Soc111 Exam #2 Practice Quiz

1. Some sociologists would argue that deviance is helpful for society.

True

False

Functionalists believe that deviance plays important role in society in three ways: 1. clarifies rules and confirms norms, 2. promotes social unity, and 3. can promote social change.

Explanation

Functionalists believe that deviance plays important role in society in three ways: 1. clarifies rules and confirms norms, 2. promotes social unity, and 3. can promote social change.

2. ________ is any behavior, belief, or condition that violates significant social norms in the society or group in which it occurs.

Deviance

Violence

Stigma

Crime

Honesty

Deviance is not only behavior, but basically anything which doesn't fit in with society, including beliefs and conditions, and it is culturally relative.

Explanation

Deviance is not only behavior, but basically anything which doesn't fit in with society, including beliefs and conditions, and it is culturally relative.

3. ________ include(s) property such as buildings, land, farms, houses, factories, and cars, as well as other assets such as bank accounts, corporate stocks, bonds, and insurance policies. It is computed by subtracting all debt obligations and converting the remaining assets into cash.

Power

Prestige

Wealth

Income

None of above

Wealth is also sometimes referred to as property

Explanation

Wealth is also sometimes referred to as property

4. Social mobility is movement within a social system (more frequently in open systems). An example of social mobility could be a upper middle class professional who loses everything and becomes homeless/underclass.

True

False

That could never happen in America

This is an example of vertical mobility which (unfortunately) works both ways, especially of late! (As far as downward mobility goes)

Explanation

This is an example of vertical mobility which (unfortunately) works both ways, especially of late! (As far as downward mobility goes)

5. The three P's when referring to class include which of the following?

Power

Property

Prestige

The above are the three P's

Wasn't that a song by "Naughty by Nature"

You down with PPP, yeah you know me. Property is also referred to as wealth in certain circles.

Explanation

You down with PPP, yeah you know me. Property is also referred to as wealth in certain circles.

6. A ________ is a system of social inequality in which people's status is permanently determined at birth based on their parent's ascribed status. It is a closed system of stratification.

Slavery system

Caste system

Social system

School system

None of above

The caste system is a system of social inequality where an individual's social status is determined at birth and is based on their parents' ascribed status. It is considered a closed system of stratification because it is difficult for individuals to move between social classes. This system is prevalent in certain societies, particularly in India, where individuals are born into a specific caste and their social opportunities and privileges are largely determined by their caste membership.

Explanation

The caste system is a system of social inequality where an individual's social status is determined at birth and is based on their parents' ascribed status. It is considered a closed system of stratification because it is difficult for individuals to move between social classes. This system is prevalent in certain societies, particularly in India, where individuals are born into a specific caste and their social opportunities and privileges are largely determined by their caste membership.

7. ________ is the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on the control over basic resources.

Social stratification

Social distinction

Social class

Social distortion

None of above

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources. It involves the division of society into different levels or strata, with individuals or groups occupying different positions based on factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. This arrangement creates a social hierarchy where some individuals or groups have more access to resources and opportunities than others. Social stratification is a fundamental aspect of societies and plays a significant role in shaping social interactions and inequalities.

Explanation

Social stratification refers to the hierarchical arrangement of large social groups based on their control over basic resources. It involves the division of society into different levels or strata, with individuals or groups occupying different positions based on factors such as wealth, power, and prestige. This arrangement creates a social hierarchy where some individuals or groups have more access to resources and opportunities than others. Social stratification is a fundamental aspect of societies and plays a significant role in shaping social interactions and inequalities.

8. Based on sociologist Max Weber's system of stratification, ________ is the respect or regard with which a person or status position is regarded by others. It includes fame, respect, honor, and esteem.

Power

Prestige

Property

Wealth

None of above

According to Max Weber's system of stratification, prestige refers to the respect or regard that others have for a person or status position. It encompasses qualities such as fame, respect, honor, and esteem. This concept is important in understanding how individuals are valued and recognized in society based on their social standing and achievements.

Explanation

According to Max Weber's system of stratification, prestige refers to the respect or regard that others have for a person or status position. It encompasses qualities such as fame, respect, honor, and esteem. This concept is important in understanding how individuals are valued and recognized in society based on their social standing and achievements.

9. A person who could afford the basic necessities but nothing more would be an example of:

Subjective poverty

Absolute poverty

Relative poverty

One of the majority of Americans

None of the above

Subjective poverty would be in comparison to your own goals of wealth, absolute poverty is not having enough money to live, and relative poverty is being able to afford necessities but not much more.

Explanation

Subjective poverty would be in comparison to your own goals of wealth, absolute poverty is not having enough money to live, and relative poverty is being able to afford necessities but not much more.

10. Systematic controls that society puts in place to encourage conformity and shun deviance are known technically as:

Social rules

Social laws

Social systems

Social controls

Schools, churches, and the industrial-military complex

Some of my other options might be valid in certain circles -- I don't know, for my class this is what they called it.

Explanation

Some of my other options might be valid in certain circles -- I don't know, for my class this is what they called it.

11. ________ is a category of people who have been singled out as inferior or superior, often on the basis of real or alleged physical characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, eye shape, or other subjectively selected attributes.

Culture

Ethnicity

Subordinate group

Immigrants

Race

Race is the correct answer because it refers to a category of people who have been singled out as inferior or superior based on physical characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, and eye shape. This categorization is often subjective and can lead to discrimination and inequality.

Explanation

Race is the correct answer because it refers to a category of people who have been singled out as inferior or superior based on physical characteristics such as skin color, hair texture, and eye shape. This categorization is often subjective and can lead to discrimination and inequality.

12. In his strain theory, sociologist Robert Merton identified five ways in which people adapt to cultural goals and approved ways of achieving them. In addition to conformity, Merton classified the remaining four types of adaptation as deviance. Which of the following was not a type of adaptation identified?

Innovation

Retreatism

Escapism

Rebellion

All of the above are adaptation types in strain theory

In his strain theory, sociologist Robert Merton identified five ways in which people adapt to cultural goals and approved ways of achieving them. These five types of adaptation are conformity, innovation, retreatism, rebellion, and ritualism. Escapism is not one of the types of adaptation identified by Merton.

Explanation

In his strain theory, sociologist Robert Merton identified five ways in which people adapt to cultural goals and approved ways of achieving them. These five types of adaptation are conformity, innovation, retreatism, rebellion, and ritualism. Escapism is not one of the types of adaptation identified by Merton.

13. Again referring to sociologist Robert Merton's strain theory, ________ occurs when people have no access to or desire for culturally acceptable goals, and also don't have any interest or ability in culturally acceptable ways of achieving them.

Innovation

Retreatism

Rebellion

Complacency

None of above

The four adaptations of Merton's strain theory are innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

Explanation

The four adaptations of Merton's strain theory are innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

14. Somebody who was very uncomfortable with people different than themselves would be displaying ______ "social distance".

Anti

Little

Medium

Quasi

Great

I don't know if this is a widespread term or not, but our class uses it a lot. Great social distance would be not wanting to be with different people, and little social distance would be being comfortable with different people.

Explanation

I don't know if this is a widespread term or not, but our class uses it a lot. Great social distance would be not wanting to be with different people, and little social distance would be being comfortable with different people.

15. There have been six characteristics that are usually attributed to highly prejudiced people, which one of the below is not one of these?

High levels of conformity

Highly superstitious

High levels of insecurity

More likely to submit to authority

All of the above are characteristics

Also display very rigid thinking and are highly intolerant (imagine that!)

Explanation

Also display very rigid thinking and are highly intolerant (imagine that!)

16. In relation to economic inequality, the dependency theory, world systems theory, and the new international division of labor theory are perspectives rooted in the ________ approach.

Postmodern

Functionalist

Conflict

Symbolic interactionist

Development

The correct answer is conflict. The dependency theory, world systems theory, and the new international division of labor theory all focus on the unequal distribution of resources and power in society. They argue that economic inequality is a result of conflicts between different social groups, such as the rich and the poor, or between developed and developing nations. These theories emphasize the role of power dynamics and social struggles in shaping economic inequality.

Explanation

The correct answer is conflict. The dependency theory, world systems theory, and the new international division of labor theory all focus on the unequal distribution of resources and power in society. They argue that economic inequality is a result of conflicts between different social groups, such as the rich and the poor, or between developed and developing nations. These theories emphasize the role of power dynamics and social struggles in shaping economic inequality.

17. Max Weber had a term for the extent to which we have control over basic resources. What was that term?

Social chance

Life chance

Dumb luck

Kharma

None of the above

Max Weber used the term "life chance" to refer to the extent to which individuals have control over basic resources. This concept encompasses the opportunities and possibilities that individuals have in life, such as access to education, healthcare, employment, and social support. Life chances are influenced by various factors such as social class, economic status, and institutional structures, and they play a crucial role in shaping individuals' life outcomes and overall well-being.

Explanation

Max Weber used the term "life chance" to refer to the extent to which individuals have control over basic resources. This concept encompasses the opportunities and possibilities that individuals have in life, such as access to education, healthcare, employment, and social support. Life chances are influenced by various factors such as social class, economic status, and institutional structures, and they play a crucial role in shaping individuals' life outcomes and overall well-being.

18. According to the ________, core values in the United States emphasize the importance of material possessions, hard work, individual initiative to get ahead, and behavior that supports the existing social structure. These same values support the prevailing resource distribution system and contribute to social inequality.

Functionalists

Symbolic interactionists

Liberals

Conflict theorists

Postmodern theory

Conflict theorists would argue that core values in the United States prioritize material possessions, hard work, individual initiative, and behavior that upholds the existing social structure. They believe that these values perpetuate social inequality by supporting the prevailing resource distribution system. Conflict theorists view society as a constant struggle for power and resources, with the dominant group using their influence to maintain their advantage over others. Therefore, conflict theorists would agree that these core values contribute to social inequality.

Explanation

Conflict theorists would argue that core values in the United States prioritize material possessions, hard work, individual initiative, and behavior that upholds the existing social structure. They believe that these values perpetuate social inequality by supporting the prevailing resource distribution system. Conflict theorists view society as a constant struggle for power and resources, with the dominant group using their influence to maintain their advantage over others. Therefore, conflict theorists would agree that these core values contribute to social inequality.

19. A negative attitude or belief used to pre-judge and based on broad overgeneralizations would be:

Racism

Discrimination

Stereotype

Prejudice

None of above

Racism is judging one "race" to be better or worse than another, discrimination is an action against a targeted individual, stereotype is a broad overgeneralization based on some characteristic.

Explanation

Racism is judging one "race" to be better or worse than another, discrimination is an action against a targeted individual, stereotype is a broad overgeneralization based on some characteristic.