Question 1

According to symbolic interactionists, scientific "truths" result from

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists emphasize that scientific "truths" are constructed through social interactions, including those among scientists, researchers, and the general public, rather than being purely objective or factual.

Question 2

The typewriter, conveyor belt, and computer have expanded opportunities for women to work outside the home. However, employed women perform significantly more domestic chores and child care than their husbands. This is an example of

Accepted Answer

Cultural lag refers to the phenomenon where social and cultural norms and values take time to catch up with technological advancements. In this context, even though technology (like the typewriter, conveyor belt, and computer) has enabled women to work outside the home, societal expectations and norms regarding gender roles in domestic chores and child care have not progressed as quickly, leading to an imbalance in the distribution of these responsibilities.

Question 3

Ninety percent of robots work in

Accepted Answer

Ninety percent of robots are employed in factories, where they are used for tasks such as assembly, painting, and welding, due to their efficiency and precision in performing repetitive tasks.

Question 4

The technology of biometrics in the workplace involves

Accepted Answer

Biometrics technology in the workplace refers to the use of unique biological characteristics, such as fingerprints, hand geometry, iris or retina patterns, for identification and access control purposes. This technology does not relate to genetically altered foods, employee wellness programs like gyms and snacks, or efficiency measures to limit human movement.

Question 5

According to some conflict theorists, technological advances

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists often argue that technological advances can extend the patriarchal nature of society by reinforcing existing power structures and inequalities, rather than promoting equality or benefiting marginalized groups equally.

Question 6

The development of time-saving machines increases production, but it also displaces workers and contributes to high rates of employee alienation. Employee displacement illustrates a

Accepted Answer

Employee displacement is considered a dysfunction because it is an unintended, negative consequence of technological advancements, leading to issues such as unemployment and worker dissatisfaction.

Question 7

Which theoretical perspective is most concerned with cultural lag?

Accepted Answer

Structural functionalism is most concerned with cultural lag because it focuses on how societal institutions and structures work together to maintain social stability and order, and cultural lag can disrupt this balance. Cultural lag refers to the time delay between changes in the material culture (like technology) and the resulting changes in the non-material culture (like norms and laws), a concept that fits well within the structural functionalist perspective.

Question 8

Twenty-first Century technology in the workplace

Accepted Answer

The answer of Twenty-first Century technology in the workplace
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Question 9

Postmodernism

Accepted Answer

Postmodernism is characterized by skepticism towards grand narratives and ideologies, including the unquestioned authority of science. It highlights how advancements in technology can have unintended negative consequences, questioning the overall impact of scientific progress on society.

Question 10

Millions of dollars were allocated to AIDS research when

Accepted Answer

Funding increased significantly when AIDS was perceived as a threat to the general population, not just specific groups.

Question 11

How has technology changed worker accountability?

Accepted Answer

Technology is used to gather information about performance, allowing for more accurate tracking and assessment of worker accountability.

Question 12

Miranda's work involves entering data into a computer. A monitor records her number of key strokes per minute and the amount of time she is on the computer in a given hour This illustrates

Accepted Answer

Biometrics involves the measurement and statistical analysis of people's unique physical and behavioral characteristics. In this context, monitoring key strokes and computer usage time can be considered a form of behavioral biometrics, as it involves measuring an individual's interactions with a computer system.

Question 13

Which theoretical perspective examines the media's influence on our beliefs about science and technology?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism focuses on the meanings and interpretations individuals attach to symbols, including media representations, which influence their beliefs and perceptions about various aspects of society, including science and technology.

Question 14

According to your text, cultural lag occurs when

Accepted Answer

Cultural lag refers to the phenomenon where the non-material culture (values, beliefs, norms) fails to keep pace with developments in material culture (technology, inventions, physical objects). This often leads to social problems and conflicts as society struggles to adapt to new technological realities.

Question 15

The conflict perspective argues that science and technology benefit

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective, rooted in Marxist theory, posits that societal structures and institutions, including science and technology, primarily benefit a select few—typically those in positions of power and wealth—rather than society as a whole. This view emphasizes the inequalities in access to and control over technological and scientific resources.

Question 16

Which theoretical perspective is most likely to look at who in society controls access to technology?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory focuses on the power dynamics and inequalities within society, including who controls resources and means of production, such as technology. It examines how these power imbalances affect social relations and access to resources.

Question 17

Which of the following illustrates a technological fix, in contrast to social engineering, to solve the problem of water shortage?

Accepted Answer

Low-flush toilets represent a technological fix to the problem of water shortage by reducing the amount of water used per flush, without requiring changes in people's behavior or attitudes.

Question 18

According to conflict theorists, _________ act as gatekeepers to scientific discoveries.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists argue that agencies supplying the funds for scientific research can act as gatekeepers, determining which projects receive support and thus influencing the direction and nature of scientific discoveries.

Question 19

RU486, an oral contraceptive widely used in France, Great Britain, and China, is legally available but opposed by many Americans. According to symbolic interactionists, this illustrates

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionists focus on the meanings and interpretations individuals attach to objects and events in their social world. The opposition to RU486 in the United States, despite its legal availability and widespread use in other countries, illustrates the significance of socially constructed beliefs about technology. This perspective highlights how cultural and moral values influence perceptions and acceptance of technological advancements, rather than the technology's inherent qualities or functionalities.

Question 20

Increases in telecommuting have

Accepted Answer

Telecommuting has blurred the distinction between work and home because it involves working from home, making it harder to separate professional and personal life.

Quiz 14: Science and Technology