Question 1

What does the term "social capital" mean?

Accepted Answer

Social capital refers to the features of an organization, such as shared norms and values, that facilitate cooperation for the mutual benefit of society. It refers to the social networks, trust, and reciprocity that exist among individuals and within communities, which can lead to greater social and economic outcomes.

Question 2

Over the last several decades, voter turnout at all levels of politics has ___________________.

Accepted Answer

Voter turnout has fallen dramatically in recent decades, especially in the United States.

Question 3

Re-state Putnam's general thesis. In other words, what is the main point of his article? What is he trying to show about trends in American society? Why does this concern him?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Re-state Putnam's general thesis. In other words,...

Question 4

Address the issues of declining social capital. What does this mean? Using illustrations, show three (3) areas in American life (not including bowling) where social capital is declining. What could be the final result of a society that loses its social capital? Why is this so important for society?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Address the issues of declining social capital....

Question 5

Which of the following is the definition of self-injury, as used by Adler and Adler in this article?

Accepted Answer

Self-injury, as used by Adler and Adler in the article, refers to the deliberate, non-suicidal destruction of one's body tissue.

Question 6

Which of the following statement is true of bowling in America?

Accepted Answer

The passage states that "more people are bowling now than ever before," but also notes that "fewer are doing so in leagues." This supports the idea that overall participation in bowling is increasing, but organized league participation is decreasing. Therefore, option D is the best answer.

Question 7

It has been suggested that for self-injurers who seek out a liked-minded community on the Internet there are advantages that they seek from this community. Which of the following was NOT discussed by Adler and Adler?

Accepted Answer

Adler and Adler did not discuss the aspect of seeking romantic partners or trolling for members of the other gender in their study. They mainly focused on the social and emotional benefits of finding a like-minded community on the internet for those who engage in self-injury.

Question 8

Generally, when self-injurers found stability and joy in their lives, what did they do in terms of the Internet sites to which they belonged?

Accepted Answer

Generally, when self-injurers found stability and joy in their lives, they mostly left the self-injury cyber community feeling as if they no longer needed it for support. They moved on to other aspects of their lives and did not feel the need to be a part of the community anymore.

Question 9

Why is life easier, according to Putnam, in a community blessed with a substantial amount of social capital?

Accepted Answer

According to Putnam, a community blessed with a substantial amount of social capital is one based on trust, reciprocity, and community. In such a society, people are more likely to cooperate, work together for the common good, and support each other. This makes life easier because individuals are able to rely on others and feel a sense of belonging, which can lead to greater personal satisfaction and overall happiness. Wealth and leisure time may also be indicators of a strong community, but they are not the primary factors that make life easier in such a society.

Question 10

In terms of membership in civic organizations, which of the following statements is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

There has been a general decline in civic involvement, including membership in various organizations, over the past few decades.

Question 11

Which type of organization are women most likely to join?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which type of organization are women most...

Question 12

What was the age range of about half of the people studied by Adler and Adler?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What was the age range of about...

Question 13

How did the Adlers get in contact with the self-injurers they studied?

Accepted Answer

The Adlers got in contact with the self-injurers they studied through in-depth interviews conducted in person and on the phone, by subscribing to and analyzing the postings of self-injurers on various websites, and by recruiting people to their study through websites and allowing interested parties to contact them. Therefore, the best choice is D (all of the above).

Question 14

By Putnam's own admission, his findings about bowling in America are somewhat whimsical (yet discomforting). Despite the seemingly trivial nature of Putnam's findings, what greater forces and indicators do these represent? What is it about bowling alone that is a problem for Putnam?

Accepted Answer

The answer of By Putnam's own admission, his findings about...

Question 15

Adler and Adler suggest that cyber communities represent a sense of Gemeinschaft within a Gesellschaft world. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Adler and Adler's statement means that cyber communities offer a sense of traditional community (Gemeinschaft) within a modern, industrialized society (Gesellschaft) that has become alienating and anonymous. Cyber communities provide a sense of belonging and connection to others despite physical distance and other barriers.

Question 16

Sociologically, what is the significance of Putnam's conclusions about bowling in America?

Accepted Answer

Putnam's conclusions regarding bowling in America serve as an illustration of the diminishing involvement of Americans in social capital, as he uses it as a proxy for measuring social interaction and membership in groups. This shows that traditional social institutions are declining, leading to a decline in civic engagement and a weaker sense of community.

Question 17

In general, self-injurers who join Internet sites can be said to

Accepted Answer

The article states that self-injurers who join Internet sites tend to be very transient, moving through different sites until they find one that suits them best. They may also switch sites if they feel they are not getting enough support or if they feel judged by the other members.

Question 18

Some of the Websites discussed by Adler and Adler were considered to be pro-self-injury. Why would people be proponents of this deviant activity?

Accepted Answer

Some proponents of self-injury see it as a choice and a way to cope with emotional distress in the long term. They may see it as a means of gaining control over their own bodies and emotions, rather than being a victim of circumstances or societal pressures. They may also view it as a form of release or catharsis, similar to other types of physical activity or artistic expression.

Question 19

In an increasingly globalized and massified world, what do cyber communities offer people that have become more and more difficult to find?

Accepted Answer

Cyber communities offer people the opportunity to connect and form relationships with others who share similar interests and experiences, providing a sense of community. They can also provide a sense of belongingness, as individuals may feel more accepted and understood by their virtual peers. Additionally, cyber communities can facilitate the development and expression of personal identity, allowing individuals to explore and present different aspects of themselves. Overall, cyber communities offer all three options - a sense of community, belongingness, and identity - that may be more difficult to find in a globalized and massified world.

Question 20

Before the advent of the Internet, what is the best way to describe the lives of self-injurers?

Accepted Answer

Before the Internet, self-injurers were often viewed as loner deviants who engaged in cutting in private. They had no one to share their questions and concerns with and felt isolated in their struggles. There was not yet widespread understanding of self-injury as a psychological issue, and many people may have seen it as a form of attention-seeking or rebellion.

Quiz 1: Sociological Odyssey: Contemporary Readings in Introductory Sociology