Ch. 5 - Social Structure

Question 1

the external forces, most notably social hierarchy, norms, and institutions, that provide the context for individual and group action

Answer 1

social structure

Question 2

The foundation of social order is known as __________

Answer 2

social structure

Question 3

Which of the following is an example of a component of social structure?

Answer 3

a college

Question 4

Some sociologists think of the social structure of society as like a multi-floor building. Which of the following could be another way to think of social structure?

Answer 4

a video game with increasing levels

Question 5

Mel wants to learn about the different components of social structure. Which of the following research studies would best help her achieve this?

Answer 5

observing how governmental laws influence wealthy and poor people differently

Question 6

Sociologists ________ what is “structural” in a society and what is not.

Answer 6

sometimes disagree about

Question 7

a position within an institution or organization that comes with specific social expectations for how to behave and be treated

Answer 7

role

Question 8

the transitions individuals make as they age through their lives. Typical life course includes childhood, adolescence, transition to adulthood

Answer 8

life course

Question 9

any relationship between individuals or groups that is unequal and provides one person or group with more status and power than another

Answer 9

social hierarchies

Question 10

the ability to influence the behavior of others

Answer 10

power

Question 11

the ability or right to have special access to opportunities or claims on rewards

Answer 11

privilege

Question 12

discrimination

Answer 12

any behavior, practice, or policy that harms, excludes or disadvantages individuals on the basis of their group membership

Question 13

a conscious, concerted, and sustained effort by ordinary people to change some aspect of their society by using extrainstitutional means

Answer 13

social movement

Question 14

The rules and expectations that are associated with different positions are known as a person’s _________

Answer 14

role

Question 15

In a certain town, Person A owns a company and makes a much higher income than his employees. In this town, there is an initiative to make it illegal for owners to make significantly more than employees. Which of the following best predicts how Person A will most likely behave?

Answer 15

Person A will try to maintain the social structure and will vote to oppose the initiative.

Question 16

Which of the following is an example of a limit society places on certain people so that those people have difficulty moving up into higher social positions?

Answer 16

the glass ceiling

Question 17

Which of the following is another way to define the term “immigration”?

Answer 17

when a person takes up residence in a new country

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of an individual experiencing discrimination?

Answer 18

A new student, wearing worn-out clothing, is not allowed to sit at a table by students who wear expensive clothing.

Question 19

are one critical way in which social structures gain power over us as individuals

Answer 19

norms and rules

Question 20

the process by which a social practice or organization begins to become an institution; the introduction of formal roles and rules in an organized form.

Answer 20

institutionalization

Question 21

Years ago, it was uncommon for the average American to attend college. Now, it is common and it is expected that many Americans will attend college. This is an example of ________.

Answer 21

the institutionalization of an idea

Question 22

What type of organization is also a social institution?

Answer 22

a school

Question 23

Which of the following statements best describes the difference between social norms and formal rules?

Answer 23

Norms are things we just know, whereas rules are things we may have to look up in a legal code to find.

Question 24

Sociologists refer to the range of the gov’t and legal branches, including agencies and offices of the gov’t, law-making bodies, the legal system, the military, and even the Constitution, as _______.

Answer 24

the state

Question 25

A sociologist observes a group of graffiti artists and notices that the group celebrates a finished piece of graffiti by pouring a little soda onto the graffiti. What question should the sociologist ask the graffiti artists in order to find out if this is an institution?

Answer 25

How long have graffiti artists celebrated finished graffiti in this way?

Question 26

The process by which individuals come to understand the expectations and norms of their groups as well as the various roles they transition into over the life course and how to behave in society or in particular social settings.

Answer 26

socialization

Question 27

What is the process by which people learn the standards and expectations of their culture?

Answer 27

socialization

Question 28

Which of the following statements is true about social structures?

Answer 28

social structures both limit people and give people a sense of identity

Question 29

Many sociologists believe that people have free will. Which of the following details supports this belief?

Answer 29

History shows how societies change over time

Question 30

Although the saying suggests that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” sociologist know that _________.

Answer 30

people continue to learn and adapt to new situations in life all of the time

Question 31

A sociologists observes a family of immigrants in their new country and notices how the family eats dinner outside every night to celebrate during a special religious period. What question should the sociologist ask the immigrant family in order to find out if this is an example of socialization?

Answer 31

Did you celebrate the religious period in the same way in your old country?

Question 32

the process by which the historical legacies and outcomes of the past impact actors and organizations in the present, making some choices or outcomes appear logical and others illogical

Answer 32

path dependency

Question 33

an organization established to promote that interests of a group or corporation, especially in Congress or at the level of state government

Answer 33

interest group

Question 34

A husband and wife just had their first child. The husband would like to stay home with the child while the wife goes back to work, but the wife receives more leave from her job than her husband. So the wife stays home with the child. The decisions for the wife to stay home is an example of _________.

Answer 34

path dependency

Question 35

A group of city residents is frustrated that so many firehouses are being closed around the city. This group wants the firehouse in their neighborhood left open. They protest in front of city hall, write letters, and collect signatures. Eventually, they convince the city to leave the firehouse in their neighborhood, even though the city continues to close other firehouses. This group illustrates __________.

Answer 35

the ability for interest groups to influence society

Question 36

Which of the following situations highlights the relationship between path dependency and social structure?

Answer 36

Phil does not want to get a ticket so he stops at stop lights that are red, even if it is the middle of the night and there are no other cars at the intersection.

Question 37

One reason social structures are likely to persist is simply because there is often __________ existing roles/hierarchies and norms/institutions

Answer 37

broad public support for

Question 38

As social systems begin to change, there is often a _________ where key events establish new norms, rules or ways of doing things

Answer 38

critical juncture

Question 39

Which of the following is the best definition of the term “social structure”?

Answer 39

a collection of different parts of society

Question 40

Which of the following is a true statement about social structures?

Answer 40

all societies have a form of social structure.

Question 41

Which of the following describes how social structures are most likely to change?

Answer 41

a part of a social structure might change gradually and over time

Question 42

Which of the following correctly defines the term “institution”?

Answer 42

a long-lasting social custom or tradition

Question 43

_________ refers to a well-structured set of content and lessons for people to learn

Answer 43

Curriculum

Question 44

Which of the following statement about social structures is true?

Answer 44

social structures tend to endure for long periods

Question 45

Which of the following best highlights the relationship between the state and the individual?

Answer 45

the state can have an enormous impact on individual lives through shifts in government power

Question 46

A contemporary sociologist is asked to express his viewpoint about social structure and individuals. Which of the following statements is the contemporary sociologist most likely to say?

Answer 46

“Life is a balance between an individuals free will and society’s deeply ingrained structure”

Question 47

Which of the following correctly define the term “social hierarchy”?

Answer 47

groups within society that have different social statuses

Question 48

Which of the following statements best reflect the relationship between power and privilege?

Answer 48

people who are granted privileges in their society are likely to have more access to power than others.

Question 49

Which of the following best highlights the relationship between social class and an individual’s life chances?

Answer 49

a woman is less likely to get promoted to a position that pays a higher salary than a man

Question 50

Which of the following highlights the relationship between social roles and playing games?

Answer 50

children may play games that include role playing. By practicing to be adults, these children are learning their assigned roles.

Question 51

Alycia was raised by wealthy family, whereas Brandi was raised by a family in poverty. According to sociologists, how will their lives most likely be different?

Answer 51

Alycia will receive more life chances than Brandi

Question 52

An immigrant moves to a new country. In the immigrant’s old country, people used their right hands to hold forks while eating. In the immigrant’s new country, people use both their right and their left hands to eat. Soon, the immigrant begins using both her left and right hands to eat. This is an example of ________.

Answer 52

socialization

Question 53

Immigrants have come to the United States form many different countries; in recent years many immigrants have come from Mexico. If the Mexican American population continues to grow in the United States, which of the following is most likely to happen?

Answer 53

Americans may feel threatened and may exclude Mexican American by active discrimination