Question 1

The most important difference between primary and secondary groups has to do with:

Accepted Answer

The degree of intimacy or instrumentality that people experience is the most important difference between primary and secondary groups. Primary groups are characterized by face-to-face interaction, strong emotional ties, and a sense of belonging, while secondary groups are more formal and impersonal, with a focus on achieving specific goals or tasks. Size, trust, and competition for scarce resources are factors that can also affect group dynamics, but they are not the defining features of primary and secondary groups.

Question 2

In which of the following groups is coalition formation impossible?

Accepted Answer

Coalition formation requires at least three people or groups for it to be possible. In a dyad, there are only two people or groups involved, making coalition formation impossible.

Question 3

Mary goes out on a date with Suzanne.Viewed in sociological perspective,two persons on a date have formed a:

Accepted Answer

Two persons on a date form a dyad, which is a social group consisting of two individuals. A dyad is the smallest and simplest type of social group, and it is an important unit of analysis in sociology.

Question 4

Pierre,Micaela,and Jon are friends,but Pierre and Micaela are much closer to each other than either of them is to Jon.Why do they stay friends with Jon at all? The concept of triadic closure suggests that:

Accepted Answer

According to the concept of triadic closure, relationships tend to form between people who have a common connection. In this case, the common connection is Jon. Even though Pierre and Micaela are closer to each other, their relationship with Jon strengthens their overall friendship network. So, the weaker ties to Jon are reinforced by the stronger ties between Pierre and Micaela.

Question 5

If stepsiblings Rebecca and Suzanne are asked to share bedrooms or other possessions and Rebecca views such sharing as an intrusion,she may have difficulty overcoming the tendency to play the role of ________ between her parent and the new stepparent.

Accepted Answer

Rebecca may play the role of "divide et impera," which involves creating or maintaining conflict between her parent and the new stepparent to avoid sharing and maintain her position.

Question 6

You have six friends over to your apartment for dinner and drinks.Three of the friends are discussing Einstein's theory of relativity,while the other three are talking about the World Cup.According to Georg Simmel,is this a party yet?

Accepted Answer

According to Georg Simmel's concept of a party, it must have a multifocal nature, meaning that multiple conversation topics should be present at the same time. In this scenario, only two topics are being discussed separately. Thus, it does not meet the criteria for a party.

Question 7

Georg Simmel describes three basic forms of political relations a third party can assume when joining a dyad.Which was one of the roles discussed by Simmel? A third party who:

Accepted Answer

Georg Simmel discussed the role of a third party who benefits from the conflict between the other two parties as one of the basic forms of political relations in a triad. This concept highlights how a third party can exploit the situation for their own advantage, rather than being indifferent, engaging directly, or being victimized.

Question 8

A person who intentionally tries to drive a wedge between two other people is termed by Georg Simmel as:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A person who intentionally tries to drive...

Question 9

Juan and Sylvester are collaborating on a project at work but are having trouble agreeing on objectives and goals.Their manager senses the trouble they are having and steps in to help them refine their goals and come to an agreement.The manager assumed which of Georg Simmel's roles?

Accepted Answer

The manager is assuming the role of a mediator by stepping in to help Juan and Sylvester come to an agreement on their goals.

Question 10

A married couple and their firstborn child are a type of group known as:

Accepted Answer

A group consisting of three members is known as a triad, which includes the married couple and their firstborn child. The other options do not accurately describe this specific type of group.

Question 11

Sociologist Georg Simmel (1950)argues that "size matters" in a group primarily because the number of people in a group determines:

Accepted Answer

According to Georg Simmel, the number of people in a group determines the structure of social relations. In smaller groups, social relations are typically more intimate and personal, while larger groups tend to have more formal and impersonal relationships. Therefore, the size of a group matters in terms of how social relations will be structured.

Question 12

When your lecture class in which only the professor was speaking breaks off into ten small groups of five students each,it has switched from being ________ to being ________.

Accepted Answer

The lecture class has switched from being unifocal, where attention is centered on one person (the professor speaking), to being multifocal, where attention is divided among multiple small groups, each focusing on their own discussions.

Question 13

What kind of group ceases to exist if even one member leaves the group?

Accepted Answer

Dyads are groups consisting of only two members, so if one member leaves, the group ceases to exist.

Question 14

Parenting coordinators are sometimes brought in by the court to help relieve tension between divorcing parents.When a dispute arises between the parents,the parenting coordinator can step in and help moms and dads "keep the peace." The coordinator plays the role of:

Accepted Answer

The parenting coordinator plays the role of mediator, helping to resolve conflicts between the divorcing parents and to establish a peaceful co-parenting relationship. Option A ("the third that rejoices") and Option D ("dyad supporter") are not relevant to the role of a parenting coordinator, and Option B ("divide and conquer") is not an appropriate approach for creating a peaceful co-parenting relationship.

Question 15

You and your friend created a technology start-up.Since its inception,it has become very successful and you've had to hire many employees.At what point will you realize that it has become,in Georg Simmel's terms,a large group?

Accepted Answer

According to Georg Simmel, a large group is characterized by formal hierarchies and job titles. When the start-up creates formal job titles and establishes clear hierarchies between employees, it can be considered a large group.

Question 16

Jill attends a leadership training session at her company's corporate offices.There are six trainers and 48 participants at the seminar.In Simmel's theory,this would be an example of which kind of group?

Accepted Answer

According to Simmel's theory, a large group consists of 10 or more members, and with 48 participants, the group at Jill's training session qualifies as a large group. It is not a small group because it has more than 10 members, it is not a primary group because the individuals do not have close and personal relationships, and it is not a party because there is a specific purpose and goal for the group's gathering.

Question 17

Your Introduction to Sociology class is probably which of the following types of groups identified by Charles Horton Cooley?

Accepted Answer

Charles Horton Cooley identified two types of groups: primary and secondary. A sociology class, being more formal and less personal, fits the definition of a secondary group, which is characterized by impersonal, temporary relationships that are goal-oriented.

Question 18

A family is an example of which type of group identified by Charles Horton Cooley?

Accepted Answer

A family is an example of a primary group, which is a small group of people who have direct and personal relationships with one another characterized by mutual dependence, emotional attachments, and a strong sense of belonging. Primary groups are distinguished from secondary groups, which are larger and less personal, often formed for a specific purpose and characterized by more formal and impersonal relationships.

Question 19

A classroom would not typically fall under Georg Simmel's classification of a small group because,unlike a typical classroom,a small group:

Accepted Answer

A classroom typically has formal arrangements and roles, such as a teacher and students, which is not characteristic of Simmel's concept of a small group.

Question 20

According to Georg Simmel,which of the following groups is the most fragile?

Accepted Answer

According to Simmel, the dyad is the most fragile because it consists of only two individuals, and if one leaves, the group disintegrates. Triads and larger groups are more stable because they can continue even if one member leaves. Primary and secondary groups are not specifically mentioned as being fragile or stable by Simmel.

Quiz 5: Groups and Networks