Chapter 14 Quiz
Multiple Choice (1 point each)
1. Lewis Coser's functionalist argument about conflict holds that conflict in social systems:
a) Is always destructive and should be eliminated b) Can strengthen community identity and clarify norms c) Only occurs in communities with poor governance d) Is primarily caused by platform architecture
2. Which type of fan conflict is typically most intense because of the identity investments it involves?
a) Canon disputes b) Governance conflicts c) Shipping wars d) Creator disputes
3. The "receipts culture" in fan communities refers to:
a) The practice of purchasing official fan merchandise b) Preserving and deploying evidence of past statements in current disputes c) Documenting financial transactions in fan organizations d) The archive of all content created by a fandom
4. Which platform architecture is described as MOST effective at containing conflict within a community?
a) Twitter/X b) Tumblr c) Reddit d) Discord
5. The "capital asymmetry" in fan cancellation dynamics means:
a) Rich fans are more likely to be cancelled b) Big Name Fans have more resources to resist cancellation than ordinary members c) Financial investment in a fandom protects against cancellation d) Cancellation only affects fans with high incomes
6. According to Social Identity Theory (Tajfel and Turner), inter-fandom conflict is intensified because:
a) Different fandoms have objectively incompatible values b) Fans derive self-concept from group membership and experience out-group success as threatening c) Platform algorithms deliberately pit fan communities against each other d) Media companies profit from fan wars and encourage them
7. The "context collapse" problem in fan conflict refers to:
a) The collapse of the fictional universe's internal continuity b) Statements made for one audience becoming visible to different audiences who lack context for interpretation c) The loss of archival records when platforms close d) The failure of moderation systems during high-traffic conflict events
8. Which of the following is NOT listed as a factor predicting community survival after major conflict?
a) Availability of functional governance mechanisms b) Presence of recognized fandom elders c) Size of the community d) Distinction between the conflict's subject and the community's viability
Short Answer (5 points each)
9. Explain the distinction between productive and destructive conflict using a specific example from the chapter.
10. Describe how Twitter's quote-tweet function amplifies fan conflict differently than a simple retweet would.
11. Why does Priya Anand describe the IronHeartDebate as "reorganization" rather than "breakdown"? What framework supports her interpretation?
Essay (15 points)
12. The chapter argues that "conflict is structurally endemic to fan communities, not a deviation from them." Drawing on Coser's conflict sociology, the chapter's conflict taxonomy, and at least one specific example from the Kalosverse, ARMY Files, or Archive and the Outlier communities, defend or challenge this argument. Your essay should engage with at least one counter-argument.
Length: 400–600 words.
Answer Key
- b
- c
- b
- d
- b
- b
- b
- c