Question 1

Which statement about social change is most accurate?

Accepted Answer

Social change is not random or unpredictable. It usually has a direction relative to a society's history and is often influenced by a variety of factors such as technology, culture, and social institutions. While the government can play a role in promoting or blocking social change, it is not always the sole cause.

Question 2

Among industrialized countries, the country with the lowest infant mortality rate is

Accepted Answer

According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Japan has the lowest infant mortality rate among industrialized countries. As of 2019, Japan's infant mortality rate was 1.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, while the United States had a rate of 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Question 3

Which theoretical perspective is particularly suited to analyzing the quixotic character of fads and fashion and how people adapt and respond to these behaviors?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionist theory is particularly suited to analyzing the quixotic character of fads and fashion as it focuses on how individuals interpret and assign meaning to symbols and actions in their social interactions. This perspective can help explain why certain fads or trends become popular and how people adapt their behavior to fit in with these social norms. It also explores how individuals use these symbols and behaviors to construct and negotiate their identities within their social context.

Question 4

_____ theory proposes that countries pass through a consistent sequence of population patterns linked to the degree of development in the society and culminating in relatively low birthrates and death rates.

Accepted Answer

The Demographic Transition theory proposes that countries pass through a consistent sequence of population patterns linked to the degree of development in the society and culminating in relatively low birthrates and death rates. The Malthusian theory focuses on the negative effects of population growth on resources and quality of life. Zero population growth is a movement to maintain a stable population size, rather than describing a specific theory of population dynamics. Population transition is not a recognized theory.

Question 5

The term _____ refers to people creating new norms and organizational structures in response to emerging situations.

Accepted Answer

Collective behavior refers to the actions taken by people when they come together in groups, often in response to an event or situation that deviates from their normal social norms, leading to the creation of new norms and organizational structures.

Question 6

According to your text, the crude death rate, the number of deaths each year per 1000 people, is a good indicator of the _____ in a country.

Accepted Answer

The crude death rate is a good indicator of the standard of living in a country because it reflects the overall health and quality of life of the population. A higher crude death rate can indicate poor access to healthcare, inadequate nutrition, or other factors that negatively impact health and wellbeing. Conversely, a lower crude death rate is often associated with higher levels of healthcare, education, and economic development. Fertility, population growth, and crude birthrate are not direct indicators of the standard of living in a country.

Question 7

In the United States, stage 3 of the demographic transition model, characterized by low birthrate and low death rate, began

Accepted Answer

Stage 3 of the demographic transition model, characterized by low birthrate and low death rate, began in the United States prior to the Second World War.

Question 8

The United States emits _____ percent of global carbon dioxide, exceeded in 2016 only by _____.

Accepted Answer

According to the International Energy Agency, the United States emitted 16% of global carbon dioxide in 2016, exceeded only by China with 30%. India's emissions were at 7%. Therefore, the best answer is B, with the United States emitting 20% of global CO2 and China exceeding it with 30%.

Question 9

Gradual transformations that occur on a broad scale and affect many aspects of society, such as the spread diffusion of technology, are called

Accepted Answer

Macrochanges refer to large-scale transformations that affect multiple aspects of society. Megachanges may also be appropriate, but it is not a commonly used term. Systemic changes and sequential changes may be too specific and not broad enough to encompass the spread diffusion of technology.

Question 10

How would Malthus view the outbreaks of bubonic plague in Europe from 1334 to 1354, the smallpox epidemic in 1707 that devastated the populations of Mexico and the West Indies, and today's worldwide AIDS epidemic?

Accepted Answer

Malthus viewed disease and epidemics as checks on population growth, and believed that they were necessary to prevent overpopulation and its negative consequences. Therefore, he would likely view these outbreaks as necessary checks on population growth, even though they caused significant suffering and loss of life.

Question 11

_____ is the transmission of cultural elements from one society or cultural group to another.

Accepted Answer

Cultural diffusion refers to the spread of cultural elements such as ideas, beliefs, customs, and technologies from one society or cultural group to another through various channels such as trade, migration, and communication. Cultural drift refers to the gradual changes in a culture over time, without any external influence or transmission. Cultural contagion refers to the rapid spread of cultural elements within a society or cultural group, often through imitation, fads, or mass media. Enculturation refers to the process by which individuals learn and acquire the cultural norms and values of their own society or cultural group.

Question 12

More and more Americans are in the 65 and older age group, a phenomenon called the

Accepted Answer

The term commonly used to describe the increasing number of Americans in the 65 and older age group is the "graying of America."

Question 13

In The Population Bomb, Paul Ehrlich argues that

Accepted Answer

In The Population Bomb, Paul Ehrlich argues that worldwide population growth has outgrown food production and massive starvation will inevitably follow. He warns that without immediate population control, the world will experience widespread famine, disease, and social unrest.

Question 14

Despite the revolutionary developments that have blocked his predictions from becoming reality, Malthus made an important contribution by

Accepted Answer

Malthus raised important awareness about the limitations of subsistence and natural resources, which is still relevant today in discussions of sustainability and resource management. While he did not necessarily promote improved contraceptives or create checks on population increase, his work did contribute to the field of demography by focusing attention on population growth and its impact on society.

Question 15

In 2016, the birthrate for the United States was  _____ births per 1000 people, lower than at any other time in U.S. history.

Accepted Answer

In 2016, the birthrate in the United States was 12.4 births per 1000 people, which was the lowest recorded at that time in U.S. history.

Question 16

Stage 2 of the demographic transition model presented in your text is characterized by

Accepted Answer

Stage 2 of the demographic transition model is characterized by a high birthrate but a declining death rate. This is typically due to improvements in healthcare, sanitation, and technology which lead to lower mortality rates, while cultural and economic factors can result in continued high fertility rates. This stage is often associated with rapid population growth.

Question 17

According to the text, when Malthus was making his projections on population, he failed to foresee

Accepted Answer

The text states that Malthus failed to foresee the impact of advances in agricultural technology, disease prevention and treatment, and contraception.

Question 18

A large portion of the pollutants released into the air in the United States come from

Accepted Answer

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), transportation, primarily automobiles, is the largest contributor to air pollution in the United States.

Question 19

Studies find that _____ populations reside disproportionately closer to toxic sources than do Whites.

Accepted Answer

Multiple studies have found that communities of color, particularly Native American, Hispanic, and African American populations, are more likely to reside in close proximity to toxic sources such as landfills, hazardous waste sites, and industrial facilities. This is due to a history of discriminatory zoning and land use policies that have disproportionately placed these communities near these sources of pollution.

Question 20

According to _____ theory, left unchecked, populations grow faster than the subsistence needed to sustain them.

Accepted Answer

Malthusian theory, developed by Thomas Malthus in the late 18th century, suggests that if left unchecked, human populations grow at a geometric rate while the resources needed to sustain them (such as food and water) grow at an arithmetic rate. This means that eventually the population will outstrip the available resources, leading to famine, disease, and other social, economic, and environmental issues.

Quiz 16: Environment, Population and Social Change