Question 1

According to breakdown theory, relative deprivation creates strain; the strain prompts collective action to resolve the gap between expected and received social rewards.

Accepted Answer

This statement accurately represents the breakdown theory's concept of how relative deprivation leads to collective action to address the perceived gap between expected and received rewards.

Question 2

There are three factors that suggest that market forces alone can solve environmental problems: consumer responses to prices and supply, corporate responses to consumer demand, and political pressure that backs consumer choices.

Accepted Answer

While market forces can play a role in addressing environmental problems, they are often insufficient on their own. Government regulation and action is often necessary to ensure that externalities (such as pollution) are properly accounted for and addressed. Additionally, some environmental problems may not be effectively addressed through consumer or corporate actions alone, such as climate change.

Question 3

Breakdown theory falls within the functionalist perspective.

Accepted Answer

Breakdown theory is a functionalist perspective that examines how individual behaviors contribute to the overall functioning or dysfunction of a society.

Question 4

A social movement is a formal government-sponsored group that precipitates change.

Accepted Answer

A social movement is not a formal government-sponsored group, but rather a grassroots collective action aimed at social change.

Question 5

When people engage in collective action, they work in unison to bring about or resist social, political, and economic changes by means of demonstrations, riots, and strikes.

Accepted Answer

Collective action refers to the joint effort of a group of people towards a common goal. This can take the form of various methods such as demonstrations, riots, and strikes aimed at bringing about or resisting social, political, and economic changes.

Question 6

Greenpeace is an example of an organization that is part of a social movement with a global scope.

Accepted Answer

Greenpeace is a global non-governmental environmental organization. It operates in over 55 countries with a presence in every continent. Its mission is to promote peace and protect the environment through campaigns and peaceful protests. Therefore, it is an example of an organization that is part of a social movement with a global scope.

Question 7

Like the social movements before the 1970s, social movements today seek rights, not for specific groups, but for humanity itself; they recruit from the educated and professional classes rather than from the underprivileged, and they are increasingly globalized.

Accepted Answer

While it's true that many contemporary social movements are globalized and often include members from educated and professional classes, the assertion that they do not seek rights for specific groups but for humanity itself is not entirely accurate. Many modern social movements still focus on specific groups' rights, such as Black Lives Matter, LGBTQ+ rights movements, and women's rights movements. Additionally, many movements continue to emerge from and advocate for the underprivileged and marginalized communities, not just the educated and professional classes.

Question 8

According to Charles Darwin, ruthless competition among individuals and species in the struggle for survival is the only effective long-term strategy.

Accepted Answer

While Darwin did acknowledge the competitive nature of the struggle for survival, he also emphasized the importance of cooperation and mutual aid among members of a species, as well as the potential for adaptations that promote group success. Additionally, some scientists and philosophers have suggested that cooperation and collaboration are essential components of long-term survival and success, not just competition.

Question 9

More recent research shows that leaders and early joiners of social movements are well-integrated members of their community; they are not marginalized outsiders, as breakdown theory would suggest.

Accepted Answer

Recent research supports the idea that leaders and early joiners of social movements are not marginalized outsiders, but rather well-integrated members of their community. This contradicts the breakdown theory.

Question 10

Discuss some of the reasons that people can argue that technology has led to improvements in the lives of humans in 2013.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss some of the reasons that people...

Question 11

Opponents of social movements typically employ the strategy of "muddying the waters" to compete for public support.

Accepted Answer

Opponents of social movements often use the tactic of "muddying the waters" in order to confuse the public and undermine the legitimacy of the movement. They may spread false information or make exaggerated claims to create doubt and sow discord among supporters of the movement.

Question 12

Globalization helps ensure that many new social movements transcend local and national boundaries in the promotion of universal goals.

Accepted Answer

Globalization has enabled communication and information sharing on a global scale, making it easier for social movements to connect and collaborate across borders in pursuit of common objectives. This has led to the formation of numerous transnational social movements focused on issues such as human rights, environmental protection, and gender equality, among others. Therefore, globalization has played a significant role in facilitating the growth of such movements beyond local and national boundaries.

Question 13

Strike frequency is a good example of the effects of resource mobilization. Strike frequency is high when unemployment is high, when union membership is declining, and when social welfare benefits are inadequate.

Accepted Answer

Strike frequency is often lower when unemployment is high because workers fear losing their jobs, and it can also be influenced by other factors such as the strength of labor laws, the effectiveness of unions, and the overall economic climate, not just the factors mentioned.

Question 14

Collective action takes place when privileged groups and the institutions that they control are perceived as weak or indecisive.

Accepted Answer

Collective action often occurs when marginalized or oppressed groups perceive an opportunity to challenge the power structures that have previously held them back. When those in power are seen as vulnerable or ineffective, it can embolden individuals and groups to take action towards achieving their goals.

Question 15

The explosion of the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan, essentially ended World War II and divided the twentieth century into two distinct periods. Contrast the two periods with respect to an evaluation of technology.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The explosion of the atomic bomb in...

Question 16

Most collective action is part of a power struggle, and the struggle intensifies as groups whose members feel disadvantaged become more powerful relative to other groups.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Collective action often involves groups fighting for their interests and trying to gain more power and resources relative to other groups. As some groups become more powerful, the power dynamics can shift and intensify the struggle for resources and influence.

Question 17

Rock, punk, and reggae bands are sometimes invited to play at demonstrations such as nuclear disarmament rallies and gay liberation festivals because they keep crowds in control by keeping them entertained and involved in the celebratory aspects of social action.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Rock, punk, and reggae bands are sometimes...

Question 18

Frame alignment, a variation of conflict theory, is the oldest sociological approach to the study of social movements.

Accepted Answer

Frame alignment is not the oldest sociological approach to the study of social movements; rather, it is a concept developed by David Snow and his colleagues in the 1980s to explain how social movement organizations align their activities and ideologies with those of potential members. The oldest approaches include the collective behavior theory and resource mobilization theory.

Question 19

Frame alignment is the process by which the status quo leaders discount dissenting opinion and reframe it to match prevailing social beliefs and values.

Accepted Answer

Frame alignment is a process used in social movements to link the movement's goals to the interests, values, and beliefs of potential new members, not to discount dissenting opinions by status quo leaders.

Question 20

To date, despite extensive knowledge about environmental problems, relatively few Canadians are willing to make the sacrifices that are required to adequately address the extent of environmental degradation that human activity has already caused.

Accepted Answer

While there may be individual Canadians who are willing to make significant sacrifices to address environmental degradation, the statement suggests that as a society or nation, there remains a reluctance to enact significant changes in behavior or policy in response to environmental concerns.

Quiz 13: Technology, the Environment, and Social Movements