Mental Models and Social Behavior Quiz

Mental Model

• Mental models are created through the integration of social networks
• Individual behavior is influenced by the actions of others

Structure & Agency

• Describes the relationship between social structure and the individual
• Social structure influences individual behavior, but individuals can also act within that structure

Key Concepts

• Social vacuum: a space where individuals can rationally think through consequences of their actions
• Cost and benefit of behaviors: individuals weigh the potential costs and benefits before acting
• Crowds: groups of people who share a common set of emotions and react to each other's actions
• Identities: individuals' perceptions of themselves and how they are perceived by others
• Behavioral expectations: the norms and expectations that govern behavior within a given social group
• Priorities: hierarchies of importance that individuals assign to different values and goals
• Violence: a collective process that arises from a common set of emotions and reactions
• Sociological imagination: the ability to understand and apply social forces to personal experiences
• Division of labor: specialization of tasks within a society, contributing to increased productivity and interdependence
• Social conflict: struggle between groups with differing interests and needs, often related to resources and power
• Achieved status: a social position earned through effort or skill, such as occupation or level of education
• Ascribed status: a social position assigned at birth, such as race, ethnicity, sex, or age
• Life chances: opportunities to access resources and achieve favorable outcomes
• Social role: a set of expectations associated with a specific social status
• Role conflict: inconsistency between the expectations of two or more roles
• Social group: two or more people with shared values and expectations who interact regularly
• Norms: rules and expectations that guide behavior within a group
• Social network: a series of relationships that link an individual to others
• Social institutions: organized systems that govern important domains of social life, such as government, education, or the economy
• Individual agency: the capacity to act independently within the constraints of social structure
• Symbolic interaction: a theoretical approach that focuses on the meanings individuals assign to symbols and interactions
• Habitus: ingrained patterns of behavior and thinking shaped by social experiences
• Field: a social setting where individuals compete for resources and status
• Cultural capital: non-material assets that provide advantages in society, such as education, knowledge, or social connections
• Cultural production: the creation and distribution of cultural goods and practices
• Consumption: the process of acquiring and using goods and services
• Code switching: adjusting behavior and language to fit different social contexts

Research Methods

• Audit study: a research method that compares individuals with matched characteristics, often used to assess discrimination
• Skepticism: a key element of the scientific method, encouraging researchers to challenge and test assumptions
• Confirmation bias: the tendency to seek and accept information that confirms existing beliefs
• Echo chamber: a space where individuals are exposed primarily to ideas that reinforce their existing beliefs
• Inductive reasoning: moving from specific observations to broader generalizations and theories
• Folk theory: common-sense beliefs shared by a community, often shaped by cultural values and experiences
• Deductive reasoning: moving from general theories to specific predictions and observations
• Constant comparison: a method of analyzing data by repeatedly comparing observations to refine and test theories
• Social stratification: a system that categorizes individuals based on their social position, often related to wealth or power
• Social class: a group of individuals sharing similar economic positions, based on income, wealth, education, and occupation
• Income: the amount of money earned from employment or investments
• Wealth: the total value of assets, including financial holdings and property
• Occupation: the type of work a person performs for income

Class Inequality & Poverty

• Social class significantly impacts life chances, goals, and overall well-being
• Social class can be invisible, making it difficult to recognize its influence in everyday life
• Social stratification is a hierarchical system that categorizes individuals by social position, often related to class, wealth, and power

Dennis Gilbert's Class Structure Model

• Capitalist (Top 1%): Individuals who own and control significant assets, earning wealth primarily from investments and ownership, not salaries
• Upper Middle Class (14-15% of population): Individuals with high incomes and education, typically relying on professional careers and salaries for wealth

Explore the fascinating concepts of mental models and their influence on individual behavior within social structures. This quiz delves into key ideas such as social vacuum, behavioral expectations, and the impact of crowds on actions. Test your understanding of how social networks shape our identities and decision-making processes.