Question 1

According to the economist Fred Hirsch, a "positional good" is a good or commodity:
A) that places you in a high status position relative to those who don't possess it.
B) that is desirable because of short supply or limited access.
C) that is desirable because it has a high price tag.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

A positional good is desirable due to its scarcity and the status it confers, which can include aspects of all the choices: high status, limited access, and high price.

Question 2

Who is/was the "original affluent society" according to Marshall Sahlins?
A) Hunter gatherers
B) Agrarian pastoralists
C) The aristocracy of Europe and Asia
D) Wealthy Western capitalists

Accepted Answer

According to Marshall Sahlins, hunter-gatherer societies were the "original affluent society" because they had a relatively stable and sustainable way of life that provided for their material needs without requiring excessive work or accumulation of wealth. They had ample leisure time and did not experience the same kinds of social inequalities and hierarchies seen in more complex societies.

Question 3

All of the following are elements of rational choice theory EXCEPT:
A) interest, especially self-interest.
B) sentiments.
C) the quest for personal gain or advantage.
D) a hidden agenda among rational actors.

Accepted Answer

All of the other options - A, C, and D - are elements of rational choice theory, but sentiments are not typically included as a factor in decision-making according to this model.

Question 4

The hau of material objects refers to:
A) superstitious belief in animate objects.
B) the utility of material objects that serve our interests.
C) sentimental connections and social relationships embodied in things.
D) the respect we have for tools and technologies created by humans.

Accepted Answer

The hau of material objects refers to the social and emotional relationships that are embodied in material objects, including sentimental connections and cultural significance. It is not related to belief in animism or the utility of objects as tools.

Question 5

Of the many techniques advertisers use to persuade customers to purchase goods, which is the most effective?
A) Appeal to sentiments-accentuating affection, love, belongingness, community, patriotism, and other values that may be conferred upon the consumer by acquisition of the product
B) Price advertising-appealing to the financial concerns of consumers
C) "You" or status advertising-suggesting the product is offered out of concern for you and will provide heightened prestige to those who acquire it (the product)
D) Green advertising-appealing to the environmental concerns of consumers

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the many techniques advertisers use to...

Question 6

Comparing the workload of American workers in 1973 and 2006, the economist and sociologist Juliet Schor concluded that American workers in 2006 worked the equivalent of:
A) one week longer each year than their 1973 counterparts (more than 40 additional hours annually).
B) five weeks longer each year than their 1973 counterparts (more than 200 additional hours annually).
C) one week less each year than their 1973 counterparts (40 hours less a year).
D) five weeks less each year than their 1973 counterparts (200 hours less a year).

Accepted Answer

According to Juliet Schor's research, American workers in 2006 worked the equivalent of five weeks longer each year than their 1973 counterparts, which is more than 200 additional hours annually.

Question 7

Juliet Schor estimates that to achieve the standard of living experienced by workers in 1948, U.S. workers today would need to work how long?
A) 4 hours daily
B) 8 hours daily
C) 12 hours daily
D) more than 16 hours daily

Accepted Answer

Juliet Schor's research suggests that due to productivity increases, U.S. workers today would only need to work about 4 hours daily to achieve the same standard of living as workers in 1948.

Question 8

Although we know that money can't buy happiness, research in Britain and the United States suggests that:
A) unskilled and partly skilled workers at the bottom of the pay scale are happier than other workers.
B) skilled manual workers from lower middle pay scale are happier than better-paid, non-manual, professional workers.
C) middle-class workers are happier than their wealthy counterparts.
D) the wealthy express the least level of happiness with their standard of living.

Accepted Answer

Research suggests that skilled manual workers from the lower middle pay scale report higher levels of happiness compared to better-paid, non-manual, professional workers. This may be due to factors such as job satisfaction, work-life balance, or fulfillment in their roles.

Question 9

What is the "paradox of a positional economy?"?
A) 1% of the world owns 95% of the world's wealth.
B) Treadmills of production and consumption push individuals in contradictory directions.
C) Treadmills of consumption speed up as more people purchase more.
D) Levels of consumption are constantly devalued as more people attain them due to general economic growth.

Accepted Answer

The paradox of a positional economy refers to the phenomenon where the levels of consumption are constantly devalued as more people attain them due to general economic growth. For example, owning a car used to be considered a symbol of luxury, but now it is seen as a necessity for most people. As a result, owning a car no longer confers the same level of status and prestige that it once did. This devaluation of consumption occurs because as more people attain a certain level of consumption, it becomes a more common and less distinctive marker of status.

Question 10

Identify the fallacy in Douglas and Isherwood's theory of consumption matching?
A) We always strive to maximize our wealth.
B) We always aim to maintain the consumption of those just below us in status.
C) We nearly always attempt to match those just above us in status.
D) We desire to simplify and reduce the complexity of our material lives.

Accepted Answer

Douglas and Isherwood's theory of consumption matching states that people nearly always attempt to match those just above them in status. This is an oversimplification and generalization of human behavior that ignores individual differences and preferences. It also assumes that status is the only factor that affects consumption, which is not necessarily true.

Question 11

What is hau?
A) A social spirit attached to gifts that suggests or requires reciprocity
B) Reciprocal gift-giving
C) A cohesive force in communities
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

Hau is a concept found in many cultures that includes all of the above elements - a social spirit attached to gifts that suggests or requires reciprocity, reciprocal gift-giving, and a cohesive force in communities. Therefore, the best answer is D.

Question 12

How might the establishment of wildlife refuges and international treaties to protect endangered species actually increase their vulnerability and hasten their extinction?
A) By accentuating their scarcity
B) By driving up their value
C) By making them a "positional good"
D) All of the above

Accepted Answer

The establishment of wildlife refuges and international treaties can create a sense of scarcity for endangered species, driving up their value and making them a "positional good." This can increase demand for them on the black market, making them even more vulnerable to poaching and exploitation. Additionally, the focus on protecting certain species can divert attention and resources away from other critical conservation efforts, ultimately leading to the extinction of some species that are not receiving enough attention and protection.

Question 13

Why would an individual who owns a positional good attempt to limit others' access to that good?
A) For positional advantage, status, and prestige
B) To intentional disorient others away from a prestigious position
C) To accumulate advantage
D) To encourage market competition

Accepted Answer

An individual who owns a positional good would attempt to limit others' access to that good for positional advantage, status, and prestige. It can be seen as a way to maintain a certain level of exclusivity and increase the perceived value of the good.

Question 14

Why does Marshall Sahlins state that hunter-gatherers are the original affluent society?
A) They eat well, work little, and have lots of leisure time.
B) They are rich in terms of meeting their needs.
C) Their material wants are easily satisfied because they don't want much.
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

Marshall Sahlins argues that hunter-gatherers are the original affluent society because they eat a varied diet, work only a few hours a day to gather their food, and have abundant leisure time for creative and social activities. They are rich in terms of fulfilling their basic needs, and their material wants are easily satisfied because they do not desire more than what is necessary for survival. Therefore, all of the given options are correct.

Question 15

Your text discusses several flaws in Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of needs. Which of the following is one of those flaws?
A) Needs are experienced in hierarchical order.
B) Model has Eastern bias.
C) Theory is too dialogical.
D) Theory can't account for why we consume more than we need.

Accepted Answer

Maslow's theory does not adequately explain why individuals often consume more than what is necessary for their basic needs, which is a flaw in the hierarchy of needs model.

Question 16

How might the time crunch of contemporary life propel environmental damage?
A) Lack of leisure time requires more pre-made foods.
B) Cycle of work-and-spend increases household tasks.
C) More rest time requires more time-saving tools.
D) All of the above.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How might the time crunch of contemporary...

Question 17

Interests often refer to:?
A) the original affluent society.
B) the cycle of work-and-spend.
C) how we decide how to spend our time.
D) how we make choices based on material gain for ourselves.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Interests often refer to:?
A) the original affluent...

Question 18

Which of the following concepts refer to decisions that do not necessarily result in material gain?
A) Hau
B) Sentiments
C) Community
D) Hierarchy of needs

Accepted Answer

Sentiments refer to decisions that are influenced by emotions and feelings, which may not necessarily result in material gain. Hau refers to reciprocity and exchange relationships in certain Polynesian cultures, community refers to a group of people with shared characteristics or interests, and hierarchy of needs refers to an individual's progression of needs from basic survival to self-actualization.

Question 19

Although it is often argued that consumerism damages the community, it can also enhance community. How so?
A) Consumption is connected to competitive displays.
B) A double message of affluence and ecological dialogue.
C) The time crunch can require communal sharing.
D) Community-building events are often connected to consumerism.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Although it is often argued that consumerism...

Question 20

Less time for leisure creates a time crunch which necessitates more shopping for necessities and also as a substitute for community. This consumption perpetuates:
A) a dialogical connection between consumerism and the time crunch.
B) environmental degradation
C) workers then purchase more goods because they have less time, thus, consumerism.
D) all of the above.

Accepted Answer

The time crunch created by having less time for leisure creates a dialogical connection between consumerism and the need for more shopping for necessities, perpetuating consumerism. This increased consumption leads to more environmental degradation, and workers may also purchase more goods due to their lack of time, further perpetuating consumerism. Therefore, all of the above choices are correct.

Quiz 2: Consumption and Materialism

According to the economist Fred Hirsch, a "positional good" is a good or commodity:

Who is/was the "original affluent society" according to Marshall Sahlins?

All of the following are elements of rational choice theory EXCEPT:

The hau of material objects refers to:

Of the many techniques advertisers use to persuade customers to purchase goods, which is the most effective?

Comparing the workload of American workers in 1973 and 2006, the economist and sociologist Juliet Schor concluded that American workers in 2006 worked the equivalent of:

Juliet Schor estimates that to achieve the standard of living experienced by workers in 1948, U.S. workers today would need to work how long?

Although we know that money can't buy happiness, research in Britain and the United States suggests that:

What is the "paradox of a positional economy?"?

Identify the fallacy in Douglas and Isherwood's theory of consumption matching?

What is hau?

How might the establishment of wildlife refuges and international treaties to protect endangered species actually increase their vulnerability and hasten their extinction?

Why would an individual who owns a positional good attempt to limit others' access to that good?

Why does Marshall Sahlins state that hunter-gatherers are the original affluent society?

Your text discusses several flaws in Maslow's theory of the hierarchy of needs. Which of the following is one of those flaws?

How might the time crunch of contemporary life propel environmental damage?

Interests often refer to:?

Which of the following concepts refer to decisions that do not necessarily result in material gain?

Although it is often argued that consumerism damages the community, it can also enhance community. How so?

Less time for leisure creates a time crunch which necessitates more shopping for necessities and also as a substitute for community. This consumption perpetuates: