Question 1

Kayla is examining a theory that focuses on individuals and their interactions with one another,such as a brief confrontation at a parents' school meeting.Which of the following is Kayla studying?
A) micro-level
B) interpersonal
C) psychological
D) organic

Accepted Answer

Kayla is examining a theory that focuses on individual interactions, which is the essence of the micro-level of analysis in sociology. The other choices do not fit the context of the scenario given.

Question 2

Which areas of research are combined in the field of social gerontology?
A) socioeconomic-environmental, psychosocial, and practice-related research
B) biomedical and socioeconomic-environmental research
C) psychosocial, social policy, and social sciences research
D) biological, psychological, and health sciences research

Accepted Answer

Social gerontology integrates socioeconomic-environmental, psychosocial, and practice-related research to understand the aging process and the challenges faced by older adults in a comprehensive manner.

Question 3

What do social gerontologists use to guide their research and interpret the results of studies?
A) statistics and demographics
B) test sampling
C) theories
D) focus groups

Accepted Answer

Social gerontologists use theories, such as disengagement theory or activity theory, to guide their research and interpret the results of studies. These theories help provide a framework for understanding aging and the social issues that impact older adults. While statistics and demographics may be used as part of the research process, they are not the primary guides for social gerontology research. Test sampling and focus groups are research methods that may be used, but are not overarching guides for the field.

Question 4

Which aspect of social life does the interpretive perspective mainly focus on?
A) micro-level
B) reorganization
C) problems
D) functions

Accepted Answer

The interpretive perspective mainly focuses on micro-level aspects of social life, such as how individuals interpret and create meaning in their interactions with one another. It emphasizes understanding social phenomena from the perspective of those involved, rather than trying to identify overarching functions or solve specific problems.

Question 5

Which area of study in gerontology examines the physiological and health changes that occur as people age?
A) physio-environmental studies
B) cohort medical studies
C) psycho-physiological studies
D) biomedical studies

Accepted Answer

Biomedical studies in gerontology examine the physiological and health changes that occur as people age, including chronic diseases and disabilities.

Question 6

Which theories focus on social structure,social processes and problems,and their interrelationship?
A) macro-level theories
B) socio-political interactive theories
C) global perspectives
D) micro-level theories

Accepted Answer

Macro-level theories focus on social structure and social problems, examining the overall patterns and systems that shape society. They aim to explain how these structures and processes affect individuals and groups within society. Examples of macro-level theories include functionalism, conflict theory, and feminist theory.

Question 7

In 1980,the Gerontological Society surveyed 111 scholars to establish a core program for the field of gerontology.Though the experts disagreed as to the content and boundaries of the field,which of the following items did the scholars collectively believe?
A) Three areas of study should form the core of the curriculum.
B) The socioeconomic-environmental aspects of aging should be the main focus of courses at the introductory level.
C) A consensus on the definition must be reached before gerontology can grow as a discipline.
D) A comprehensive program would be difficult to construct because of problems in deciding what aspects of aging are the most important.

Accepted Answer

The text states that "Three areas of study should form the core of the curriculum," indicating that this was an area of agreement among the scholars surveyed. The other options either do not reflect a collective belief (B and D) or are not mentioned in the text (C).

Question 8

Which of the following methods assists social gerontologists to disentangle the effects of history, biology,and the social life on the aging person?
A) theory
B) concept
C) evaluation
D) model

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following methods assists social...

Question 9

According to the text,how does a researcher select a theory to use in order to explain a set of research findings?
A) according to the researcher's sense of how the world works
B) according to the original hypotheses of the study
C) according to recent academic trends
D) according to journal preferences and peer reviews

Accepted Answer

The text states that a researcher selects a theory based on their "sense of how the world works". This suggests that it is the researcher's prior knowledge, beliefs and personal perspectives that inform their choice of theory, rather than external factors such as hypotheses, academic trends, or journal preferences.

Question 10

Which of the following is a criticism of micro-level theories?
A) They oversimplify social life.
B) They minimize the individual's ability to act.
C) They emphasize what people do rather than the economic and social conditions that cause them to act as they do.
D) They support a definition of old age as a time of decline.

Accepted Answer

Micro-level theories focus on individual or small group interactions and can be criticized for emphasizing individual actions without adequately considering the broader economic and social conditions that influence those actions.

Question 11

Which field looks at aging from the points of view of both the individual and the social system?
A) geriatrics
B) psychosocial studies
C) social gerontology
D) didactic-senescence

Accepted Answer

Social gerontology is the field that focuses on aging from both the perspective of the individual and the social system, including factors such as social policy, demographics, and social inequality. Geriatrics focuses more on the medical aspects of aging, while psychosocial studies may include aging as one of many areas of focus, but not necessarily from both individual and societal perspectives. Didactic-senescence is not a recognized or commonly used term in the field of aging.

Question 12

Which perspective has historically been used the least by social gerontologists and is now making a resurgence over the last few decades?
A) normative perspective
B) psycho-social perspective
C) associative perspective
D) interpretive perspective

Accepted Answer

The interpretive perspective has historically been used the least by social gerontologists, but it has been gaining popularity over the last few decades. This perspective emphasizes the subjective experiences and meanings that older adults give to their lives, rather than just observing their behaviors or physical characteristics.

Question 13

Which type of theory exemplifies the interpretive perspective?
A) social pathophysiology
B) ethnocentrism
C) symbolic interactionist
D) disengagement

Accepted Answer

The interpretive perspective is exemplified by the symbolic interactionist theory, which focuses on how people understand and interpret symbols in their social interactions.

Question 14

Which of the following would be an example of a phenomenon explained by micro-level theories?
A) the effect of positive attitudes on older people
B) the effect of industrialization on older peoples' social status
C) changes in memory with age
D) how gender and income affect older people's well-being

Accepted Answer

Changes in memory with age can be explained by micro-level theories, which focus on individual-level factors such as genetics and cognitive processes. Options A and D are more macro-level phenomena, influenced by social structures and institutions. Option B is also more macro-level, as it pertains to the impact of a societal system (industrialization) on a group of people.

Question 15

Which perspective looks at how people define situations,create social order,and relate to one another?
A) normative perspective
B) interpretive perspective
C) social perspective
D) ethnomethodology

Accepted Answer

The interpretive perspective focuses on how people create meaning and interpret their experiences in their social interactions, including how they define situations, create social order, and relate to one another. Normative perspective refers to the study of social norms and values, social perspective is too general and could encompass various perspectives, and ethnomethodology is a specific perspective within the interpretive tradition that focuses on how people make sense of their social world through practical reasoning.

Question 16

George is conducting research about the effects of aging on the educational structure as well as the effects of social structures on older people.Which area of gerontology is he studying?
A) psychosocial studies
B) socio-individual studies
C) multi-stage development social studies
D) socioeconomic-environmental studies

Accepted Answer

The answer of George is conducting research about the effects...

Question 17

Which of the following would be an example of a psychosocial study in gerontology?
A) formal social supports
B) causes of dementia
C) relationships between individuals and groups
D) effects of healthcare systems

Accepted Answer

A psychosocial study in gerontology would focus on the relationships between individuals and groups, including how these relationships impact overall wellbeing and quality of life. This could include studying social isolation and loneliness among older adults, intergenerational relationships, and the impact of caregiving on both caregivers and care recipients. While A, B, and D are all important areas of research in gerontology, they do not necessarily fall under the umbrella of psychosocial research.

Question 18

Why do social gerontologists examine the biological and physical changes that occur in old age?
A) to adapt the research obtained to their field of study
B) to study the relationship between biological aging and personal relationships
C) to see how the changes affect the individual or society as a whole
D) to establish a unified basis for the studies of biomedical, psycho-social, and socioeconomic-environmental studies

Accepted Answer

Social gerontologists examine the biological and physical changes that occur in old age to understand how these changes affect the individual and society as a whole. They often explore the relationship between physical aging and various social and psychological factors, such as interpersonal relationships, mental health, and quality of life. By understanding the impact of biological aging, social gerontologists can develop strategies to promote healthy aging and improve the well-being of older adults.

Question 19

How is a theory deemed to be a valuable tool for a researcher?
A) It gives concrete and final answers to questions.
B) It provides practical information for the development of social programs and interventions.
C) It provides essential trivial information about aging.
D) It explains all the facts about aging.

Accepted Answer

A theory is valuable for a researcher because it provides practical information for the development of social programs and interventions. Theories help researchers to generate testable hypotheses and to guide research in a systematic and organized way. They also provide a framework for interpreting and making sense of research findings, which can help to inform social policies and programs designed to improve the lives of older adults. A theory does not provide concrete and final answers to questions, nor does it explain all the facts about aging.

Question 20

Which of the following is a criticism of the theories that examine aging in terms of the social structures that influence behaviour?
A) that they are not well-supported by research
B) that they underestimate people's ability to overcome the limits of social structures
C) that they focus too much on outcomes, and not enough on processes
D) that they focus too much on perceptions, and not enough on actions

Accepted Answer

This criticism suggests that the theories underestimate individual agency and overlook the potential for individuals to challenge and transcend social structures.

Quiz 2: Theories and Methods

Kayla is examining a theory that focuses on individuals and their interactions with one another,such as a brief confrontation at a parents' school meeting.Which of the following is Kayla studying?

Which areas of research are combined in the field of social gerontology?

What do social gerontologists use to guide their research and interpret the results of studies?

Which aspect of social life does the interpretive perspective mainly focus on?

Which area of study in gerontology examines the physiological and health changes that occur as people age?

Which theories focus on social structure,social processes and problems,and their interrelationship?

In 1980,the Gerontological Society surveyed 111 scholars to establish a core program for the field of gerontology.Though the experts disagreed as to the content and boundaries of the field,which of the following items did the scholars collectively believe?

Which of the following methods assists social gerontologists to disentangle the effects of history, biology,and the social life on the aging person?

According to the text,how does a researcher select a theory to use in order to explain a set of research findings?

Which of the following is a criticism of micro-level theories?

Which field looks at aging from the points of view of both the individual and the social system?

Which perspective has historically been used the least by social gerontologists and is now making a resurgence over the last few decades?

Which type of theory exemplifies the interpretive perspective?

Which of the following would be an example of a phenomenon explained by micro-level theories?

Which perspective looks at how people define situations,create social order,and relate to one another?

George is conducting research about the effects of aging on the educational structure as well as the effects of social structures on older people.Which area of gerontology is he studying?

Which of the following would be an example of a psychosocial study in gerontology?

Why do social gerontologists examine the biological and physical changes that occur in old age?

How is a theory deemed to be a valuable tool for a researcher?

Which of the following is a criticism of the theories that examine aging in terms of the social structures that influence behaviour?