Accepted Answer

Primary groups, which are characterized by close, personal relationships, would become weaker or strained if people have to move frequently for work. These groups often provide emotional support and a sense of belonging, which can be difficult to maintain if individuals are constantly moving and having to form new relationships.

Question 14

Members of a/an ________ interact with one another and think of themselves as belonging together.
A) aggregate
B) group
C) category
D) queue

Accepted Answer

A group is a collection of individuals who interact with each other and consider themselves as part of a shared identity or goal. Aggregates are collections of individuals who are together in the same place, but may not interact or share a common identity. Categories are classifications based on shared characteristics and do not necessarily involve interaction or a sense of belonging. A queue is a line of people waiting for something and may not necessarily interact with each other or share a common identity.

Question 15

The implications of Mark Granovetter's findings in "The Strength of Weak Ties" were that
A) people with high SES are likely to have direct ties to people with low SES.
B) people tend to form heterogeneous social networks.
C) weak ties are almost always long-lasting and durable.
D) people tend to form homogeneous social networks.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The implications of Mark Granovetter's findings in...

Question 16

Some students at a college form an intramural softball team. They play other teams from their school and from the area every Sunday in a conveniently located park. What might a sociologist consider if they wanted to determine whether the team was a primary group or a secondary group?
A) the age of the players
B) the interactions of team members off the field
C) the shared hobbies of the players
D) the innate skill of the players

Accepted Answer

The interactions of team members off the field are a crucial factor in determining whether the team is a primary group or a secondary group. A primary group is characterized by close, personal relationships and a high degree of emotional intimacy, while a secondary group is more formal and task-oriented, with less personal interaction between members. Evaluating the interactions of team members off the field can provide insight into the level of personal connection and emotional intimacy among team members, helping to determine whether the team is a primary or secondary group. Factors such as age, shared hobbies, and innate skill are less relevant in the determination of group type.

Question 17

The sociologist Joseph Conti studied the World Trade Organization as a social network. According to Conti, how is power measured within this type of social network?
A) The most powerful members most often win their disputes with other members.
B) The most powerful members have the most connections to other members.
C) The most powerful members are involved in the fewest disputes with other members.
D) The most powerful members most often change the minds of other members.

Accepted Answer

According to Conti, power within the World Trade Organization as a social network is measured by the number of connections a member has to other members. The more connections, the greater the power.

Question 18

Which of the following statements about secondary groups is true?
A) They involve intimate, face-to-face interaction.
B) They tend to be based on specific roles or activities.
C) They are usually small and long-lasting.
D) Their values become fused with members' identities.

Accepted Answer

Secondary groups are larger, more impersonal groups that are focused on a specific goal or activity, rather than on socializing or building relationships among members. Examples might include a work team, a professional association, or a sports team. While secondary groups may involve some level of cooperation and collaboration among members, they are not typically characterized by the same level of intimacy and emotional investment as primary groups such as families, close friendships, or romantic relationships.

Question 19

________ provide most of our emotional support.
A) Secondary groups
B) Reference groups
C) Out-groups
D) Primary groups

Accepted Answer

Primary groups provide most of our emotional support. Primary groups are small, personal and intimate, and include family, close friends, and romantic partners. They are characterized by face-to-face interaction, emotional connectedness, and a sense of identity and belonging. Primary groups are often the first source of comfort and support in times of stress or difficulty, and play a crucial role in shaping our sense of self and our values.

Question 20

________ are characterized by long-term, intimate, and face-to-face relationships.
A) Primary groups
B) Out-groups
C) Reference groups
D) Secondary groups

Accepted Answer

Primary groups are characterized by long-term, intimate, and face-to-face relationships. These relationships tend to be small and personal, with a strong emotional attachment between members. Examples of primary groups include families, close friends, and small communities.

Quiz 5: Separate and Together: Life in Groups

An example of an aggregate is

A characteristic of primary groups is that they

John gets a job with a large firm that audits small businesses. While working at the firm, he becomes friends with Dave, who invites him to attend a weekly poker game. The game soon becomes a meaningful part of John's social life. This is an example of the

________ are the webs of direct and indirect ties that connect individuals to others who may influence them.

Sociologically, what is the difference between a group and a crowd?

Through a sociological lens, a ________ would be considered a group.

One of the baristas at José's local coffee shop always greets him by name. She often asks how school is going and seems to care about his answer. How would we characterize José's relationship with the barista?

What are people a part of if they associate with each other on a regular basis because they enjoy spending time together?

Why do sociologists not consider fans of the rock musician Bruce Springsteen to be a group?

An individual belongs to a ________ if the members are mostly anonymous to one another.

How should all left-handed people in the United States be classified?

The sociologist Duncan Watts examined the way people may change their minds about whom to vote for based on the opinions of friends and acquaintances. What concept was Watts studying?

Members of a/an ________ interact with one another and think of themselves as belonging together.

The implications of Mark Granovetter's findings in "The Strength of Weak Ties" were that

Some students at a college form an intramural softball team. They play other teams from their school and from the area every Sunday in a conveniently located park. What might a sociologist consider if they wanted to determine whether the team was a primary group or a secondary group?

The sociologist Joseph Conti studied the World Trade Organization as a social network. According to Conti, how is power measured within this type of social network?

Which of the following statements about secondary groups is true?

________ provide most of our emotional support.

________ are characterized by long-term, intimate, and face-to-face relationships.