Question 1

How does interactionism allow sociologists to understand the individual?

Accepted Answer

Interactionism focuses on how the individual's personalities, preferences, ideas, etc. are constructed and shaped through communication with others, thus allowing sociologists to understand the individual in a social context. This approach emphasizes the importance of analyzing social interactions and the ways in which individuals negotiate meaning and construct their identities through social exchange. By examining how people interact with one another, sociologists gain insight into the ways in which individuals impact and are impacted by the broader social world.

Question 2

Solomon Asch conducted a conformity experiment in which respondents were presented with lines of varying lengths and asked to select the line that most closely matched a separate line.Covert research assistants were also present and were instructed to encourage respondents to select incorrectly.What were the results of this study?

Accepted Answer

Respondents conformed to the incorrect majority at least 37 percent of the time, demonstrating the influence of group pressure on individual judgment.

Question 3

You wish to study reference groups.Which of the following groups would make the best subject for studying reference groups and how they shape identity?

Accepted Answer

A little league team is a cohesive group with shared goals and experiences. The team serves as a reference group for its members, influencing how they see themselves and interact with others. The dynamics of a sports team make it a good subject for studying how reference groups shape identity.

Question 4

What happens to people who are incapable of viewing rules as flexible guidelines for rational and appropriate behavior?

Accepted Answer

People who are incapable of viewing rules as flexible guidelines for rational and appropriate behavior tend to strike people as silly or incompetent. They may not be able to adapt to changing situations or understand context, leading to rigid and inappropriate behavior.

Question 5

Your evening is not going as planned.While at a bar,you accidentally knock over a man's drink.Although the spill was an accident,it has ruined his date's clothing and he is very angry.What is the most likely next step in this conflict's interaction ritual chain?

Accepted Answer

Insulting the person who accidentally spilled the drink is a common step in the interaction ritual chain. It allows the person who was wronged to regain some power and assert their dominance in the situation. However, getting punched in the face or a full-scale bar fight breaking out are not the most likely next steps, as they are extreme reactions and can have serious consequences. Begging for mercy is also unlikely, as it would require a full shift in power dynamics and would not be a common response in this type of situation.

Question 6

You are a sociologist who specializes in human behavior in urban areas.Of the following locations,which would be the best area for studying civil inattention?

Accepted Answer

Civil inattention refers to the social norm of acknowledging the presence of others in public spaces, but not engaging in any kind of interaction with them. A busy bus line would be an ideal location for observing this phenomenon as people often avoid eye contact or conversations with strangers while waiting for a bus or standing in line. The other options, such as a popular restaurant, an office, or a public park, may not provide as many opportunities to observe civil inattention as people may interact more with each other in these settings.

Question 7

Which of the following statements regarding the relationship between formal and informal rules is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Informal rules serve as a supplement to formal rules by allowing for flexibility and exceptions in social behavior. They do not typically replace formal rules or dictate behavior in legal situations.

Question 8

You have been tasked with a longitudinal study involving interviews with a group of individuals as they age from 5 to 40.At the onset of the project,you decide it would be helpful to try to predict which children may be later labeled as deviant.Based on the concept of the self-fulfilling prophecy,which child do you predict will be so labeled?

Accepted Answer

Jenny's behavior of talking a lot during story hour, having trouble sitting still, and talking over others could be interpreted as disruptive, leading to potential labeling as deviant based on the self-fulfilling prophecy concept. This concept suggests that if an individual is labeled in a certain way, they may begin to act in accordance with that label.

Question 9

You are interviewing Americans about how they feel about their country.Which of the following statements reflects elements of ethnocentrism?

Accepted Answer

Choice A reflects elements of ethnocentrism by implying that America is superior to all other countries and anyone who disagrees is stupid. It shows a lack of cultural relativism and an inability to consider other perspectives.

Question 10

You want to study status change and its associated role changes.Which of the following demographic groups would make the best research subject for studying these topics?

Accepted Answer

First-time fathers are more likely to experience a significant status change with the birth of their child, which could lead to associated role changes within the family and community. This makes them a good research subject for studying status and role changes. High-school teachers, college juniors, and firefighters may experience some changes in status or role, but not to the same extent as first-time fathers.

Question 11

You are interviewing teenagers in order to understand how they develop their sense of self.Which of the following statements can be classified as a statement of self that could be attributed to the concept of the looking-glass concept?

Accepted Answer

The statement "I'm no good at geometry. Whenever I answer questions wrong in class, the teacher looks at me like I'm stupid and other students laugh at me" can be attributed to the looking-glass concept. This concept suggests that individuals develop their sense of self based on how they believe others perceive them. In this case, the teenager's perception of how the teacher and other students view them is influencing their self-concept.

Question 12

What were the findings of the Stanford Prison Experiment?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What were the findings of the Stanford...

Question 13

Public restrooms are a complex social space in which we are both required to prepare for our public performances and deal with others who may view that performance.You want to study a similar backstage area.Which of the following spaces would suit your requirements?

Accepted Answer

Similar to public restrooms, the kitchen in a restaurant is a space in which individuals prepare for their public performances (i.e. cooking food for customers), while also dealing with other workers who play a role in that performance. This space can reveal the underlying power dynamics and social interactions between workers, making it an ideal choice for studying a similar backstage area to public restrooms.

Question 14

As part of your morning routine you eat breakfast,drink a cup of coffee,take a shower,and walk your dog.Which part of this routine is most likely controlled by the voice of the generalized other?

Accepted Answer

The answer of As part of your morning routine you...

Question 15

What is ethnocentrism?

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency to view one's own culture as superior and judge other cultures based on one's own cultural values and standards. It involves an inability to understand or accept the perspectives and behaviors of cultures that differ from one's own. A is incorrect because making ethics central to one's life does not necessarily involve ethnocentrism. B is partly correct, but does not fully capture the essence of ethnocentrism. D is incorrect because putting ethics first in social-scientific experiments is not the definition of ethnocentrism.

Question 16

In his controversial study in which he led subjects to believe they were delivering painful shocks to innocent people,what social phenomenon was Stanley Milgram trying to understand?

Accepted Answer

Stanley Milgram's study aimed to understand the phenomenon of obedience to authority and how individuals can be compelled to harm others simply because they are told to do so. The study showed that many people are willing to obey authority figures, even if it means harming innocent people. Milgram's study demonstrated the importance of ethical considerations in research, as well as the potential dangers of blind obedience to authority.

Question 17

How do identity classifications impact personal behavior?

Accepted Answer

Identity classifications determine who we associate with and how we perceive ourselves. This can impact our personal behavior by influencing our values, attitudes, and beliefs based on the social groups we identify with. For example, someone who identifies strongly with a particular religion may behave according to the norms and values of that religion, while someone who identifies as part of a specific culture may have different expectations for personal behavior than someone from a different culture.

Question 18

What happens when individuals follow an organization's formal rules very strictly but disregard its informal rules?

Accepted Answer

The informal rules of an organization are often unwritten but hold significant social influence over the employees. If an individual strictly follows the formal rules without understanding and adhering to the informal rules, they may end up hindering the organization's productivity and overall progress. This is because the informal rules govern the relationships, communication, and collaboration between employees and ultimately affect their performance. By ignoring the informal rules, an individual may miss opportunities to take necessary shortcuts, develop relationships with key players, and navigate complex power dynamics. As a result, organizations may suffer in the long term.

Question 19

Reggie wanted to ask Sharyl on a date.Rather than coming out directly and asking her,he went about it indirectly by asking her if she was busy on Saturday night.She indicated that she had plans.Through this exchange,Reggie has been gently rejected and Sharyl does not feel like a rude person.This social interaction allowed Reggie and Sharyl to __________.

Accepted Answer

The exchange allowed both Reggie and Sharyl to save face, as Reggie was able to indirectly ask her out without risking an outright rejection, and Sharyl was able to politely decline without feeling rude.

Question 20

Stanley Milgram induced research subjects to deliver what they thought were painful electrical shocks to other subjects,who were actually actors.What were his findings?

Accepted Answer

Milgram's findings showed that over 60 percent of the time, research subjects delivered dangerous shocks of over 450 volts, indicating a willingness to obey authority even if it conflicted with their personal values and ethics.

Quiz 3: Social Interaction