Sociology Unit 2 - Culture

The spread of cultural characteristics from one group to another refers to __ ______.

• cultural diffusion
• values
• cultural universals
• folkways

In 1906, sociologist William Sumner made the comment, "One's own group is the center of everything, and all others are scaled and rated with reference to it." This statement is most aligned with the concept of _______ _.

• the cultural universal
• the relativist fallacy
• cultural relativism
• enthnocentrism

When Harry returned from a business meeting in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, his wife asked him what he thought of the Vietnamese people. Harry replied, "They're primitive people who eat animals from the streets, drive wildly around town on motor scooters, and talk very fast." Harry's reply best qualifies as an example of ________.

• cultural diffusion
• the relativist fallacy
• ethnocentrism
• the self-fulfilling prophecy

All of the following statements are examples of countercultures, EXCEPT for which one?

• individuals advocating the legalization of prostitution
• Chicago Cubs fans
• bikers in an outlaw motorcycle club
• gang members operating in the San Quentin prison

A person receiving a positive sanction would be expected to maintain the behavior that he or she exhibited when receiving the sanction.

• True
• False

Americans usually recognize hard work, education, and efficiency as desired qualities. Where one of these qualities is found, the other two also apply. This is an example of ________.

• a normative cluster
• emergent values
• cultural leveling
• value cluster

Within a few blocks in midtown Manhattan, you can purchase a bagel with cream cheese, a hot dog, a steak, a polish sausage, or a pizza, as well as chow mein, lamb curry, sushi, lasagna, falafels, chicken couscous, enchiladas, and a host of ethnic specialties. This range of culinary possibilities illustrates the process of ________.

• cultural diffusion
• cultural discovery
• cultural innovation
• cultural absolutism

Receiving the Medal of Honor and making the Dean's List are both examples of ________.

• folkways
• positive sanctions
• value clusters
• value contradictions

Language, beliefs, values, norms, behavior, material objects, and technology that are passed from one generation to the next by members of society describe ________.

• tradition
• culture
• science
• experience

In recent years, cultures have become more similar to each other as a result of travel and communication. Sociologists use the term "________" to describe this process.

• cultural adaptation
• cultural dissolution
• cultural leveling
• cultural bridging