Question 1

When sociologists write of shopping as a compensatory mechanism, they refer to the fact that it can compensate for:

Accepted Answer

Sociologists believe that shopping can compensate for the isolation and loneliness of modern life, as it allows individuals to fulfill a need for social interaction and the excitement of acquiring new possessions.

Question 2

Shopping has become the dominant form of consumption with the rise of:

Accepted Answer

A

Question 3

Which of the following consumer groups does the department store retail model rely on?

Accepted Answer

The department store retail model relies heavily on women as its primary consumer group. Historically, these stores have been designed and marketed towards women, offering a wide range of products including clothing, accessories, cosmetics, and home goods. While teenagers, the elderly, and men may also shop at department stores, women are the primary demographic targeted by this retail model.

Question 4

In his 1927 book The Arcades Project, Benjamin argued that consumerism may have one of the following negative effects. Which one?

Accepted Answer

Benjamin argued that consumerism may suppress political consciousness by distracting individuals from the social and political issues that affect their lives. In a consumerist society, people may be more concerned with consuming goods and services than with engaging in political activism or advocating for social change. This can lead to a lack of awareness and engagement with important issues, effectively silencing dissent and opposition to the status quo.

Question 5

Which of the following retail models introduced open display as a way to encourage customers to desire goods they had not originally intended to buy?

Accepted Answer

The department store introduced open display as a way to encourage customers to desire goods they had not originally intended to buy. The arcade refers to a covered passageway with shops on either side, the farmers' market is an open-air market for selling produce and other goods, and the big box store refers to large, warehouse-style retail stores. None of these models specifically introduced open display as a way to encourage unplanned purchases.

Question 6

An investor wishing to open a retail outlet has hired you as a consultant. Which of the following types of outlet would you recommend as a safe investment in a period of increasing social inequalities?

Accepted Answer

In a period of increasing social inequalities, consumers are more likely to look for affordable options. Dollar stores typically offer inexpensive products and therefore are more likely to attract customers who are trying to stretch their budgets. Additionally, dollar stores often have a wide variety of products which can appeal to a diverse customer base.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT usually a characteristic of gentrified urban areas?

Accepted Answer

Gentrified urban areas often see the displacement of working class residents due to rising real estate prices and an influx of wealthier residents. Thus, the presence of working class residents is not usually a characteristic of gentrified areas.

Question 8

Which of the following is best explained by the rational choice model of human behavior?

Accepted Answer

The decision to shop at big box stores can be best explained by the rational choice model of human behavior, as individuals are making a logical decision to maximize their purchasing power and save money by shopping in bulk at these stores.

Question 9

The idea of consumer sovereignty is based on a specific understanding of the relationship between:

Accepted Answer

Consumer sovereignty posits that consumers have agency and the ability to make choices within a given market structure. This understanding highlights the interplay between individuals (agency) and societal structures (structure), as consumers are able to express their preferences within the constraints of the market.

Question 10

Which of the following did Durkheim conclude in his study of suicide?

Accepted Answer

Durkheim concluded that strong social solidarity, or the degree to which individuals feel a sense of connection and belonging with their social group, is inversely related to suicide rates. In other words, the more socially connected and integrated individuals are, the lower the suicide rates. Durkheim argued that suicide is not just an individual act, but also a social phenomenon that can be influenced by social factors such as the level of social integration and regulation within a society.

Question 11

According to Durkheim, which of the following would be a social fact?

Accepted Answer

Durkheim defined social facts as collective ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that are external to individuals and constrain their behavior. A social norm such as buying birthday presents for friends and family is an example of a social fact because it is a shared aspect of culture that shapes individual behavior. Weakness of character or individual consumer behavior do not fit Durkheim's definition of social facts because they are internal to the individual and do not have the collective quality necessary to be considered a social fact. A shopping addiction may be influenced by social factors, but it is still primarily an individual psychological issue.

Question 12

Which of the following communities is most likely to be characterized by mechanical solidarity?

Accepted Answer

Mechanical solidarity refers to social cohesion based on the similarity of individuals' roles within a society. In a village where nearly all residents are farmers, there is a high likelihood of everyone having similar roles and obligations, leading to a sense of unity based on shared work and traditions.

Question 13

Mechanical solidarity is to organic solidarity as:

Accepted Answer

Mechanical solidarity is characterized by a strong collective consciousness and shared values, typically found in pre-industrial societies with a small and homogeneous population. Organic solidarity, on the other hand, is characterized by a weaker collective consciousness and interdependence based on specialization of tasks, typically found in industrial societies with a larger and more diverse population. Therefore, the comparison between pre-industrial societies (mechanical solidarity) and industrial societies (organic solidarity) is the best choice. The other options are not direct comparisons of the two types of solidarity.

Question 14

Beside data on individual opinions, focus groups are also suitable for gaining knowledge of:

Accepted Answer

Focus groups are useful for uncovering meaning-making processes - understanding how individuals assign significance to different experiences or concepts. They are not specifically designed for building confidence or social solidarity, although these outcomes may occur indirectly. Similarly, while focus groups can reveal stigmatization processes, they are not the most effective approach for identifying or addressing specific types of stigma.

Question 15

In the 1990s, female youth violence was defined as a social problem in Canada, although its extent was very small. Which of the following is the most likely reason for its social construction as a problem?

Accepted Answer

The question suggests that the extent of female youth violence was very small in the 1990s, which would not be enough to make it a social problem on its own. Therefore, it is more likely that powerful social groups supported the definition of female youth violence as a problem, which gave it more attention and resources.

Question 16

Why did the U.S. President tell the American public to "go shopping" the day after September 11, 2001?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Why did the U.S. President tell the...

Question 17

Describe the rational choice model of human behavior. Can this model explain shopping behavior in our society fully?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the rational choice model of human...

Question 18

What is the connection between shopping and upward social mobility? Illustrate your answer with an example.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the connection between shopping and...

Question 19

Define organic solidarity.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define organic solidarity....

Question 20

Define anomie. How is consumption in our society connected to it?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Define anomie. How is consumption in our...

Quiz 5: Shopping Lessons: Consuming Social Order