question

The sociological imagination shows how society affects the experiences we have and the choices we make.

answer

TRUE

question

An example of an issue that does lead to considerable public harm but is not defined as a problem is our society's use of automobiles.

answer

TRUE

question

One person's "problem" is sometimes another person's "solution."

answer

TRUE

question

Sociologists claim that social problems arise from the poor choices made by individuals.

answer

FALSE

question

Many social problems are related, so solving one problem may create a new problem.

answer

TRUE

question

Social problems never involve more than one nation

answer

FALSE

question

The major theoretical models in sociology are the structural functional approach, the social conflict approach, the feminist approach, and the symbolic interaction approach.

answer

TRUE

question

If an argument includes statistics, the argument must necessarily be true.

answer

FALSE

question

Which of the following terms refers to a point of view that highlights how society affects the experiences and choices of individuals? a. social patterns b. sociological imagination c. comparative perspective d. social problems approach

answer

sociological imagination

question

Which of the following concepts refers to people who live within some territory and share many patterns of behavior? a. sociology b. culture c. society d. nation

answer

society

question

Which of the following concepts refers to a way of life including widespread values, beliefs, and behavior? a. culture b. society c. social structure d. normative expectations

answer

culture

question

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.

answer

individualism

question

Sociology's key insight is that the troubles many people face are rooted in a. their personal issues. b. the operation of society. c. human pathologies. d. the choices they make.

answer

the operation of society

question

Although the sociological perspective gives us power to change society, it a. also discourages us from having any concern for others. b. rarely results in causing any real change. c. can also lead to the conclusion that sometimes people suffer through no fault of their own. d. produces inevitable conflict that harms society.

answer

can also lead to the conclusion that sometimes people suffer through no fault of their own

question

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.

answer

harms some or all members of a society and is usually controversial

question

In 2012, 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

answer

global warming

question

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.

answer

problems arise as people define conditions as undesirable and in need of change

question

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 34,000 deaths each year. d. homicide, which involves almost 15,000 deaths each year.

answer

the use of automobiles that results in some 34,000 deaths each year

question

Issues are considered to be as social problems if a. they are defined as undesirable and in need of change. b. they have been problems in the past. c. they harm the largest number of people. d. they are not controversial at all.

answer

they are defined as undesirable and in need of change

question

An example of an issue that has become defined as a social problem over the last several years is a. people dying from bee stings. b. the use of cell phones while driving. c. driving while intoxicated. d. our nation's death rate from homicide.

answer

the use of cell phones while driving

question

The process of convincing the public and important public officials that a particular issue should be defined as a social problem is a process sociologists call a. subjective assessment. b. claims making. c. objective assessment. d. factual analysis.

answer

claims making

question

The correct way to describe social problems is that they a. are only a matter of objective facts. b. are issues that involve the greatest public harm. c. involve both objective facts and subjective assessment. d. are almost always economic issues.

answer

involve both objective facts and subjective assessment

question

Claims and counterclaims about what should and should not be defined as a social problem is a good description of a. politics. b. societal consensus. c. coalescence. d. philosophy.

answer

politics

question

An organized effort to encourage or discourage social change is called a a. social movement. b. sociological theory. c. social-constructionist approach. d. subculture.

answer

social movement

question

In which stage of a social movement does the new organization begin rallies, demonstrations, and political lobbying? a. coalescence b. formalization c. decline d. emergence

answer

coalescence

question

Only one of the following statements is NOT correct. Which one is it? a. Social problems result from the way society operates. b. Everyone defines the same issues as social problems. c. Definitions of social problems change over time. d. Definitions of social problems involve both subjective values and objective facts.

answer

everyone defines the same issues as social problems

question

Sociologists contend that a. many—but probably not all—social problems will ever be solved. b. almost no social problems will ever be solved. c. all social problems will eventually be solved. d. only truly harmful social problems are ever solved.

answer

many—but probably not all—social problems will ever be solved

question

Because social problems result from the ways in which society operates a. these problems cannot ever be solved. b. people must solve issues on their own. c. solving social problems requires change to society itself. d. all social problems can easily be solved.

answer

solving social problems requires change to society itself.

question

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.

answer

solving one social problem may create a new problem

question

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.

answer

Poverty is more serious in much of the world than it is in the United States

question

The text states that 6.7 percent of the world's people a. have a college degree. b. are illiterate. c. are desperately poor. d. live in cities.

answer

have a college degree

question

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

answer

theory

question

Political analysts have documented that men are somewhat more likely to vote for Republican candidates, while women favor Democrats. This difference is referred to as the a. "gender gap." b. "pink ceiling." c. "second shift." d. "the Clinton effect."

answer

"gender gap"

question

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

answer

structural functional approach

question

Major spheres of social life, or societal subsystems, are organized to meet a basic human need. Sociologists call these subsystems a. theoretical paradigms. b. functional prerequisites. c. social institutions. d. subcultures.

answer

social institutions

question

Which of the following theories is correctly described as a "medical model" that views social problems as diseases that disrupt the normal operation of society? a. social disorganization theory b. social pathology theory c. social conflict theory d. symbolic interaction theory

answer

social pathology theory

question

Which early English sociologist made the statement that poverty and related problems were created by people who lacked ability and personal discipline? a. Herbert Spencer b. Emile Durkheim c. Max Weber d. Karl Marx

answer

Herbert Spencer

question

Which theory would you be using if you studied how social problems arise when rapid change overwhelms society's institutions? a. social conflict theory b. social disorganization theory c. symbolic interaction theory d. social Darwinist theory

answer

social disorganization theory

question

In evaluating any social policy, it is important to remember that a. there is usually only one way to define "success." b. there is more than one way to measure "success." c. policies have little or nothing to do with politics. d. the public generally does not care if programs work or not.

answer

there is more than one way to measure "success."

question

A formal strategy created by government or some other organization that affects how society operates is called a. social policy. b. culture. c. science. d. the political spectrum.

answer

social policy

question

If you were studying how society is divided by gender inequality, which theoretical approach would you be using? a. the structural functional approach b. the feminist approach c. the symbolic interaction approach d. the social Darwinist approach

answer

the feminist approach

question

According to Marxist theory, social problems such as poverty result from a. an evil human nature. b. advanced technology. c. the operation of a capitalist economy. d. the high rate of immigration.

answer

the operation of a capitalist economy

question

If you focus on social problems involving racial and ethnic inequality, you are probably using which of the following theories? a. social disorganization theory b. class conflict theory c. multicultural theory d. feminist theory

answer

multicultural theory

question

People who actively seek social equality for women and men would closely identify with which of the following? a. feminism b. multiculturalism c. social pathology theory d. social disorganization theory

answer

feminism

question

Which of the following approaches is now the most influential in the sociological study of social problems? a. the structural functional approach b. the social conflict approach c. the symbolic interaction approach d. the social-Darwinist approach

answer

the social conflict approach

question

Which of the following theoretical approaches sees society in terms of the everyday interaction of individuals? a. social Darwinist approach b. structural-functional approach c. symbolic interaction approach d. social-conflict approach

answer

symbolic interaction approach

question

Which theory would be supported by evidence that people pick up troublesome attitudes and behaviors from those around them? a. social-conflict theory b. learning theory c. social-disorganization theory d. social Darwinist theory

answer

learning theory

question

Which of the following theories states that the reality of any particular situation depends on how people define it? a. labeling theory b. learning theory c. class conflict theory d. feminist theory

answer

labeling theory

question

Compared to questionnaires, interviews offer a researcher the chance to gain greater a. depth of understanding. b. breadth of opinion. c. representativeness. d. impersonality.

answer

depth of understanding

question

A research project focused on a single person, organization, or event is called a. an experiment. b. a case study. c. secondary analysis. d. field research.

answer

a case study

question

Social classes are categories of people with similar access to resources and opportunities

answer

TRUE

question

Wealth refers to all of the economic assets owned by a person or family, minus any debts

answer

TRUE

question

The bottom 50 percent of all taxpayers end up paying about 2 percent of all federal income taxes

answer

TRUE

question

The poverty line for a family of four is about $22,000

answer

TRUE

question

Many of the counties in the United States with especially high levels of poverty are found in the South and the West

answer

TRUE

question

If you were to accept the logic called "blaming the victim," you would place the cause of poverty in the traits of poor people

answer

TRUE

question

The richest 20 percent of U.S. families earn a. almost as much as the remaining 80 percent of families combined. b. about as much as the poorest 40 percent of families combined. c. a share of income about equal to that of other quintiles. d. only slightly more than the national average.

answer

almost as much as the remaining 80 percent of families combined

question

Families in the top 10 percent of all families earn at least a. $50,000 a year. b. $150,000 a year. c. $250,000 a year. d. $500,000 a year.

answer

$150,000 a year

question

Social stratification is defined as a. the fact that some people tend to outperform others. b. the way people in a society size up their social standing. c. a society's system of ranking categories of people in a hierarchy. d. the income levels of all the members of a society.

answer

a society's system of ranking categories of people in a hierarchy

question

The richest 20 percent of the U.S. population controls what share of all privately-owned wealth? a. 85 percent b. 65 percent c. 45 percent d. 25 percent

answer

85 percent

question

Which of the following concepts refers to salary or wages from a job, plus earnings from investments or any other source? a. wealth b. interest c. income d. money

answer

income

question

According to the U.S. government, the 2010 median family income was a. $401,395. b. $50,395. c. $60,395. d. $70,395.

answer

$60,395

question

The lowest paid 20 percent of U.S. families receive about what share all income in the country? a. 4 percent b. 10 percent c. 14 percent d. 20 percent

answer

4 percent

question

Regarding income distribution in the United States, the overall pattern reveals a. small gains for both the rich and poor. b. small losses for both the rich and poor. c. that by 2007 income inequality became greater than at any time during the last fifty years. d. that by 2007 income inequality was less than at any time during the last fifty years.

answer

that by 2007 income inequality became greater than at any time during the last fifty years.

question

If you wanted to add up the total economic assets owned by a person or family, you would be measuring a. income. b. social status. c. wealth. d. status base.

answer

wealth

question

In the United States, a progressive tax rate means that a. income taxes have been replaced by payroll taxes. b. rich people pay at a lower rate than lower-income people. c. rich people pay the same tax rate as lower-income people. d. rich people pay at a higher rate than lower-income people.

answer

rich people pay at a higher rate than lower-income people

question

In 2011, the average compensation of the ten highest-paid chief executive officers (CEOs) in the United States a. was $500,000 b. was $10 million. c. was $25 million d. exceeded $60 million.

answer

exceeded $60 million

question

To provide an example of a tax that is regressive rather than progressive, you would point to a. the inheritance tax. b. the federal income tax. c. the tax on gasoline. d. no tax, because there are no regressive taxes in the United States.

answer

the tax on gasoline

question

The government uses the policy of taxation for several purposes. Read the four statements below. Three of the statements are correct. One is not correct. Which one is NOT correct? a. Taxes provide the government with the money it needs to operate. b. Taxes discourage certain types of behavior. c. Taxes reduce economic inequality. d. Taxes transfer money from the poor to the rich.

answer

Taxes transfer money from the poor to the rich

question

Which of the following policies raises tax rates on individuals and families as income increases? a. progressive taxation b. flat taxation c. regressive taxation d. tax limitation

answer

progressive taxation

question

Read the following four statements. One of them is incorrect. Which one is NOT correct? a. People in their forties typically have higher income that people in their twenties. b. Women typically earn more than men. c. White people typically earn more than people of color. d. Married couples typically earn more than single people.

answer

Women typically earn more than men.

question

Which concept below is used by the U.S. government for the purpose of counting the poor? a. poverty line b. poverty gap c. median income d. nonfarm family income

answer

poverty line

question

Which concept below refers to the difference between the poverty line and the average poor family's actual income? a. poverty line b. poverty gap c. median income d. nonfarm family income

answer

poverty gap

question

In 2010, what share of the U.S. population lived in a household with income below the poverty line? a. 2.2 b. 4.5 c. 8.6 d. 15.1

answer

15.1

question

In 2010, about how many people in the United States were counted among the poor? a. 460,000 b. 4.6 million c. 46 million d. 466 million

answer

46 million

question

In 2010, income for the average poor family in the United States was about how far below the poverty line? a. It was the same as the poverty line. b. $2,000 c. $5,000 d. $11,000

answer

$11,000

question

Most people in the United States who live below the poverty line are a. elderly. b. homeless. c. white. d. children.

answer

white

question

In 2010, what share of children under the age of eighteen were living in poor households? a. 2 percent b. 22 percent c. 42 percent d. 62 percent

answer

22 percent

question

Which term refers to the trend by which women represent an increasing share of the U.S. poor? a. gender gap b. glass ceiling c. feminization of poverty d. poverty gap

answer

feminization of poverty

question

Today, 52 percent of poor families contain a. a male head of the household with no woman present. b. a woman head of the household with no man present. c. men and women who are both working. d. a married couple with both partners under the age of eighteen.

answer

a woman head of the household with no man present

question

Despite this nation's wealth, about how many boys and girls under age eighteen live in poor households a. 640,000 b. 4 million c. 16.4 million d. 164 million

answer

16.4 million

question

Which of the following types of places in the United States has the highest poverty rate? a. coastal communities b. rural areas c. suburbs d. central cities

answer

central cities

question

The belief that, with hard work, people can achieve a secure and improving way of life is often referred to as a. the myth of the melting pot. b. the American Dream. c. the dilemma of the underclass. d. hypersegregation.

answer

the American Dream

question

Sylvia earns $7.25 per hour, which in 2012, was the minimum wage. She works full-time, year-round, and earns about $15,000 annually. This profile places her within a. working poor. b. non-working poor. c. the underclass. d. the poverty gap.

answer

working poor

question

A person who claims that government welfare assistance creates dependency is probably a. a liberal. b. a radical on the left. c. a conservative. d. unconcerned with politics.

answer

a conservative

question

The Williams family lives in an inner-city community that is poor, cut off from the larger society, and without good schools or good-paying jobs. This family is experiencing what sociologists call a. hypersegregation. b. redlining. c. homelessness. d. prejudice.

answer

hypersegregation

question

According to which of the following political positions does the solution to poverty lie in government reforms, such as changes in the minimum wage and tax rates? a. radical left b. liberal c. conservative d. radical right

answer

radical left

question

Experts estimate that about how many people in the United States are homeless at some point during a year? a. about 16,000 b. about 160,000 c. about 1.6 million d. about 16 million

answer

about 1.6 million

question

In approaching the problem of homelessness, conservatives point to a. the recent increase in low-wage jobs. b. the low minimum wage. c. personal problems, such as alcohol abuse and mental illness, among the homeless. d. our nation's high rate of poverty.

answer

personal problems, such as alcohol abuse and mental illness, among the homeless

question

In approaching the problem of homelessness, liberals point to a. personal problems, such as alcohol abuse and mental illness, among the homeless. b. economic issues such as low-wage jobs and high rates of unemployment. c. moral weakness among poor people. d. the need for greater self-discipline and personal responsibility.

answer

economic issues such as low-wage jobs and high rates of unemployment

question

The typical "welfare family" today receives about how much assistance each month? a. $400 b. $800 c. $1,000 d. $1,200

answer

$400

question

In the 2008 presidential election, 80 percent of people earning $100,000 or more voted. Among those earning less than $10,000, what share of people voted? a. 90 percent b. 70 percent c. 60 percent d. just under half

answer

just under half

question

In the United States, social welfare programs that provide government assistance of one type or another benefit a. only a small share of the poor. b. only poor people. c. only disabled people. d. most people.

answer

most people

question

Anthropologist Oscar Lewis referred to cultural patterns that make poverty a way of life as a. the bell curve thesis. b. the culture of poverty. c. meritocracy. d. social disorganization.

answer

the culture of poverty

question

Sociologist Herbert Gans claimed that inequality benefits a. everyone by making society more productive. b. rich people by ensuring there is a supply of poor people willing to do almost any job, no matter how unpleasant. c. bureaucrats by expanding government assistance programs. d. corporations because poor people are a profitable market.

answer

rich people by ensuring there is a supply of poor people willing to do almost any job, no matter how unpleasant

question

If you wanted to study poverty in terms of race and ethnicity, you would probably use a. multicultural theory. b. social disorganization theory. c. Marxist theory. d. cultural capital theory.

answer

multicultural theory

question

The study of how race, class, and gender often result in multiple dimensions of disadvantage is called a. subculture of poverty theory. b. cultural capital theory. c. social disorganization theory. d. intersection theory.

answer

intersection theory

question

Poverty involves not only a lack of money; it also can mean a lack of skills, values, attitudes, and schooling, which together are called a. meritocracy. b. cultural capital. c. the subculture of affluence. d. intersection theory.

answer

cultural capital

question

If you were to take a conservative solution to the problem of poverty in the United States, you would focus on a. government activism. b. societal responsibility. c. personal responsibility. d. replacing the market economy.

answer

personal responsibility

question

If you take a liberal point of view, poverty is mostly a problem that a. involves society as a whole. b. focuses on traits of poor people. c. can never be solved. d. people should solve for themselves.

answer

involves society as a whole

SOCI Module CH 1/2 – Flashcards

Unlock all answers in this set

Haven't found what you were looking for?

Search for samples, answers to your questions and flashcards