ESOC313 Exam 2. Graded A

ESOC313 Exam 2 March 31 2020 Question 1 (50 points) Background: You wake up tomorrow and discover that you've been appointed as a minor deity. You are the god/dess of stain removal. When you're around, stains come up much more easily. Nothing else about you changes. In fact, you find out that when you die, someone else will be appointed your place of divinity. Problem: Does this discovery change your identity? If so, how? If not, why not? Make sure to use a theory to explain your answer. Question 2 (50 points) Background: Menov is a space entity. It is a parasite that clings to a person, forming a symbiotic relationship. When Menov "comes out," it covers the person's body entirely in what looks like a black spandex suit. It cannot directly control a person; nor is it clear whether it can even think for itself. It influences the person, lowering his inhibitions, causing the person to do things he may not have ever done on his own, and exaggerating their emotions. Problem: Menov infects a person. That person then robs a bank. Explain the identity situation going on, and whether that person should be responsible for committing the crime. (Attribute theory) Question 3 (50 points) Background: Billy Numerous can make over a hundred exact duplicates of himself. Those duplicates can only exist for a short time, then all the duplicates must come back together, recombining with Billy. While created, those duplicates can then run off on their own. While out, each duplicate will have his own experience, create his own memories, cause unique events to occur, and have unique psychological experiences. Problem: Do all the clones have the same identity? Is there still an "original Billy Numerous" amongst all those duplicates or are they all identical and all have a right to be the original Billy Numerous? (Psychological Continuity Theory) Question 4 (50 points) Background: Virtual reality has advanced to the point where they can send your consciousness into a game. In that game, you kill dragons, saves princes, and generally go on great adventures. You can enter the game alone or with friends. Problem: From an identity perspective, do you have the same identity in the virtual reality game as out of it? (Identity as fiction Theorry) Question 5 (50 points) Background: Sara wants to be an accountant. She loves numbers. The problem is that Sara's parents forced her into becoming a superhero. With her superhuman speed, strength, and agility, she's a good superhero. She just doesn't want to be one. Every night, while she's out saving people, she's dreaming of the day she can trade in her cape for a calculator. Problem: From an identity perspective, is Sara a superhero? (Attachment Theory)