Question 1

Claims and counterclaims about what should and should not be defined as a social problem is a good way of describing
A)politics.
B)societal consensus.
C)coalescence.
D)philosophy.

Accepted Answer

Claims and counterclaims about what should and should not be defined as a social problem are often tied to political beliefs and values. Different political parties and ideologies will have differing opinions on what issues should be considered social problems and what solutions should be implemented.

Question 2

In 2013, a survey asked people what they considered to be serious social problems. All but one of the following were on the list of serious problems. Which one was not on the list?
A)the economy
B)unemployment
C)the gap between the rich and the poor
D)global warming

Accepted Answer

The other options, the economy, unemployment, and the gap between the rich and the poor, all relate to financial issues and economic inequality. However, global warming is a environmental issue and was not as commonly considered a serious social problem in 2013.

Question 3

In which stage of a social movement do the people involved come together to share their concerns and make claims about the need for change?
A)coalescence
B)formalization
C)decline
D)emergence

Accepted Answer

The stage of emergence is when individuals come together to raise their concerns and advocate for change. It is the first stage of a social movement, where people realize that there is a problem or an issue that needs to be addressed. In this stage, people may organize rallies, protests, or other forms of public demonstrations to draw attention to their cause.

Question 4

Which of the following has been the cause of more than 1 million accidents in the United States in recent years?
A)school shootings
B)poverty
C)cell phone use while driving
D)flu virus

Accepted Answer

According to the National Safety Council, cell phone use while driving has been the cause of more than 1 million accidents in the United States in recent years.

Question 5

The social-constructionist approach asserts that
A)society keeps facing the same problems year after year.
B)social problems are those that are the most harmful to any population.
C)problems arise as people define conditions as undesirable and in need of change.
D)the government decides what the serious problems are.

Accepted Answer

The social-constructionist approach identifies problems as the result of people defining certain conditions as undesirable and in need of change. This approach sees social problems as constructed by society rather than as objective conditions.

Question 6

Sociologists use which of the following concepts to refer to a statement of how and why specific facts are related?
A)model
B)correlation
C)theory
D)societal subsystem

Accepted Answer

Sociologists use the concept of theory to refer to a statement of how and why specific facts are related. A theory is a set of logically interconnected propositions explaining the relationships among phenomena. It is a more complex and explanatory framework than a model or correlation. Societal subsystem is not directly related to this concept.

Question 7

Thinking sociologically about a problem such as unemployment, we understand that this issue is
A)the result of bad choices by individuals.
B)inevitable.
C)a personal problem.
D)a social issue involving the operation of society.

Accepted Answer

Unemployment is not solely caused by individual choices, but is instead a result of larger social and economic factors. It involves the operation of society as a whole, including government policies, economic systems, and the availability of jobs. Therefore, it is a social issue that requires collective action and solutions.

Question 8

Which theoretical approach sees society as a system of many interrelated parts that operate together?
A)structural-functional approach
B)feminist approach
C)social-conflict approach
D)symbolic-interaction approach

Accepted Answer

The structural-functional approach views society as a system of many interrelated parts that operate together, each with a specific function that contributes to the overall stability and continuity of the society. It focuses on the ways in which different parts of society work together to maintain social order and cohesion.

Question 9

Although there is less gender inequality today than there was a century ago, people today are more likely to view gender inequality as a social problem than people were back then. This pattern reflects the fact that
A)what we subjectively perceive always reflects what is objectively true.
B)we now expect men and women to be socially unequal.
C)we now expect men and women to be socially equal.
D)people simply don't agree on what important social problems are.

Accepted Answer

The statement implies that there has been progress in reducing gender inequality over the past century, and as a result, people are more likely to view gender inequality as a social problem today than they were in the past. This suggests that people now expect men and women to be socially equal, which is reflected in their increased concern over gender inequality as a social issue. Option A is incorrect because subjective perception may not always be an accurate representation of objective reality. Option B is incorrect because the statement suggests the opposite - that people now expect social equality. Option D is also incorrect because the statement suggests that people today do agree on the important social problem of gender inequality.

Question 10

We tend to assume people are responsible for their own troubles because our way of life in the United States emphasizes
A)collective goals.
B)individualism.
C)tradition.
D)diversity.

Accepted Answer

The emphasis on individualism in the United States leads to a belief that individuals are responsible for their own successes and failures. The focus on independence and personal responsibility means that problems are often seen as the result of an individual's actions or choices, rather than outside factors.

Question 11

Which of the following terms refers to a point of view that shows us how society affects the experiences and choices of individuals?
A)social patterns
B)sociological imagination
C)comparative perspective
D)social problems approach

Accepted Answer

The term "sociological imagination" refers to a perspective that shows how larger social patterns and structures shape the choices and experiences of individuals. It highlights the interconnectedness between individual experiences and societal contexts.

Question 12

Adopting a global perspective shows us which of the following patterns?
A)Women in poor nations typically have fewer children than women in the United States.
B)People in poor nations have as much schooling as people in the United States.
C)The same problems we face in the United States also exist in other countries.
D)Poverty is more serious in much of the world than it is in the United States.

Accepted Answer

Adopting a global perspective highlights that poverty is a more significant issue in many parts of the world than in the United States. This is evident in several indicators across different regions, such as lower access to quality education, healthcare, and basic resources like food and water. While other patterns may also emerge, such as variations in family size, they do not hold true universally and are subject to cultural and socioeconomic contexts. Therefore, D is the best choice for this question.

Question 13

An example of a pattern that is very harmful but not generally defined as a social problem is
A)terrorism, which includes events that resulted in thousands of deaths.
B)school shootings that have resulted in several dozen deaths.
C)the use of automobiles that results in some 32,000 deaths each year.
D)homicide, which involves almost 15,000 deaths each year.

Accepted Answer

The use of automobiles resulting in 32,000 deaths each year is a pattern that is harmful but not generally defined as a social problem. This is because automobiles are such an integral part of modern life that their dangers are largely accepted as an unfortunate but necessary consequence. However, this pattern is still harmful and results in a significant loss of life each year.

Question 14

Because many social problems are related,
A)no social problem can be solved.
B)every social problem can be solved.
C)solving one social problem may create a new problem.
D)solving one social problem will solve all social problems.

Accepted Answer

Social problems are interconnected and solving one problem may lead to the emergence of a new problem. Hence, it is important to consider the potential impact of any solution on other related problems.

Question 15

Which of the following concepts refers to a basic image of society that guides theory and research?
A)hypothesis
B)theoretical approach
C)correlation
D)societal subsystem

Accepted Answer

Theoretical approach refers to a basic image of society that guides theory and research. Hypothesis is a specific, testable prediction about the relationship between variables, while correlation refers to the degree to which two variables are related. Societal subsystem refers to various subgroups and institutions within a society.

Question 16

A social problem is defined as a condition that
A)harms everyone in a society.
B)harms only the poorest people in a society.
C)harms only the most powerful people in a society.
D)harms some or all members of a society and is usually controversial.

Accepted Answer

A social problem is a condition that harms some or all members of a society and is usually controversial, as different groups may have different opinions on how to address it. It can affect people of different socioeconomic classes, races, genders, and other identities. Examples of social problems include poverty, inequality, discrimination, crime, drug abuse, and environmental degradation. Social problems can have significant consequences for individuals, communities, and societies, and addressing them requires collective action and social change.

Question 17

Wright Mills explained that by using the sociological perspective, people transform "personal troubles" into
A)social issues.
B)psychological concerns.
C)economic issues.
D)political concerns.

Accepted Answer

Wright Mills believed that by using the sociological perspective, people could connect their personal troubles (such as unemployment, divorce, or addiction) to larger societal issues (such as economic inequality, gender discrimination, or social policies). This allows individuals to see how their personal struggles are not just individual problems but are connected to broader social structures. Thus, they can work towards addressing the root causes of their troubles by advocating for societal change.

Question 18

The process of convincing the public and important public officials that a particular issue should be defined as a social problem is a process that sociologists call
A)subjective assessment.
B)claims making.
C)objective assessment.
D)factual analysis.

Accepted Answer

Claims making is the process of convincing the public and influential people that a particular issue should be considered a social problem. It involves presenting evidence, statistics, and emotional appeals to create a sense of urgency and mobilize public support for action. Subjective assessment and objective assessment refer to different ways of evaluating information, while factual analysis is a broader term that encompasses various methods for examining data and drawing conclusions.

Question 19

Because social problems result from the ways in which society operates,
A)these problems cannot ever be solved.
B)people must solve their issues on their own.
C)solving social problems requires change to society itself.
D)all social problems can easily be solved.

Accepted Answer

Social problems are a result of societal structures and systems, thus solving them requires changing those structures and systems. This can be done through collective action and policy changes that aim to address the root causes of social problems. It is unlikely that social problems will ever be completely eradicated, but they can be reduced and managed through ongoing efforts to promote equality and justice in society.

Question 20

An organized effort to encourage or discourage social change is called a
A)social movement.
B)sociological theory.
C)social-constructionist approach.
D)subculture.

Accepted Answer

An organized effort to encourage or discourage social change is referred to as a social movement. A sociological theory is an explanation of how and why certain facts about the social world occur. A social-constructionist approach is a perspective that emphasizes the role of individuals and groups in creating and maintaining social norms and values. A subculture refers to a group of people within a larger culture who share distinct values, norms, and practices.

Quiz 1: Sociology: Studying Social Problems

Claims and counterclaims about what should and should not be defined as a social problem is a good way of describing

In 2013, a survey asked people what they considered to be serious social problems. All but one of the following were on the list of serious problems. Which one was not on the list?

In which stage of a social movement do the people involved come together to share their concerns and make claims about the need for change?

Which of the following has been the cause of more than 1 million accidents in the United States in recent years?

The social-constructionist approach asserts that

Sociologists use which of the following concepts to refer to a statement of how and why specific facts are related?

Thinking sociologically about a problem such as unemployment, we understand that this issue is

Which theoretical approach sees society as a system of many interrelated parts that operate together?

Although there is less gender inequality today than there was a century ago, people today are more likely to view gender inequality as a social problem than people were back then. This pattern reflects the fact that

We tend to assume people are responsible for their own troubles because our way of life in the United States emphasizes

Which of the following terms refers to a point of view that shows us how society affects the experiences and choices of individuals?

Adopting a global perspective shows us which of the following patterns?

An example of a pattern that is very harmful but not generally defined as a social problem is

Because many social problems are related,

Which of the following concepts refers to a basic image of society that guides theory and research?

A social problem is defined as a condition that

Wright Mills explained that by using the sociological perspective, people transform "personal troubles" into

The process of convincing the public and important public officials that a particular issue should be defined as a social problem is a process that sociologists call

Because social problems result from the ways in which society operates,

An organized effort to encourage or discourage social change is called a