Sociology - Ch 3

The theory that people's perception of the world is influenced by the language they speak is called the

• cultural universal theory.
• Sapir-Whorf hypothesis.
• culture/counterculture theory.
• informal sanctions hypothesis.

Which of the following is not a type of norm?

• folkway
• more
• value
• law

In the United States, most people believe that every citizen should vote in elections. This is an example of a(n)

• subculture.
• value.
• instinct.
• taboo.

Sociobiologists believe that

• virtually all of our behavior is based on our environment.
• human beings have no instincts and must be taught everything they know.
• culture rarely changes regardless of what happens in the world.
• most of our behavior has a biological basis.

In the 1960s, African Americans boycotted some businesses that practiced segregation. This was an example of a(n)

• value.
• law.
• informal sanction.
• formal sanction.

When members of a high school believe their school is better than the one across town and have a strong athletic rivalry with that school, they are exhibiting

• an informal sanction.

• ethnocentrism.

• a norm.

• the violation of a taboo.

Which of the following is NOT an example of a cultural universal?

• men being the head of the family
• showing hospitality to guests
• preparing meals
• marriage rituals

Which of the following is a symbol?

• your school mascot
• drinking when thirsty
• voting in a school election
• being punished for skipping school

Robert thinks that as long as he wears a medallion (like the picture above) his mother gave him, he is safe from harm. This is an example of a

• drive .

• belief.

• value .

• taboo .

Assume that most members of a particular society believe everyone should have the same opportunities regardless of their race. However, in reality, many people discriminate against members of minority groups. Which of the following best describes this situation?

• This society's formal sanctions are stronger than its informal sanctions.
• This society believes that environment has a stronger influence than heredity.
• The actual culture is different from the ideal culture.
• These people are not ethnocentric.