Ch. 5 - Social Structure Flashcards
the external forces, most notably social hierarchy, norms, and institutions, that provide the context for individual and group action
social structure
The foundation of social order is known as __________
social structure
Which of the following is an example of a component of social structure?
a college
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?
a video game with increasing levels
Mel wants to learn about the different components of social structure. Which of the following research studies would best help her achieve this?
observing how governmental laws influence wealthy and poor people differently
Sociologists ________ what is “structural” in a society and what is not.
sometimes disagree about
a position within an institution or organization that comes with specific social expectations for how to behave and be treated
role
the transitions individuals make as they age through their lives. Typical life course includes childhood, adolescence, transition to adulthood
life course
any relationship between individuals or groups that is unequal and provides one person or group with more status and power than another
social hierarchies
the ability to influence the behavior of others
power
the ability or right to have special access to opportunities or claims on rewards
privilege
discrimination
any behavior, practice, or policy that harms, excludes or disadvantages individuals on the basis of their group membership
a conscious, concerted, and sustained effort by ordinary people to change some aspect of their society by using extrainstitutional means
social movement
The rules and expectations that are associated with different positions are known as a person’s _________
role
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?
Person A will try to maintain the social structure and will vote to oppose the initiative.
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?
the glass ceiling
Which of the following is another way to define the term “immigration”?
when a person takes up residence in a new country
Which of the following is an example of an individual experiencing discrimination?
A new student, wearing worn-out clothing, is not allowed to sit at a table by students who wear expensive clothing.
are one critical way in which social structures gain power over us as individuals
norms and rules
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.
institutionalization
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 ________.
the institutionalization of an idea
What type of organization is also a social institution?
a school
Which of the following statements best describes the difference between social norms and formal rules?
Norms are things we just know, whereas rules are things we may have to look up in a legal code to find.
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 _______.
the state
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?
How long have graffiti artists celebrated finished graffiti in this way?
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.
socialization
What is the process by which people learn the standards and expectations of their culture?
socialization
Which of the following statements is true about social structures?
social structures both limit people and give people a sense of identity
Many sociologists believe that people have free will. Which of the following details supports this belief?
History shows how societies change over time
Although the saying suggests that “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks,” sociologist know that _________.
people continue to learn and adapt to new situations in life all of the time
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?
Did you celebrate the religious period in the same way in your old country?
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
path dependency
an organization established to promote that interests of a group or corporation, especially in Congress or at the level of state government
interest group
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 _________.
path dependency
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 __________.
the ability for interest groups to influence society
Which of the following situations highlights the relationship between path dependency and social structure?
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.
One reason social structures are likely to persist is simply because there is often __________ existing roles/hierarchies and norms/institutions
broad public support for
As social systems begin to change, there is often a _________ where key events establish new norms, rules or ways of doing things
critical juncture
Which of the following is the best definition of the term “social structure”?
a collection of different parts of society
Which of the following is a true statement about social structures?
all societies have a form of social structure.
Which of the following describes how social structures are most likely to change?
a part of a social structure might change gradually and over time
Which of the following correctly defines the term “institution”?
a long-lasting social custom or tradition
_________ refers to a well-structured set of content and lessons for people to learn
Curriculum
Which of the following statement about social structures is true?
social structures tend to endure for long periods
Which of the following best highlights the relationship between the state and the individual?
the state can have an enormous impact on individual lives through shifts in government power
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?
“Life is a balance between an individuals free will and society’s deeply ingrained structure”
Which of the following correctly define the term “social hierarchy”?
groups within society that have different social statuses
Which of the following statements best reflect the relationship between power and privilege?
people who are granted privileges in their society are likely to have more access to power than others.
Which of the following best highlights the relationship between social class and an individual’s life chances?
a woman is less likely to get promoted to a position that pays a higher salary than a man
Which of the following highlights the relationship between social roles and playing games?
children may play games that include role playing. By practicing to be adults, these children are learning their assigned roles.
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?
Alycia will receive more life chances than Brandi
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 ________.
socialization
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?
Americans may feel threatened and may exclude Mexican American by active discrimination
