Question 1

The shift between public purpose and private interest in social welfare policy is explained by:

Accepted Answer

Schlesinger's theory of cycles of history suggests that there are periodic shifts in policy focus between public purpose and private interest, reflecting broader cyclical changes in societal values and priorities.

Question 2

A liberal perspective toward social welfare policy emphasizes:

Accepted Answer

A liberal perspective typically advocates for active involvement by the federal government in social welfare to address inequalities and provide support to those in need.

Question 3

The concepts of worthy and unworthy poor grew out of former President Ronald Reagan's use of the term the "truly needy".

Accepted Answer

The concepts of the "worthy" and "unworthy" poor predate Ronald Reagan and have roots in historical distinctions made as far back as the Elizabethan Poor Laws of the 16th century, which aimed to categorize the poor based on their ability to work and the reasons for their poverty.

Question 4

Competing values and beliefs shape how we define a social welfare problem and how we develop a social welfare policy response to that problem.  Choose one conflicting value or belief and explain how it might impact the creation of social policy.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Competing values and beliefs shape how we...

Question 5

The ideology of cause and function describes the role of social work as struggling between trying to improve societal well-being while providing care to individuals.

Accepted Answer

The ideology of cause and function in social work reflects the dual focus of the profession: addressing and advocating for broader social change and improvements (cause) while also attending to the immediate needs and care of individuals and communities (function). This duality captures the ongoing struggle within social work to balance systemic change with direct service.

Question 6

A way to frame policy based on the lived experiences of people is through

Accepted Answer

Social empathy involves understanding and considering the lived experiences of individuals, which can inform and shape effective policy-making.

Question 7

Explain the difference between personal responsibility and social responsibility for social welfare. How do these two perspectives impact social welfare policy development?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Explain the difference between personal responsibility and...

Question 8

Second-order victim-blaming is when government is held responsible for the failure of social welfare programs.

Accepted Answer

Second-order victim-blaining refers to blaming individuals for their own misfortune due to societal issues rather than blaming the societal structures themselves, not the government's failure in social welfare programs.

Question 9

The belief that a handful of people control all public policies is described by the theory of blaming of the victim.

Accepted Answer

The belief that a handful of people control all public policies is described by the elite theory, not the theory of blaming the victim. The theory of blaming the victim typically refers to a perspective where the responsibility for social problems is placed on the individuals affected by those problems, rather than on societal structures.

Question 10

Social construction is a

Accepted Answer

Social construction is a paradigm, which refers to a theoretical framework or perspective that is used to understand and interpret social phenomena. It emphasizes that many aspects of our social reality and perceptions are not inherent or natural but are constructed through social interactions and processes.

Question 11

According to the NASW Code of Ethics social workers have an ethical responsibility to society.  Identify three actions prescribed within the NASW Code of Ethics regarding societal responsibility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of According to the NASW Code of Ethics...

Question 12

Changes in economics, communities, and families as a result of the industrialization of America significantly altered the social welfare system in this country.

Accepted Answer

The industrialization of America led to significant changes in economics, communities, and families, which in turn necessitated alterations in the social welfare system to address new social issues and needs arising from urbanization, labor exploitation, and shifts in family structures.

Question 13

Seven theories were presented in the chapter that attempt to explain the evolution of our social welfare system. Choose one of these seven theories and describe its basic tenets.  Can you identify strengths and weaknesses in the theory you chose?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Seven theories were presented in the chapter...

Question 14

Piven and Cloward argue social welfare policy can be a tool for social control.

Accepted Answer

Piven and Cloward argue that social welfare policies can serve as mechanisms of social control, managing and mitigating the disruptive potential of poverty and unemployment by pacifying and regulating the behavior of marginalized populations.

Question 15

The theory of a culture of poverty argues:

Accepted Answer

The theory of a culture of poverty suggests that people are born into poverty and learn behaviors and values that perpetuate their poverty across generations.

Question 16

Which of the following is not a form of social welfare assistance?

Accepted Answer

Inheritance is not considered a form of social welfare assistance. Social welfare assistance is designed to provide financial support to individuals or families in need, whereas inheritance involves the transfer of assets from a deceased person to their heirs, which is not a form of public or governmental support.

Question 17

If one feels a social obligation to provide agreed upon benefits to all citizens, then one supports

Accepted Answer

Distributive justice focuses on the fair allocation of resources and benefits among all members of society, aligning with the idea of providing agreed upon benefits to all citizens.

Question 18

Critical theory is concerned with the balance of power and the impact of oppression.

Accepted Answer

Critical theory focuses on examining and critiquing society and culture, aiming to understand and challenge power structures and inequalities, particularly those related to oppression.

Question 19

If people receive medical care directly from a public social welfare program, they are recipients of:

Accepted Answer

In-kind benefits refer to non-cash goods or services provided to individuals, such as medical care from a public social welfare program.

Question 20

Applying the concept of "survival of the fittest" to humanity is a key component of:

Accepted Answer

Biological determinism suggests that social and economic differences between human groups can be traced to inherited physical differences, aligning with the misapplication of "survival of the fittest" to justify social hierarchies based on presumed biological superiority.

Quiz 3: Conceptual Foundations of Social Welfare Policy