Chapter 9 Quiz

Multiple-Choice Questions

1		Which of the following is NOT one of the strengths of systems theory?
			A)	its dynamism
			B)	its focus on processes
			C)	its multileveled approach
			D)	its complexity
2		The term "morphostasis" refers to which of the following?
			A)	processes that contribute to change in a system
			B)	processes that contribute to the maintenance of the system
			C)	processes that contribute to disequilibrium in the system
			D)	processes that contribute to the destruction of the system
3		Negentropy refers to the tendency of systems to:
			A)	elaborate structures.
			B)	elaborate environments.
			C)	develop morphostatic patterns of hyper-entropy.
			D)	rationalize an agentic geometry.
4		A general principle of systems theory holds that ________ systems intervene between environments and the action of systems.
			A)	morphic
			B)	Delphic
			C)	mediating
			D)	purposive
5		The notion of feedback enables theorists to deal with:
			A)	loud noises.
			B)	time-space elaboration.
			C)	friction, growth, and sudden changes in the environment.
			D)	magnetic hysterisis.
6		According to Niklas Luhmann, the system is always:
			A)	more complex than its environment.
			B)	more phenomenological than its environment.
			C)	less phenomenological than its environment.
			D)	less complex than its environment.
7		In Luhmann's general system theory, simplifying complexity means:
			A)	being forced into entropy.
			B)	time-space diffusion.
			C)	being forced to select among different courses of action and thus contingency.
			D)	aesthetic disharmony.
8		According to Luhmann, autopoietic systems are:
			A)	self-referential.
			B)	self-sacrificing.
			C)	open systems.
			D)	morphotropic systems.
9		Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of autopoietic systems?
			A)	They are self-referential.
			B)	They are closed systems.
			C)	They are self-organizing.
			D)	They are open systems.
10		Luhmann argues that society is:
			A)	being and time.
			B)	an autopoietic system.
			C)	an automorphic system.
			D)	the survival of the fittest.
11		According to Luhmann, whatever is NOT communication is part of:
			A)	society.
			B)	society's environment.
			C)	environment's society.
			D)	society's differentiation.
12		In Luhmann's system theory, the psychic system and society both rely on:
			A)	meaning.
			B)	bureaucracy.
			C)	negentropy.
			D)	inning-based syntax.
13		According to Luhmann, social structures emerge in order to:
			A)	solve the problem of double contingency.
			B)	defy evolution and differentiation.
			C)	solve the problem of double bivalence.
			D)	de-differentiate by interpenetration.
14		In Luhmann's system theory, differentiation is a way that systems deal with:
			A)	temporal dislocations of crystallized habitus.
			B)	spatial disruptions of equatorial factors.
			C)	the positivist stage.
			D)	changes in the environment.
15		Luhmann argued that evolution is a process of selection from:
			A)	status.
			B)	stratification.
			C)	variation.
			D)	the juggernaut of modernity.
16		Segmentary differentiation refers to which of the following?
			A)	dividing parts of a system to duplicate identical functions
			B)	vertical differentiation according to status or rank in a hierarchy
			C)	entropic misrecognition of vertical habitus
			D)	differentiation in which different functions are assigned to different units of a system.
17		_______________ differentiation is vertical differentiation based on rank or status in a hierarchy.
			A)	Segmentary
			B)	Center-periphery
			C)	Core-periphery
			D)	Stratificatory
18		Segmentation, stratification, center-periphery, and functional differentiation are all examples of:
			A)	stratificatory anaphylaxis.
			B)	internal differentiation.
			C)	external differentation.
			D)	vertical integration.
19		In Luhmann's theory, a code limits:
			A)	structural spatiality.
			B)	domination.
			C)	permissible communication.
			D)	cultural capital.
20		In Luhmann's view, the key to sociological knowledge is:
			A)	the observation of the semantics of society.
			B)	the observation of the syntactics of society.
			C)	the subversion of social systems.
			D)	statistics.

True/False Questions

21		Entropy is the tendency of systems to elaborate structures.
			A)	True
			B)	False
22		Morphogensis refers to processes which help systems to maintain themselves.
			A)	True
			B)	False
23		Niklas Luhmann argues that the system is always less complex than its environment.
			A)	True
			B)	False
24		Autopoietic systems produce the basic elements of the system.
			A)	True
			B)	False
25		According to Luhmann, autopoietic systems are self-referential.
			A)	True
			B)	False
26		According to Luhmann, evolution is a set of processes that includes variation, selection, and the stabilization of reproducible characteristics.
			A)	True
			B)	False
27		Differentiation decreases the complexity of a system.
			A)	True
			B)	False
28		Stratificatory differentiation is vertical differentiation according to rank or status in a hierarchy.
			A)	True
			B)	False
29		Luhmann's four forms of internal differentiation are segmentation, stratification, center-periphery, and functional.
			A)	True
			B)	False
30		An important part of Luhmann's systems theory is his theory of de-differentiation.
			A)	True
			B)	False