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Questions and Answers
What is a social institution?
Complexes of roles, norms, and values organized into a relatively stable form that contribute to social order by governing the behavior of people.
Which of the following are functions of the family? (Select all that apply)
What does kinship refer to?
How we think about who we are related to; it is cultural rather than biological.
What is bilateral descent?
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What characterizes an egalitarian family?
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Which of the following differences from the traditional family have become important recently in America? (Select all that apply)
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What is the manifest function of educational structures?
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What are the latent functions of educational structures?
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What is educational segregation?
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What does teacher expectancy theory suggest?
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What is an ecclesia?
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What defines a church in sociological terms?
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What is a sect?
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What characterizes a cult?
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What percentage of the world identifies as Christian?
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What percentage of the world identifies as Muslim?
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What percentage of the world identifies as Hindu?
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What percentage of the world identifies as Sikh?
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What percentage of the world identifies as Jewish?
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What is religiosity?
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Study Notes
Social Institutions
- Defined as complexes of roles, norms, and values that govern behavior, contributing to social order.
- Major examples include family, education, religion, government, economy, and health and medicine.
Functions of Family
- Reproduction and monitoring of sexual behavior.
- Provides protection and safety for members.
- Socializes individuals by passing down societal norms and values.
- Offers affection and companionship among family members.
- Social status often derived from family background and reputation.
Kinship
- Refers to cultural perceptions of relationships, not strictly biological.
- Includes both extended family and community members.
Bilateral Descent
- Kinship model that recognizes both paternal and maternal relations.
- Patrilineal descent favors paternal ties; matrilineal emphasizes maternal ties.
Egalitarian Family
- Families where spouses are viewed as equals, negotiating decisions collaboratively.
Changes in Family Dynamics
- Cultural differences play a significant role in modern family structures.
- Notable increases in divorce rates, cohabitation, and acceptance of LGBTQ+ relationships.
Educational Structures
- Manifest Functions: Knowledge dissemination and status conferment on educated individuals.
- Latent Functions: Perform socialization and serve as agents of social change and control.
Educational Segregation
- Disparities exist where high-income neighborhoods offer better educational resources and facilities over lower-income areas.
Teacher Expectancy Theory
- Students who perceive teacher expectations as reasonable often meet or exceed them.
- Stereotyping may lead teachers to lower expectations for students, affecting their performance.
Types of Religious Organizations
- Ecclesia: Dominant religion incorporating most of society, politically integrated; example: Islam in Iran.
- Church: Well-integrated with society; membership often by birth but allows new members; example: Catholic Church in USA.
- Sect: Distinct religious group formed by breaking away from larger institutions; may withdraw from society; examples include Mormons and Amish.
- Cult: Far outside societal norms, often involves alternative lifestyles.
Global Religious Demographics
- Christians make up approximately 30% of the world.
- Muslims account for about 20-25% of the global population.
- Hindus represent around 14%.
- Sikhs comprise roughly 0.35%.
- Jews consist of about 0.22%.
Religiosity
- Refers to the degree to which religion influences an individual's life and decisions.
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Description
This quiz focuses on key concepts related to social institutions as outlined in sociology, specifically for the MCAT. It covers definitions, functions, and examples of various institutions such as family, education, and government. Ideal for those preparing for the sociology section of the MCAT.