Question 1

According to conflict theorists stratification exists because:
A) It meets the needs of society as a whole
B) Some people fill more important jobs than other people
C) It serves the interests of the dominant group
D) It promotes the self-interests of the poor

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists argue that stratification exists because it serves the interests of the dominant group. They believe that the power and wealth concentrated among the elite is used to maintain their dominance and control over the lower classes, perpetuating the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities in society. Therefore, the existence of stratification is not a result of meeting the needs of society as a whole, the importance of certain jobs, or promoting the self-interests of the poor.

Question 2

Which of the following is an assumption of the conflict perspective?
A) Stability is built into society
B) Competing interest groups often have unequal power
C) Consensus naturally appears in societies
D) Conflict in society is a bad thing

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective assumes that different groups in society have different interests and often compete for resources and power, and that these groups may not be equal in their ability to influence decision-making. Choices A, C, and D are not assumptions of the conflict perspective.

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT generally a sociological approach to explaining majority-minority relations?
A) Studying the basis of the economic production of a society
B) Studying the personality characteristics of individuals
C) Studying the political system of the society
D) Studying the predominate culture of the society

Accepted Answer

Sociological approaches generally focus on structural and systemic factors when explaining majority-minority relations, such as economic systems, political systems, and cultural norms. Studying individual personalities is more characteristic of psychological approaches.

Question 4

According to Marx and his followers,the pattern of a subordinate group's acceptance of an ideology that goes against its own self-interest is called:
A) False consciousness
B) Ignorance
C) Ideology
D) The power of positive thinking

Accepted Answer

Marx and his followers referred to the pattern of a subordinate group accepting an ideology that goes against its own self-interest as "false consciousness." This is the idea that the dominant class in society is able to shape the beliefs and values of the working-class, convincing them to support the interests of the ruling class even when doing so is not in their own best interest. This false consciousness perpetuates the inequality and oppression of the working-class.

Question 5

Which of the following is an assumption of functionalist perspective?
A) Society is made up of independent parts
B) Societies tend toward conflict and change
C) Conflict is necessary for cooperation
D) Society tends towards consensus

Accepted Answer

The assumption of functionalist perspective is that society tends towards consensus. Functionalist theorists believe that society is made up of interdependent parts that work together to maintain social order and stability. This perspective emphasizes the importance of shared values and norms in promoting social cohesion and cooperation. It sees conflict as disruptive to the social system and seeks to explain how institutions and practices contribute to social integration and harmony.

Question 6

Davis and Moore presented a theory of stratification in 1945,arguing that its existence is necessary to create incentives for people to work hard.Some jobs are more critical to the functioning of society and require more and longer training than others so it makes sense they get paid more.This represents which kind of theory?
A) Marxist theory
B) Small groups theory
C) Economic theory
D) Order theory

Accepted Answer

Davis and Moore's theory is an example of order theory, which posits that stratification is necessary to maintain order, incentivize hard work, and ensure the most qualified individuals fill the most important roles.

Question 7

According to Marx what one has to own or control to produce things of economic value is called:
A) Ideology
B) False consciousness
C) Capital
D) The means of production

Accepted Answer

According to Marx, the means of production refers to the resources, including land, tools, and raw materials, necessary to produce goods and services. Control of the means of production translates into power and plays a significant role in shaping the economic and social dynamics of society.

Question 8

Wealth,income,and power are:
A) Public goods
B) Equally distributed in the United States
C) Easily redistributed
D) Examples of scarce resources

Accepted Answer

Wealth, income, and power are examples of scarce resources as they are limited and not available in unlimited quantities. They are also not equally distributed in the United States, and are not easily redistributed.

Question 9

What is the perspective called that is based on the premise that society is made up of groups with conflicting self-interests?
A) The conflict perspective
B) The order perspective
C) The functionalist perspective
D) The sociological perspective

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective is the perspective that is based on the premise that society is made up of groups with conflicting self-interests. It views society as a struggle for power among different groups with competing interests, such as the working class and the ruling class. This perspective is also known as the Marxist perspective or the critical perspective.

Question 10

Any system that distributes scarce resources on an unequal basis according to race or ethnicity is called:
A) Racism
B) Prejudice
C) Ethnic stratification or ethnic inequality
D) Race exploitation

Accepted Answer

Ethnic stratification or ethnic inequality is the term used for a system that distributes scarce resources on an unequal basis according to race or ethnicity. Racism refers to a belief in the superiority of one race over another, while prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. Race exploitation implies that one race is being used for the benefit of another. While all of these terms are related to the unequal treatment of individuals based on their race or ethnicity, ethnic stratification or inequality is the most specific term for a system that systematically distributes resources in a discriminatory manner.

Question 11

The process whereby minorities are integrated into the system and become culturally similar to the majority group is called:
A) Assimilation
B) Pluralism
C) Race uplift
D) Ethnic stratification

Accepted Answer

Assimilation refers to the process in which minority groups adopt the cultural and social norms of the majority group, often leading to a loss of their own cultural practices and identity. Pluralism, on the other hand, encourages the coexistence of different cultural groups within a society while maintaining their unique cultural identities. Race uplift refers to efforts by a group to improve its standing within a society, while ethnic stratification refers to the unequal distribution of resources and opportunities based on ethnicity.

Question 12

In general,functionalist sociologists tend to be most concerned about majority-minority relations because:
A) The minority group is disadvantaged
B) Of their potential for serious disruption of society
C) The minority group position may be improved through conflict
D) Of their potential for change

Accepted Answer

Functionalist sociologists believe that majority-minority relations can lead to serious disruption of society if the minority group is not fully integrated and their needs and interests are not adequately addressed. They are concerned with the stability of society as a whole and view the integration and assimilation of minority groups as vital for maintaining social cohesion.

Question 13

A sociologist states that a group is disadvantaged because its members lack the necessary skills to perform jobs,which are rewarded by society.The sociologist is operating from the:
A) Functionalist perspective
B) Conflict perspective
C) Economic perspective
D) Symbolic interaction perspective

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective in sociology posits that society is a system of interconnected parts that work together in harmony to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium for the whole. The statement given reflects this perspective by suggesting that the disadvantage faced by the group is due to a lack of necessary skills to perform socially rewarded jobs, implying a disruption in the social equilibrium that needs to be addressed for the society to function properly.

Question 14

Conflict theorists argue that economic stratification cannot act as an incentive to get people to work hard and acquire more training or skills because:
A) Some people don't want to learn more skills
B) Much social inequality is inherited rather than earned
C) Few people care enough to try to get into jobs that are highly skilled
D) It is in the interests of the dominant group to treat all workers equally

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists argue that economic stratification is perpetuated by inherited wealth and privilege rather than by hard work and talent, so it cannot serve as an incentive for people to work harder or acquire more skills. Therefore, option B is the correct choice. Options A and C lack depth and do not adequately capture the primary argument of conflict theorists. Option D is not compatible with conflict theory, as it contends that the dominant group has an interest in treating all workers equally, which is not consistent with the concept of power imbalances and exploitation inherent in conflict theory.

Question 15

The order (functionalist)perspective developed largely from the theories of:
A) Karl Marx
B) Emile Durkheim
C) C.W. Mills
D) Ralf Dahrendorf

Accepted Answer

The order (functionalist) perspective is largely based on the theories of Emile Durkheim, who believed that society functions like an organism with interdependent parts working together to maintain stability and order. Marx, Mills, and Dahrendorf are associated with conflict theory, which is a different perspective that focuses on power struggles and inequalities within society.

Question 16

One of the best illustrations of the function of ethnocentrism is:
A) Poverty among children
B) Characterization of "the enemy" in times of war
C) Foreign foods
D) Marriage patterns

Accepted Answer

Ethnocentrism often leads to the characterization of "the enemy" in times of war, where one's own culture or ethnicity is viewed as superior and the opposing culture is seen as inferior or threatening. This can create a sense of us vs them and can lead to conflict and violence.

Question 17

A central assumption of Marxist theory is that the distribution of wealth by and large determines other aspects of society,such as the political system and the culture,including social norms,values,and beliefs,which Marx called:
A) The society
B) The means of production
C) Ideology
D) Religion

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that the ruling class in society use ideology to justify their position and maintain control over the working class. Ideology includes social norms, values, and beliefs that shape the way people view the world and their place in it. Therefore, Marxist theory places great importance on the role of ideology in shaping society.

Question 18

A sociologist argues that the only thing that will work to effectively combat racism is to make fundamental changes in the institutions that are the source of racism.The sociologist is working from the:
A) Functionalist perspective
B) Conflict perspective
C) Economic perspective
D) Symbolic interaction perspective

Accepted Answer

The argument that fundamental changes in institutions are needed to combat racism is informed by the conflict perspective, which views society as a struggle for power and resources among different groups. This perspective highlights how institutions and societal structures can perpetuate inequality and discrimination, including racism. The functionalist perspective focuses on how different aspects of society work together to maintain stability and cohesion, and the symbolic interaction perspective explores how individuals interact and create meaning in their social worlds. The economic perspective primarily focuses on the production, consumption, and distribution of goods and services.

Question 19

Which of the following is true of the order (functionalist)perspective?
A) It arises largely from the theories of Karl Marx
B) It is frequently associated with political liberalism
C) It advocates minor adjustments, not wholesale change
D) It emphasizes conflict and change

Accepted Answer

The order (functionalist) perspective stresses the importance of social structures and institutions in maintaining order and stability in society. It advocates for minor adjustments to these structures rather than wholesale change.

Question 20

Approaches to social problems that are sociological focus on:
A) Collectivities of people: groups and societies
B) Socially learned attitudes
C) Individual beliefs
D) The development of negative attitudes against out-groups

Accepted Answer

Sociological approaches to social problems focus on collectivities of people, such as groups and societies. These approaches examine how larger social structures and institutions contribute to social inequality and offer potential solutions to address these issues. While socially learned attitudes, individual beliefs, and negative attitudes against out-groups may also be studied within sociology, they are not the central focus of sociological approaches to social problems.

Quiz 4: Macro-Sociological Perspectives: The Order and Conflict Models

According to conflict theorists stratification exists because:

Which of the following is an assumption of the conflict perspective?

Which of the following is NOT generally a sociological approach to explaining majority-minority relations?

According to Marx and his followers,the pattern of a subordinate group's acceptance of an ideology that goes against its own self-interest is called:

Which of the following is an assumption of functionalist perspective?

According to Marx what one has to own or control to produce things of economic value is called:

Wealth,income,and power are:

What is the perspective called that is based on the premise that society is made up of groups with conflicting self-interests?

Any system that distributes scarce resources on an unequal basis according to race or ethnicity is called:

The process whereby minorities are integrated into the system and become culturally similar to the majority group is called:

In general,functionalist sociologists tend to be most concerned about majority-minority relations because:

A sociologist states that a group is disadvantaged because its members lack the necessary skills to perform jobs,which are rewarded by society.The sociologist is operating from the:

Conflict theorists argue that economic stratification cannot act as an incentive to get people to work hard and acquire more training or skills because:

The order (functionalist) perspective developed largely from the theories of:

One of the best illustrations of the function of ethnocentrism is:

A central assumption of Marxist theory is that the distribution of wealth by and large determines other aspects of society,such as the political system and the culture,including social norms,values,and beliefs,which Marx called:

A sociologist argues that the only thing that will work to effectively combat racism is to make fundamental changes in the institutions that are the source of racism.The sociologist is working from the:

Which of the following is true of the order (functionalist) perspective?

Approaches to social problems that are sociological focus on: