question

Joe Best suggests that ____ claims tend to work best.

answer

B) Simple & Strong

question

The Term social problems market place draws our attention to the fact that

answer

B) Claimsmakers must compte with other claimsmakers for the publics attention

question

The necessity of operating with the exisiting cultural resources

answer

C) Limits potential claims somewhat but still leaves many different possibilities open

question

the term carrying capacity refers to the

answer

A) amount of time or space a forum has available for presenting claims

question

the way a small provision in the large Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was used to make sweeping changes of people with disabilities illustrates how

answer

D) policymakers can take advantage of policy arenas where they are not carefully watched to make signifcant changes without a great deal of attention.

question

the term resources mobilization refers to the way of looking at social movements that focuses on the

answer

C) importance of resources such as members, money and organizational skills

question

theorization encourages diffusion because it

answer

B) makes ideas applicable across more settings

question

claimsmaking can most accurately be described as a process in which people

answer

D) bring a situation that they find trouble to the attention of others.

question

A statistic is a

answer

B) a number used to measure or characterize a situation

question

the term cultural opportunities refers to a situation where

answer

C) there is something even larger culture that causes people to become more aware of or sympathetic to a particular type of claim

question

the polity is

answer

B) groups in a society whose intersts policymakers are typically concerned with

question

when social movement scholars discussd motivational frames, they are discussing what constructionists call...

answer

B) warrants

question

Frame alignment is the way

answer

claimsmakers must get others to adopt their frame in order to recruit members

question

Frame bridging is when

answer

D) a new grame gains acceptance by drawing supporters who already have values that support that frame

question

Vegetarian activists changing their emphasis for the immorality of eating animals to include the enviorment and health implications of eating meat is an example of

answer

B) Frame extension

question

the need to mobilize resources tends to make social movement organizations with the saem social movement

answer

A) competitors for scarce resources

question

Conscience constituents are people who support movement

answer

A) that they do not expect to personally benefit from

question

the term sociological imagination refers to the emphasis sociologists place on

answer

A) the way culture and social structure shape human experience

question

Joel best argues that in colonial times people often relied on priests as experts and thus looked at problems in relgious or moral terms while in modern society we tend to look at _______ as experts and think of problems in _____ terms.

answer

C) Doctor;Medical

question

Which of the following is an example of medicalization?

answer

B) Redefining drug use as a psychological issue rather than a moral one

question

Experts are among the most influential claimsmakers because they

answer

B) are thought to have special knowledge that qualifies them to interpret problems

question

the US goverment defining alcohol and drug addiction as illnesses and requiring insurance companies to provide treatment is an example of

answer

C) Institutionalization of ownership

question

researchers interested in the biomedicalization of social problems focus on the

answer

D) ways troubling conditions are described as having biological roots

question

Scientific progress is notoriously

answer

B) Slow

question

Research questions and answers are typically the most clear cut in

answer

A) physical sciences

question

Joel Best argues that audiences willingness to grant authority to scientists depends especially on

answer

A) how relevant they believe the scientists expertise is

question

why is studying foklore useful to those interested in social problems

answer

B) it lets us see how people construct issues when they aren't self concious about being observed

question

Compassion fatigue refers to

answer

D) a general lack of concern among certain segment of the population

question

Public opinion polls after 9/11 terrorist attack revealed a _____ public reaction to new claims about terrorism.

answer

A) large and lasting

question

which is the most accurate description of the relationship between packages and frames?

answer

D) packages are made up of multiple frames that see a problem in similar ways

question

Condensing symbols

answer

C) are an image, slogan, or short example that evokes the package

question

Primary claims are the

answer

C) first or initial claims about a problem

question

the term newshole refers to the

answer

A) space or time avaiable to present the news

question

secondary claims are typically _____than primary ones

answer

D) all of the above

question

Saying that news is a social construction means that

answer

B) what gets news coverage is determined by social processes

question

Audience segmentation has led to

answer

A) more news programs that target specific audiences

question

when it comes to finding sources to act as owners of claims, media tend to prefer

answer

D) people who are already well known and have high status

question

In a representative sample

answer

B) every member of the population has an equal probability of being selceted to be survyed

question

research on public opinion polls show that subtle differences in the way questions are asked

answer

D) can have a large influence on survey results

question

Noting that answering a survey is social situation reminds us that

answer

B) respondents might answer on the basis of how they think th researcher wants them to respond

question

researcher indicates when the media report on crime

answer

B) people have more fear of crime

question

Focus groups often reveal that people

answer

B) often feel conflicted or ambivalent about issues

question

Focus groups reveal that people draw on _____ when discussing social problems

answer

A) personal experience, common sense, and media reports

question

research on diversity and social problems indicates that people from diverse backgrounds

answer

C) construct social problems in very different ways

question

Saying that policymaking involvs casual stories means that policymakers must

answer

B) offer a story that explains the cause of a troubling condition in a way that will encounter a policymakers interpretation

question

Best argues that ____ and _____ are the two key problems with global warmning

answer

B) the fact that its a global problem; the fact that its a long-term problem

question

laws define what is and is not

answer

D) all of the above

question

The creation and implemenation of laws is an area of policymaking where the public tends to

answer

C) know a great deal about a few high profile cases but a little about the large number of less visible but more important.

question

A policy domain is

answer

A) the part of the political system concerned witht a particular troubling condition

question

Lobbyists are people who

answer

D) all of the above

question

The policy proposal stream tends to be populated by

answer

B) insider claimsmakers

question

Most legislative reform emerges from

answer

C) slowly as a series of incremental legal steps toward change

question

the focus of social problems work differs from that of social problems claimsmaking or policymaking it that it tends to be more

answer

C) narrow because it focuses on practical problems

question

social problems work is

answer

A) the application of a particular social construction of a troubling issue to the development or implementation of a solution

question

the standaridization of training for both police officers and medical personnel are examples of

answer

A) reduce indiviual social problems workers independecnce

question

In comparison to primary claimsmakers, the reality faced by social problems workers is

answer

B) less melodramatic more complex

question

when a social problems worker is trying to identify a case, he or she is

answer

B) looking to see if this situation matches the characteristics of an already defined condition

question

the negotiation of guilty pleas is an example

answer

A) the use of a routine to deal with a heavy caseload

question

best argues that most social problems workers face 2 challenges

answer

C) catgorizing an instance as a particular type of case and helping the subject understand what this construction means

question

the relationship between social problems workers and subjects is typically characteroized by

answer

B) the struggle as the social prblems worker to get subjects to adopt the same interpretation as the worker

question

SP workers typically prefer to be evaluated by

answer

B) other social problems workers becaus they understand the realities of the work

question

when subkects have more resources, social problems workers are typically

answer

A) under more scrutiny

question

the natural history model presented by joel represents the process that

answer

A) a successful social problems campagin goes through

question

when sociologists study the construction of social problems they most often focus on

answer

C) case studies of one particular problem construction

question

Best argues that one of the most important lessons from comparing SP processes is that

answer

C) our understandings of sp are grounded in the choices people make about what to highlight and what to leave out

question

Interpersonal connections through which diffusion can occur are called

answer

B) relational channels

question

Claimsmakers tend to _____ the history of the social problems condition they are concerned with

answer

C) Deemphasize

question

When large social problems such as plagues or wars are revealed

answer

B) problems that previously seemed small can now get attention

question

when it comes to making claims about immigration, the french media tend to emphasize ____ while the US media tend to emphasize _____

answer

D) Cultural issues; economic issues

question

Best argues that certain problems continually appear and fade in waves of concern because

answer

C) certain constructions are particullary good matches with specific cultural and social conditions and thus foster recurring claimsmaking

question

By invoking perfectability as a standard claimsmakers can

answer

A) continue to argue that a situation is troubling even as it improves

question

over time audiences tend to become

answer

C) bored with older claims and more interested in new claims

question

Social problems workers are typically responsible for

answer

D) carrying out the practical actions deemed necessary to manage a problem

question

when social problems workers critique social policy they are particularly likely to use _____ as part of their claims

answer

D) evidence of organizational activity

question

the claims of original activists or experts are likely to accepted because

answer

A) the media are accustomed to listening to them and will therefore give them good coverage

question

lack of understanding about how risks are accessed and calculated often leads to

answer

C) all of the adove

question

Best argues that most conversations about social problems

answer

C) assume that problems exist as objective facts

question

Best argues that one thing that all social problems have in common is that

answer

C) people define them as troubling

question

When Best argues that we must remember the importance of feedback in the social problems proces he means that:

answer

B) at every stage in the procss, reactions to the construction can reshape the way the problem is being constructed

question

Understanding the stages in the SPP is helpful because it allows us to see how

answer

A) some of the parts of the process often operate and remindus to think about their relationship with one another

question

A constructionist approach encourages us to ______ when we see social problems claims

answer

B) ask critical questions

question

saying that claims tend to take standard forms means that

answer

A) within a given culture, most claims will tend to have similar elements

question

Liberals tend to construct the problem of teen sexuality as a need to encourage safe practices and unplanned pregnancy while conservatives offer the counterclaim that

answer

A) efforts to teach safe sex can encourage sexual activity

question

Best argues that because we know knowledge is socially constructed

answer

D) it is important to carefully evaluate claims and evidence

question

when it comes to laws in the united states

answer

C) courts can over turn laws created by legislators

question

Typifying examples are examples that

answer

B) offer a compelling account of the situation

question

The people who proceded innovations as part of the process of transmission are called

answer

B) transmitters

question

Policy outcomes are

answer

B) peoples reactions to what happens once a policy is implemented

question

The complete sucess of any one social policy is unlikely because

answer

C) there are too many aspects of one problem for all of them to be addressed by one policy

question

Critics typically argue that the solution to the vicious cycle created by policies with ironic consequences is

answer

C) formulating an entirely new approach to the problem

question

when SUBJECTs critique social policy, they particulary likely to use

answer

C) anecdotal evidence

question

the impact of commision finds and recommendations has typically been to attract

answer

D) a wide media attention but fail to create policy change

question

Best states that the goal of the book is to provide the reader with a

answer

B) better understanding of what causes social problems

question

The term feedback is used to refer to the fact that

answer

each stage in the social problems process influences both the stages before and after it

question

The term social construction refers to the way people

answer

A) create fresh understandings about the world around them

question

In his office hours podcast, joel best says his favorite project is

answer

C) the next project he will do

question

the term troubling condition is used when describing the situations people make claims about in order to draw our attention on the fact that

answer

B) claimsmaking is about people pointing out things that trouble them rather than about a purely objective assessment of problematic conditions

question

when a troubling condition is piggybacking on a well-established problem it means that

answer

claimsmakers argue that the new condition is similar enough to the existing problem that if one deserves attention so does the other

question

the deabtes over acceptable amounts of radioactive pollutant in Ontarios drinking water described by Best illustrates

answer

C) it can be difficult to agree on what is an acceptable risk

question

_____________would be a counterclaim that child abuse has been increasing over the last fifty years

answer

true child abuse has become so uncommon that activists begun labeling even nonabusive behaviors abusive

question

the role of appellate courts in the social problems process is

answer

A) large because they can reject or modify even policies that are supported in other ways

question

the social problems process discussed by Best refers to the process through which

answer

D) a problem is identified, discussed and acted on

question

objectivist

answer

approach to defining social problems, love data, (measurement) and harm. it tries to express the definition in terms of objectively measurable characteristics of conditions Problems: 1. can't all agree at once 2. may agree, but for different reasons 3. include widely diverse phenomena (otherwise unrelated)

question

subjectivist

answer

defines social problems in terms of people's subjective sense that something is or is not a problem, making social problems a process of responding to social conditions

question

social construction

answer

theory of knowledge that suggests reality is as we understand it is created by our interaction/understanings... the way people assign meaning to reality needed to make sense of the world they inhabit

question

social problems process

answer

says that the study of social problems should focus on HOW and WHY particular conditions come to be constructed as social problems. 6 basic stages. claimsmaking, media coverage, public rxn, policymaking, social problems work, and policy outcomes.

question

constructionist

answer

approach to studying social problems that asks why people decide that something needs to be done about some conditions and how they decide exactly what should be done? (adopted by the book). still review but not in notes

question

claim

answer

assert or affirm strongly

question

claimsmaking

answer

process of constructing a social problem in which someone brings the topic to the attention of others; should be troubling and have a need to be changed; the only thing all social problems have in common

question

claimsmakers

answer

people who make claims, stating there is a social problem... presenting characteristics, causes, and solutions

question

troubling conditions

answer

the conditions that become subjects of claims; focuses our attention on people's subjective reactions-bothers someone. WARRANT JUSTIFY ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS.

question

natural history

answer

a sequence of stages that tends to appear in lots of different cases (figure 1.1) Stages: 1. claimsmaking 2. media coverage 3. public reaction 4. policymaking 5. social problems work 6. policy outcomes

question

activists

answer

anyone can be one. typically what people think of claimsmakers, members of social movement organizations that devise ways of drawing attention to their cause/make claims about social problems

question

experts

answer

another type of claimsmaker, people who make claims based on a special authority because of some special knowledge

question

policymaking

answer

4 out of 6 step in SPP. the means that society adopts to address troubling conditions, most obviously, laws can be changed by lawmakers with power to create new ways to address the problem

question

social problems work

answer

5th out of 6 step of SPP. agencies implement the enforcement of the new social policy

question

policy outcomes

answer

step 6... various outcomes to the new social arrangement

question

resources

answer

money, time, attention, support, social influnce/capital( such as celebs) etc.(no -->) theme, people with skills or power that people bring to the social problems process parts: 1.typifying example 2.name 3.statistics

question

rhetoric

answer

theme, the study of persuasion, common to elicit emotional reactions. ability to persuade people to believe in what you say, mechanisms you use known as rhetoircal devices.

question

feedback

answer

says that claimsmakers affect media coverage AND claimsmakers are affected by that coverage and adjust what they were doing in order to attract better coverage for the future

question

Grounds

answer

part of persuasive arguments' rhetorical structure. an assertion of facts to help back claim and argue that the condition exists.

question

typifying example

answer

description of a particular instance of the condition (extreme) used in claims

question

statistic

answer

number that suggest the scope of the problem

question

warrants

answer

justify doing something about the troubling conditions, explain why something ought to be done and why problem is bad (uses values and emotions). connects grounds/reason to claim

question

conclusions

answer

statements that specify what should be done, give solutions, should be shaped by grounds and warrants

question

valence issues

answer

claims that inspire general agreement,, issues on which most voters and candidates share the same position. no one is pro rape or child abuse

question

position issues

answer

entrenched controversies that prob never will lead to consensus. troubling condition about which people disagree. compare to "valence issue"

question

domain expansion

answer

once claim is well accepted, a way to build on it

question

ideologies

answer

coherent set of beliefs that shape world view. pink =girly, men need to be tough

question

cultural resources

answer

anything in culture you use to shape claim and get others to buy into it. young people - make song/social media post b/c they dont read news papers

question

outsider claimsmakers

answer

has no connections, needs to spark attention through media

question

polity (like NMAOs)

answer

groups whos interests are routinely taken into account by policymakers, have easy access to policymakers. but more to NMAOs

question

insider claimsmakers

answer

have connections to polity and can directly sway policymakers. NMAOs

question

social movements

answer

contains 3 things... campaigns, repertoires, and WNUC displays. general causes that insider claimsmakers and activists are usually a part of. opposite of counter movements, push for change

question

SMO (social movement organizations)

answer

organization created around a particular social movements. outsiders, work hard for media attention. opposite of NMAOs

question

framing

answer

how you shape your argument to try and get the most support components: 1. diagnostic - like grounds... show problem exists and size 2. motivational - like warrants... makes you want to get involved. 3. prognostic - like conclusions... what you need to do.

question

diagnostic frames

answer

first type of frame, like grounds; identify the problem/show it exists/characteristics.

question

motivational frames

answer

warrants; why we need action/why you should get involved

question

prognostic frames

answer

1 of 3 types of frame, similar to conclusions; what needs to be done/you need to do

question

frame alignment

answer

process in which social movements go through to change your view to agree on their world view. 4 types easiest to hardest forms: 1.bridging - frame already exiss, were like it 2.amplification - people have somewhat similar view to you, might be on board but not wanna do anything about it. 3.extension - really reaching/stretching to include values (animals treated like people) 4.transformation - completely opposite way of thinking, (white slave owners trying to convince people of north blacks arent people)

question

frame bridging

answer

easiest of 4 types of frame allignment. frame already exists, SMO says were same thing (ex. equality)... activists seek support form ppl thought to hold frames similar to their own

question

frame amplification

answer

people have somewhat similar view to what you think already, might still have to make a claim but people are already close to belieiving. People are kind of on board but might not wanna do anything about it... second easiest out of 4

question

frame extension

answer

type of frame allignment (3 out of 4th hardest)... activists enlarge their frame to encompass concerns that prospective supporters are thought to have... get it to include w/ exists for values ex animal rights, same way you treat humans. tougher to sell people on

question

frame transformation

answer

hardest one... no reference point to explain at all, want to convince someone to completely adapt your world view. Usually have a lot to lose. Example of white slave ownersactivists call upon prospective supporters to reject the familiar worldview that they take for granted and adopt a new frame

question

frame disputes

answer

disagreements about how to think about the problem (usually between SMOS)

question

resource mobilization

answer

gathering of resources needed to further social movements by activists- mainly time & $

question

beneficiaries

answer

people who stand to benefit from a movement if it is successful... blacks for NAACP

question

constituents

answer

people who support the movement but do not benefit from it... ex white allies to NAACP

question

conscious constituents

answer

people who support the movement but do not expect to benefit from it

question

cultural opportunities

answer

when people become willing to listen to the movement's claim

question

master frame

answer

broad orientation that can be easily adapted for application to many issues b/c everyone believes this (equality, fairness, freedom, etc.)

question

political opportunities

answer

having some political space open up to you... when a distribution of power among different groups shifts so that changes can occur that would not have succeeded before. ex already elected person explain beliefs publicly, then make push for it

question

abeyance

answer

temporary suspension of action. a period when a social movement is relatively inactive.

question

ownership

answer

can be established by activist when particular claims or frames become generally recognized as the best way to understand a particular issue 3 ways: 1. no one takes ownership 2. activists establish new SMO to assume ownership 3. exsisting SMO assumes ownership of a new issue, can change

question

audience

answer

who claim is meant to pursuade. hear the claim and react (3 possible rxns, approve, apathy, dissaprove)

question

valance issues

answer

claims that inspire general agreement. no one pro rape or murder

question

position issues

answer

entrenched controversies that prob never will lead to consensus

question

piggyback

answer

claimmakers choose to jump on new troubling condition on a well-established problem ex:child abuse led to other "abuses"

question

counterclaims

answer

claims that emerge from audience rxn that involve a rejection to some or all of the original claim and come to opposing conclusions... arguments in direct opposition to orig claims ex:pro life vs choice; global warming?

question

countermovements

answer

opposite of social movement, *try to keep things staying the same*, SM = for abortion, CM = keep it same (no abortion)

question

medicalization

answer

the increased use of medical language to characterize social problems

question

medical-model

answer

a new frame for a certain social problem created by medicalization

question

biomedicalization

answer

the idea that many social problems that are health related are actually the result of biology and genetics

question

pharmaceuticalization

answer

the process of defining prescription drugs as the solution

question

bias

answer

the idea of favoritism pertaining to a certain side of a social problem by one group

question

primary claims

answer

claimsmaking preceding media involvement, normally by experts and activists

question

media coverage

answer

secondary claim that brings attention to a social problem by media (television, magazines, newspapers, blogs, etc)

question

arenas

answer

a venue where social problems claims can be presented.

question

carrying capacity

answer

the amount of room a certain arena has for social problems coverage (magazines only have so many pages, television shows can only book so many activists)

question

audience segmentation

answer

the medias idea of directing social problems coverage at a certain demographic to reach them more efficiently. targeting media presentations for particular audiences

question

landmark narratives

answer

particular typifying cases of a social problem, normally become a sort of poster boy example. ferguson/mike brown for racism and police brutality

question

packages

answer

all ideas associated with problem (GW - our fault, immenent danger, we can do something, etc.) a familiar, less coherent view of a social issue, including its causes and what ought to be done

question

condensing symbols

answer

shorthand elements- landmark narratives, typifying examples, slogans, visual images, etc

question

popular culture

answer

entertainment media sources that pick up coverage of a social problem

question

sociological imagination/sociological lens

answer

curiosity and desire to explain social construction... viewing the world in terms of social arrangements and social problems (looking at your personal issues as a broader social issue)

question

agenda setting

answer

media attention that makes people believe something ought to be done about a social problem

question

bias

answer

what analyses focus on in the medias role in the social problems process

question

media coverage

answer

alters how social problems are constructed

question

primary claims

answer

presented by activists/claimsmakers

question

secondary claims

answer

claims translated by the media, makes them shorter, more dramatic, and less ideological

question

arena

answer

a venue where problems can be presented

question

carrying capacity

answer

the limits that arenas have- magazines only have so many pages, news only have so many minutes

question

news work

answer

job of reporters to locate and present news to the larger public and make it interesting

question

audience segmentation

answer

aim is to a particular demographic

question

dispossessed claimsmakers

answer

opposite of owners, lacks legitamacy

question

packages

answer

familiar, more or less coherent view of an issue including causes and what ought to be done

question

popular culture

answer

where social problem claims are picked up and portrayed

question

agenda setting

answer

prioritizing the problems, affects public's awareness and policymakers sense of what deserves the attention

question

sample survey

answer

approaches a sample of people within the population, can be too small to promise good results

question

representative sample

answer

each member of the population has an equal probability of being chosen

question

social situation problem

answer

responder answers to what they think the pollster wants to hear

question

focus group

answer

sets of people where moderator poses question to stimulate discussion, costly with time and money

question

folklore

answer

lets us see how people construct issues when they are not self conscious of being observed

question

legends

answer

stories that people tell eachother, lack the supernatural and usually claimed to be true

question

variants

answer

different version of same story

question

joke cycles

answer

set of jokes that share a common topic or form

question

policy domains

answer

focuses on a particular issue, a network of people focus on the issue

question

casual stories

answer

classify troubling conditions into familiar categories according to the nature of their causes

question

target population

answer

can be powerful or weak and their status shapes policymakers decisions

question

instrumental policies

answer

intended to make a difference, correct, or imporve a condition

question

symbolic policies

answer

shows what will happen, promotes particular constructions of the world- Prohibition

question

Most legislative reform emerges a. Quickly, in response to one or two high-profile situations b. Quickly, after advocates catch the attention of the right policymakers c. Slowly, as a series of incremental legal steps toward change d. Slowly, as policymakers debate the specific details of one large legal move toward change e. None of the above

answer

c. Slowly, as a series of incremental legal steps toward change

question

Laws define what is and is not a. Required b. Permissible c. Forbidden d. All of the above e. B and C only

answer

d. All of the above

question

With regard to laws in the United States, a. Legislators have the final say b. Elected officials have the final say c. Courts can overturn laws created by legislators d. Legislators can overturn laws created by courts e. A and D only

answer

c. Courts can overturn laws created by legislators

question

In the examples in your text of wildlife agencies having to choose between differing constructions of wildlife, claims about _____ won out over claims about _____ a. Human needs; animal needs b. The need to manage nature; emotional pleas c. Political struggle; activist ethics d. Due process; the need for quick action e. None of the above

answer

b. The need to mange nature; emotional pleas

question

Scientists who questioned the Kyoto Protocol typically argued that a. The earth is not really getting warmer b. Human actions might not be the cause of global warming c. Global warming is not necessarily a bad thing d. Only developing nations are responsible for global warming e. All of the above f. A and B only

answer

f. A and B only

question

The creation and implementation of laws is an area of policymaking where the public tends to a. Have a great deal of knowledge b. Have little knowledge c. Know a great deal about a few high-profile cases but little about the large number of less-visible but important actions d. Know about the important issues but does not follow smaller, less-visible actions

answer

c. Know a great deal about a few high-profile cases but little about the large number of less-visible but important actions

question

In the modern world, the relationship between private foundations and the federal government typically involves foundations a. Testing social programs that might late be adopted by the government b. Operating independently of the government on the basis of the theory that private groups can provide services more effectively c. Making policy recommendations to the government d. Relying on the government to make policy recommendations e. A and C only

answer

b. Operating independently of the government on the basis of the theory that private groups can provide services more effectively

question

In policymaking, the term target population refers to a. The group of voters most likely to favor the policy b. All members of the policy domain with which the issue is associated c. The people affected by the troubling condition that the policy addresses d. The political party that supports the policy e. None of the above

answer

c. The people affected by the troubling condition that the policy addresses

question

When it is argued in your text that legislators typically have a policymaking agenda, it means that they a. Often engage in behaviors that will benefit them personally b. Allow their personal biases to influence their decision making c. Must rank or prioritize the issues that they must address d. Are not heavily influenced by claimsmakers e. B and D only

answer

c. Must rank or prioritize the issues that they must address

question

The causal stories that are most appealing to policymakers tend to be a. Linked to an inexpensive solution b. Easy to explain to multiple audiences c. Appealing to the media d. Linked to a straightforward solution e. All of the above f. A and D only

answer

e. All of the above

question

_____ tends to influence the political stream a. The person recently elected to office b. The economy c. Public opinion d. Whether one party has a majority e. All of the above f. A and D only

answer

e. All of the above

question

The way in which a small provision in the large Rehabilitation Act of 1973 was used to make sweeping changes in the treatment of people with disabilities illustrates how a. Changes in the way people view disability have influenced our communities b. Significantly the claimsmaking process has changed since the early 1970s c. Policymakers can take advantage of policy arenas where they are not carefully watched to make significant changes without a great deal of attention d. Policymakers can use political connections to sway public opinion e. All of the above

answer

c. Policymakers can take advantage of policy arenas where they are not carefully watched to make significant changes without great deal of attention

question

The policy proposal stream tends to be populated by a. Activist-oriented claimsmakers b. Insider claimsmakers c. Outsider claimsmakers d. Research-oriented claimsmakers e. A and B only

answer

b. Insider claimsmakers

question

When it comes to the enforcement and implementation of laws, most of the work is done by a. Law enforcement personnel b. Federal agencies c. State Agencies d. A combination of many types of agencies at various levels e. None of the above

answer

d. A combination of many types of agencies at various levels

question

It is argued in your text that legislators often hold hearings to a. Draw attention to a problem b. Examine more carefully the details of a problem c. Assess which advocates have the most viable claims d. Determine the best course of action with regard to a problem e. All of the above

answer

a. Draw attention to a problem

question

John Kingdon suggests that in order to get their issue on the policy agenda, advocates must be a. Prepared so that they can quickly respond to opportunities b. Flexible so that they can adapt to changing conditions c. Persistent because they have to wait for the right opportunity d. All of the above e. A and C only

answer

d. All of the above

question

Which of the following is most true to the influence of multiple arenas on policymaking? a. Policymaking can flow in any direction (federal to state or state to federal) and can occur in multiple arenas at once b. Policy change typically begins at the federal level and then works its way down to the state level c. Policymaking typically begins at the local or state level and then works its way up to the federal level d. Policymaking typically originates in one particular committee or subcommittee and then works its way out to other areas e. Once a policy is being debated in one arena, it is unlikely that the same issue will be taken on in other arenas

answer

a. Policymaking can flow in any direction (federal to state or state to federal) and can occur in multiple arenas at once

question

A policy domain is a. The part of the political system concerned with a particular troubling condition b. The aspect of a troubling condition dealt with by a particular set of policymakers c. The governing body or lawmaker most associated with a troubling condition d. An Internet site set up to inform the public about a troubling condition

answer

a. The part of the political system concerned with a particular troubling condition

question

The number of traffic fatalities dropped dramatically between 1964 and 2004 because a. The war on traffic deaths resulted in major policy changes b. An assortment of public and private policy changes gradually influenced the death rate c. Public attention became more focused on the problem d. Fewer people were driving during that period e. None of the above

answer

b. An assortment of public and private policy changes gradually influenced the death rate

question

Which of the following most accurately reflects the relationship between policymaking and public opinion? a. Policymakers are not heavily influenced by public opinion b. Policymakers are more influenced by insider claimsmaking when public attention is focused on the issue c. Policymakers tend to be influenced by public opinion, especially on high-profile issues d. Policymakers are more influenced by lobbyists than by public opinion

answer

c. Policymakers tend to be influenced by public opinion, especially on high-profile issues

question

_____ can engage in policymaking a. Only those with legal authority such as legislators of courts b. Any person or entity that can establish rules that govern others c. Only those who have the power to coerce others d. Any group affiliated with federal, state, or local government

answer

b. Any person or entity that can establish rules that govern others

question

_____ tend to maintain permanent lobbying operations a. The more radical activist organizations b. Large businesses c. Professional groups d. Less-radical activist organizations e. All of the above

answer

e. All of the above

question

Lobbyists are people who a. Are particularly knowledgeable about the legislative process b. Work to establish contacts with legislators and their staff members c. Are particularly knowledgeable about how to package claims in ways that will appeal to legislators d. All of the above e. B and C only

answer

d. All of the above

question

Saying that policymaking involves causal stories means that policymakers must a. Explain to the public why a specific policy will be effective b. Offer a story that explains the cause of a troubling condition in a way that will encourage the public to favor the policymakers' interpretation c. Work hard to maintain their reputation as honest and trustworthy d. Work closely with the media so that their interpretation of a situation will gain wide publicity e. All of the above

answer

b. Offer a story that explains the cause of a troubling condition in a way that will encourage the public to favor the policymakers' interpretation

question

The trend toward professionalization of social problems work tends to _____ grassroots organizations a. Support the development of b. Create conflict among c. Make it difficult to obtain government funding for d. Match the basic philosophy of e. All of the above f. None of the above

answer

c. Make it difficult to obtain government funding for

question

When a social problems worker tries to identify a case, he or she is a. Identifying which person or persons are involved in a particular incident b. Looking to see if this situation matches the characteristics of a defined troubling condition c. Seeking employment within a particular policy domain d. Attempting to define a particular situation as troubling enough to be called a problem e. A and D only

answer

b. Looking to see if this situation matches the characteristics of a defined troubling condition

question

The focus of social problems work differs from that of social problems claimsmaking or policymaking in that it tends to be a. More objective because it requires more activity b. Slower because it requires more activity c. Narrower because it focuses on practical problems d. More difficult because it involves more people e. All of the above

answer

c. Narrower because it focuses on practical problems

question

It is suggested in your text that efforts to control the flow of information about what social problems workers do are _____ in social problems work a. Considered unethical b. Limited to governmental agencies c. Common d. Disorganized and ineffective e. All of the above

answer

c. Common

question

_____ are social problems workers a. Police officers b. Judges c. Teachers d. Nurses e. All of the above f. A and B only

answer

e. All of the above

question

The relationship between social problems workers and subjects is typically characterized by a. A great deal of give-and-take, as they cooperatively define the situation b. Struggle, as the social problems workers try to get the subjects to adopt the same interpretation as the workers c. Dependence, as the subjects look to the workers to tell them how to interpret their lives d. Confusion, as workers try to understand how subjects see reality e. All of the above

answer

b. Struggle, as the social problems workers try to get the subject to adopt the same interpretation as the workers

question

When subjects have more resources, social problems workers are typically a. Under more scrutiny b. Less carefully supervised c. Less assertive d. Better paid e. All of the above f. B and C only

answer

a. Under more scrutiny

question

The rules and regulations associated with social problems work typically a. Provide social problems workers with few choices in doing their jobs b. Are stable and relatively unchanging c. Can change, depending on organizational values d. Often leave a great deal of interpretive work for the social problems worker e. A and B only f. C and D only

answer

f. C and D only

question

Constructing behaviors that we witness in our personal lives as part of a larger troubling condition is a. Easy because we have such familiarity with people in our immediate environment b. Dangerous because we tend to stereotype and label people c. Difficult because we think of people we know as unique individuals rather than part of a larger system d. Difficult because we are often reluctant to admit that people we know have problems e. All of the above f. A and B only

answer

c. Difficult because we think of people we know as unique individuals rather than part of a larger system

question

It is suggested in your text that most social problems workers face the two challenges of a. Getting policymakers to take their issue seriously and raising public awareness b. Finding funding sources and keeping those funding sources c. Categorizing an instance as a particular type of case helping the subject understand what this construction means d. Identifying enough cases to justify their own job and finding enough time to deal with all their cases

answer

c. Categorizing an instance as a particular type of case and helping the subject understand what this construction means

question

The negotiation of guilty pleas is an example of a. Using a routine to deal with a heavy caseload b. Efforts to counteract unpopular legislation by finding ways around it c. Social problems workers who react to low wages by seeking shortcuts d. Efforts by social problems workers to reclaim power in the face of greater institutional regulation e. All of the above

answer

a. Using a routine to deal with a heavy caseload

question

Social problems workers have to contend with being watched and evaluated by a. Claimsmakers b. Professional associations c. Funding agencies d. Supervisors at many levels within their own agency e. All of the above f. B and C only

answer

e. All of the above

question

_____ is an example o macrosociology a. A study of how low-income mothers feel about new educational problems b. A study of the relationship between poverty and self-esteem c. A study of how the U.S. poverty rate has changed over the last fifty years d. A case study of a group of delinquent teens living in rural area

answer

c. A study of how the U.S. poverty rate has changed over the last fifty years

question

Coercive social problems workers a. Work with subjects who are not subjects by choice b. Engage in unethical behavior c. Try to convince subjects to see themselves as cases d. Force subjects to adopt their view or reality e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

f. A and C only

question

Social problems work is a. The application of a particular social construction of a troubling issue to the development or implementation of a solution b. The effort to gain attention for a particular social construction of an issue c. Paid labor that can be shown to cause or contribute to a problem in some way d. Research devoted to developing solutions to social problems e. All of the above f. B and C only

answer

a. The application of a particular social construction of a troubling issue to the development of implementation of a solution

question

It is argued in your text that _____ might influence whether a given instance is identified as a case by a social problems worker a. Whether or not the interaction is being observed b. The seriousness of the instance c. The behavior or demeanor of the subject d. How close it is to the time for a shift change e. All of the above

answer

e. All of the above

question

_____ are discussed in your text as an example of regular citizens acting as social problems workers a. People who volunteer their time to try and solve a social problem b. Activists c. People who apply changing constructions of social problems in their everyday lives d. Church group activities e. All of the above

answer

c. People who apply changing constructions of social problems in their everyday lives

question

Social problems workers typically prefer to be evaluated by a. Subjects because they are most familiar with the real effects of social problems work b. Other social problems workers because they understand the realities of the work c. Government agencies because they are known for using unbiased measures d. Funding agencies because positive reviews typically result in wage increases e. None of the above

answer

b. Other social problems workers because they understand the realities of the work

question

It is suggested in your text that many _____ encourage people to act as amateur social problems workers and diagnose the problems they, their family, or friends face as instances of larger social problems a. Social problems workers b. Activists c. Television talk shows d. Educators e. Politicians f. All of the above

answer

c. Television talk shows

question

It is argued in your text that fictionalized accounts of social problems work tend to make a. It seem more difficult than it is b. It seem more straightforward and effective than it is c. The public more aware of the realities of such work d. It seem more complicated than it is e. All of the above f. A and D only

answer

b. It seem more straightforward and effective than it is

question

The standardization of training for police officers and medical personnel is an example of efforts to a. Reduce the independence of individual social problems workers b. Increase profit at the cost of quality of service c. Alter public perception of these professions d. Shift power away from institutions and toward social problems workers e. All of the above

answer

a. Reduce the independence of individual social problems workers

question

In comparison to the way problems are typically constructed by primary claimsmakers, the reality faced by social problems workers tends to be a. More melodramatic b. Less melodramatic c. More complex d. More highly regulated e. B and C only

answer

e. B and C only

question

To understand social problems work, one must be aware of the a. Wider societal context in which the work occurs b. Relationship between social problems workers and subjects c. Power structure in institutions that attempt to solve social problems d. Relationships between social problems workers and the media e. All of the above f. A and B only

answer

e. All of the above

question

The impact of commission findings and recommendations has typically been to attract a. Little notice outside the political world by to create large changes in policy b. Little notice outside the political world and to fail to create policy change c. Wide media attention and to create large changed in policy d. Wide media attention but to fail to create policy change e. None of the above

answer

c. Wide media attention and to create large changes in policy

question

When subjects critique social policy, they are particularly likely to use _____ as part of their claims a. Evidence of organizational activity b. Critiques of academic research c. Anecdotal evidence d. Comparisons to other troubling conditions e. All of the above

answer

c. Anecdotal evidence

question

Those who critique a policy's outcome on the basis that the original construction of the problem was wrong typically argue that the policy is a. Excessive b. Insufficient c. Misguided d. Elaborate e. A and D only

answer

c. Misguided

question

It is argued in your text that the prospect of _____ has made welfare especially controversial a. The availability of services encouraging divorce b. Long-term, intergenerational dependency c. People with disabilities having problems accessing services d. Too much of the national budget being devoted to serving the poor e. All of the above f. A and D only

answer

b. Long-term, intergenerational dependency

question

The complete success of any one social policy is unlikely because a. Policies are not typically left in place long enough to work b. Human errors make even the best plans imperfect c. There are too many aspects of any one problem for all of them to be addressed by one policy d. People are unlikely to agree on what constitutes success

answer

c. There are too many aspects of any one problem for all of them to be addresses by one policy

question

Liberals tend to construct the problem of teen sexuality as a need to encourage safe practices that avoid disease and unplanned pregnancy, while conservatives offer the counterclaim that a. Teens will have sex no matter what adults say b. Efforts to teach safe sex can actually encourage sexual activity c. The real problem is drugs and alcohol d. Only parents should teach teen about sex e. A and C only f. All of the above

answer

b. Efforts to teach safe sex can actually encourage sexual activity

question

Typifying examples are examples that a. Detail the most common way a given situation occurs b. Offer a compelling account of the situation c. Offer multiple perspectives on an issue d. Represent the official or most commonly agreed on account of the situation

answer

b. Offer a compelling account of the situation

question

Critics typically argue that the solution to the vicious cycle created by policies with ironic consequences is a. Expanding the program that seeks to solve the social problem b. Ending attempts to correct the problem c. Formulating an entirely new approach to the problem d. Conducting research on the policies to find out how to fix them e. All of the above

answer

c. Formulating an entirely new approach to the problem

question

The claims of original activists or experts are likely to be accepted because a. They have connections to other successful activists b. The media are already accustomed to listening to them and will give them good coverage c. Both social problems workers and subjects tend to agree with them d. Policymaker respect them e. All of the above f. A and B only

answer

b. The media are already accustomed to listening to them and will give them good coverage

question

When social problems workers critique social policy, they are particularly likely to use _____ as part of their claims a. Evidence of organizational activity b. Critiques of academic research c. Anecdotal evidence d. Emotional pleas based on the hardships faced by workers e. All of the above

answer

a. evidence of organizational activity

question

It is argued in your text that when there are many long-standing debates and predictable critiques surrounding a policy, a. Critics are seen as lacking objectivity b. It is simply too confusing to sort out all the arguments c. The policy is often abandoned because it is seen as too controversial d. Fast progress is made toward a solution because of the desires to resolve the debate e. All of the above f. B and C only

answer

a. Critics are seen as lacking objectivity

question

The role of appellate courts in the social problems process is a. Large because courts can reject or modify policies that are well supported in other ways b. Large because courts create the policies c. Moderate because courts can rule on policies but are unlikely to strike down a popular policy d. Small because courts hear relatively few cases related to social problems e. Small because courts have little power to change a policy once it has been enacted

answer

a. Large because courts can reject or modify policies that are well supported in other ways

question

Evaluation research typically involves a. Outside observers b. Experiments c. Efforts to establish objective measures d. Treatment and control groups e. All of the above f. B and D only

answer

e. All of the above

question

Policy outcomes are a. The extent to which new policies reduce the problem b. People's reactions to what happens once a policy is implemented c. The unintended impact of social policies d. The number of people employed as a result of a new policy e. A and C only

answer

b. People's reactions to what happens once a policy is implemented

question

Rival activists and experts are particularly likely to argue that a policy is a. Insufficient b. Excessive c. Misguided d. Mismanaged e. All of the above f. B and C only

answer

f. B and C only

question

The use of term such as social issues instead of the term social problems would a. Make the condition seem less serious b. Draw attention away from the causes of the condition c. Highlight the fact that there is debate surrounding the condition d. Lower the expectation that there is a solution e. All of the above f. C and D only

answer

f. C and D only

question

The term ideology can be used to refer to beliefs or values linked to a. A political party b. Religious affiliations c. Professional affiliations d. Personal interests e. All of the above f. A and D only

answer

e. All of the above

question

The social problems process tends to be a. Slow and characterized by constant construction and reconstruction b. Slow and characterized by fairly stable constructions c. Fast and characterized by constant construction and reconstruction d. Fast and characterized by fairly stable constructions

answer

a. Slow and characterized by constant construction and reconstruction

question

Most social policies are seen as a. Fairly successful once they have been implemented b. Having both successful and unsuccessful elements c. Being unsuccessful in the short term but having promise for the long term d. Unsatisfactory and revised or replaced quickly e. Temporary fixes while more research is conducted to determine more viable solutions

answer

b. Having both successful and unsuccessful elements

question

_____ tend to make claims that certain policies have ironic consequences a. Liberals b. Conservatives c. Independents d. Libertarians e. All of the above

answer

e. All of the above

question

Critiques the focus on the implementation of a policy typically are about a. How social problems workers do their jobs b. The match between the theory underlying the policy and how the policy is put into practice c. Those parts of the program that the public sees in contrast to what actually goes on d. How subjects are treated by the program e. All of the above f. A and D only

answer

e. All of the above

question

Shifts in the number of clients served by an agency are considered a. Alarming if the number goes up because this indicates that the agency is not reducing instances of the problem b. Positive if the number goes up because this means that the services provided are valuable and needed by the community c. Alarming if the number goes down because this means that there is no longer a need for services d. Positive if the number goes down because this indicates that the services are working and therefore needed e. All of the above f. A and D only

answer

e. All of the above

question

Most evaluation research involves a. Simple experiments b. Complex experiments c. Comparative research d. Participant observation e. None of the above

answer

c. Comparative research

question

When subjects critique policies, the response is often a. Skepticism because subjects may have a bias in favor of social problems workers b. Acceptance because subjects have direct experience with the policy outcomes c. Skepticism because subjects are often poor or uneducated and are seen as unreliable sources d. Acceptance because subjects have an interest in seeing the programs operate efficiently e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

c. Skepticism because subjects are often poor or uneducated and are seen as unreliable sources

question

Commissions are groups of a. Researchers who work together to develop objective outcome measures b. High-status individuals, presumed to represent a wide variety of interests, who are brought together to evaluate policies c. Legislators who are brought together to debate the merits of a policy d. Activists who are brought together to debate an issue and to try to reach a compromise e. None of the above

answer

b. High-status individuals, presumed to represent a wide variety of interest, who are brought together to evaluate policies

question

Cynthia Bogard's research on constructions of homelessness in two cities found that the homeless were typified as _____ in New York and _____ in Washington, D.C. a. A threat to public order; rational people b. Rational people; lazy c. Lazy; victims of poor educational systems d. Victims of poor educational systems; a threat to public order

answer

a. A threat to public order; rational people

question

It is argued in your text that one of the most important lessons from comparing social problems processes is that a. People tend to do the same things over and over out of habit b. There are clear formulas for successful social problems construction c. Our understandings of social problems are grounded in the choices people make about what to highlight and what to leave out d. The media play a substantial role in constructing problems e. None of the above

answer

c. Our understandings of social problems are grounded in the choices people make about what to highlight and what to leave out

question

When comparing social problems processes, researchers typically compare cases a. At every stage in the process b. At the stage of problem definition c. In terms of the media coverage they receive d. All of the above e. C and D only

answer

d. All of the above

question

Claimsmakers tend to _____ the history of the social condition with which they are concerned a. Emphasize b. Alter c. Deemphasize d. B and C only

answer

c. Deemphasize

question

The people who promote innovations as part of the process of transmission are called a. Adopters b. Transmitters c. Innovators d. Entrepreneurs e. Trendsetters

answer

b. Transmitters

question

When sociologists study the construction of social problems, they most often focus on a. Comparing how problems are constructed at different times b. Comparing how problems are constructed in different places c. Case studies of one particular problem construction d. Comparisons of different constructions of the same problem e. A and B only

answer

c. Cases studies of one particular problem construction

question

Theorization encourages diffusion because it a. Makes the issue seem more intellectual b. Makes ideas applicable across more settings c. Links specific examples in one culture to specific examples in another d. Gains media attention e. All of the above f. C and D only

answer

b. Makes ideas applicable across more settings

question

The natural history model presented in your text represents the process through which a. A typical social problems campaign moves b. A successful social problems campaign goes c. Less successful social problems campaign move d. The media attempt to force social problems campaigns to move e. The law says social problems campaigns should move

answer

b. A successful social problems campaign goes

question

It is argued in your text that certain problems continually appear and then fade in waves of concern because a. There are objective peaks and recessions in the extent to which a problem is presented b. High-profile incidents draw public attention to the problem, thereby reviving concerns c. Certain constructions are simply a good match with a particular culture and become ongoing concerns d. People fail to understand the problem and periodically lose interest in it e. B and D only

answer

c. Certain constructions are simply a good match with a particular culture and become ongoing concerns

question

The _____ of a society influences its susceptibility to diffusion a. Culture b. Economy c. Structure d. Heterogeneity e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

f. A and C only

question

When it comes to making claims about immigration, the French media tend to emphasize _____ while the U.S. media tend to emphasize _____ a. Economic issues; cultural issues b. Economic issues; political issues c. Political issues; international issues d. Cultural issues; economic issues e. Political issues; cultural issues

answer

d. Cultural issues; economic issues

question

When large social problems such as plagues or wars are resolved, a. Society is typically primed for a period in which people are fairly immune to claimsmaking b. Problems that previously seemed small can now get attention c. Claimsmakers must work hard to identify new troubling conditions d. All of the above e. A and C only

answer

b. Problems that previously seemed small can now get attention

question

_____ is/are a process that, like cycles of concern, produces chains of linked social problems claims a. Incrementalism b. Slotting c. Countering d. Unintended consequences e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

e. All of the above

question

The proliferation of claims, and the arenas in which to promote them, has made getting attention for a particular claim a. Easier in terms of reaching segmented audiences b. Harder in terms of getting the attention of the while society c. Harder in terms of keeping the attention of the wider society d. Easier to avoid confronting counterclaims e. All of the above f. B and C only

answer

e. All of the above

question

By invoking perfectibility as a standard, claimsmakers can a. Continue to argue that a situation is troubling even as it improves b. Avoid having to address counterarguments c. Make a case for abandoning the current frame in favor of a more optimistic one d. Avoid Incrementalism e. All of the above

answer

a. Continue to argue that a situation is troubling even as it improves

question

In order for diffusion of social problems construction to occur, the cultures involved must agree a. That the condition exists b. To cooperate in an effort to solve the problem c. That the condition is troubling d. That the problem is the same in both locations e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

f. A and C only

question

In comparison to the United States, France has constructed sexual harassment more a. Broadly b. Narrowly c. Methodically d. Slowly e. B and C only

answer

b. Narrowly

question

Claimsmaking that utilizes dire predictions about the future is typically a. Ineffective because the public has heard so many such claims that they no longer cause alarm b. Effective because it makes producing counterclaims difficult c. Effective because the media like to report on such claims d. Effective because politicians benefit from being able to claim they are working to save people from an especially threatening condition e. All of the above f. C and D only

answer

f. C and D only

question

It is argued in your text that anti-immigration claims a. Ironically are associated with downward trends in actual immigration b. Tend to use the same warrants across time and space c. Focus on the spread of infectious disease through immigration d. Are unappealing to policymakers because they are so controversial e. Typically involve less-experienced claimsmakers

answer

b. Tend to use the same warrants across time and space

question

Interpersonal connections through which diffusion can occur are called a. Personal channels b. Relational channels c. Unobtrusive channels d. Nonrelational channels e. None of the above

answer

b. Relational channels

question

Transmitters are typically _____ in the diffusion process a. Active b. Disillusioned c. Passive d. Compensated e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

f. A and C only

question

It is argued in your text that most conversations about social problems a. Involve people who do not know anything about the true causes of the problems b. Focus on problems that do not have a significant impact on society c. Assume that problems exist as objective facts d. Result in conflict and no resolution e. All of the above

answer

c. Assume that problems exist as objective facts

question

Understanding the stages in the social problems process is helpful because it allows us to see how a. Some parts of the process operate and reminds us to think about their relationships to one another b. Construction moves in a linear fashion through each of the stages in a consistent order c. Each stage is distinct and unchanged by what occurs at other stages d. Actors at the various stages are isolated from one another e. All of the above f. B and D only

answer

a. Some parts of the process operate and reminds us to think about their relationships to one another

question

When it is argued in your text that we must remember the importance of feedback in the social problems process, it means that a. It is important to ask claimsmakers to explain what they are doing and why if we are to truly understand the construction process b. At every stage in the process, reactions to the construction can reshape the way the problem is being constructed c. Subjects need to have a voice in how problems are constructed d. Sometimes a construction is so unpopular that it will never make it through the entire process e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

b. At every stage in the process, reactions to the construction can reshape the way the problem is being constructed

question

It is argued in your text that the book has something unique to offer in that a. It helps you understand the causes of social problems b. It is organized as a series of chapters to summarize information about a problem c. It gives you tools that are applicable to helping you understand any problem d. Other books focus too much on abstract theoretical problems e. All of the above

answer

c. it gives you tools that are applicable to helping you understand any problem

question

A constructionist approach encourages us to _____ when we see social problems claims a. Assume that we are being manipulated b. Ask critical questions c. Focus on the opinions of subjects and social problems workers d. Turn to expert claimsmakers first e. All of the above

answer

b. Ask critical questions

question

The one thing all social problems have in common, as argued in your text, is that a. They harm society in some way b. They harm individuals in some way c. People define them as troubling d. Someone has recognized the damage they do e. The harm they do is great enough to attract attention

answer

c. People define them as troubling

question

Each effort to construct a problem must a. Serve the purposes of the person or people creating it b. Offer a clear and accurate depiction of the situation c. Be convincing d. Involve all of the six stages discussed in your text e. All of the above f. A and C only

answer

f. A and C only

question

sociology

answer

systematic study of human societies

question

society

answer

people who live within a territory and share patterns of behavior

question

culture

answer

way of life including widespread values, beliefs, and behavior

question

sociological imagination

answer

-society influences choices/experiences -many problems are rooted in society -personal problems are actually social issues that affect many people

question

social problem (characteristics)

answer

-undermines well-being of some/all members of a society -subjective

question

subjective

answer

reflect people's judgements/views

question

objective

answer

info. based on statistics/facts

question

Social Constructionist Approach

answer

belief that social problems arise when people aren't happy

question

Structural-functional approach

answer

society is sum of inter-related parts problems are the result of deficient people, rapid change, or dysfunctions

question

social institution

answer

main parts of system organized to meet basic human needs -education -family -politics -religion

question

Social conflict approach

answer

some people benefit at expense of others -inequality based on class, race, or gender ex)feminism, marxism,etc

question

Symbolic interaction approach

answer

society is the product of individuals interacting with one another -how people become involved -how people define a social problem in first place (depend on how people view them) ex)education, health care

question

survey research

answer

-gather data from large # of people -easy to administer ---------------------------------------------- -must have random sample -honesty -questions apply to everyone

question

observation/field research

answer

-people in natural environment -don't have to worry about participants misunderstanding ---------------------------------------------- -can be dangerous -needs to go over a long period of time -may act differently if know being watched

question

experimental

answer

-cause and effect -control environment --------------------------- -controlled env. may affect data ex placebo -need control group

question

secondary analysis

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-efficient (already have data) ------------------ -data could be inaccurate -bias

question

social policy

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formal strategies that affect how society operates (gov and inst.)

question

three questions policy-makers ask

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how is success defined? what are the costs? whom should get the help?

question

how social policy is shaped by existing cultural values

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slavery used to be an accepted value and policies were in place in agreement with it...until cultured values shifted.

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conservative

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-limit societal change -shortcomings are ind., not societal

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liberal

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-favor more change

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radical

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-go beyond mere reform -don't change rules, change game

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two questions that show where you lie on spectrum

answer

-how much should the gov. be involved in an ind's life -how quickly should changes take place in society

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