View a FREE sample

This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does a belief in luck have an effect on efficiency?
(a) It is a deviation from matter-of-fact sequences.
(b) It shifts people's attention to nonmaterial forces.
(c) It consumes time in speculation.
(d) It fills people with idle hopes.

2. According to Veblen, women in the leisure class are partially exempt from what?
(a) Spiritual pressures.
(b) Pecuniary pressures.
(c) Cultural pressures.
(d) Familial pressures.

3. What is it that Veblen says survives as society changes?
(a) Jewels.
(b) The fittest fashions.
(c) The fittest habits.
(d) The fittest ideas.

4. Where did the predatory variant come from?
(a) Inversion of the antepredatory culture.
(b) Evolution from the peaceable culture.
(c) Adaptation from the predatory culture.
(d) Evolution from the antepredatory culture.

5. What does Veblen say God represents in the anthropomorphic creed?
(a) The meekness of men.
(b) The habit of dominance.
(c) The heart of compassion.
(d) THe spirit of cooperation.

6. Under what conditions does Veblen say that members of the industrial class will fight?
(a) When someone's honor has been insulted.
(b) When they are angry or drunk.
(c) He says they will fight for almost any reason.
(d) When they want to settle a score.

7. What is affected by the institution of a social class?
(a) The means of production.
(b) The economic model for society.
(c) The character of the social structure.
(d) The character of individuals.

8. Where does Veblen say gambling originated?
(a) He says it originated in predatory culture.
(b) He says it originated in sports.
(c) He says it originated in peaceable culture.
(d) He says it is an archaic activity.

9. Which class does Veblen say exhibits peaceful traits?
(a) The ownership class.
(b) The middle class.
(c) The industrial class.
(d) The leisure class.

10. According to Veblen, ethnic types during his time were variations of what?
(a) Antepredatory types.
(b) Primitive ethnic types.
(c) Peaceable types.
(d) Predatory types.

11. How does Veblen say contestants in sporting events demonstrate their belief in luck?
(a) By wearing talismans.
(b) By saying prayers to fortune.
(c) By offering sacrifices.
(d) By performing rituals.

12. How does Veblen describe the industrial classes' relationship with sports?
(a) As a passion.
(b) As an occasional diversion.
(c) As a form of warfare.
(d) As an addiction.

13. What does Veblen say is the reason for gambling?
(a) Distrust in the economic system.
(b) Failure to be convinced of the value of labor.
(c) A belief in luck.
(d) Longing for riches.

14. What does Veblen mean by esoteric knowledge?
(a) Knowledge that questions the nature of God.
(b) Knowledge that can be developed in an industrial capacity.
(c) Knowledge that is applied to industry.
(d) Knowledge that has nothing to do with industry.

15. According to Veblen, new selections of the fittest are driven by changes in what?
(a) Fashions.
(b) Institutions.
(c) Ideas.
(d) Habits.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Veblen cite as an example of gambling in organizations designed for devout observances?

2. What influence does Veblen say affects the anthropomorphic cult's later development?

3. Whose traits does Veblen say the leisure class propagates?

4. Whose theories influenced Veblen's ideas about selective adaptation?

5. What does Veblen say was the center of modern communities during his time?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 512 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample