Question 1

According to Lovaglia, why was the Zimbardo prison experiment so influential?

Accepted Answer

Lovaglia explains that the Zimbardo prison experiment was influential because it demonstrated that a coercive setting can bring forth brutal behavior. This finding challenged the prevailing belief that individual personality traits were the primary cause of cruel behavior and instead highlighted the power of situational factors in shaping behavior.

Question 2

What is the difference between micro and macro perspectives in sociology? Using specific theories, show how they are either macro or micro in their approach. Be sure to illustrate the differences between macro and micro sociology.

Accepted Answer

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Question 3

According to Lovaglia, why are experiments such useful tools in social scientific research? Do you think this method is an effective one for learning about human behavior? Why or why not? What are its strengths and limitations?

Accepted Answer

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Question 4

According to the conflict perspective, social change occurs

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective argues that social change occurs as a result of groups trying to advance their own selfish collective interests, often through struggle and confrontation with other groups. It emphasizes the role of power, exploitation, and inequality in shaping society and driving social change. This view sees social change as a slow and uneven process, marked by conflict and instability, rather than as a harmonious or natural evolution. Therefore, option B is the best choice.

Question 5

Which of the following was not a research finding inspired by experimental design, as illustrated in this chapter?

Accepted Answer

All of the above theories are research findings mentioned in the article and were inspired by experimental design. Therefore, there is no option that was not a research finding.

Question 6

What is the name of the researcher who conducted research to test Status Characteristic Theory?

Accepted Answer

Cecilia Ridgeway is known for her work on Status Characteristic Theory, which examines how social status influences interactions and expectations in group settings.

Question 7

One of the chief advantages of experimental research is that it

Accepted Answer

Experimental research can be an effective tool for testing general theories as it allows for the manipulation of variables and control of extraneous variables to test cause-and-effect relationships. This allows for the testing of hypotheses and general theories. The other options listed are not advantages of experimental research.

Question 8

Philip Zimbardo, a psychologist, is famous for re-creating which of the following in his laboratory at Stanford?

Accepted Answer

Philip Zimbardo is famous for re-creating a prison environment in his laboratory at Stanford known as the Stanford Prison Experiment. The experiment aimed to study the psychological effects of becoming a prisoner or prison guard.

Question 9

Status Characteristic Theory contends that

Accepted Answer

Status Characteristic Theory suggests that individuals in a group are evaluated based on their perceived contributions to group success, with certain characteristics such as gender, race, and social status being given higher importance. Specifically, research has shown that people tend to expect men to contribute more to group success than women, leading to gender bias in areas such as hiring decisions and assigning task responsibilities. However, this theory does not support the idea that men are inherently smarter than women in certain fields.

Question 10

In general, experiments can best be described as a method whereby

Accepted Answer

Experiments involve testing a hypothesis by comparing a small group of people who are chosen to be as similar as possible in order to look for evidence of a social process. Randomization and replication are important components of experimental design. Polling a sample of the population to determine their opinions and attitudes is more characteristic of survey research. Looking for emerging concepts is more characteristic of grounded theory research.

Question 11

Briefly differentiate between symbolic interactionism, functionalism, and conflict theory.

Accepted Answer

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Question 12

Which is not a principle that guides the conflict perspective?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective assumes that conflicts between groups are often long-lasting and do not necessarily lead to cooperation. Instead, conflicts may result in one group dominating the other or even the complete breakdown of relationships between groups. The other three principles listed are central to the conflict perspective.

Question 13

Describe the Robbers Cave experiment. What was the significance of the findings of this experiment for a better understanding of how people relate to each other in groups?

Accepted Answer

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Question 14

In the Robbers Cave experiment, which of the following was used by the experimenters to reduce conflict in the group?

Accepted Answer

In the Robbers Cave experiment, both groups were initially assigned to separate cabins and engaged in competitive activities. This led to conflict and hostility between the two groups. To reduce this conflict, the experimenters introduced a situation where both groups had to work together to find water on a hot summer day. This common goal helped to break down the barriers between the groups and reduce conflict. Therefore, choice B is the correct answer. The other options (A, C, and D) do not accurately describe the interventions used in the experiment to reduce conflict.

Question 15

In the Robbers Cave experiment conducted by Sherif, the researchers began the experiment thinking that:

Accepted Answer

Sherif and his colleagues believed that intergroup competition would increase the cohesiveness of the groups and lead to heightened intergroup hostility. This hypothesis was one of the reasons they designed the Robbers Cave experiment.

Question 16

Sherman and Berk devised an experiment that tested how arrests were made in cases of domestic violence. Explain how this experiment was conducted. What are the implications for changing social policy, according to the findings of this experiment?

Accepted Answer

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Question 17

In an experiment designed to learn more about why some people perform so poorly on standardized tests, the researcher, Claude Steele, hypothesized that:

Accepted Answer

Claude Steele's hypothesis, known as stereotype threat, suggests that when individuals are aware of negative stereotypes about their group (e.g. women, minorities), they may experience anxiety and perform worse on a test, as they perceive the consequences of performing poorly to be more significant. This implies that IQ scores are linked to what students perceive to be the consequences of their getting a low score.

Question 18

Cohesion in society is created by

Accepted Answer

All of the above options contribute to creating cohesion in society. Shared ceremonies and rituals can create a sense of belonging and identity, agreement on core values and principles establishes a common set of beliefs, and teaching young children the expectations and norms of the society helps to ensure that those values will be transmitted to future generations.

Question 19

What is the goal of theory in sociology? How do the three sociological perspectives differ in trying to attain this goal? How are they similar in their desires?

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

The conflict perspective is most often associated with the writings of

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective is also known as the Marxist perspective, and it is derived from the writings of Karl Marx, who believed that society is made up of groups competing for power and resources. Therefore, option A is the correct choice.

Quiz 1: Sociological Odyssey: Contemporary Readings in Introductory Sociology