Social Groups & Organizations

Question 1

In-group favoritism - bias towards one’s in-group, feeling they are special; out-group derogation - believing out-groups are inferior; illustrated by a 1954 study by Muzafer & Carolyn Sherif.

Answer 1

In-group favoritism vs. out-group derogation

Question 2

Avoiding working harder than other group members, which would make you a ‘sucker’.

Answer 2

Sucker effect

Question 3

conformity because of desire to fit in.

Answer 3

Social conformity

Question 4

Define rules; ask for full participation; divide into smaller groups; urge healthy debate; discuss all alternatives; ask outside experts; ask leaders to share at the end; have a devil’s advocate.

Answer 4

Ways to reduce groupthink

Question 5

The idea that people will expend less effort in a group to achieve a goal because they believe other members of the group will take care of things.

Answer 5

Social loafing

Question 6

Weber’s term for an overly-rationalized society; people in such a society are trapped by lack of freedom because everything is overly-organized and there is no way to stray from expectations

Answer 6

Iron cage

Question 7

A system where the group discusses and comes to a consensus; the leader still has final say, but uses the group to help inform their choice; effective but slower

Answer 7

Democratic decision-making

Question 8

The theoretical perspective that describes society as historically unequal between women and men and looks to obtain equality

Answer 8

Feminism in sociology

Question 9

People use this to choose between right and wrong - morals and values play a strong role

Answer 9

Substantive rationality

Question 10

Predictability (always get what you expect); calculability (quantity over quality); efficiency (fast, easy service); control (specific directions lead to specific results)

Answer 10

George Ritzer’s 4 principles of McDonaldization

Question 11

Used when choosing whether something is right or wrong - based on formal rules and laws

Answer 11

Formal rationality

Question 12

A system where leaders make the major decisions for a group themselves; can be helpful when timeliness or efficiency are important

Answer 12

Authoritarian decision-making

Question 13

A type of formal organization which keeps control because its members share a commitment based in morality; members are voluntary and join because they think it is the right thing to do

Answer 13

Normative organization

Question 14

A purposefully built group with specific goals; characteristics include: a division between power and labor; written rules for the organization; a process for replacing group members

Answer 14

Formal organizations

Question 15

The theory that society is essentially a system of interconnected parts that affect each other and work together to function

Answer 15

Structural-functional theory

Question 16

Logic used to go about daily tasks in a practical way

Answer 16

Practical rationality

Question 17

Decrease in intimacy and loyalty; decrease in obligation and responsibility; fewer contributions to the group by each member; harder to reach agreement; increase in stability

Answer 17

Characteristics of groups larger than 3

Question 18

A type of social group that can vary in size; they are more impersonal than primary groups, and usually last for a shorter period of time; often found at school or work

Answer 18

Secondary groups

Question 19

Following orders (without question) in response to authority; differs from conformity, which occurs willingly in response to a group.

Answer 19

Obedience

Question 20

An in-group is the group of people that you belong to; an out-group is a group that you do not belong to

Answer 20

In-group vs. out-group

Question 21

A theory that believes society is composed of unequal groups, and this inherent inequality creates conflict and change.

Answer 21

Social-conflict theory

Question 22

A type of formal organization which uses force to retain control over those who belong to the organization.

Answer 22

Coercive organizations

Question 23

A type of social group that is close, usually small, and include long-standing intimate relationships; examples include nuclear families and close friends.

Answer 23

Primary groups

Question 24

Conceptualizing abstract concepts in the world around us; requires deductive and inductive reasoning

Answer 24

Theoretical rationality

Question 25

When a group values consensus over effective decision making for the sake of avoiding conflict.

Answer 25

Groupthink

Question 26

A style where leaders allow groups to make decisions completely independently

Answer 26

Laissez-Faire decision-making

Question 27

A type of formal organization which uses bartering to keep control - members can gain something by being a part of the group

Answer 27

Utilitarian organizations

Question 28

A type of group that people look to for cues on behavior; thought of as role models or standards against which to measure yourself

Answer 28

Reference groups

Question 29

Specifically about achieving goals and making sure tasks get done.

Answer 29

Instrumental leadership

Question 30

Sees society as a reflection of the interactions between people; evaluates small interactions to make conclusions about larger society.

Answer 30

Symbolic interactionism theory

Question 31

conformity because of wanting to be liked

Answer 31

normative conformity

Question 32

conformity because of wanting to be right

Answer 32

informational conformity

Question 33

giving less effort because you think your work won’t affect the outcome.

Answer 33

free-rider effect

Question 34

Focus on group cohesion and positive atmosphere.

Answer 34

expressive leadership