ch1 study questions

Question 1

The main focus or unit of analysis for sociologists is the __________.

A) group
B) individual
C) stranger
D) upper class

Answer 1

A) group

Question 2

Natives usually perceive strangers __________.

A) objectively
B) hospitably
C) categorically
D) indifferently

Answer 2

C) categorically

Question 3

In a new social setting, strangers __________.

A) experience very few situations as potentially problematic
B) lack the natives’ knowledge of shared realities
C) are not aware of things unnoticed by the natives
D) are typically treated as equals with natives

Answer 3

B) lack the natives’ knowledge of shared realities

Question 4

4) The concept of a continuum with friction describes Parrillo’s idea of the __________.

A) adjustment from stranger to neighbor
B) idea that assimilation is not inevitable
C) centrality of shared religious beliefs leading to social cohesion
D) fact that economic conditions are of paramount importance

Answer 4

A) adjustment from stranger to neighbor

Question 5

Social distance studies capture __________ of groups at a given moment in time.

A) immigration patterns
B) social acceptance
C) social capital
D) social networking

Answer 5

B) social acceptance

Question 6

When a visiting Korean asks for pizza rather than sushi, the host may conclude that all Koreans like pizza. This is an
example of __________.

A) prejudice
B) categoric knowing
C) discrimination
D) intersubjective understanding

Answer 6

B) categoric knowing

Question 7

The adjustment from stranger to neighbor is __________.

A) a process
B) instantaneous
C) impossible
D) rare

Answer 7

A) a process

Question 8

When Americans say “hello” or “how are you?” this is an example of __________.

A) prejudice
B) categoric knowing
C) discrimination
D) intersubjective understanding

Answer 8

D) intersubjective understanding

Question 9

Jose, who is Mexican, moves from Mexico City to San Antonio. This is an example of __________.

A) emigration
B) assimilation
C) naturalization
D) nationalization

Answer 9

A) emigration

Question 10

Aristotle said we like “those like ourselves … of our own race or country or age or family, and generally those who are
on our own level.” Which of the following concepts best represents Aristotle’s statement?

A) Similarity and attraction
B) Identical preferences
C) Opposites attract
D) Group identification preference

Answer 10

A) Similarity and attraction

Question 11

A minority group __________.

A) is determined by a group’s numerical representation
B) is determined by a group’s relative power in society
C) is not tied to social status at all
D) can never achieve power in society

Answer 11

B) is determined by a group’s relative power in society

Question 12

A minority group __________.

A) can still be treated equally in society
B) is characterized by a feeling of group identity
C) is not often easily identifiable
D) usually practices exogamy

Answer 12

B) is characterized by a feeling of group identity

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of an ascribed status?

A) Writer
B) Mormon convert
C) African American
D) New immigrant

Answer 13

C) African American

Question 14

An __________ is a person who is a member of both dominant and minority groups.

A) American white woman who is a Buddhist
B) African American man born in Texas who lives in New York City
C) American citizen who visited Tanzania
D) African American woman with disabilities

Answer 14

A) American white woman who is a Buddhist

Question 15

Liam is a man who lives in the United States where males outnumber females. He is __________.

A) a member of a majority group
B) a member of a minority group
C) a stranger
D) a neighbor

Answer 15

A) a member of a majority group

Question 16

Variation in physical characteristics such as body build, hair texture, and skin color is due in part to __________.

A) biological race
B) racial discrimination
C) natural selection
D) evolutionary physical adaptation

Answer 16

D) evolutionary physical adaptation

Question 17

According to Parrillo, a category of people who share visible biological characteristics and are regarded as a single group is a(n)
__________.

A) race
B) ethnic group
C) social deviant
D) status

Answer 17

A) race

Question 18

A set of learned or acquired cultural traits shared by people is known as __________.

A) cultural capital
B) social capital
C) race
D) ethnicity

Answer 18

D) ethnicity

Question 19

Racism __________.

A) is a human invention
B) supports the superiority of the human race
C) forces the majority group to experience prejudice and discrimination
D) prevails when people believe that a small group of races is superior in some aspects to others

Answer 19

A) is a human invention

Question 20

__________ are an ethnic group.

A) Native Americans
B) Asian Americans
C) Black Americans
D) Bulgarian Americans

Answer 20

D) Bulgarian Americans

Question 21

The group to which an individual belongs and feels loyalty is known to sociologists as __________.

A) a group immigrating into the country
B) the dominant group
C) an ingroup
D) the reference group others imitate

Answer 21

C) an ingroup

Question 22

Underrepresenting non-European material in textbooks and classes exemplifies __________.

A) Afrocentrism
B) Eurocentrism
C) categoric knowing
D) reciprocal typification

Answer 22

B) Eurocentrism

Question 23

Ingroup favoritism is explained in part by __________.

A) upward mobility
B) ethnic antagonism
C) social identity theory
D) immigration quotas

Answer 23

C) social identity theory

Question 24

Social identity theory explains that __________.

A) the assumption that “we” are better than “they” does not often result in ridicule, contempt, or hatred toward the outgroup
B) the ingroup almost automatically views the outgroup as inferior
C) groups rarely retain their values and standards while recognizing the superiority of another group
D) countless people reject their own ingroup by becoming voluntary exiles, expatriates, and so on

Answer 24

B) the ingroup almost automatically views the outgroup as inferior

Question 25

Studying race and ethnic relations is __________. A) easier than most other subjects because of our familiarity with minority problems B) easier because most people are sensitive to the problems and needs of others C) difficult because our values, attitudes, and experiences make our objectivity almost impossible D) difficult because the subject defies a logical or scientific explanation

Answer 25

C) difficult because our values, attitudes, and experiences make our objectivity almost impossible

Question 26

__________ is a historical example of ethnocentrism. A) Manifest Destiny in China B) The “white man’s burden” in England C) The Vienna Conventions on diplomatic relations in Austria D) The African Crusaders of the thirteenth century

Answer 26

B) The “white man’s burden” in England

Question 27

Arguing Western civilization derives from the black African influence on Egyptian civilization is a bolder form of __________. A) Afrocentrism B) categoric knowing C) false consciousness D) interactionist theory

Answer 27

A) Afrocentrism

Question 28

In American culture, such things as freedom, individualism and equal opportunity are deemed to be highly desirable. In sociological terms these concepts are __________. A) mores B) desires C) norms D) values

Answer 28

D) values

Question 29

Susan, a Texas cattle rancher, thinks the Japanese custom of eating raw fish is disgusting. This is an example of __________. A) ethnicity B) ethnocentrism C) poor taste D) cultural relativism

Answer 29

D) cultural relativism

Question 30

Juan believes that Hispanic families are superior to white families. This belief is an example of which theory? A) social-referent group theory B) ethnic preference theory C) social identity theory D) outgroup discrimination theory

Answer 30

C) social identity theory

Question 31

An ethnic group held up as a role model for a newly arrived group was probably __________. A) an object of scorn and condemnation itself at one time B) the beneficiary of governmental assistance C) a political force from the time they first immigrated D) quick to learn English and assimilate

Answer 31

A) an object of scorn and condemnation itself at one time

Question 32

__________ illustrates the Dillingham Flaw. A) An emphasis on preserving one’s culture B) A distrust of political solutions to end discrimination C) Criticism of a new immigrant group, compared to an earlier one D) The assumption that a minority group is lazy or immoral

Answer 32

C) Criticism of a new immigrant group, compared to an earlier one

Question 33

Mills states that an issue is a public matter when it is __________. A) not relevant to group behavior study in sociology B) less important than the welfare of the group C) only important to sociologists after thorough study of the group D) intricately connected to the larger historical context of society

Answer 33

D) intricately connected to the larger historical context of society

Question 34

Seeing the connection between one person’s story of being bought and sold into modern slavery and recognizing the patterns of increasing human trafficking worldwide requires use of a(n) __________. A) ethnocentric viewpoint B) modern understanding of an ethnic group C) psychological perspective D) sociological imagination

Answer 34

D) sociological imagination

Question 35

Social equilibrium is emphasized by __________. ``` A) functionalist theory B) the importance of social class C) imbalance of power D) symbolic interactionism ```

Answer 35

A) functionalist theory

Question 36

Karl Marx believed that the elite exploited the masses and that this exploitation created tensions and disagreements. Marx’s theory is best known as __________. A) conflict perspective B) functionalist perspective C) interactionist perspective D) unfair perspective

Answer 36

A) conflict perspective

Question 37

A conflict perspective focuses on __________. A) how meaning is created in interactions B) who benefits in a particular situation C) the dysfunctions in society D) the psychology of individuals

Answer 37

B) who benefits in a particular situation

Question 38

When marrying, members of a minority group usually practice __________. A) endogamy B) exogamy C) polyandry D) polygamy

Answer 38

A) endogamy

Question 39

A sociologist who investigates how people interpret the situations they are in is probably a(n) __________. A) functionalist B) conflict theorist C) interactionist D) societist

Answer 39

C) interactionist

Question 40

Conflict theorists believe that the North Korean communist regime __________. A) was created by shared expectations among individuals B) maintains North Korean political harmony C) has only temporary dysfunctions D) was created to act against false consciousness

Answer 40

D) was created to act against false consciousness

Question 41

Even though women make up a statistical majority, they do not have equal representation in government and face significant economic inequalities. This illustrates the idea that minority groups __________. A) receive unequal treatment as a group B) are easily identifiable because of distinguishing physical or cultural characteristics that are held in high esteem C) are biologically similar D) are rare in modern societies

Answer 41

A) receive unequal treatment as a group

Question 42

Sociologically, meeting a spouse at work would be considered a __________. A) latent function of workplaces B) manifest function of workplaces C) latent dysfunction of workplaces D) a manifest dysfunction of workplaces

Answer 42

B) manifest function of workplaces

Question 43

Matt believes that the frustrations and struggles between social groups and classes are what structure and determine society. He is a __________. A) conflict theorist B) functionalist C) symbolic interactionist D) racist

Answer 43

A) conflict theorist

Question 44

Bill believes that assimilation is the key to understanding racial and ethnic differences and that economic equality will follow. His views are in line with __________ theory. A) functionalist B) conflict C) interactionist D) feminis

Answer 44

C) interactionist