Question 1

The social-constructionist approach asserts that

Accepted Answer

The social-constructionist approach emphasizes that problems are not inherent in society, but rather arise as people define conditions as undesirable and in need of change. This means that social problems are not static and can change over time as societal attitudes and norms evolve. It is not solely determined by the government or the most harmful conditions, but rather by the perceptions and definitions of individuals and groups within society.

Question 2

Sociologists use which of the following concepts to refer to a statement of how and why specific facts are related?

Accepted Answer

Sociologists use the concept of theory to refer to a statement of how and why specific facts are related. A theory is a systematic explanation for the observations that relate to a particular aspect of life. It helps to organize and make sense of complex behaviors, relationships, and social phenomena.

Question 3

In which stage of a social movement do the people involved come together to share their concerns and make claims about the need for change?

Accepted Answer

The stage described in the question is the stage of emergence, which is when people first recognize a problem and come together to start addressing it. Coalescence is the stage where the movement gains momentum and becomes more organized, formalization is the stage where the movement becomes more established and institutionalized, and decline is the stage where the movement loses momentum and support.

Question 4

An organized effort to encourage or discourage social change is called a

Accepted Answer

A social movement is a collective effort to bring about social, political, or cultural change, typically driven by a shared goal or set of beliefs. It involves mobilizing individuals and groups to take action in pursuit of the desired change. The other options - sociological theory, social-constructionist approach, and subculture - do not specifically refer to organized efforts to encourage or discourage social change.

Question 5

Claims and counterclaims about what should and should not be defined as a social problem is a good way of describing

Accepted Answer

Claims and counterclaims about what should and should not be defined as a social problem involve differing opinions and perspectives, which are central to the political process.

Question 6

Thinking sociologically about a problem such as unemployment, we understand that this issue is

Accepted Answer

Unemployment is not just a personal problem, but a larger social issue involving the operation of an entire society. It is influenced by economic policies, education and training systems, labor market structures, and other social factors that affect people's access to employment opportunities. Examining unemployment through a sociological lens allows us to understand the complex ways in which social structures and institutions shape individuals' experiences of the job market.

Question 7

The process of convincing the public and important public officials that a particular issue should be defined as a social problem is a process that sociologists call

Accepted Answer

The process described is known as "claims making," which involves framing and promoting a particular issue as a social problem to gain attention and support from the public and public officials. This process is subjective and involves persuasion and the use of various tactics to influence how people perceive the issue.

Question 8

A social problem is defined as a condition that

Accepted Answer

A social problem is not limited to just one group of people, but rather affects either some or all members of a society. Additionally, social problems tend to be controversial, meaning they are subject to debate and differing opinions on how they should be addressed.

Question 9

An example of a pattern that is very harmful but not generally defined as a social problem is

Accepted Answer

The use of automobiles resulting in 32,000 deaths each year is a pattern that is harmful but not generally defined as a social problem. While there are efforts to improve road safety, such as campaigns to discourage driving while intoxicated or texting while driving, there is not a widespread acknowledgement of the extent to which driving is inherently dangerous and potentially deadly. In contrast, homicide, school shootings, and terrorism are all recognized as significant social problems that require urgent attention and intervention.

Question 10

Which of the following has been the cause of more than 1 million accidents in the United States in recent years?

Accepted Answer

Cell phone use while driving has been the cause of more than 1 million accidents in the United States in recent years. School shootings, poverty, and the flu virus may all have negative impacts on society, but they are not directly linked to causing more than 1 million accidents in the US.

Question 11

Wright Mills explained that by using the sociological perspective, people transform "personal troubles" into

Accepted Answer

According to Wright Mills, the sociological perspective allows individuals to see their personal troubles as part of larger social issues. This means that what may have seemed like an individual problem (e.g. unemployment, mental health concerns, etc.) can be understood and addressed as a larger social issue by analyzing the social structures and systems that contribute to these problems. Therefore, people can use the sociological perspective to transform personal troubles into social issues.

Question 12

Adopting a global perspective shows us which of the following patterns?

Accepted Answer

Adopting a global perspective exposes the fact that poverty is more severe in many parts of the world than it is in the United States. While women in poor areas usually have fewer children than women in America, it is not a universal occurrence. Furthermore, people in poor areas seldom have the same level of education as people in the United States, which negates option B. Lastly, while some problems may be universal, not all countries face the same issues.

Question 13

Which of the following concepts refers to a basic image of society that guides theory and research?

Accepted Answer

A theoretical approach refers to a basic image of society that guides theory and research. It is a framework for understanding social phenomena and provides a basis for hypothesis development and testing.

Question 14

Which of the following terms refers to a point of view that shows us how society affects the experiences and choices of individuals?

Accepted Answer

The term "sociological imagination" refers to the ability to see how larger social patterns and institutions influence the experiences and choices of individuals. It was developed by sociologist C. Wright Mills to encourage a more critical and nuanced understanding of the connections between personal life and wider social and historical forces.

Question 15

We tend to assume people are responsible for their own troubles because our way of life in the United States emphasizes

Accepted Answer

The United States emphasizes individualism, which means that people are seen as responsible for their own successes and failures. This value leads to the assumption that people are responsible for their own troubles.

Question 16

Because social problems result from the ways in which society operates,

Accepted Answer

Social problems arise from the underlying ways in which society functions, such as inequitable distribution of resources or discrimination against certain groups. Therefore, to effectively address and solve these problems, societal structures and norms must be changed in order to create a more equitable and just society.

Question 17

Which theoretical approach sees society as a system of many interrelated parts that operate together?

Accepted Answer

The structural-functional approach sees society as a system made up of many interrelated parts that work together to maintain stability and balance. This approach focuses on the functions that different aspects of society serve in maintaining the overall system and how they contribute to social order.

Question 18

In 2016, a survey asked people what they considered to be serious social problems.All but one of the following were on the list of serious problems.Which one was not on the list?

Accepted Answer

The other three options (the economy, unemployment, and the gap between the rich and the poor) are all related to social and economic inequality, which are serious problems in society. However, global warming is an environmental issue, and while it certainly has social implications, it is not directly related to social inequality.

Question 19

Because many social problems are related,

Accepted Answer

Solving one social problem may create new problems because social issues are often interconnected and solving one problem can affect other areas of society. It is important to consider the potential ripple effects of any solution to a social problem.

Question 20

Although there is less gender inequality today than there was a century ago, people today are more likely to view gender inequality as a social problem than people were back then.This pattern reflects the fact that

Accepted Answer

Over time, cultural expectations and attitudes towards gender equality have shifted, leading to a greater recognition of gender inequality as a social problem. This is reflected in changes in laws and policies designed to address gender inequality, as well as in public discourse and social movements advocating for gender equality. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that we now expect men and women to be socially equal. Option A is incorrect because subjective perceptions can be influenced by a variety of factors and may not always reflect objective truth. Option B is incorrect because it contradicts the assertion that people today view gender inequality as a social problem. Option D is incorrect because while people may not agree on what social problems are most important, this does not fully explain the trend in attitudes towards gender inequality.

Quiz 1: Sociology: Studying Social Problems