Question 1

Which of the following scenarios provides an example of front-stage behavior?
A) Sally discovers her mother-in-law is dropping by shortly,so Sally rushes to tidy up the house.
B) Sam is angry at his little brother for embarrassing him in front of his girlfriend,so he refuses to take him to get ice cream.
C) The actress playing Cinderella smokes a cigarette in the employee break room before going to sign autographs at the castle.
D) While eating at Denny's last night,Debbie saw a little boy pocket some money from one of the tables.The boy was not aware anyone saw him.

Accepted Answer

Front-stage behavior refers to the actions and behavior one displays in public or performance settings. Sally tidying up the house in preparation for her mother-in-law's visit can be considered an example of front-stage behavior as this is behavior she is performing for the benefit of others who may visit her home.

Question 2

Today's assumption that childhood represents a distinct phase in the life course stands in sharp contrast to the notion of children as little adults that was popular in preindustrial times.This example highlights how:
A) children have redefined their status over the years.
B) children today are increasingly put to work.
C) our notions of childhood are socially constructed.
D) children's views of the world remain the same.

Accepted Answer

The example shows how our understanding of childhood has changed over time and is shaped by social construction rather than being a fixed, universal concept. It does not address children's status or views, or changes in their work patterns.

Question 3

Most sociologists (and biologists)argue that race is a human invention,or is socially constructed.Which of the following statements highlights how race is socially constructed?
A) Race is biologically real,but society should choose to be "color-blind."
B) Race stems from genetic differences and occurs in other mammals as well.
C) Racial categories have always been fixed and remain the same in different cultures.
D) Racial categories on census forms have continued to change over time.

Accepted Answer

The fact that racial categories on census forms have continued to change over time highlights how race is socially constructed. This means that the way in which people are categorized by race is not fixed or based on biology, but rather determined by social and cultural factors.

Question 4

According to Erving Goffman,we all try to make good impressions on others and we actively work to ensure that others believe they are doing the same.He calls this:
A) resocialization.
B) the generalized other.
C) impression management.
D) controlling one's environment.

Accepted Answer

Erving Goffman's concept of "impression management" refers to the efforts we make to control the impressions that others have of us. This involves consciously presenting ourselves in a certain way, monitoring our behavior and appearance, and adjusting our communication based on the situation or audience.

Question 5

Front-stage mistakes,such as your sociology professor accidentally tripping as she walks into class one day,are known as:
A) breaches.
B) deviant openings.
C) role failures.
D) theatrical breakdowns.

Accepted Answer

Breaches refer to mistakes or errors that occur in the front-stage area, where individuals perform their social roles in view of an audience. Tripping while entering a classroom is an example of a breach because it disrupts the expected performance or behavior in a social setting.

Question 6

According to Erving Goffman,the main goal of impression management is to:
A) create an alter ego.
B) save "face."
C) share "face" with others.
D) control our self.

Accepted Answer

According to Goffman, the main goal of impression management is to save "face," which means presenting oneself in a favorable light and avoiding embarrassment or negative judgments from others. This involves managing the impression one makes on others through various strategies such as mannerisms, clothing, and language use. The other choices (creating an alter ego, sharing "face" with others, and controlling our self) do not accurately capture Goffman's theory of impression management.

Question 7

What does it mean to say that the self is socially constructed? In your answer,summarize Charles Horton Cooley's looking glass self theory.How does this theory explain the development of an individual's self-concept?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does it mean to say that...

Question 8

Saying "hello" when answering the telephone signals the start of an encounter in the first bracket and is known to dramaturgists as:
A) act one.
B) the monologue.
C) the opening.
D) the preshow.

Accepted Answer

"The opening" is the term used by dramaturgists to refer to the start of an encounter, such as answering the telephone with a greeting like "hello." Choices A, B, and D do not accurately describe this theatrical concept.

Question 9

According to dramaturgical theory,the primary goal of every social interaction is to:
A) be front (and center)stage.
B) make a good impression.
C) reduce backstage critique.
D) conform to the script.

Accepted Answer

According to dramaturgical theory, the primary goal of every social interaction is to make a good impression. This means that individuals are always performing, or presenting themselves in a certain way, in order to create a positive image and gain social approval. The concept of impression management is a central aspect of dramaturgical theory and is based on the idea that social interactions are akin to performances on a stage, with individuals playing different roles and using various strategies to achieve their goals.

Question 10

Which of the following is an example of a given-off gesture?
A) consciously stifling a laugh when someone walks into the class with toilet paper on his or her shoe
B) waving instead of greeting someone verbally
C) glancing at your watch when a friend starts another story at a party in an attempt to hint that you should both leave
D) staring at the ceiling while your professor is talking

Accepted Answer

Given-off gestures are involuntary or unconscious signals that reveal true feelings or attitudes. Staring at the ceiling while a professor is talking can unintentionally indicate boredom or disinterest.

Question 11

Your professor drank too much over the weekend and tripped and sprained his ankle.When asked about his injury in class the next day,the professor replied,"I sprained my ankle playing soccer with the kids." This is an example of:
A) role strain.
B) saving face.
C) a breach of common roles.
D) backstage performance.

Accepted Answer

Saving face is the attempt to present oneself in the best possible light while concealing embarrassing or uncomfortable behavior or situations. In this case, the professor is trying to save face by not admitting the embarrassing and potentially unprofessional behavior of drinking too much and injuring himself outside of work.

Question 12

According to impression management,the backstage arena would include:
A) occasions when we are in public,but the spotlight is on someone else.
B) occasions when we create and maintain particular impressions of ourselves.
C) social settings where less than ten people are present.
D) times of solitude and personal reflection.

Accepted Answer

The backstage arena, according to impression management theory, refers to places and times where individuals are not in the public eye and can relax, be themselves, and step out of their social roles. This includes times of solitude and personal reflection, where there is no need to manage impressions for others.

Question 13

Sharon avoids talking on the phone because ending a conversation is so awkward.How would dramaturgical theory explain why it is more difficult to end a conversation (closing)when on the phone than in person?
A) Backstage critique becomes so strong that it is difficult to choose what to say.
B) People cannot see our nonverbal closing gestures.
C) By the end of a phone conversation,too many breaches have occurred.
D) We are in the backstage when on the phone but in the front stage when in person.

Accepted Answer

According to the dramaturgical theory, human behavior is similar to actors playing their parts on a stage. The front stage is where a person acts out their role in public, whereas the backstage is where they can be themselves. When communicating in person, nonverbal cues such as looking away or physically moving can signal the end of a conversation. On the phone, these nonverbal cues are not visible, making it difficult to signal the end of the conversation. Therefore, it is more difficult to end a conversation on the phone than in person.

Question 14

Harold Garfinkel developed an approach to studying human interaction that focused on how people produce and maintain a mutually shared social order.This method was called:
A) dramaturgy.
B) ethnomethodology.
C) social constructionism.
D) symbolic interactionism.

Accepted Answer

Harold Garfinkel's approach to studying human interaction was called ethnomethodology, which focuses on understanding the ways in which individuals create and maintain a sense of social order through their everyday actions and interactions. This approach emphasizes the importance of the shared understandings and cultural norms that underlie social interaction and helps to reveal the ways in which people make sense of the world around them. Dramaturgy, social constructionism, and symbolic interactionism are all related approaches to understanding social interaction, but they are distinct from ethnomethodology in their theoretical orientations and methodological approaches.

Question 15

According to George Herbert Mead,the final step in the socialization process is when a person has developed the concept of the generalized other.Explain this concept in your own words.List and explain two examples of how your perception of the generalized other affects your day-to-day behavior.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to George Herbert Mead,the final step...

Question 16

Summarize the case of Anna.What does this case tell us about the importance of socialization? In what ways does this case show the limits of socialization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Summarize the case of Anna.What does this...

Question 17

According to Erving Goffman,when there is a breach (mistake)in an established script,people generally do which of the following?
A) point out the mistake so they can make others look bad
B) point out the mistake so they can feel superior
C) work hard to repair the mistake so everyone can move forward
D) work hard to repair the mistake only if they know the person really well

Accepted Answer

Goffman suggests that when there is a breach in an established script, people typically work to repair the mistake so everyone can move forward. This is because there is a social expectation to maintain smooth, predictable interactions, and repairing mistakes helps to restore this sense of normalcy. Option A and B involve negative motives and are not typically the norm. Option D suggests that people are selective about when they repair mistakes, which does not align with Goffman's view of social interactions.

Question 18

Two young men are on an elevator together.After briefly acknowledging each other's presence,they politely ignore each other for the remainder of the ride.Erving Goffman would refer to this behavior as an example of:
A) backstage behavior.
B) civil inattention.
C) an opening signal.
D) a given-off gesture.

Accepted Answer

Civil inattention is the term used by Erving Goffman to describe the common interactional pattern in which individuals in the same physical setting demonstrate to each other that they are aware of each other's presence, but avoid any further interaction by looking away or engaging in other activities. This behavior is a way of showing politeness and respect for each other's privacy. Backstage behavior refers to the behavior that individuals display when they know they are not being watched by others. An opening signal and given-off gestures are nonverbal behaviors that signal to others that they wish to initiate or end an interaction.

Question 19

If your professor asked you to do a breaching experiment,you might do which of the following?
A) spend a day alone
B) ask a stranger to tie your shoes
C) tell your parents you are going over to a friend's house to study
D) tell your best friend that there is something in his or her teeth

Accepted Answer

A breaching experiment is a social science research method that involves deliberately breaking a social norm or rule to see how people react. Asking a stranger to tie your shoes violates the norm of personal space and might make the individual feel uncomfortable or confused. The other options do not necessarily involve breaking a social norm or rule.

Question 20

Which of the following theories argues that people's feelings and choices about how to act are based on shared meanings,orientations,and assumptions?
A) symbolic interactionism
B) dramaturgical theory
C) functionalism
D) role theory

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism is a sociological theory that argues that people's judgments, feelings, and actions are based on shared meanings, orientations, and assumptions. This theory emphasizes the importance of symbols, language, and communication in shaping social interactions and relationships. Symbolic interactionism posits that individuals construct their own understanding of reality, and that this understanding is influenced by their interactions with others and the broader cultural context. This theory is often associated with the works of George Herbert Mead and Herbert Blumer.

Quiz 4: Socialization and the Construction of Reality

Which of the following scenarios provides an example of front-stage behavior?

Today's assumption that childhood represents a distinct phase in the life course stands in sharp contrast to the notion of children as little adults that was popular in preindustrial times.This example highlights how:

Most sociologists (and biologists) argue that race is a human invention,or is socially constructed.Which of the following statements highlights how race is socially constructed?

According to Erving Goffman,we all try to make good impressions on others and we actively work to ensure that others believe they are doing the same.He calls this:

Front-stage mistakes,such as your sociology professor accidentally tripping as she walks into class one day,are known as:

According to Erving Goffman,the main goal of impression management is to:

What does it mean to say that the self is socially constructed? In your answer,summarize Charles Horton Cooley's looking glass self theory.How does this theory explain the development of an individual's self-concept?

Saying "hello" when answering the telephone signals the start of an encounter in the first bracket and is known to dramaturgists as:

According to dramaturgical theory,the primary goal of every social interaction is to:

Which of the following is an example of a given-off gesture?

Your professor drank too much over the weekend and tripped and sprained his ankle.When asked about his injury in class the next day,the professor replied,"I sprained my ankle playing soccer with the kids." This is an example of:

According to impression management,the backstage arena would include:

Sharon avoids talking on the phone because ending a conversation is so awkward.How would dramaturgical theory explain why it is more difficult to end a conversation (closing) when on the phone than in person?

Harold Garfinkel developed an approach to studying human interaction that focused on how people produce and maintain a mutually shared social order.This method was called:

According to George Herbert Mead,the final step in the socialization process is when a person has developed the concept of the generalized other.Explain this concept in your own words.List and explain two examples of how your perception of the generalized other affects your day-to-day behavior.

Summarize the case of Anna.What does this case tell us about the importance of socialization? In what ways does this case show the limits of socialization?

According to Erving Goffman,when there is a breach (mistake) in an established script,people generally do which of the following?

Two young men are on an elevator together.After briefly acknowledging each other's presence,they politely ignore each other for the remainder of the ride.Erving Goffman would refer to this behavior as an example of:

If your professor asked you to do a breaching experiment,you might do which of the following?

Which of the following theories argues that people's feelings and choices about how to act are based on shared meanings,orientations,and assumptions?