Sociology in Our Times (7th Edition)
Category
Chapter 6: Learning Objectives
KNOWLEDGE:
Remembering previously
learned material
1. State definitions for ingroup, outgroup, and reference group
and describe the significance of these concepts in everyday
life.
2. Summarize Max Weber's perspective on rationality and
outline his ideal characteristics of bureaucracy.
3. Define the iron law of oligarchy.
4. Describe the informal structure in bureaucracies and list its
positive and negative aspects.
COMPREHENSION:
The ability to grasp the
meaning of the material
5. Distinguish between aggregates, categories, and groups
from a sociological perspective.
6. Distinguish between the two functions of leadership and the
three major styles of group leadership.
7. Compare normative, coercive, and utilitarian organizations
and describe the nature of membership in each.
APPLICATION:
The ability to use material
in new and concrete
situations
8. Describe dyads and triads and explain the phenomena of
changes in interaction patterns.
9. Explain what is meant by groupthink and elaborate on
reasons why it can be dangerous for organizations.
10. Describe the ways that online social networks enhance
communication.
ANALYSIS: The ability to
break down material into its
component parts so that its
organizational structure
may be understood
11. Distinguish between primary and secondary groups and
explain how peoples’ relationships differ in each.
SYNTHESIS: The ability to
put parts together to form a
new whole
13. Explain the relationship between bureaucratic hierarchies
and oligarchies.
EVALUATION: The ability
to judge the value of
material for a given
purpose
14. Explain the contributions of Solomon Asch and Stanley
Milgram to our understanding about group conformity and
obedience to authority.
12. Contrast functionalist and conflict perspectives on the
purposes of groups.
15. Discuss the major shortcomings of bureaucracies and their
effects on workers, clients or customers, and levels of
productivity.
16. Evaluate U.S. and Japanese models of organization.