Exam Questions Chapter.3 Culture

Experience Sociology, 4e (Croteau)

Chapter 3 Culture

1) How does the statement "We are like fish in water" apply to the concept of culture?

A) Like fish, we rely on a specialized environment in order to survive.

B) Our culture seems natural to us and we take it as a given.

C) Cultural practices have become universal and natural around the world.

D) Many aspects of culture are still foreign to most people.

2) A large group of people who live together in a specific area and share a culture is known as a

A) cultural grouping.

B) megacity.

C) territory.

D) society.

3) What is another way to refer to culture?

A) a way of life

B) our actualized self

C) who we are, but not what we are

D) a collection of objects

4) Judy attends a small, private, Catholic high school in the suburb in which she and her parents live. Her brothers and sister attend this school as well. Judy likes her friends and the education that she receives. Sometimes she is jealous of her friends in the public high school because they can wear whatever they like and the rules are not as strict as in her high school. Judy knows that she needs to follow these rules. Judy's situation reflects culture operating at which level?

A) micro

B) macro

C) meso

D) mini

5) Cars, homes, and boats would be considered what aspect of culture?

A) material

B) nonmaterial

C) superficial

D) disposable

6) Where does nonmaterial culture exist?

A) in the clothes that we wear

B) in the world of thoughts and ideas

C) in the physical world

D) in objects that people make

7) In the United States, when stepping into an elevator, people often move to the back to allow others to get on or get off. This is an example of

A) a value.

B) a belief.

C) knowledge.

D) a norm.

8) In many European democracies, citizens are provided with a strong government safety net. Which of the following best describes these societies?

A) individualistic

B) collective

C) libertarian

D) informal

9) Which of the following statements is generally true about the United States?

A) Most people profess a high commitment to their community.

B) People are willing to pay more taxes to support the greater good of society.

C) People are highly individualistic.

D) People place an emphasis on collective responsibility.

10) Robin Williams is a sociologist who identified fifteen American values. All of the following are among the items in that list EXCEPT for

A) activity and work.

B) conformity.

C) universalism.

D) progress.

11) The appreciation of and concern for all humanity is referred to as

A) universalism.

B) benevolence.

C) hedonism.

D) conformity.

12) The seeking of personal pleasure is referred to as

A) universalism.

B) benevolence.

C) hedonism.

D) conformity.

13) Which of the following values would dominate in a theocratic society, ruled or controlled by religious authorities, like in Iran or Saudi Arabia?

A) tradition and conformity

B) self-direction and individualism

C) stimulation and hedonism

D) democracy and progress

14) Anisa lives and works in Washington, D.C. She has a very stable job that provides her with a good income and standard of living. As she goes to work each day, she notices that there are many homeless people, often with signs asking for help or with cups out asking for spare change. Anisa notices that many people walk by and often give these people looks of disgust. She believes that it's important to support those in our society who live in poverty or are homeless. She often gives money, buys someone a meal, or takes food to the local food bank. Why does Anisa engage in these behaviors?

A) She is worried that she could end up homeless.

B) She feels that she will have to move to another city if she can't get the homeless off of the streets.

C) She dislikes the homeless and hopes that they will eventually move somewhere else.

D) She values helping the poor and feels that her behavior and actions should match what she values.

15) Which researcher has found that there are about ten distinct values that have a similar meaning across cultures?

A) Shalom Schwartz

B) Robin Williams

C) Susan Marsh

D) Emily Smart

16) The disagreement about handing out condoms in schools is an example of a

A) cultural lag.

B) cultural distinction.

C) culture war.

D) culture clash.

17) In most countries, citizens hold their country in high regard and typically have high levels of patriotism. After the United States experienced the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, many Americans felt even more patriotic and viewed the United States as the best country in the world. What does this view reflect?

A) a value

B) a conviction

C) a moral dilemma

D) a belief

18) Observers have pointed out that culture wars are the product of

A) conservatives.

B) liberals.

C) socialists.

D) moderates.

19) Why are the issues of abortion and gay rights so contentious in the United States, as compared to in other industrialized nations?

A) People enjoy debating these issues.

B) The high level of religiosity in the U.S. tends to influence political debates.

C) There are many American politicians who try to make these issues contentious.

D) Americans try too hard to separate issues of church and state.

20) Nahid was born and raised in a town with a population of about 20,000 people. Her family never left their small town so she didn't really think about it either. She attended college about thirty miles from home. When she decided to look for a job, she knew that she might have to move in order to find her dream job. She received a job offer from a company in New York City. When she moved there, she found that it was radically different on many levels from where she grew up. She knew that it would take time for her to adjust. What was Nahid experiencing by moving and living in New York City?

A) tunnel vision

B) groupthink

C) culture shock

D) cultural explosion

21) Siobhan was traveling to Spain for the first time. She had never traveled to Europe before but was very excited and wanted to be well prepared. She spent a lot of time checking out library books, talking to travel agents, and reading many articles and viewing pictures posted on the Internet. When she went to Spain, Siobhan encountered very little for which she was not prepared, but if she did, on what would she rely?

A) cultural knowledge

B) good guesswork

C) cultural deduction

D) social etiquette

22) Which of the following statements about norms is FALSE?

A) Norms can tell people what they should do as well as what they should not do.

B) Norms are rigid.

C) Norms can bridge a culture's ideas and practices.

D) Norms can change over time.

23) Norms for participation in the online world are known as

A) etiquette.

B) cultural rituals.

C) netiquette.

D) cyber rules.

24) Which of the following describes the ways that new technological developments often outpace the norms that govern our collective experiences with these new technologies?

A) culture war

B) culture lag

C) culture shock

D) cultural value

25) The internet has made it possible for most people to order all their clothing online. While this may be a preference for some people, most people still go to shopping malls and stores to purchase their clothing. People might give a variety of reasons for not wanting to use the internet exclusively. What likely accounts for the difference in preference?

A) Many people are not knowledgeable about how to order clothing online.

B) There is a cultural lag between having the internet and using the technology to its full capacity.

C) Many consumers don't have their own personal computer, which makes online shopping difficult.

D) There is fear, often generated by advertisers, that discourages consumers from making online purchases.

26) All of the following were identified as netiquette norms EXCEPT for

A) never posting in all caps.

B) refraining from asking questions before reading the FAQs.

C) not feeding the trolls.

D) using photographic filters that do not portray the real you.

27) If your cell phone rings in the library and others give you a disapproving look, you have likely violated a(n)

A) formal regulation.

B) informal norm.

C) more.

D) folkway.

28) What is the difference between a more and a folkway?

A) Mores are more strictly enforced than folkways.

B) They are similar and can be used interchangeably.

C) Folkways are more severe than mores.

D) Violating a folkway may lead to public shame.

29) Steve decided to go with his friend Wendy to visit a nudist retreat. Of course, everyone Steve encountered was naked. He didn't quite feel comfortable walking around completely naked, so he chose to be partially clothed. A few people stared at Steve. In that setting, what was Steve violating by being partially clothed?

A) a more

B) a taboo

C) a folkway

D) a formal norm

30) A sound, gesture, image, or object that represents something else is known as a(n)

A) communication device.

B) new technology.

C) emoticon.

D) symbol.

31) Alia and Geoff have recently begun to date one another. They communicate through a variety of means such as talking on the phone, texting, and e-mailing, as well as video chatting. They both like to plan events in advance. They call one another to discuss what they are going to do the following week on their date. They are able to make plans because of a shared

A) gesture.

B) folkway.

C) language.

D) belief system.

32) Which of the following statements about language is FALSE?

A) Language is the use of symbols to communicate with others in a complex way.

B) Sharing a language means sharing a culture.

C) We can accumulate and store information through language.

D) Language allows us to forge a shared history.

33) A variant of a language with its unique accent and vocabulary is known as a

A) dialect.

B) didactic.

C) speech.

D) regionalism.

34) What is the key concept underlying the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis?

A) Language allows for the easy translation of words from one culture to another.

B) Languages affect how their speakers think and behave.

C) Some cultures have evolved to have more sophisticated language than others.

D) New words and concepts are rarely developed and have remained stable over time.

35) What perspective emphasizes micro-level interactions?

A) functionalist

B) conflict

C) feminist

D) symbolic interactionist

36) What did Lori Holyfield's research reveal about the symbol of the Confederate flag?

A) There were multiple meanings given to the Confederate flag.

B) It was first used by members of the Ku Klux Klan.

C) Southerners still consider it a racist symbol.

D) Most students in the South had a very good understanding of the symbolic meaning of the flag.

37) When people teach their children to push only the button of the floor that they need when going into the elevator, what is the purpose?

A) to show their children what real culture is

B) to show the symbolism in pushing the appropriate button

C) to teach appropriate behaviors

D) to show them that culture in the U.S. is more refined than in other countries

38) Iman believes that all people should have equal opportunities and be treated equally. However, as she has gotten to know a wide variety of people and circumstances she has come to realize that, in reality, in our society people do not always have equal opportunities and are often not treated fairly. What would her beliefs be classified as?

A) ideal culture

B) real culture

C) a cultural gap

D) a cultural delay

39) Women continue to receive lower wages for similar jobs in society. This is an example of

A) cultural lag.

B) ideal culture.

C) social phenomenon.

D) real culture.

40) Actions associated with a group that help to reproduce a distinctive way of life are known as

A) symbols.

B) values.

C) behaviors.

D) gestures.

41) Which of the following statements is FALSE about cultural objects?

A) They are often variations of basic items.

B) They are a part of nonmaterial culture as well as material culture.

C) They are created by and associated with people who share a culture.

D) Media products are also cultural objects.

42) Maria is Hispanic and teaches elementary school. She wants to teach her students a little about her culture. She wants to share her knowledge of cooking with the students. She takes flour tortillas, a tortilla pan, tortilla chips, and salsa to her school classroom. Which of the above items could be considered cultural objects?

A) flour tortillas, tortilla pan, chips, salsa, classroom, school

B) only the flour tortillas, tortilla pan, chips, and salsa

C) only the classroom and school

D) only the flour tortillas, chips, and salsa

43) What is a system of meaning that helps define, explain, and make value judgments about the world?

A) cultural universal

B) hypothesis

C) theory

D) ideology

44) Which of the following statements would be considered a dominant ideology in the United States?

A) Women should stay at home while men should be the breadwinners.

B) People should be able to practice whatever religion that they choose.

C) Gay marriage should be allowed in all states.

D) There should be a uniform religion throughout the country.

45) Japanese students typically attend school more hours per day than American students. In Japan, learning is more group-centered and focused than in the United States. Teamwork and cooperation are also stressed in Japanese schools, whereas students in the United States are taught to have more individualistic values. What would explain the differences between Japanese and American schools?

A) Americans are unable to keep schools open year-round because of the costs of maintaining the buildings.

B) Americans place more value and emphasis on family than the Japanese.

C) The dominant ideology in Japan supports a more cooperative education than the United States.

D) The dominant ideology in Japan discourages any kind of competition among students.

46) The ability to understand and address the needs of people from different cultures is referred to as

A) counter culture.

B) cultural shock.

C) cultural competence.

D) cultural lag.

47) Within a society, a culture in which the ideas and practices of those in power are represented is known as a(n)

A) ideal culture.

B) subculture.

C) dominant culture.

D) counterculture.

48) Which type of culture do the mass media typically represent and reflect?

A) ideal culture

B) dominant culture

C) counterculture

D) subculture

49) Suzanne wants to be a body builder. She works out four or five times a week at the gym. She has met many nice people there and she has a group with whom she can talk and train. Some members of this group have also become her friends and they are involved in social activities together. What would Suzanne and her group of friends be considered?

A) a triad

B) a subculture

C) a secondary group

D) a counterculture

50) Which of the following statements is true regarding subcultures?

A) Most subcultures are countercultures.

B) There are a few primary subcultures in the United States.

C) They are formal, organized groups.

D) They allow people to express distinct lifestyles and interests.

51) Subcultures—including countercultures—are often responsible for

A) bolstering the dominant culture.

B) introducing innovation and change to mainstream culture.

C) the cultural forms that are widely embraced by society.

D) preserving traditional practices.

52) Throughout much of Western history, images of white, professional, middle-class men represented the dominant culture. Why was this case?

A) There were comparatively few women, so they did not make a notable impact on society.

B) Minority groups did not desire to work in professional settings.

C) This is the group that was in power and saw themselves as representing the dominant culture.

D) Women felt that education and working in the labor force were unimportant.

53) Athletes who train and participate in triathlons would be considered examples of

A) a subculture.

B) ideal culture.

C) a counterculture.

D) dominant culture.

54) The Black Panthers and the Ku Klux Klan could be considered examples of

A) dominant cultures.

B) countercultures.

C) high culture.

D) real culture.

55) Which recent style has introduced music, language, and dance to raise awareness of racial discrimination?

A) zumba

B) reggae

C) techno

D) hip-hop

56) Historically, which group is most likely to have access to and experience high culture?

A) artists

B) elites

C) working class members

D) women

57) Which of the following terms indicates traditional practices, often passed on orally from generation to generation?

A) high culture

B) folk culture

C) real culture

D) ideal culture

58) People attending a college football game are participating in an example of

A) popular culture.

B) high culture.

C) ideal culture.

D) cultural diversity.

59) Jeff was raised in an upper-middle-class family. He attended private school throughout his high school years. In high school, he had many opportunities to attend art museums, the opera, ballet, symphonies, and many other cultural events. His family also enjoyed these activities, and once a month they took him and his two siblings to a major cultural event. If one was not available in their town they would travel to another large metropolitan city. These are examples of Jeff and his family experiencing

A) real culture.

B) sophisticated culture.

C) popular culture.

D) high culture.

60) Increasingly, people tend to measure the value of most cultural objects by their

A) contribution to society.

B) popularity.

C) profitability.

D) intrinsic worth.

61) When Fernando and Olivia moved from Mexico to the United States, they were expected to learn English. At their jobs, it was expected that they become fluent English speakers and that they would adapt to the dominant corporate culture. When they participated in the pot luck lunches at work, most people preferred that they bring an American dish. What were Fernando and Olivia experiencing?

A) cultural awareness

B) ethnic diversity

C) assimilation

D) multiculturalism

62) Many universities often value and celebrate cultural differences. This value is known as

A) colonialism.

B) multiculturalism.

C) assimilation.

D) tolerance.

63) Many multicultural communities will have signs available in both English and the languages spoken by the local community. What is the purpose for this?

A) to receive more federal funding by showing that a community is multicultural

B) to have the English speakers learn another language

C) to accommodate various cultural groups

D) to adhere to the United States "melting pot" ideals

64) Judging other cultures by the standards of one's own on the assumption that one's own is superior is known as

A) ethnocentrism.

B) xenophobia.

C) elitism.

D) cultural relativism.

65) Margie was learning about the Maasai people in Africa from her teacher. Her teacher was telling the class about the circumcision rituals that boys undergo at about the age of 10 when they are ready to become warriors. At this time, the boys paint their faces white and dress in black. Margie commented that this sounded like a very odd ritual and that she could not understand why anyone would want to be a part of this tribe. What was Margie exhibiting?

A) multiculturalism

B) cultural relativism

C) cultural devaluing

D) ethnocentrism

66) What is a primary goal of multicultural societies?

A) deciding which language should be the primary language spoken by everyone in public settings

B) making sure that all new immigrants assimilate to the dominant culture

C) making signs available in every language that is spoken

D) having people with different ways of life try to coexist

67) The unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners or people from other cultures is referred to as

A) ethnocentrism.

B) cultural relativism.

C) multiculturalism.

D) xenophobia.

68) People sharing a common language, worldview, history, and tradition can promote

A) cultural relativism.

B) consensus.

C) multiculturalism.

D) conflict.

69) Which of the following groups could be considered xenophobic?

A) the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

B) the American Association of Retired Persons

C) the Ku Klux Klan

D) the March of Dimes

70) When Luther traveled to South America, he visited many different countries and experienced a variety of cultures. He tried different foods, witnessed some rituals that he had never encountered, and heard different languages spoken. He found that even though this was very different from his way of life, he could appreciate the richness of what he saw and tried to understand how those traditions might work for the people who lived there. What was Luther practicing?

A) cultural relativism

B) ethnocentrism

C) assimilation

D) xenophobia

71) What did Samuel Huntington argue?

A) Most global conflicts would occur between cultures rather than countries.

B) Another world war was inevitable.

C) The United States and Russia would unite into one superpower.

D) Globalization would unite the world.

72) Global public opinion surveys have found significant differences in the degree of support for all of the following EXCEPT for

A) gender equality.

B) democracy.

C) social tolerance.

D) freedom of speech.

73) What did Samuel Huntington view as the fundamental difference among the "civilizations" he described?

A) socioeconomic standing

B) political structure

C) racial differences

D) religious beliefs

74) From a sociological perspective, which of the following is NOT a potential shortcoming in Samuel Huntington's theory?

A) It oversimplifies the mix of cultures around the world.

B) None of the civilizations he identified has a dominant racial group.

C) It does not take into account inequalities of income and power that exist in many cultures.

D) None of the civilizations he identified has a single, unified culture.

75) For which of the following reasons did several European countries ban women from wearing face-covering veils in public?

A) concerns regarding gender equality

B) worries about the separation of church and state

C) to bolster multiculturalism

D) due to blatant xenophobia

76) What is the primary argument of those who oppose the ban on wearing face-covering veils in public?

A) It oppresses women by taking away their right to choose whether or not they want to wear a veil.

B) It does not protect women from men staring at them.

C) It will create conflict between husbands and wives.

D) It does not allow women the right to express their religious faith.

77) Which theorist focused on how cultural values serve to unite people?

A) Karl Marx

B) Charles Horton Cooley

C) Emile Durkheim

D) Max Weber

78) Which of the following measures do critics of multiculturalism support?

A) the adoption of "English only" laws

B) increasing the number of immigrants into the country

C) allowing immigrants to practice their own culture and traditions

D) increasing bilingual education

79) In many larger cities across the United States, various ethnic groups host parades, play music, prepare food, and demonstrate rituals or traditions. This is an opportunity for people of similar ethnicity to gather and share their cultural heritage. It also provides an opportunity for those who do not belong to the culture to learn more and appreciate the diversity of others. Which form of cultural activism does this describe?

A) moral holiday

B) cultural pride

C) religious fundamentalism

D) anticorporate activism

80) Which of the following is true about religious fundamentalists?

A) They are found primarily in the Middle East.

B) They believe in the literal interpretation of a sacred text.

C) They embrace both secular and religious practices and beliefs.

D) They promote change in society.

81) Ordering internet providers to block Facebook because one of its pages promoted "Everybody Draw Mohammed Day" was identified as an example of

A) religious fundamentalism.

B) cultural jamming.

C) culture shock.

D) xenophobia.

82) An Australian billboard that associated Nike with slave labor is an example of

A) anticorporate sentiment.

B) truth in advertising.

C) cultural lag.

D) culture jamming.

83) What have anticorporate activists in the United States done to promote cultural activism?

A) very little other than complain about corporate America

B) worked to have the media more closely regulated

C) established independent media outlets

D) lobbied the federal government to limit the number of big businesses that are being created

84) Why are some people in poorer countries concerned about the Western media products being imported into their countries?

A) They fear that local culture will be eroded.

B) They are concerned that they will not be able to make enough money with local media.

C) They think that citizens will leave their country to go to the United States.

D) They worry that big corporations will move in and increase pollution in their country.

85) All of the following are ways in which local industries in poor countries have been competing with Western media for local audiences EXCEPT

A) using new digital platforms for distributing locally generated video content.

B) producing shows that are geared toward the local culture.

C) finding new channels of distribution.

D) buying out Western companies that are their competitors.

86) Culture is biologically based and not learned.

87) Culture operates at multiple levels.

88) Interpretation of the U.S. Constitution would be considered an element of material culture.

89) The American flag is a symbol.

90) Generosity and compassion are referred to as hedonism.

91) Cannibalism is considered to be widespread taboo.

92) Most symbols are universal and have similar meanings in various cultures.

93) Sharing a language comes with sharing a culture.

94) The swastika was an ancient symbol that was used in many cultures.

95) Behaviors are the actions associated with a group that help reproduce a distinct way of life.

96) The Amish are a group living in Pennsylvania and Ohio that rejects most of modern technology.

97) Hitler was xenophobic.

98) Religious fundamentalists stay out of the political arena.

99) Poorer countries, like Kenya, have now begun to produce their own media and rely little on Western culture.

100) The Nollywood films produced in Nigeria are an example of an alternative to globalized culture.