Sociology Chapter 2 Quiz

Ethnocentrism refers to the tendency of individuals to evaluate and judge other cultures based on the standards and values of their own culture. It involves viewing one's own group as superior and using it as a benchmark for evaluating others. This can lead to a biased and narrow perspective, as it fails to recognize and appreciate the diversity and uniqueness of other cultures. Ethnocentrism often results in misunderstandings, conflicts, and the perpetuation of stereotypes and prejudices.

Language facilitates cumulative human experience, shared past, and shared perspective. However, it does not facilitate identical experience of apes and other animals. Language is a unique human ability that allows us to communicate complex thoughts, emotions, and experiences. While animals may have their own forms of communication, they do not possess the same level of linguistic sophistication as humans. Therefore, language cannot facilitate identical experiences between humans and animals.

Beliefs, values, and other assumptions about the world are examples of nonmaterial culture. Nonmaterial culture refers to the intangible aspects of a society, including ideas, beliefs, values, norms, language, and symbols. These cultural elements shape people's behavior, attitudes, and perceptions, and they are passed down from generation to generation through socialization processes. Nonmaterial culture plays a significant role in shaping individuals' identities, social interactions, and overall societal dynamics.

The author suggests that what one group considers to be a gesture or an acceptable behavior may be seen as a folkway by another group. This implies that different cultures or societies have their own set of norms and customs, and what may be considered normal or appropriate in one group may be seen as unusual or inappropriate in another. The terms "folkways" and "mores" are used to describe different levels of societal norms, with folkways referring to the customary behaviors and practices of a group, and mores referring to the moral and ethical norms that are considered more serious and important.

A counterculture is a group that rejects or opposes the dominant culture and its values. The group of survivalists living in Montana is most likely to be classified as a counterculture because they are intentionally living outside of mainstream society, rejecting modern conveniences and relying on self-sufficiency. This lifestyle choice goes against the norms and values of the dominant culture, making them a countercultural group. The other options, such as the NAACP, New York cab drivers, and Middle Eastern Student Association, may have their own unique identities and causes, but they do not necessarily oppose or reject the dominant culture in the same way that the survivalists do.

Emoticons are a type of written gestures that help convey the feelings that go with words. They are commonly used in digital communication to express emotions or attitudes, and can be created using a combination of punctuation marks and letters. Emoticons provide a visual representation of emotions, allowing the reader to better understand the intended tone or mood of the message.

The term cultural lag refers to the idea that different aspects of a culture change at different speeds. This concept was coined by sociologist William Ogburn. Ogburn argued that technological advancements often outpace changes in social institutions and values, leading to social problems and conflicts. He believed that society needs time to adjust to new technologies and that this lag can create tension and social issues. Ogburn's work on cultural lag has been influential in understanding the dynamics of social change and the challenges it presents to societies.

The correct answer is "can be equated to tools and the technology to use them." This explanation suggests that the primary differing factor between tools and technology is that they can be seen as interconnected. Tools are physical objects that are used to perform specific tasks, while technology refers to the knowledge and techniques used to create and utilize those tools. In other words, tools are the physical manifestations of technology, and they go hand in hand in achieving a particular goal or purpose.

When we either follow or break norms, we see sanctions in people's reactions. Sanctions refer to the penalties or consequences that individuals face when they deviate from established norms or values. These can be positive or negative, ranging from rewards and recognition for conforming to norms to punishment and criticism for violating them. Sanctions play a crucial role in maintaining social order and encouraging individuals to adhere to societal expectations.

The Sapir-Whorf hypothesis suggests that language influences the way people perceive and think about the world. It states that the structure and vocabulary of a language shape an individual's thoughts and behavior. The statement "Their original assumptions were inaccurate" is incorrect because the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis has been revised and refined over time, rather than being deemed completely inaccurate. Therefore, the correct answer is "their original assumptions were incorrect."