Study Guide for Test 2: Veblen, Parsons, Homans, Mead, Goffman

Sample short answer questions (30 words or less):

1. Diagram the following statement as an explanation--cause ("Because") produces effect ("Why")--and say if it is direct causal or functional:

Organized religion exists in order to make our society cooperative and peaceful.

2. Give an example of an unbalanced situation, and say TWO ways it could become balanced.

3. According to Veblen, what is the role of the housewife in the middle-class household?

4. Against what perspective did Homans write "Bringing Men Back In"? What did Homans say was the principal defect of the perspective?

5. How would Parsons explain a society’s culture? Why would Homans say it’s not an explanation?

6. Give an EXAMPLE of a “Prisoner’s Dilemma” situation (NOT the payoff matrix). Why is it a “dilemma”?

7. What is the difference between "impression given" and "impression given off"?

8. Give two examples of generalized others for your professor.

9. Traditionally, part of a mother’s role has been preparing dinner. Explain this as Mead might.

10. Which one or ones of the five theorists saw variation between individuals as important? What variation?

11. In constructing a payoff matrix for interaction between two people, what are the four situations that you rank for each person?

12. Which of these 2 statements would Homans classify as a proposition?

a. A role is a part that is repeated before similar audiences.

b. The more successful a role performance is, the more likely a person is to repeat it.

ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Compare and contrast Veblen’s perspective on social behavior and society with Mead’s and Goffman’s (symbolic interactionist) perspective. What do they have in common? Where can they be connected? Where do they differ?

2. Compare and contrast Parsons' and Homans' views about what theory is.

3. Compare and contrast how each of our five theorists saw the link between micro and macro levels.

4. How could you combine Goffman's dramaturgical approach with Homans’ approach (propositions, payoff matrix, balance)?

5. None of our five theorists emphasized conflict. But compare and contrast how conflict fits in (or could fit in) to their approaches.