Chapter Three: Culture
Competition pervades all aspects of American society, and our emphasis on winning can create problems.
Which of the following would be considered a healthy form of competition?
a. Professional athletes using steroids
b. Corporations ignoring long-term damage to the environment in favor of short-term financial gains
c. High school band students competing for “first chair”
d. Coaches paying athletes for nonexistent jobs
Answer: c. High school band students competing for “first chair”
Source ID: 1.0.31.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
TB_Q3.2.32
North Americans tend to blame poor people for their poverty because they place such a high value on
a. conspicuous consumption.
b. hopefulness.
c. family values.
d. industriousness.
Answer: d. industriousness.
Source ID: 1.0.32.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q3.2.33
People in North American society tend to believe in _____, the idea that things will keep getting better.
a. progress
b. upward mobility
c. industriousness
d. entitlement
Answer: a. progress
Source ID: 1.0.33.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.34
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 10
In Conflict and Order, 14th edition
While North American society tends to value progress, the idea that progress means _____ leads to problems of
increasing population and declining resources.
a. upward mobility
b. growth
c. change
d. hard work
Answer: b. growth
Source ID: 1.0.34.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.35
Technology solves some problems but can have unintendent negative consequences called
a. accidental incidents.
b. chance events.
c. latent functions.
d. hidden effects.
Answer: c. latent functions.
Source ID: 1.0.35.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
TB_Q3.2.36
A latent function of using chemical fertilizers would be
a. increased food production.
b. prevention of famine.
c. greater prosperity for farmers.
d. pollution of food and water.
Answer: d. pollution of food and water.
Source ID: 1.0.36
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.37
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 11
Chapter Three: Culture
North Americans value _____ because of the implied benefit of freedom from government interference and the
ability to make one’s own choices.
a. individual freedom
b. collective action
c. redistribution of wealth
d. aggressive behavior
Answer: a. individual freedom
Source ID: 1.0.37.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.38
The chapter identifies several social problems that stem from the North American emphasis on individual freedom.
Which of the following is NOT one of those social problems?
a. Unfair competition
b. “To each his own” philosophy
c. “Let the buyer beware” philosophy
d. Ecological crisis
Answer: b. “To each his own” philosophy
Source ID: 1.0.38.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Analyze it
TB_Q3.2.39
It can be difficult to reconcile the North American value of equality with the actual fact of
a. civil liberties.
b. entitlement programs.
c. injustice.
d. formal and informal practices.
Answer: c. injustice.
Source ID: 1.0.39
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.40
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 12
In Conflict and Order, 14th edition
The fundamental belief in freedom that the Founding Fathers codified in the Declaration of Independence and the
Bill of Rights is the belief in
a. nonconformity.
b. conformity.
c. rule by government.
d. civil liberties.
Answer: d. civil liberties.
Source ID: 1.0.40.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q3.2.41
While North American society claims to favor individualism, the “go along to get along” team player favored by
large bureaucracies is actually demonstrating
a. conformity.
b. personal liberty.
c. diversity.
d. latent functions.
Answer: a. conformity.
Source ID: 1.0.41.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.42
The term _____ refers to a society composed of people who differ in important social dimensions, such as age,
sex, race, religion, social class, or ethnicity.
a. conflict based
b. cultural diversity
c. cultural relativity
d. socially normative
Answer: b. cultural diversity
Source ID: 1.0.42.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.43
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 13
Chapter Three: Culture
Which term is used in the chapter to refer to a generation, a group of people born during a particular time
period?
a. Stage mates
b. Siblings
c. Age cohort
d. Classmates
Answer: c. Age cohort
Source ID: 1.0.43.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
TB_Q3.2.44
Which age cohort is also called the “post-baby boomers”?
a. The Greatest Generation
b. Millennial Generation
c. Documentation Generation
d. Generation X
Answer: d. Generation X
Source ID: 1.0.44.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
TB_Q3.2.45
A(n) _____ is typically defined as a relatively cohesive cultural system that varies in form and substance from the
dominant culture.
a. subculture
b. age cohort
c. generation
d. latent culture
Answer: a. subculture
Source ID: 1.0.45.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
TB_Q3.2.46
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 14
In Conflict and Order, 14th edition
Milton Yinger proposed using the term _____ to identify a group that differs from the larger culture because of
physical or social isolation.
a. counterculture
b. subculture
c. unassimilated culture
d. outsiders
Answer: b. subculture
Source ID: 1.0.46.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.47
Milton Yinger proposed that a group that sets its belief systems in conflict with the dominant group, and can
therefore only be understood in relation to that dominant group, should be called a(n)
a. counterculture.
b. subculture.
c. unassimilated culture.
d. culture of rebellion.
Answer: a. counterculture.
Source ID: 1.0.47.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.48
In her book about escaping from the FLDS religious sect, Carolyn Jessop reflected on her daughter’s return to the group
by noting that people who have never been taught or allowed to think for themselves do not suddenly change, because
a. religion is too polarizing.
b. change is too frightening.
c. socialization is more important than freedom.
d. self-determination is too unexpected.
Answer: b. change is too frightening.
Source ID: 1.0.48.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
TB_Q3.2.49
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 15
Chapter Three: Culture
According to _____, shared values are symbolic representations of the existing society that promote unity and
consensus and must, therefore, be preserved.
a. sociologists
b. anthropologists
c. order theorists
d. conflict theorists
Answer: c. order theorists
Source ID: 1.0.49.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
TB_Q3.2.50
Conflict theorists view the mass acceptance of values as a form of
a. social equality.
b. cultural progressivism.
c. peaceful progress.
d. cultural tyranny.
Answer: d. cultural tyranny.
Source ID: 11.0.50.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Essay Questions
TB_Q3.1.51
Is culture learned or innate? Discuss how culture emerges within and in relation to the individual.
Feedback:Culture, which is the knowledge that members of a society or other social organizations share, constrains
behavior and how people think about and interpret their world. Culture emerges as a result of continued social
interaction. Culture is learned behavior. The process of learning the culture is called socialization. Through the
socialization process, individuals internalize the culture. Thus, the control that culture has over individuals is
seen as natural.
Source ID: 3.0.1.
Learning Objective: LO 3.1 Understand the characteristics and components of a society’s culture.
Topic/Concept: Culture: The Knowledge That People Share
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q3.1.52
Discuss whether culture encourages or discourages acceptance of others. Give examples of ethnocentrism.
Feedback:Culture maintains boundaries. One’s own culture seems right and natural. Other cultures are considered inferior,
wrong, or immoral. This tendency to consider the ways of one’s own group superior is called ethnocentrism. If
we understand the cultural context of a given society, however, their practices generally make sense. This is
called cultural relativity. Ethnocentrism can include television shows that mock the cuisine of other cultures or,
more seriously, results in policies such as manifest destiny and Jim Crow laws.
Source ID: 3.0.2
Learning Objective: LO 3.1 Understand the characteristics and components of a society’s culture.
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 16
In Conflict and Order, 14th edition
Topic/Concept: Culture: The Knowledge That People Share
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q3.1.53
Discuss the idea of societal norms. Is there a difference between one kind of norm and another? Is breaching one
kind of norm more serious than breaching another?
Feedback: Societal norms are societal prescriptions for how one is to act in given situations. Thus, behavior is patterned. We
know how to behave, and we can anticipate how other people will behave. This knowledge allows interaction to
occur smoothly. Norms are divided into two types by degree of importance and severity of punishment for their
violation. Folkways are less important. Mores are considered more vital and therefore are more severely
punished if violated.
Source ID: 3.0.3
Learning Objective: LO 3.1 Understand the characteristics and components of a society’s culture.
Topic/Concept: Culture: The Knowledge That People Share
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Analyze It
TB_Q3.2.54
Discuss ways that sociologists can determine the values of a society.
Feedback: Knowing the values (the criteria for evaluation) of a society is an excellent way of understanding that society. To
determine the dominant values of a society, one might ask: What gives individuals status in their society? What
choices do people consistently make? One might also find out through interviews and questionnaires, or by
observing the reward–punishment system in a society.
Source ID: 3.0.4.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
TB_Q3.2.55
Discuss the concept of subculture. What is a subculture and how does it differ from a counterculture? Give examples.
Feedback:A subculture is a relatively cohesive cultural system that varies in form and substance from the dominant culture.
Examples could include religious sects such as the Amish, ethnic groups such as Irish Americans, or even criminal
gangs. According to Milton Yinger, the term subculture should be limited to relatively cohesive cultural systems that
differ from the dominant culture in such things as language, values, religion, and style of life because it has emigrated
from another society and, because of physical or social isolation, has not been fully assimilated. Yinger preferred the
term counterculture for a culturally homogeneous group with values and norms that differ from the larger society
because the group opposes the larger society. This type of group is in conflict with the dominant culture. The particular
values and norms can be understood only by reference to the dominant group.
Source ID: 3.0.5.
Learning Objective: LO 3.2: Explain the factors that lead to both (a) common dominant values in the United States and (b)
disagreement over values in the United States.
Topic/Concept: The Ties That Bind: Cultural Values in the United States
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Analyze It
Copyright © 2015 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved. 17