Question 1

What type of social group are family members,close friends,and peers examples of?

Accepted Answer

Family members, close friends, and peers are examples of primary social groups, which are typically small, face-to-face groups characterized by intimate and enduring relationships, such as families or tight-knit groups of friends. They are important for emotional support, socialization, and the development of identity.

Question 2

Suppose a teacher calls and informs Jane that her son Warren is struggling with math and requires additional support.Which of the following is Jane likely to focus on?

Accepted Answer

Role performance refers to how well someone fulfills the expectations of a particular role. In this context, Jane is likely to focus on how well Warren is performing his role as a student, particularly in math.

Question 3

Sandy is a university student who cleans houses for extra income on the weekend.She does not identify as a "house cleaner" and prefers to discuss university life with her clients.Which type of role is Sandy experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Sandy is experiencing role distancing, which is when an individual attempts to disassociate themselves from a role that they do not identify with or find distasteful. She prefers to discuss her university life rather than her role as a house cleaner.

Question 4

According to the text,which of the following best defines the term "role ambiguity"?

Accepted Answer

Role ambiguity refers to a situation in which there is a lack of clarity and understanding regarding the expectations and responsibilities associated with a particular role. This can arise due to a variety of factors such as poor communication, lack of direction, or conflicting expectations from different sources. As a result, individuals may experience uncertainty, frustration, and difficulty in understanding how to perform their role effectively.

Question 5

Michael is doing a project on the military.What type of social institution is Michael studying?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Michael is doing a project on the...

Question 6

What do sociologists call the state of being part insider and part outsider in the social structure?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists call the state of being part insider and part outsider in the social structure social marginality. Social marginality refers to the state of being excluded or not fully included in society due to one's social status or identity. It can result in a sense of isolation or disconnection from both mainstream society and one's own community.

Question 7

What do sociologists call how a group defines the way a specific role ought to be played?

Accepted Answer

Role expectation refers to the way a group defines how a specific role should be played, including the behaviors and responsibilities associated with that role.

Question 8

Which term refers to the most important status a person occupies?

Accepted Answer

Master status refers to the most important status a person occupies, which can overshadow all other statuses a person holds. It can be determined based on factors such as occupation, education level, race, gender, or other characteristics.

Question 9

What type of social institution are family,religion,education,and government examples of?

Accepted Answer

These social institutions have existed for centuries and are deeply ingrained in society. They are based on long-standing customs, beliefs, and practices, and have been passed down from generation to generation. Family, religion, education, and government are all examples of traditional social institutions.

Question 10

Suppose Beth's dance concert falls on a night when her mother is working.Although her mother is uncertain how it will be possible,she tells Beth that she will be there.What is the mother's behaviour an example of?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Suppose Beth's dance concert falls on a...

Question 11

What is the main difference between ascribed and achieved status?

Accepted Answer

Ascribed status is assigned to an individual at birth or due to personal characteristics such as age, gender, and family background. Achieved status, on the other hand, is earned through an individual's accomplishments and personal merits. Therefore, option A is the best choice as it correctly defines the difference between the two statuses, stating that achieved status is gained as a result of personal ability. The other options are incorrect as they misrepresent the characteristics of ascribed and achieved statuses.

Question 12

Suppose Jane receives a call at work from her mother,informing her that she is ill and cannot look after the children.Which of the following is Jane likely to experience?

Accepted Answer

Jane may experience role conflict in this situation as she may need to choose between fulfilling her role as a worker and her role as a mother. She may struggle to balance these two roles due to the unexpected illness of her mother.

Question 13

Juan is a father who struggles to balance work commitments and family life.What is Juan most likely experiencing?

Accepted Answer

Role conflict refers to when an individual experiences competing demands from various roles they have, making it difficult to balance them. In this case, Juan's roles as a father and a worker seem to be conflicting, causing him to struggle with balancing them.

Question 14

What is Jane likely to experience when she looks at her calendar and sees that all three of her children have a soccer game at the same time on a night when her husband is away?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is Jane likely to experience when...

Question 15

According to the text,what is a convicted criminal wearing a prison uniform an example of?

Accepted Answer

Wearing a prison uniform is an example of stigma, which refers to a negative social label that is often applied to individuals or groups who deviate from social norms or expectations. In this case, the criminal has been labeled as a deviant and is therefore stigmatized. Social marginality refers to being excluded from mainstream society, role conflict refers to when individuals are confronted with incompatible expectations associated with different roles, and role exit refers to the process of leaving a role or identity behind, which may or may not involve stigma or social marginality.

Question 16

Which of the following argues that the organization of economic production is the most important structural aspect of society?

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that the organization of economic production, specifically the relationship between the bourgeoisie (owners of means of production) and the proletariat (workers) was the most significant structural aspect of society, as it determined the social relationships, culture, and institutions within a society.

Question 17

Mark works as a CEO for a global company and travels at least two weeks every month.Which of the following groups in Mark's life is likely to be most adversely affected by his employment?

Accepted Answer

Mark's primary groups, such as family and close friends, are most likely to be adversely affected by his frequent travels. This is because primary groups are made up of people with whom we have intimate and long-lasting relationships, and their absence can have a significant impact on our emotional and psychological well-being. Secondary groups, work colleagues, and emergent social institutions are less likely to be affected to the same extent.

Question 18

Which term refers to the uncertainties surrounding the provider-dependant aspect of the parent-child relationship?

Accepted Answer

Role ambiguity refers to the uncertainties and lack of clarity surrounding the expectations and responsibilities of a particular role, in this case, the provider-dependant aspect of the parent-child relationship. Role conflict refers to conflicting expectations between different roles held by an individual, role strain refers to the stress and tension experienced when trying to fulfill multiple roles, and role tension refers to the discomfort experienced when trying to balance conflicting demands within a particular role.

Question 19

Which of the following is NOT one of Ebaugh's four stages of role exit?

Accepted Answer

Ebaugh's four stages of role exit are searching for alternatives, dissatisfaction or disengagement, turning point, and creating a new identity. "Feelings of certainty" is not one of the stages.

Question 20

Which statement reflects a conflict perspective on social structure?

Accepted Answer

A conflict perspective sees social structure as a source of inequality because it is based on the unequal distribution of resources and power in society. This perspective emphasizes how social structures perpetuate inequality and maintain the status quo, often at the expense of marginalized groups. Options A, B, and D reflect more functionalist perspectives on social structure, which emphasize the positive functions it serves for society and individuals.

Quiz 5: Society, social Structure, and Interaction