Question 1

Social structures are composed of

Accepted Answer

Social structures are composed of statuses and roles, which define the positions individuals hold and the expected behaviors associated with those positions within a society.

Question 2

The rights and obligations that are attached to each position in a social structure are called

Accepted Answer

Roles are the rights and obligations attached to each position in a social structure, defining expected behaviors and responsibilities.

Question 3

One's position in a particular social group or structure is called a

Accepted Answer

Status refers to one's position within a social group or structure.

Question 4

Generally speaking, the rights attached to a particular status in a group must correspond to the____________ of another position.

Accepted Answer

In social structures, rights associated with a status typically correspond to the obligations of another position, ensuring mutual expectations and responsibilities are met within the group.

Question 5

Some social positions are assigned rather than being earned or selected by the individual. Sociologists call these ___________ statuses.

Accepted Answer

Ascribed statuses are social positions assigned at birth or involuntarily later in life, not earned or chosen by the individual.

Question 6

Some social positions are earned or selected by the people who occupy them. These are called__________ statuses.

Accepted Answer

Achieved statuses are social positions that are earned or selected by the people who occupy them.

Question 7

The position of college professor is a(n)

Accepted Answer

An achieved status is a social position that a person earns or chooses, reflecting personal skills, abilities, and efforts. The position of a college professor is achieved through education and professional accomplishments.

Question 8

A social status that is earned by the individual is called a(n) ______________ status.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A social status that is earned by...

Question 9

Wanda Jo, a police officer on duty, responds to a burglary call in her own neighborhood. She discovers her son hiding in the basement of a neighbor's house, clutching the neighbor's video camera. As a sociologist, you know Officer Jo is likely to experience

Accepted Answer

Officer Jo is likely to experience role conflict because she is torn between her role as a police officer, which requires her to enforce the law, and her role as a parent, which involves protecting and supporting her child.

Question 10

Billy Meyers quits his job and applies to medical school. He isn't admitted because at 45 years of age, he's "too old" (according to the admissions committee). He is being rejected on the basis of

Accepted Answer

Billy is being rejected based on his age, which is an ascribed status, meaning it is a characteristic he was born with and cannot change.

Question 11

Mary O'Brien is a sociologist, a wife, a mother, president of the local PTA, and a democrat. These are all examples of ____________ statuses.

Accepted Answer

Achieved statuses are those that individuals acquire based on their actions, efforts, or accomplishments, such as being a sociologist, president of the PTA, or a democrat.

Question 12

College professors are expected to deliver inspiring lectures, grade exams and papers fairly and attentively, do research and publish, advise students, and attend faculty meetings. These behaviors make up the professors'

Accepted Answer

The behaviors described are the expected duties and responsibilities associated with the position of a college professor, which collectively define their "role."

Question 13

The concept "master status" refers to

Accepted Answer

A master status is a social position that is the primary identifying characteristic of an individual, as perceived by others.

Question 14

Like most people, Robert Jones-who lives in the United States-occupies many statuses. He is a husband, a father, a Catholic, a member of the Lions Club, and an attorney. His master status is probably

Accepted Answer

A master status is a social position that is the primary identifying characteristic of an individual. In the context of the United States, an individual's occupation, such as being an attorney, is often considered their master status.

Question 15

The police officer's badge, the attorney's brief case, the physician's medical bag, and the fire fighter's hat, are all examples of

Accepted Answer

The answer of The police officer's badge, the attorney's brief...

Question 16

According to sociologists, ________________ occurs when what the individual needs to do to perform one role clashes with what he or she needs to do to perform another role.

Accepted Answer

Role conflict occurs when the demands or expectations of one role interfere with the demands or expectations of another role that an individual holds.

Question 17

As a student athlete, Mary is expected to practice several hours a day, attend class, study, perform well on exams and papers, and be a model citizen. It is likely that she will experience

Accepted Answer

Role strain occurs when there are difficulties in fulfilling the demands of a single role, which is likely in Mary's case as she balances multiple expectations within her role as a student athlete.

Question 18

Doogie Howser graduated from high school at age 11; from college at age 15 and from medical school at age 17. Now, at 18, he's about to begin practicing medicine at Hometown Hospital. Which tricky situation is Dr. Doogie likely to encounter?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Doogie is likely to encounter status inconsistency, as his high educational achievements and professional status as a doctor do not align with his young age, which may lead to challenges in how he is perceived and accepted by others in his professional environment.

Question 19

John Smith is a school teacher and a father. The school authorities say that his son, little Billy Smith, cannot be a student in his father's class. They fear

Accepted Answer

Role conflict occurs when there are incompatible demands placed upon a person relating to their different social roles. In this case, John Smith's roles as both a teacher and a father could conflict, leading to potential bias or favoritism, which is why the school authorities are concerned.

Question 20

Betty Jones is the principal of Hometown High School. She marries John Smith (who teaches geometry at Hometown High). Because of her relationship with Smith, Betty should watch out for

Accepted Answer

Betty Jones may experience role conflict as she navigates her professional role as a principal and her personal role as a spouse to a teacher at the same school, which could lead to conflicting interests or expectations.

Quiz 4: Social Structure