Sociology - Final Exam

Which status plays the greatest role in shaping a person’s life and determining his or her social identity?

• achieved status

• ascribed status

• master status

• none of these

Answer explanation

Master status is the most significant status that shapes a person's identity and life experiences, often overriding other statuses. It can determine how individuals are perceived and treated in society.

Which of the following is not an example of ascribed status?

• age

• knowledge

• gender

• race

Answer explanation

Ascribed status refers to characteristics individuals are born with, such as age, gender, and race. Knowledge, however, is an achieved status, as it is acquired through experience and education, making it the correct answer.

Which of the following are examples of achieved status?

• basketball player

• actor

• musician

• all of these

Answer explanation

Achieved status refers to a social position acquired through personal effort or achievements. A basketball player, actor, and musician all attain their status through talent and hard work, making 'all of these' the correct choice.

The socially determined behaviors expected of a person performing a role are

• role performances.

• reciprocal roles.

• role strains.

• role expectations.

Answer explanation

Role expectations refer to the socially determined behaviors that are anticipated from individuals in specific roles, making this the correct choice. Other options like role performances and role strains do not capture this concept accurately.

What do sociologists term the different roles attached to a single status?

• role set

• role strain

• role conflict

• role accommodation

Answer explanation

Sociologists refer to the various roles associated with a single status as a 'role set'. This concept highlights how one status can encompass multiple roles that an individual may perform in different contexts.

Which of the following is an example of a role conflict?

• A boss must make employees work harder and maintain good morale.

• A person goes through a divorce and starts dating again.

• An employee must stay home to take care of their sick child.

• none of these

Answer explanation

Role conflict occurs when a person faces competing demands from different roles. In this case, the employee must balance work responsibilities with the need to care for their sick child, creating a conflict between these roles.

Which is a group with statuses and roles that are organized to satisfy one or more basic needs of a society?

• reference group

• social institution

• in-group

• social network

Answer explanation

A social institution is a structured group with defined roles and statuses that fulfills essential societal needs, such as family, education, and religion, making it the correct answer.

Which statement best describes reciprocity?

• the action of choosing an option that is satisfactory for two or more people or groups

• the action of doing something for someone after that person has done something for you

• the deliberate attempt to control a person or group by force

• the action of temporarily stopping violence between two nations that are at war

Answer explanation

Reciprocity refers to the practice of responding to a positive action with another positive action, creating a mutual benefit. Thus, the correct choice is the action of doing something for someone after that person has done something for you.

Which are examples of social interaction that take place throughout the world?

• exchange and competition

• conflict and accommodation

• both a and b

• neither a nor b

Answer explanation

Social interactions like exchange, competition, conflict, and accommodation are universal. Both options a and b represent valid forms of social interaction that occur globally, making 'both a and b' the correct choice.

Which of the following is a deliberate attempt to control or harm someone with few or no rules of conduct?

• exchange

• competition

• conflict

• cooperation

Answer explanation

Conflict is characterized by a deliberate attempt to control or harm others, often lacking formal rules. In contrast, exchange, competition, and cooperation involve more structured interactions.