Question 1

What do formal organizations and bureaucracies have in common? How are they different?

Accepted Answer

Bureaucracies qualify as formal organizations because they are secondary groups designed to achieve specific objectives. Not all formal organizations are bureaucracies, however. A formal organization may share some of the characteristics of a bureaucracy without qualifying as being one. Some formal organizations, such as voluntary groups, are based on mutual interest rather than efficiency. Voluntary organizations are also less formal, more personal, and less hierarchical than a bureaucracy.

Question 2

What is worker empowerment? Provide an example.

Accepted Answer

Worker empowerment is the ability that workers have, usually in small groups, to manage their own work efforts and to develop creative ideas and solutions to problems. By doing so, they take greater pride in their work, become more productive, and take on more responsibility. Examples of worker empowerment include a work team firing and hiring within its own group without approval from upper management, coordinating its own budget, and perhaps raising its own budget by introducing new products or increasing production.

Question 3

It is not unusual for a bureaucracy to lose efficiency because of a lack of communication between units or the presence of an incompetent supervisor.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 4

In the past most workers were while men, today in the U.S. __________ % of workers are women and __________ % are racial/ethnic minorities.

Accepted Answer

A)  50, 35 
B)  35, 42 
C)  42, 25 
D)  47, 31 
A)  50, 35 
B)  35, 42 
C)  42, 25 
D)  47, 31

Question 5

An approach to life in which there is an emphasis on rules, efficiency, and practical results is ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  traditional orientation 
B)  rationality 
C)  utilitarianism 
D)  empiricism 
A)  traditional orientation 
B)  rationality 
C)  utilitarianism 
D)  empiricism

Question 6

What are the three societies that would be most appropriately classified as nontraditional societies?

Accepted Answer

industrial societies

Question 7

Samantha works for an organization that is hierarchical and has a division of labor, written rules, communications and records, one in which the administration treats workers impersonally. Based on these characteristics, we can conclude that Samantha works for a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  nonprofit organization 
B)  voluntary association 
C)  bureaucracy 
D)  oligarchy 
A)  nonprofit organization 
B)  voluntary association 
C)  bureaucracy 
D)  oligarchy

Question 8

Discuss Weber's explanation of why capitalism thrived in Protestant countries but was rejected in countries dominated by Roman Catholics.

Accepted Answer

Protestants embraced change in the socia

Question 9

By a narrow margin, Dr. Moreau was elected chair of the largest academic department at Faber College. She appointed faculty members who support her views to the most influential and important committees in the department. This group of loyal colleagues, on which Dr. Moreau is relying to advance her policies, is an example of a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  consortium 
B)  inner circle 
C)  primary group 
D)  out-group 
A)  consortium 
B)  inner circle 
C)  primary group 
D)  out-group

Question 10

What are the characteristics of bureaucracies? How does a university reflect these characteristics?

Accepted Answer

The characteristics of bureaucracies are

Question 11

How do workers resist alienation?

Accepted Answer

They resist alienation by forming primar

Question 12

According to Karl Marx, capitalism was responsible for breaking the bonds of tradition.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

The Internet has become a major means by which many millions of people connect to others. As we find ourselves more and more connected by social networking, what does your author predict this new form of social organization will replace?

Accepted Answer

A)  primary groups 
B)  bureaucracies 
C)  voluntary associations 
D)  corporations 
A)  primary groups 
B)  bureaucracies 
C)  voluntary associations 
D)  corporations

Question 14

__________ refers to preconceived ideas of what someone is like that lead to the person's behaving in ways that match the stereotype.

Accepted Answer

A)  The Peter principle 
B)  Humanizing 
C)  Emotional integration 
D)  Self-fulfilling stereotype 
A)  The Peter principle 
B)  Humanizing 
C)  Emotional integration 
D)  Self-fulfilling stereotype

Question 15

Discuss how Japanese corporations are reversing their corporate models.

Accepted Answer

To compete in the capitalist global mark

Question 16

Compare and contrast the traditional society with the nontraditional society in reference to production, relationships, and evaluations of each system.

Accepted Answer

In traditional societies, production is

Question 17

Hank lives in a society that believes in the acceptance of rules, efficiency, and practical results. Frank lives in a society that believes in customs and close personal relationships. Which society is more likely to be industrialized?

Accepted Answer

A)  The society based on customs and relationships will be industrialized. 
B)  Both societies will have the same degree of industrialization. 
C)  The society that believes in rules, efficiency, and practical results will be industrialized. 
D)  Neither society will be industrialized. 
A)  The society based on customs and relationships will be industrialized. 
B)  Both societies will have the same degree of industrialization. 
C)  The society that believes in rules, efficiency, and practical results will be industrialized. 
D)  Neither society will be industrialized.

Question 18

The common thread that runs through voluntary associations is their low-cost membership.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

What is an "ideal type" of bureaucracy, based on Weber's interpretation of the term?

Accepted Answer

one that offers a composite of

Question 20

Based on Weber's "ideal type," the perfect bureaucracy is one that has the most extensive hierarchical structure.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Exam 7: Bureaucracy and Formal Organizations

What do formal organizations and bureaucracies have in common? How are they different?

What is worker empowerment? Provide an example.

It is not unusual for a bureaucracy to lose efficiency because of a lack of communication between units or the presence of an incompetent supervisor.

In the past most workers were while men, today in the U.S. __________ % of workers are women and __________ % are racial/ethnic minorities.

An approach to life in which there is an emphasis on rules, efficiency, and practical results is ________.

What are the three societies that would be most appropriately classified as nontraditional societies?

Samantha works for an organization that is hierarchical and has a division of labor, written rules, communications and records, one in which the administration treats workers impersonally. Based on these characteristics, we can conclude that Samantha works for a(n) ________.

Discuss Weber's explanation of why capitalism thrived in Protestant countries but was rejected in countries dominated by Roman Catholics.

What are the characteristics of bureaucracies? How does a university reflect these characteristics?

How do workers resist alienation?

According to Karl Marx, capitalism was responsible for breaking the bonds of tradition.

The Internet has become a major means by which many millions of people connect to others. As we find ourselves more and more connected by social networking, what does your author predict this new form of social organization will replace?

__________ refers to preconceived ideas of what someone is like that lead to the person's behaving in ways that match the stereotype.

Discuss how Japanese corporations are reversing their corporate models.

Compare and contrast the traditional society with the nontraditional society in reference to production, relationships, and evaluations of each system.

Hank lives in a society that believes in the acceptance of rules, efficiency, and practical results. Frank lives in a society that believes in customs and close personal relationships. Which society is more likely to be industrialized?

The common thread that runs through voluntary associations is their low-cost membership.

What is an "ideal type" of bureaucracy, based on Weber's interpretation of the term?

Based on Weber's "ideal type," the perfect bureaucracy is one that has the most extensive hierarchical structure.

The Sociological Perspective

Culture

Socialization

Social Structure and Social Interaction

How Sociologists Do Research

Societies to Social Networks

Deviance and Social Control

Global Stratification

Social Class in the United States

Sex and Gender

Race and Ethnicity

The Elderly

The Economy

Politics

Marriage and Family

Education

Religion

Medicine and Health

Population and Urbanization

Collective Behavior and Social Movements

Social Change and the Environment

Filters

In the past most workers were while men, today in the U.S. % of workers are women and % are racial/ethnic minorities.