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Soc 313: Exam 1
Spring 08, Section 001
Name: _____________________________
Part I:
The following are 25 matching problems. There is a definition or description to the left and a series of terms to
the right. Match the correct term to its definition or description by writing the letter of the term in the blank to
the left of the number of the definition or description. Note that a term can only be used once, but that you will
not need to use all the terms. (You will have 27 terms left over.) Each question is worth 1 point.
____ 1. Which person(s) defined collective behavior as “any event during which a A. Locher
group of people engages in unusual [non-normative] behavior”?
B. McPhail & Wohlstein
____ 2. Which person(s) identified collective behavior as a mechanism for
“relieving pressure” that results from errors in the social system?
C. Park
D. Turner & Killian
E. Smelser
____ 3. Which person(s) modified Social Contagion Theory so it fit within broader F. Miller and Dollard
Symbolic Interactionism, creating the Emergent Norm Perspective?
G. Committed
H. Concerned
____ 4. Which person(s) defined collective behavior as “the behavior of
I. Insecure
individuals under the influence of an impulse that is common and collective, which
J. Spectators
is the result of social interaction”?
K. Exploiters
____ 5. Which type of collective behavior participant is drawn to an event because L. Values
of the crowd itself and not because of the event?
M. Norms
N.
____ 6. Which type of collective behavior participant is deeply and personally
involved with the event and is motivated by a sense that some action is demanded? O.
P.
____ 7. What do Structural Functionalists call the general ideas that are used to
Q.
legitimize behaviors?
R.
____ 8. What do Structural Functionalists call the means and obstacles that
facilitate or hinder the attainment of institutional goals?
Institutional Goals
Situational Facilities/Tools
Structural Conduciveness
Structural Strain
Generalized Belief
S. Hysterical Belief
T. Wish-Fulfilling Belief
U. Hostile Belief
____ 9. Stress, tension, or anxiety generated by a problem or error in the social
system is called what?
____ 10. What type of belief requires the removal of an agent or object perceived
as a threat or obstacle in order to fix the problem in the social system?
V. Norm-Oriented Belief
W. Value-Oriented Belief
X. Interstimulation
Y. Proximity
Z. Numbers
____ 11. What type of belief transforms an ambiguous situation by identifying a
specific threat?
____ 12. According to Miller and Dollard, _________ increases the strength of
crowd stimulus because when people are closer to each other the more they
influence each other’s behavior.
AA.
Anonymity
BB.
Prestige Factor
CC.
Mass Suicide
DD.
Mob Violence
EE.
Riots
FF.
Craze
GG.
Panic
HH.
Fad
II.
Hysteria
____ 16. According to Gary Marx, a riot where a generalized belief is present
and is also collectively instrumental is what type of riot?
JJ.
Type I Riot
KK.
Type II Riot
____ 17. According to Gary Marx, a riot where a generalized belief is not
present but is collectively instrumental is what type of riot?
LL.
Type III Riot
MM.
Type IV Riot
____ 18. Which theory believes individuals in crowds continue to act normally
but cannot identify the proper roles to perform or the proper definition of the
situation?
NN.
Social Contagion
____ 13. _________ is the term used to describe any event where a crowd of
normally nonviolent people violently attack individuals.
____ 14. _______ is the term used to describe a situation in which a group of
people believes something that is not true and acts as if it were.
____ 15. Johnson defines a ________ as a rush to acquire something thought to
be of value?
____ 19. Which theory believes that an inability to satisfy basic needs, such as
finding food or shelter, is the driving force behind collective behavior?
Theory
OO.
Emergent Norm
Perspective
PP.
Value Added Theory
____ 20. Which theory believes that individuals loose their ability to think and
interact normally or rationally when placed in an unfamiliar or confusing
situation with a large number of other people?
QQ.
Convergence Theory
RR.
Learning Theory
SS.
Social Identity Theory
____ 21. Which theory believes that individuals are highly rational actors,
weighing the costs and benefits of their actions before acting?
TT.
Rational Actor Theory
UU.
Absolute Deprivation
____ 22. Which theory believes competition between racial or ethnic groups and VV.
the tensions generated because of it underlie many collective violence events?
WW.
____ 23. Which theory believes non-routine collective behavior can be explained
by a breakdown in the mechanisms of social control?
____ 24. Which theory sees collective behavior as a mechanism for relieving
pressure generated by errors in the social system?
____ 25. Which theoretical perspective focuses on individuals and small group
interactions?
XX.
Relative Deprivation
Breakdown Theory
Ethnic Competition
Theory
YY.
Micro Theory
ZZ.
Macro Theory
Part II:
The following are 25 multiple choice problems. Choose the best answer for each question by writing the letter
of the answer in the blank to the left of the number of the question. Each question is worth 1 point.
____ 1. Which theory states that collective behavior begins with a gathering of people within which some
external force has produced tension, which causes the group members to become hyper-focused on each other
and to ignore external stimuli?
A. Social Contagion Theory
B. Emergent Norm Perspective
C. Convergence Theory
D. Learning Theory
E. Social Identity Theory
____ 2. Which theory holds that individuals who participate in collective behaviors do so because they are
socialized to react violently to frustration and frustrating situations, and when they are in a large group of
similar others they are more likely to act as they are socialized to act?
A. Social Contagion Theory
B. Emergent Norm Perspective
C. Convergence Theory
D. Learning Theory
E. Social Identity Theory
____ 3. Which theory explains that a large crowd of participants is an important contributing factor for
collective behavior because it allows individuals to convince themselves that the authorities cannot possibly
punish everyone and therefore will prosecute no one, making the individual feel untouchable?
A. Social Contagion Theory
B. Emergent Norm Perspective
C. Convergence Theory
D. Learning Theory
E. Social Identity Theory
____ 4. Which theory holds that collective violence is most likely to occur in areas where segregation existed
and generated strong ethnic/racial identities but has begun to integrate recently?
A. Value-Added Theory
B. Relative Deprivation Theory
C. Breakdown Theory
D. Ethnic Competition Theory
____ 5. Which theory connects a precipitating event to the idea of a generalized belief?
A. Value-Added Theory
B. Relative Deprivation Theory
C. Breakdown Theory
D. Ethnic Competition Theory
____ 6. Which theory explains that norms develop within interactions and are the expectations we have for our
own and each others’ behaviors within the given situation?
A. Emergent Norm Perspective
B. Learning Theory
C. Value-Added Theory
D. Absolute Deprivation Theory
____ 7. Social Contagion Theory, The Emergent Norm Perspective, Convergence Theory, and Learning Theory
are all examples of which type of theory?
A. Micro Theory
B. Macro Theory
____ 8. Within Learning Theory, what term does Miller and Dollard use to describe the positive response a
crowd has for a leader with recognized authority?
A. Proximity
B. Numbers
C. Anonymity
D. Prestige Factor
____ 9. Within Value-Added Theory, what does Smelser call an environmental context within which collective
behavior can take place?
A. Structural Conduciveness
B. Structural Strain
C. Generalized Belief
D. Mobilization of Participants
E. Response of Authorities
____ 10. Within Value-Added Theory, what does Smelser call the idea that identifies the source of a structural
strain, attributes characteristics to the source, and specifies possible and appropriate responses to the source of
the strain?
A. Structural Conduciveness
B. Structural Strain
C. Generalized Belief
D. Mobilization of Participants
E. Response of Authorities
____ 11. Within Sociocybernetic Theory, what term does McPhail use for a gathering consisting primarily,
though not exclusively, of individual and/or collective behaviors of protest or celebration?
A. Gathering
B. Demonstration
C. Collective Behavior/Collective Action
D. Riot
____ 12. Within Sociocybernetic Theory, what term does McPhail use for two or more persons present at one
time in one place?
A. Gathering
B. Demonstration
C. Collective Behavior/Collective Action
D. Riot
____ 13. When discussing the assembling process, McPhail states that potential participants have competing
desires and demands for their time. If a potential participant chooses not to go to an event because of these
desires and/or demands, McPhail would say the participant was what?
A. Given improper assembling instructions
B. Lacking access to the event
C. Distracted
D. Given dispersal instructions too soon
____ 14. In the review article you read for class, McPhail and Wohlstein define what term as two or more
persons orienting or facing in a common or convergent direction?
A. Milling
B. Common Focus
C. Collective Locomotion
D. Queueing
E. Collective Vocalization
____ 15. Which of the following groups would a Breakdown Theorist say is the most likely to participate in a
riot?
A. A close knit but economically disadvantaged minority group located in a segregated part of a city.
B. A weakly associated neighborhood that has fallen on hard times, where the social and economic
support system has collapsed.
C. A close knit minority group that is segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically.
D. A close knit minority group that was segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically and begun integrating into the
broader community.
____ 16. Which of the following groups would an Absolute Deprivation Theorist say is the most likely to
participate in a riot?
A. A close knit but economically disadvantaged minority group located in a segregated part of a city.
B. A weakly associated neighborhood that has fallen on hard times, where the social and economic
support system has collapsed.
C. A close knit minority group that is segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically.
D. A close knit minority group that was segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically and begun integrating into the
broader community.
____ 17. Which of the following groups would an Ethnic/Racial Competition Theorist say is the most likely to
participate in a riot?
A. A close knit but economically disadvantaged minority group located in a segregated part of a city.
B. A weakly associated neighborhood that has fallen on hard times, where the social and economic
support system has collapsed.
C. A close knit minority group that is segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically.
D. A close knit minority group that was segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically and begun integrating into the
broader community.
____ 18. Which of the following groups would a Relative Deprivation Theorist say is the most likely to
participate in a riot?
A. A close knit but economically disadvantaged minority group located in a segregated part of a city.
B. A weakly associated neighborhood that has fallen on hard times, where the social and economic
support system has collapsed.
C. A close knit minority group that is segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically.
D. A close knit minority group that was segregated in one part of a city and was economically
disadvantaged but has more recently improved economically and begun integrating into the
broader community.
____ 19. Read the following description of a riot. Then, classify the riot according to Gary Marx’s riot
typology.
A community has seen its children and elderly become ill with rare blood disorders and cancers
of all sorts. They believe that a chemical plant not far away from the town has been dumping
waste water into a local stream. In fact, the stream is the originating source for the town’s
drinking water. At a town meeting about what to do about the corporation, a speaker gets
everyone pumped up and convinces them that unless the chemical plant is destroyed, their
children and elderly will continue falling ill and dieing. He convinces them that they must act
now in order to save lives. They attack the chemical plant, burning down the building and the
company vehicles. After this attack, the company shuts down the plant and moves its operations
out of state. Eventually, the cancer and blood illness rates in the town return to normal levels.
A. Type I Riot
B. Type II Riot
C. Type III Riot
D. Type IV Riot
____ 20. Read the following description of a riot. Then, classify the riot according to Gary Marx’s riot
typology.
The same situation as question 19, only the cancer and blood illness rates maintain their high
levels even after the company moved its operations.
A. Type I Riot
B. Type II Riot
C. Type III Riot
D. Type IV Riot
____ 21. Read the following description of a riot. Then, classify the riot according to Gary Marx’s riot
typology.
After an exciting victory in basketball, college students riot in celebration, destroying a large
portion of the community surrounding campus and the basketball arena. The university’s
administration responds to this riot by lowering tuition for the following semester and rebating
10% of the current semester’s tuition.
A. Type I Riot
B. Type II Riot
C. Type III Riot
D. Type IV Riot
____ 22. Read the following description of a collective behavior. Then categorize it according to Locher’s
general categories of collective behavior.
The members of a cult believe that the federal government is about to break into their compound
in order to capture, torture, and then kill every member of the group. Their leader tells them that
the supreme being has told him that he does not wish for them to suffer, so they should all
commit suicide to keep from suffering at the hands of the government. The members accept this
as true and poison themselves.
A. Mass Suicide
B. Mob Violence
C. Riot
D. Craze
E. Panic
____ 23. Read the following description of a collective behavior. Then categorize it according to Locher’s
general categories of collective behavior.
In a large, northern city local TV news has been reporting that gang members beat an unarmed,
white teenager to death. They are also reporting that the gang who did the beating was a
Hispanic gang. Outraged, a large number of whites have taken to the streets physically attacking
anyone they identify as Hispanic. A number of people are badly injured and a few people are
even killed in the violence.
A. Mass Suicide
B. Mob Violence
C. Riot
D. Craze
E. Panic
____ 24. Read the following description of a collective behavior. Then categorize it according to Locher’s
general categories of collective behavior.
An electronics company has announced that it is coming out with Play-Box 4. This newest
console will have full virtual reality and holographic imaging capabilities. However, only 500
will be available in the US market by Christmas. There will be no limit on how many systems an
individual can purchase at a time. Additionally the retail price of the system is going to be $300.
Speculation begins to circulate that a handful of people will buy all 500 and resell them on E-bay
for huge profits. Weeks before the system comes out people are already camping outside
electronics stores for a chance to buy and resell the gaming system.
A. Mass Suicide
B. Mob Violence
C. Riot
D. Craze
E. Panic
____ 25. I cannot think of another good question. Have one free point.
A. The right answer!!! Pick me! Make sure to write “A” on that line over there.
Soc 313: Exam 1
Spring 08, Section 001
Name: _____________________________
Part III:
The following are 4 essay questions. You only need to answer 2 of them. This also means you must not answer
2 of them. If you answer them all, I’ll only grade the first 2. Answer the 2 that you know the best. Answer as
fully but concisely as possible. Please answer in complete sentences. Each question is worth 25 points.
Identify which 2 questions you intend to answer by circling the number of the question AND by writing it
at the beginning of your answer.
1) David Locher, your textbook’s author, would claim that The Emergent Norm Perspective and Value-Added
Theory are both consistent with his understanding of what collective behavior is and how it should be studied.
Given that the Emergent Norm Perspective views collective behavior as normative and Value-Added Theory
believes it is necessary for the long-term stability of a social system, explain why they can still be considered
consistent with Locher’s approach.
2) The concept of a “precipitating event” is an important component in two theories of collective behavior.
First, identify the two theories. Then, explain the role of a precipitating event in generating collective behavior,
according to both theories. Make sure to identify which theory goes with which explanation.
3) Explain how it is possible for collective behavior to be nothing more than individuals acting separately,
according to their own motivations. (There are four possible explanations. You need to present two of the four
in your answer.)
4) Explain why it is important to carefully define what collective behavior is before one can study it. In your
answer, point to at least three instances where changing the definition of collective behavior drastically changes
how it can be understood.