Question 1

In which of the following are norms, roles, and statuses agreed upon but not set down in writing?

Accepted Answer

Norms, roles, and statuses are typically agreed upon and understood through socialization processes within primary groups, which are characterized by informal relationships and a lack of formal structure or written documentation. Secondary groups may also have some level of agreed-upon norms, roles, and statuses, but tend to be more formalized and often have written rules or policies. Bureaucracies are highly formalized and typically have detailed written rules and procedures governing behavior, roles, and statuses. Status sets are simply collections of social positions held by an individual, and do not imply any particular level of agreement or socialization.

Question 2

Which of the following is the term sociologists use for impersonal organizations composed of a great many people occupying hierarchically arranged precisely defined positions?

Accepted Answer

This term is commonly used to describe large formal organizations with a hierarchical structure, specialized roles, and a set of rules and procedures for operation. Bureaucracies are often associated with government agencies, corporations, and other large institutions.

Question 3

According to the text, Polish Christians who helped to save Jews during World War II did so because of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the text, Polish Christians who...

Question 4

Which of the following factors contributed to the Nazi regime's practice of genocide being operated so efficiently?

Accepted Answer

The Nazi regime's practice of genocide was bureaucratically organized, meaning that it was organized through a strict hierarchy of government officials and agencies, with clear rules and procedures for carrying out the genocide. This allowed for a high level of efficiency and organization in carrying out the atrocities, as each individual and agency had a specific role and task to accomplish.

Question 5

Subjects in Milgram's authority experiment were allowed to administer what appeared to be dangerous electric shocks. Which of the following did most subjects choose to do?

Accepted Answer

Milgram's authority experiment found that most subjects chose to administer high-voltage shocks even though they were free to stop. They did so because they were following the authority figure's instructions and believed that they were not personally responsible for the harm inflicted on the other participant.

Question 6

Which of the following strategies followed by the Nazi genocide apparatus is characteristic of the bureaucratization of organizations?

Accepted Answer

The strategy of breaking down the job into many small tasks is characteristic of bureaucratization, which involves the division of labor and specialization of roles within an organization. This can be seen in the Nazi genocide apparatus, which divided the killing process into various stages and assigned specific tasks to different individuals or departments.

Question 7

Pavel was browsing in a crowded downtown second-hand bookstore while visiting New York City for the first time. It occurred to him that, even though he didn't know anyone in the store, all the people who were there nonetheless had at least one thing in common. What do sociologists call this?

Accepted Answer

A social category is a collection of people who share a particular characteristic but may not interact or identify as a group. In this case, the people in the bookstore are all individuals who enjoy browsing second-hand books, which qualifies as a shared characteristic.

Question 8

Even if a structure of authority is new, questionable, and artificial, which of the following are people likely to do?

Accepted Answer

People are generally inclined to obey those in power, even if the structure of authority is new, questionable, and artificial. This is because obedience to authority is often seen as necessary for social order and stability. People may question or challenge authority, but they are still likely to comply with it until there is a significant reason not to. Options A and B assume that people will actively seek to change the structure of authority, which is not necessarily true. Option D assumes that people will refuse to follow the authority, which is also not necessarily true.

Question 9

Which of the following is characterized by a permanent, salaried staff of qualified experts and written goals, rules, and procedures?

Accepted Answer

A bureaucracy is an organization that is characterized by a permanent, salaried staff of qualified experts and written goals, rules, and procedures. This type of organization is typically found in government agencies and large corporations.

Question 10

Using a hand-delivered poster, Jasmine has decided to ask all the people in her apartment building for ideas about where she should look for a job for the summer. Why will this tactic likely bring her success?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Using a hand-delivered poster, Jasmine has decided...

Question 11

According to the text, why do most people find it difficult to disobey authorities?

Accepted Answer

Most people find it difficult to disobey authorities because they fear ridicule and social ostracism, which are powerful social pressures.

Question 12

Solange wanted to see how many people it would take to hand-deliver a package from Vancouver, British Columbia, to her aunt in St. John's, Newfoundland. What should she make use of to make this happen?

Accepted Answer

To coordinate the efforts of several people spread out across the country, Solange would need a network, which could include people or organizations that can help with transportation, communication, and logistics. An organization, group, or bureaucracy may also be useful in this situation, but a network would be the best choice for coordinating a dispersed group of individuals or entities.

Question 13

Steve is asked by his best friend to beat up a boy at their school whom Steve actually likes. According to the textbook, why would Steve do what his best friend asks?

Accepted Answer

According to the text, Steve would do what his best friend asks because of loyalty. Steve's loyalty to his best friend outweighs any feelings he may have that the act is immoral. Therefore, option D is the correct choice.

Question 14

Jacqueline has lived all her life in the same apartment on the same street and has been in class with the same group of seven girls ever since kindergarten. They even all attended the same daycare in the lobby of the building they all live in. Which of the following best describes this group of friends?

Accepted Answer

The fact that they have known each other since kindergarten, attended the same daycare, and have grown up together in close proximity suggests that they have a close, personal relationship. This fits the definition of a primary group, which is characterized by close, face-to-face interaction, emotional ties, and a sense of loyalty.

Question 15

The group of 12 people on a jury is an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A group of 12 people on a jury would be considered a secondary group because they are brought together for a specific task or purpose that is not based on personal relationships or long-term interactions (like a primary group would be). They also have a more formal structure and rules for conduct compared to a primary group.

Question 16

Which of the following terms means achieving a bureaucracy's goals at the least cost?

Accepted Answer

Efficiency in a bureaucracy refers to achieving goals with the least use of resources, including time, money, and personnel. This is an important aspect of bureaucratic functioning as it helps in maximizing output while minimizing input costs. Effectiveness, on the other hand, refers to achieving goals in the best possible way, while sociological functioning and hierarchy are related to the social dynamics and structures of a bureaucracy.

Question 17

People who collect antique guitars are an example of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

People who collect antique guitars are a social category because they share a common interest in collecting guitars and likely interact with each other to discuss and share information about their collections.

Question 18

Stanley Milgram's experiment teaches us which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Milgram's experiment revealed that people are often inclined to obey those in positions of authority, even if it means going against their own moral code or causing harm to others. The experiment showed that individuals will often continue to obey authority figures even if it goes against their own best interest or the best interest of others, highlighting the power and influence of authority structures. The experiment did not suggest that individuals are forever trapped in the grip of authority structures or that they cannot walk away from them without penalty, so options A and C are incorrect. Option D is also incorrect as Milgram's experiment demonstrated the significant impact of authority structures on individuals' decision-making.

Question 19

Which of the following best describes a social category?

Accepted Answer

A social category refers to a group of people who share a similar status, but they do not identify with each other. Examples of social categories include gender, race, age, and socioeconomic status. It is important to note that individuals can belong to multiple social categories simultaneously. For instance, a person can belong to the social categories of female and African American.

Question 20

Which of the following best describes a social network?

Accepted Answer

A social network is a bounded set of individuals who exchange material or emotional resources. It is characterized by the connections and interactions between individuals, rather than by any shared characteristics or identity. Social networks can take many different forms, from small groups of close friends to large online communities. The key feature of a social network is the exchange of resources, whether that be emotional support, advice, or access to opportunities.

Quiz 4: From Social Interaction to Social Organizations