Question 1

A bureaucracy is a(n)

Accepted Answer

A bureaucracy is a component of formal organization that uses rules and hierarchical ranking to achieve efficiency. It typically involves a large organization with division of labor, specialized roles, and clear chains of command. It is characterized by a high degree of formalization and standardization in procedures and decision-making.

Question 2

Which sociological perspective might observe the division of labor among the staff members in a hospital emergency room and focus on how the allocation of responsibilities affects their social behavior?

Accepted Answer

The interactionist perspective focuses on how individuals interact with one another and the symbols and meanings they attach to their actions. In the example given, the allocation of responsibilities in the hospital emergency room would be a social interaction that could affect the behavior of staff members in various ways. The interactionist perspective would be interested in examining the role of communication and interpretation in shaping this interaction and the consequences that may arise from it. The functionalist perspective may explore how the division of labor contributes to the smooth running of the emergency room, while the conflict perspective would analyze how the allocation of responsibilities could create power imbalances and inequalities among staff members. The global perspective would examine how the division of labor in the emergency room reflects broader social and economic structures in society.

Question 3

In The Communist Manifesto,Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels charged that the capitalist system reduces workers to a mere "appendage of the machine," which leads to extreme

Accepted Answer

Marx and Engels argue that the capitalist system alienates workers, disconnecting them from their work, from each other, and from themselves. This alienation is caused by the capitalist mode of production, which reduces workers to mere cogs in a machine and strips them of any sense of autonomy or creativity. As a result, workers feel disconnected from their labor and from their own humanity, leading to extreme feelings of isolation and meaninglessness.

Question 4

Which of the following is an example of a formal organization?

Accepted Answer

The General Motors Corporation is a prime example of a formal organization because it has a defined structure, hierarchy, and set of rules and regulations that govern its operation. It also has a clear purpose and goals, and its members have specific roles and responsibilities. In contrast, a community college basketball team or the people in a New York City subway car may have some level of organization, but they do not have the same level of formality and systematic structuring as a corporation.

Question 5

A domestic abuse counselor fails to listen to an injured woman because the woman has no valid proof of U.S.citizenship.This is an example of

Accepted Answer

The answer of A domestic abuse counselor fails to listen...

Question 6

A construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is called a(n)

Accepted Answer

The construct or model that serves as a measuring rod against which specific cases can be evaluated is called an ideal type. This is a concept developed by Max Weber, who used it to describe a hypothetical pure form that represents the essential characteristics of a social phenomenon. Ideal types are used as analytical tools to compare and contrast real-world cases and identify similarities and differences. Coalitions are groups that form to achieve a common goal, a metaphor is a figure of speech that compares two things, and a questionnaire is a tool used to gather data through a series of questions. None of these options fit the definition of a construct or model used for evaluation purposes.

Question 7

Bureaucratization is

Accepted Answer

Bureaucratization refers to the process by which a group or organization becomes more bureaucratic, often characterized by rigid adherence to rules and procedures, hierarchy, and specialization of tasks. This can lead to increased efficiency but also decreased flexibility and creativity.

Question 8

Which of these comments about a bureaucracy is correct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of these comments about a bureaucracy...

Question 9

The notion that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence is referred to as

Accepted Answer

The Peter principle states that every employee within a hierarchy tends to rise to his or her level of incompetence. This means that individuals will continue to be promoted until they reach a point where they are no longer able to perform effectively, ultimately leading to organizational inefficiencies. The other options are not related to this principle.

Question 10

A college is run by a board of trustees,which hires a president,who in turn selects vice presidents,deans,and other administrators.This is an example of the bureaucratic characteristic of

Accepted Answer

The hierarchy of authority is being demonstrated with the board of trustees at the top, followed by the president and other administrators. This shows a clear chain of command and decision-making power within the organization.

Question 11

The public attention given the failure of various government intelligence-gathering organizations to detect the terrorist attacks of September 11,2001,illustrates which poorly functioning aspect of government bureaucracy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The public attention given the failure of...

Question 12

Which of the following does Marx and conflict theorists believe is weakened by restricting workers to very small tasks?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following does Marx and...

Question 13

Which sociologist emphasized the basic similarity of structure and process found in the otherwise dissimilar enterprises of religion,government,education,and business?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber emphasized the basic similarity of structure and process found in the otherwise dissimilar enterprises of religion, government, education, and business. He believed that all of these institutions, despite their differences, share a common organizational structure and function. This idea is known as the theory of rationalization and it emphasizes the importance of bureaucracy and formalization in modern society.

Question 14

Which one of the following is a typical ascribed status that influences people's self-images within formal organizations?

Accepted Answer

Gender is a typical ascribed status that influences people's self-images within formal organizations because it is an innate characteristic that is often used as a basis for stereotyping and discrimination, which can affect one's sense of belonging and self-worth within an organization. While college education and job title are also ascribed statuses, they are not necessarily innate characteristics and may also be influenced by achieved statuses.

Question 15

By working at a specific task,people are more likely to become highly skilled and carry out a job with maximum efficiency.This is the rationale for the bureaucratic characteristic of

Accepted Answer

Division of labor refers to the assignment of tasks and responsibilities to specific individuals or groups within an organization. This characteristic is based on the idea that by dividing tasks and allowing people to specialize, they can become highly skilled and efficient at their particular job.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a negative consequence of bureaucratization?

Accepted Answer

All of these answers are correct. The Peter principle occurs when employees are promoted to positions beyond their abilities. Bureaucratization can also lead to employees feeling like they are deprived of a voice in decision making, which can lead to dissatisfaction and lower morale. Finally, because bureaucracies rely on standardized procedures and rules, they can stifle initiative and imagination, preventing employees from taking risks or trying new and innovative approaches to problem-solving.

Question 17

Goal displacement is

Accepted Answer

The answer of Goal displacement is
...

Question 18

Formal organizations may vary in

Accepted Answer

All of these answers are correct. Formal organizations can vary in size, degree of efficiency, and specificity of goals. Size can range from a small local club to a multinational corporation, efficiency can vary based on factors such as leadership and resources, and goals can be specific or broad.

Question 19

Special-purpose groups designed and structured in the interests of maximum efficiency are known as

Accepted Answer

Formal organizations are designed and structured with specific goals and objectives in mind, and are intended to operate in a highly efficient manner. Informal organizations are more spontaneous and lack the formal structure and rules of formal organizations. Coalitions are temporary groups formed for a specific purpose, and primary groups are typically based on strong emotional bonds between members rather than efficiency.

Question 20

The tendency of workers in a bureaucracy to become so specialized that they develop blind spots and fail to notice obvious problems is known as

Accepted Answer

Trained incapacity refers to the loss of flexible problem-solving abilities that bureaucrats may experience as a result of their specialized training and tasks. This can result in them being unable to recognize or address certain problems or situations.

Quiz 19: Understanding Organizations