Question 1

In a sentence or two, what is the basic idea behind class-society theory?

Accepted Answer

The basic idea behind class-society theo

Question 2

What is modernity? How are modern societies different from traditional societies? Discuss the defining traits of modernity according to Tönnies, Durkheim, Weber, and Marx.

Accepted Answer

Modernity can be defined as a period of

Question 3

Applying mass-society theory, you would claim that the biggest problem facing individuals in modern society is:

Accepted Answer

A)  poverty. 
B)  too much tradition. 
C)  powerlessness. 
D)  establishing a clear personal identity. 
A)  poverty. 
B)  too much tradition. 
C)  powerlessness. 
D)  establishing a clear personal identity.

Question 4

Emile Durkheim understood modernization in terms of changes in societal solidarity.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Summarize the main arguments of modernization theory and dependency theory with respect to the transformation of poor societies. How does the former approach make social change sound more positive and easier than the second? What is the role of high-income nations such as the United States, according to each approach? On balance, which approach do you find more convincing? Why?

Accepted Answer

Modernization theory and dependency theo

Question 6

Which of the following thinkers was, on balance, most critical of modern society?

Accepted Answer

A)  Max Weber 
B)  Emile Durkheim 
C)  Peter Berger 
D)  None of these people was critical of modern society. 
A)  Max Weber 
B)  Emile Durkheim 
C)  Peter Berger 
D)  None of these people was critical of modern society.

Question 7

What are four key characteristics of the process of social change?

Accepted Answer

The four key characteristics of the proc

Question 8

The problem mass-society theory sees with the expansion of bureaucracy and the state is that:

Accepted Answer

A)  as bureaucracy and the state grow, people in local communities have little control over their lives. 
B)  government is not very efficient. 
C)  there is an increase in social inequality. 
D)  people feel the need for more personal freedom. 
A)  as bureaucracy and the state grow, people in local communities have little control over their lives. 
B)  government is not very efficient. 
C)  there is an increase in social inequality. 
D)  people feel the need for more personal freedom.

Question 9

What did Max Weber say was the defining trait of modern society?

Accepted Answer

Max Weber, a German sociologist, philoso

Question 10

Demographic change in the United States over the course of the last century includes a trend towards:

Accepted Answer

A)  smaller household size. 
B)  a larger share of elderly people. 
C)  living in cities. 
D)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  smaller household size. 
B)  a larger share of elderly people. 
C)  living in cities. 
D)  All of the above are correct.

Question 11

David Riesman's other-directed people are characterized by superficiality, weak beliefs, and an openness to change.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Read the four statements below. Only one is correct which is it?

Accepted Answer

A)  Members of traditional societies conform members of modern societies do not. 
B)  Members of modern societies conform members of traditional societies do not. 
C)  Members of both traditional and modern societies conform, but to different degrees and for different reasons. 
D)  Neither members of traditional nor modern societies conform. 
A)  Members of traditional societies conform members of modern societies do not. 
B)  Members of modern societies conform members of traditional societies do not. 
C)  Members of both traditional and modern societies conform, but to different degrees and for different reasons. 
D)  Neither members of traditional nor modern societies conform.

Question 13

According to mass-society theory, what problems do modern individuals face? What does class-society theory have to say about the personal problems of modern people?

Accepted Answer

Mass-society theory and class-society th

Question 14

Modernization means that fewer people live in small, traditional communities.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

A number of sociologists contributed to a mass-society theory of modernity. Which of the following sociologists is NOT one of them?

Accepted Answer

A)  Emile Durkheim 
B)  Karl Marx 
C)  Ferdinand Tönnies 
D)  Max Weber 
A)  Emile Durkheim 
B)  Karl Marx 
C)  Ferdinand Tönnies 
D)  Max Weber

Question 16

Durkheim's greatest concern about modern societies focused on:

Accepted Answer

A)  a rise of anomie. 
B)  increasing personal choice. 
C)  increasing productive specialization. 
D)  increasing personal privacy. 
A)  a rise of anomie. 
B)  increasing personal choice. 
C)  increasing productive specialization. 
D)  increasing personal privacy.

Question 17

What are the three important causes of cultural change?

Accepted Answer

Cultural change refers to the transforma

Question 18

Which of the following are common causes of social change?

Accepted Answer

A)  discovery of existing things 
B)  diffusion from one cultural system to another 
C)  invention of new ideas and things 
D)  All of the above are correct. 
A)  discovery of existing things 
B)  diffusion from one cultural system to another 
C)  invention of new ideas and things 
D)  All of the above are correct.

Question 19

Following mass-society theory, the key problem of living in a modern society is:

Accepted Answer

A)  finding any personal freedom. 
B)  dealing with persistent poverty. 
C)  gaining a sense of power. 
D)  building a confident personal identity in a quickly changing and morally relativistic world. 
A)  finding any personal freedom. 
B)  dealing with persistent poverty. 
C)  gaining a sense of power. 
D)  building a confident personal identity in a quickly changing and morally relativistic world.

Question 20

Read the following four statements about modern society. One statement would never be made by someone who thinks we live in a "mass society." Which is it?

Accepted Answer

A)  There are more poor people than in the past. 
B)  Kinship ties are weaker than in the past. 
C)  Religious beliefs play a smaller role in society. 
D)  People experience moral uncertainty about how to live. 
A)  There are more poor people than in the past. 
B)  Kinship ties are weaker than in the past. 
C)  Religious beliefs play a smaller role in society. 
D)  People experience moral uncertainty about how to live.

Exam 24: Social Change: Traditional, Modern, and Postmodern Societies

In a sentence or two, what is the basic idea behind class-society theory?

What is modernity? How are modern societies different from traditional societies? Discuss the defining traits of modernity according to Tönnies, Durkheim, Weber, and Marx.

Applying mass-society theory, you would claim that the biggest problem facing individuals in modern society is:

Emile Durkheim understood modernization in terms of changes in societal solidarity.

Which of the following thinkers was, on balance, most critical of modern society?

What are four key characteristics of the process of social change?

The problem mass-society theory sees with the expansion of bureaucracy and the state is that:

What did Max Weber say was the defining trait of modern society?

Demographic change in the United States over the course of the last century includes a trend towards:

David Riesman's other-directed people are characterized by superficiality, weak beliefs, and an openness to change.

Read the four statements below. Only one is correct which is it?

According to mass-society theory, what problems do modern individuals face? What does class-society theory have to say about the personal problems of modern people?

Modernization means that fewer people live in small, traditional communities.

A number of sociologists contributed to a mass-society theory of modernity. Which of the following sociologists is NOT one of them?

Durkheim's greatest concern about modern societies focused on:

What are the three important causes of cultural change?

Which of the following are common causes of social change?

Following mass-society theory, the key problem of living in a modern society is:

Read the following four statements about modern society. One statement would never be made by someone who thinks we live in a "mass society." Which is it?

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