Question 1

Explain,in your own words,why social institutions are important.Give an example,also,of how social institutions are interconnected that's not in the textbook.

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Question 2

Zimbardo's prison study raised ethical questions about the harmful treatment of participants.

Accepted Answer

Zimbardo's prison study has been criticized for exposing participants to psychological harm and ethical violations, such as withholding medical treatment for some participants who experienced extreme stress and anxiety. Additionally, the study has also been criticized for lacking informed consent and for the power dynamics that created a dangerous environment for the participants.

Question 3

McDonaldization is an example of dehumanization in bureaucracies.

Accepted Answer

McDonaldization refers to a process of rationalization in which efficiency, calculability, predictability, and control are emphasized in the organization of work. This often results in dehumanization, where workers and customers are reduced to mere numbers and tasks to be completed efficiently, rather than as individuals with unique needs and desires.

Question 4

In what ways do many college students experience the bureaucracy at their college or university? Also,can informal social groups give students and others some control in getting around bureaucratic shortcomings? Be specific in supporting and illustrating your answer

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Question 5

Define a group and explain the differences between primary and secondary groups.

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Question 6

The text discussed four major research studies in the area of group conformity.Describe the contributions and shortcomings of this research.

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Question 7

According to symbolic interactionists,individuals are passive members of a group that can be easily manipulated.

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists view individuals as active participants in shaping and interpreting their social reality, rather than passive members who can be easily manipulated by others.

Question 8

Think about whether you've ever seen yourself (or have been treated by others)as a member of an in-group or an out-group and why.How did such distinctions affect your feelings about yourself and others? What about your behavior? Describe some of the positive and negative effects of identifying with an in-group or out-group.

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Question 9

Your neighbor has come over to visit and asks you about your sociology class.You tell her that you are studying social groups and organizations.She asks you what social groups are.Assuming that she does not know anything about social groups (or sociology,for that matter),explain to her (in very simple English)what social groups are.

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Question 10

The iron law of oligarchy proposes that workers are promoted until they reach their level of incompetence

Accepted Answer

The iron law of oligarchy suggests that all organizations, regardless of how democratic they are at the start, will eventually and inevitably develop oligarchic tendencies, meaning they will be ruled by a small group of leaders. The concept of workers being promoted to their level of incompetence is known as the Peter Principle.

Question 11

Briefly explain Stanley Milgram's experiment and the importance of his findings.

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Question 12

Imagine that you are the boss in a large bureaucracy.Your organization has some shortcomings (the text identified nine possible shortcomings bureaucracies face).Explain how you would combat any three of these shortcomings in your organization.

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Question 13

The Peter Principle states that workers are promoted until they reach their level of incompetence.

Accepted Answer

The Peter Principle is a management theory that suggests that people will be promoted based on their current performance, rather than their abilities to perform in the role they are being promoted to. Eventually, this results in workers being promoted past the point where they are competent, leading to inefficiency and decreased productivity.

Question 14

Are you addicted to Facebook? In your experience,what are some of the benefits and costs of belonging to online social networks? Be specific in providing examples to support your answer.

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Question 15

Is the McDonaldization of society-whether it appears in restaurants,dental clinics or newspapers-always harmful? Does it also have positive effects? Provide several examples to support and illustrate your answer.

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Question 16

Conflict theorists tend to exaggerate harmony in bureaucracies and to gloss over dysfunctions such as worker alienation.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists tend to emphasize dysfunctions and conflicts within bureaucracies, including worker alienation and resistance to authority. They argue that such issues are rooted in the inherent power dynamics and hierarchies of bureaucracies, and that they can ultimately undermine productivity and efficiency.

Question 17

Individuals have multiple reference groups.

Accepted Answer

Individuals belong to various social groups such as family, friends, coworkers, classmates, and online communities, and they may use these groups as a reference point for their attitudes and behaviors. Thus, individuals have multiple reference groups.

Question 18

Who are your most important reference groups? Explain why and how they affect your behavior,attitudes and decisions.

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Question 19

What does Ritzer mean by the "McDonaldization of society"?

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Question 20

Identify two primary groups and two secondary groups to which you belong.Explain why each group is a primary or a secondary group and the benefits and disadvantages of each type of group.

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Quiz 6: Social Groups, Organizations, And Social Institutions