Question 1

Besides ingenuity, what is required to turn scientific principles into technological innovations?
A) substantial resources of money and organization
B) support from more traditional social institutions
C) commercial incentive
D) philosophical support from politicians

Accepted Answer

Substantial resources of money and organization are essential to develop and implement technological innovations based on scientific principles.

Question 2

According to Ulrich Beck, which of the following is more worrisome than the fact that technologies are likely to fail sometimes?
A) technological determinism
B) environmental threats
C) technological imperialism
D) food shortages

Accepted Answer

Ulrich Beck is a sociologist who is concerned with environmental threats posed by technological achievements, such as climate change and nuclear disasters. He argues that the risks posed by such environmental threats are more concerning than the fact that technologies are likely to fail sometimes. Therefore, option B, environmental threats, is the correct answer.

Question 3

What term was coined by German sociologist Ulrich Beck to describe societies in which technology distributes danger among all categories of people, though unevenly?
A) hi-tech society
B) human-technology interface
C) risk society
D) technological environment

Accepted Answer

Ulrich Beck coined the term "risk society" to describe societies in which technology distributes danger among all categories of people, though unevenly.

Question 4

In a classroom discussion, Connor challenges his professor's claim that class struggle is the motor of human history and the determining factor in history. Connor believes that, of all the different factors that have an impact on human life and society, none have had more influence than technology. What do sociologists call Connor's view?
A) scientific determinism
B) technological reductionism
C) technocratic domination
D) technological determinism

Accepted Answer

Connor's view is that technology is the determining factor in history, which aligns with the sociological perspective known as technological determinism. This perspective argues that technology is the primary driver for economic and social change, and that it plays a critical role in shaping societies and cultures.

Question 5

According to the textbook, which of the following has the largest influence over which technologies are developed and how they are used?
A) the military and big corporations
B) the wealthy and the politicians who represent their views
C) the government and the public
D) the consumer public and corporate capitalists

Accepted Answer

The military and big corporations have the largest influence over which technologies are developed and how they are used because they have the resources and funding to invest in research and development. They also have a significant influence on government policies and regulations related to technology. The other options may have some influence, but not to the same extent as the military and big corporations.

Question 6

When he watched the atomic bomb detonate, Robert Oppenheimer quoted from Hindu scripture: "I am become Death, the shatterer of Worlds." Which of the following does this quote express?
A) awe for the power of technology
B) confidence in the future of technology
C) Hindu faith amid scientific genius
D) concern that technology could have negative results

Accepted Answer

Oppenheimer's quote expresses his concern that the technology he helped create could have negative and destructive consequences. The quote itself, taken from Hindu scripture, suggests a sense of spiritual introspection and recognition of the gravity of the moment.

Question 7

Kenrick and Sophie are discussing the relative merits of nuclear power in light of the consequences of the tsunami that damaged the nuclear reactor at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor in Japan. Kenrick defends the overall safety of nuclear energy by pointing out that the damage was caused by a natural disaster as opposed to any human error. Sophie responds by explaining that, according to some sociologists, these kinds of disasters are predictable consequences of the complexity of new technology. How do these sociologists refer to these events?
A) normal accident
B) statistical anomaly
C) catastrophic outlier
D) planned obsolescence

Accepted Answer

The sociologists are referring to these events as normal accidents, which are predictable consequences of the complexity of new technology. This concept was developed by Charles Perrow, who argued that even with the best engineering, accidents are inevitable in complex systems. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear accident is considered a normal accident because it resulted from the interaction of multiple failures in a complex system, rather than a single cause or operator error.

Question 8

What is the definition of technological determinism?
A) the belief that technology determines the creation of a risk society
B) the belief that technology determines human life chances
C) the belief that technology determines more than biology does
D) the belief that technology is the major force shaping human society and history

Accepted Answer

Technological determinism is the belief that technology is the major driving force behind the shaping of human society and history. It suggests that technological advancements dictate societal changes, rather than the other way around. It emphasizes the importance of technology in shaping behaviors, values, and cultural norms.

Question 9

While somewhat upset about the Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska, Miriam realizes that this event is sometimes just the cost of progress. Based on this information, how does Miriam most likely feel about the less positive outcomes that accompany technological advances?
A) that they are normal accidents
B) that they are the risks of genius
C) that they are acceptable perils
D) that they are a modern menace

Accepted Answer

The answer of While somewhat upset about the Exxon Valdez...

Question 10

Which of the following terms did sociologist Charles Perrow coin in recognition of the fact that the complexity of modern technologies ensures they will inevitably fail, although in unpredictable ways?
A) inexplicable occurrence
B) human error
C) the two faces of technology
D) normal accident

Accepted Answer

Sociologist Charles Perrow coined the term "normal accident" to recognize that the complexity of modern technologies ensures they will inevitably fail, but in unpredictable ways.

Question 11

Under what circumstances does new technology become a major force in society and history?
A) once it is adopted in each household in the United States
B) only after there is competition to manufacture the technological devices
C) only after it is coupled with a major social need
D) once it is believed to lead to increased food production

Accepted Answer

New technology becomes a major force in society and history when it is coupled with a major social need. This means that the technology solves a societal problem or meets a societal need in a way that significantly impacts society and history. Simply being adopted in households or leading to increased food production is not enough to make it a major force. The presence of competition in manufacturing is also not necessary for technology to have a significant impact on society and history.

Question 12

Which of the following is Thomas Edison credited with inventing?
A) synthetic fertilizer and the diesel engine
B) the automobile and the steam engine
C) the airplane and the vacuum cleaner
D) the electric light bulb and the phonograph

Accepted Answer

Thomas Edison is credited with inventing the electric light bulb and the phonograph. He did not invent synthetic fertilizer, the diesel engine, the automobile, the steam engine, the airplane, or the vacuum cleaner.

Question 13

What is the term used for the belief that technology is the major force shaping human society and history?
A) technological progress
B) technological utopia
C) technological ethic
D) technological determinism

Accepted Answer

Technological determinism refers to the belief that technology shapes human society and history, often considered the main force driving societal change. It is the idea that technology is the driver of progress and development, and that its impact is inevitable and irreversible.

Question 14

Allie considers herself a technological determinist. Which of the following best describes her views of technology?
A) People drive technological change.
B) Technology drives social relations and history.
C) Technology and people make history.
D) People use social forces to alter technological change.

Accepted Answer

Allie's belief in technological determinism means that she sees technology as the primary driver of social and historical change, rather than people. Therefore, option B, which states that technology drives social relations and history, best describes her views.

Question 15

Charles Perrow identified such occurrences as the Union Carbide pesticide leak from its plant in Bhopal India, the nuclear reactor explosion in Chernobyl, and the Exxon Valdez's oil spill as which of the following?
A) unprecedented disasters
B) normal accidents
C) fate
D) natural disasters

Accepted Answer

Perrow identified these occurrences as "normal accidents," which refers to complex systems that operate with multiple components and potential failure points. In such systems, accidents are expected to occur due to inherent complexity and the possibility of unforeseen interactions between components.

Question 16

Daniel is aware that, in the production of his new patented invention, there is the possibility for things to go awry. He believes that this possibility for harm is outweighed by the potential of his invention to be beneficial. Which of the following terms is used to refer to how Daniel most likely views the less positive possibilities of invention?
A) invention speculation
B) the risks of invention
C) normal accidents
D) invention hazards

Accepted Answer

The answer of Daniel is aware that, in the production...

Question 17

David is excited because he has suddenly realized the potential of science to create a better life for people all over the world. What is David excited about?
A) biodiversity
B) evolution
C) technology
D) social constructionism

Accepted Answer

David's excitement is about the potential of science to create a better life for people all over the world, indicating that he is excited about technology's possibilities.

Question 18

Shannon believes that all modern technological advances are harming the entire planet, and she is starting a new Facebook group to organize resistance to them. What does Shannon feel that humans today live in?
A) a Frankenstein World
B) a technopoly
C) a multinational disaster zone
D) a risk society

Accepted Answer

Shannon's belief that modern technological advances are harming the entire planet and her action to organize resistance against them align with the concept of a "risk society." This term, coined by sociologist Ulrich Beck, refers to a society increasingly preoccupied with the future and also with safety, which generates the notion of risk. In a risk society, the focus is on managing and preventing the various risks that modern advancements and industrialization have introduced.

Question 19

Which of the following has the text identified as among the most dangerous consequences of technology currently facing the world?
A) global warming
B) increased class struggle
C) technological determinism
D) traffic congestion and urban sprawl

Accepted Answer

The text identifies global warming as one of the most dangerous consequences of technology facing the world. While the other options may have negative effects, they are not explicitly identified in the text as being among the most dangerous consequences of technology.

Question 20

Which of the following characterizes a risk society?
A) most people's engagement in risky behaviour
B) most young people's engagement in risky behaviour
C) the weighting of technological hazards against the benefits
D) the global danger posed by all technologies

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following characterizes a risk...

Quiz 13: Technology, the Environment, and Social Movements

Besides ingenuity, what is required to turn scientific principles into technological innovations?

According to Ulrich Beck, which of the following is more worrisome than the fact that technologies are likely to fail sometimes?

What term was coined by German sociologist Ulrich Beck to describe societies in which technology distributes danger among all categories of people, though unevenly?

According to the textbook, which of the following has the largest influence over which technologies are developed and how they are used?

When he watched the atomic bomb detonate, Robert Oppenheimer quoted from Hindu scripture: "I am become Death, the shatterer of Worlds." Which of the following does this quote express?

What is the definition of technological determinism?

While somewhat upset about the Exxon Valdez oil spill off the coast of Alaska, Miriam realizes that this event is sometimes just the cost of progress. Based on this information, how does Miriam most likely feel about the less positive outcomes that accompany technological advances?

Which of the following terms did sociologist Charles Perrow coin in recognition of the fact that the complexity of modern technologies ensures they will inevitably fail, although in unpredictable ways?

Under what circumstances does new technology become a major force in society and history?

Which of the following is Thomas Edison credited with inventing?

What is the term used for the belief that technology is the major force shaping human society and history?

Allie considers herself a technological determinist. Which of the following best describes her views of technology?

Charles Perrow identified such occurrences as the Union Carbide pesticide leak from its plant in Bhopal India, the nuclear reactor explosion in Chernobyl, and the Exxon Valdez's oil spill as which of the following?

David is excited because he has suddenly realized the potential of science to create a better life for people all over the world. What is David excited about?

Shannon believes that all modern technological advances are harming the entire planet, and she is starting a new Facebook group to organize resistance to them. What does Shannon feel that humans today live in?

Which of the following has the text identified as among the most dangerous consequences of technology currently facing the world?

Which of the following characterizes a risk society?