Question 1

When the dominant culture,without the use of force,persuades the rest of society that its beliefs and values are the only or best values,it has achieved:

Accepted Answer

Hegemony is the term used to describe the dominance of one social group or class over others in a society. When the dominant culture persuades the rest of society that its beliefs and values are the only or best values, it has achieved hegemony. This is often done through the dissemination of cultural products, institutions, and ideas that promote and legitimize the beliefs and values of the dominant culture. It does not necessarily involve the use of force, but rather relies on the consent and acquiescence of those who are subject to its influence.

Question 2

During the American occupation of Japan after World War II,the Japanese observed soldiers playing baseball and later adopted it as one of their favorite pastimes.This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The adoption of baseball by the Japanese is an example of cultural diffusion, which is the spread of cultural traits from one culture to another. In this case, the cultural trait (baseball) was introduced to the Japanese by the American soldiers and was later adopted by them as their own. Cultural lag refers to the time it takes for a culture to adjust to changes in society. Cultural adaptation is the process of adapting to a new culture when one is relocated to a different region or country. Cultural reformulation refers to the process of changing or modifying existing cultural beliefs and practices. None of these concepts fully capture the nature of the adoption of baseball by the Japanese.

Question 3

Countercultural groups such as the hippies of the 1960s:

Accepted Answer

Countercultural groups, such as the hippies of the 1960s, rejected the norms of the dominant culture. They had a distinct lifestyle that was different from the mainstream culture, often promoting freedom of expression, equality, and non-conformity. They were not considered members of popular culture, which typically embraces widely shared mainstream interests and values. Furthermore, countercultural groups are not seen as a throwback to industrial society, but rather as a unique phenomenon in the history of cultural change.

Question 4

A cultural group that exists harmoniously within a larger,dominant culture is called a:

Accepted Answer

A subculture is a cultural group that exists harmoniously within a larger, dominant culture, but also maintains its own unique values, traditions, and beliefs. Examples of subcultures include ethnic groups, religious groups, or groups based on shared hobbies or interests.

Question 5

In 2010 President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act into law.fox News and CNN presented vastly different viewpoints on the ACA,appealing to either conservative or liberal viewers,respectively.The media's handling of this law is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The media's handling of the Affordable Care Act showcased the culture wars between conservative and liberal viewpoints. Fox News appealed to conservative viewers with their criticisms of the ACA, while CNN presented a more liberal perspective.

Question 6

When Patti Sue took a world tour,she had lunch at McDonald's in Tokyo,ate dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hong Kong,purchased clothes at Macy's in London,and was entertained at a Disney show featuring Mickey Mouse and Pluto in Paris.This homogenization of cultures around the world is called:

Accepted Answer

The scenario described in the question illustrates cultural leveling, which refers to the process of cultures becoming more similar due to globalization and the widespread availability of popular media and consumer goods. This can sometimes result in the loss of unique cultural traditions and practices. The other options are not applicable to the given scenario - cultural dissonance refers to conflicts between different cultural values and beliefs, cultural lag refers to a delay in the adoption of new cultural practices, and cultural diffusion refers to the spread of specific cultural traits from one society to another.

Question 7

Sociologists use which of the following terms to describe a group whose values and norms oppose the dominant culture?

Accepted Answer

Counterculture is the term used by sociologists to describe a group whose values and norms oppose the dominant culture. Subculture refers to a group within a society that shares distinct values and behaviors that are not in opposition to the dominant culture. Out culture and subordinate culture are not recognized terms in sociology.

Question 8

The art historian and social critic John Berger has argued that the suit is the first "uniform of the powerful" designed for stationary life.However,many people in Western countries wear suits to appear professional or formal.This is why the suit is a classic example of:

Accepted Answer

John Berger's argument about the suit being the first uniform of the powerful highlights the concept of hegemony, which refers to the dominance of one group over others through the use of power, culture, and ideology. The suit has come to represent professionalism and success in many Western cultures, which reinforces the idea that those who wear suits hold power and authority. This reinforces the hegemonic power dynamics in society.

Question 9

Which of the following groups is a subculture?

Accepted Answer

Horseback riders can be considered a subculture as they have a specific interest in and lifestyle around horse riding, which sets them apart from the mainstream culture.

The other options listed (Ku Klux Klan, Minutemen, and street gangs) could be considered countercultures or deviant subcultures, as they promote beliefs or behaviors that oppose or deviate from mainstream cultural norms. However, they are not simply defined by a single interest or lifestyle like a subculture.

Question 10

Conflict within mainstream society about which values and norms should be upheld is called:

Accepted Answer

Culture wars refer to the conflicts within mainstream society about which values and norms should be upheld. Symbolic culture refers to the nonmaterial aspects of culture, such as beliefs, values, and norms. Counterculture refers to a subculture that is opposed to or at odds with the dominant culture. Hegemony refers to the dominance of one group over others, often through the use of power and cultural norms.

Question 11

When an employee is promoted instead of more deserving co-workers because he has a special relationship with his boss,this is an example of:

Accepted Answer

This situation exemplifies the distinction between ideal culture (where promotions are based on merit) and real culture (where promotions may be influenced by personal relationships or favoritism). It does not relate to culture wars or the role of high culture in determining status and rank, and it is not an ideal way to conduct business.

Question 12

How is a subculture different from a counterculture?

Accepted Answer

Subcultures and countercultures are both non-mainstream cultures. However, members of a subculture do not actively oppose important aspects of mainstream culture, whereas members of a counterculture do. This means that a counterculture exists in direct opposition to the mainstream culture, while a subculture simply exists as a distinct group within it.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a culture war?

Accepted Answer

Demonstrations outside family planning clinics often involve debates over abortion rights and access to contraception, which have become a major issue in the so-called culture wars.

Question 14

Clashes over values in the United States,especially as represented by liberals and conservatives in the mass media,have been termed:

Accepted Answer

The term "Culture wars" is commonly used to describe the clashes over values between liberals and conservatives in the United States. This term represents the ongoing battles between different cultural and political ideologies, particularly in the areas of social issues, morality, and religion. It reflects the deep-seated differences in values and beliefs that exist between different groups and the challenges that arise when these groups come into contact with one another. Value contradictions and symbolic disagreements are not as widely used or recognized terms as "Culture wars," and partisan politics refers more specifically to political parties and election campaigns.

Question 15

Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)was an activist organization in the 1960s that protested the Vietnam War,racial injustice,and economic exploitation.for the most part,the organization favored direct action and protest,most of which opposed traditional organizing and politics;instead,it sought a radically new form of social organization.Based on this information,you could say that members of SDS were part of a:

Accepted Answer

SDS was part of the counterculture movement of the 1960s, which rejected mainstream values and was characterized by non-traditional lifestyles, radical politics, and social activism. The organization's emphasis on direct action and protest over traditional organizing and politics further aligns it with the counterculture movement.

Question 16

In the 2008 presidential election,Barack Obama took 53 percent of the vote,while John McCain took 46 percent.However,in the early months of 2009,when Obama's approval ratings were still very high,post-election polls found that a significantly larger number of people claimed to have voted for him.Historians report that the percentage of people who remember voting for any president rises and falls with the president's approval ratings.More people seemed to believe that they "should" have voted for Obama.This belief is an example of:

Accepted Answer

The belief that more people should have voted for Obama is an example of ideal culture, which refers to the values and beliefs that a society aspires to but may not always achieve. This belief reflects the high approval ratings that Obama had at the time, which may have influenced people's memory of whether or not they actually voted for him.

Question 17

When the dominant culture succeeds in imposing its values and ideas on all of society,this is known as:

Accepted Answer

Hegemony refers to the dominance of one culture or group over others, often through the imposition of its values and ideas as the norm for everyone in the society. Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of culture from one society to another, while cultural relativism emphasizes the importance of understanding and evaluating cultures within their own contexts. Cultural leveling, on the other hand, refers to the reduction of cultural differences as societies become more similar to one another. Therefore, the best choice that fits the description is A) Hegemony.

Question 18

Which of the following groups is most likely to be classified as a counterculture?

Accepted Answer

Survivalists living in Montana are more likely to be classified as a counterculture as they reject mainstream society and adopt alternative lifestyles and beliefs. The other groups listed may have their own subcultures or identities, but they do not necessarily oppose mainstream culture in the same way countercultural groups do.

Question 19

What do sociologists call the norms and values that people actually follow,as opposed to the norms and values that people believe should be followed?

Accepted Answer

Real culture refers to the actual behaviors, norms, and values that are followed by a society or group, as opposed to ideal culture, which refers to the values and norms that a society claims to follow.

Question 20

Sociologists refer to the norms and values that people aspire to as:

Accepted Answer

Ideal culture refers to the norms, values, and beliefs that a society strives to achieve or espouses as its highest cultural goals. These may differ from the actual culture that people practice or follow in their daily lives.

Quiz 3: Culture