Deck 10: Claims Across Space and Time

Question 1

Theorization encourages diffusion because it

A)makes the issues 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 1

B

Question 2

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 2

C

Question 3

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.in terms of their policy outcomes.
E)all of the above
F)c and d only

Answer 3

E

Question 4

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 whole 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

Question 5

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

Question 6

In comparison to the United States, France has constructed sexual harassment more

A)broadly.
D)slowly.
B)narrowly.
E)b and c only
C)methodically.

Question 7

__________ is/are a process that, like cycles of concern, produces chains of linked social problems claims.

A)Incrementalism
D)Unintended consequences
B)Slotting
E)all of the above
C)Countering
F)a and c only

Question 8

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
F)b and d only

Question 9

Interpersonal connections through which diffusion can occur are called

A)personal channels.
D)nonrelational channels.
B)relational channels.
E)none of the above
C)unobtrusive channels.

Question 10

Cynthia Bogard's research on constructions of homelessness in two cities found that the homeless were typified as __________ in New York and __________ in Washington, Dc.

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

Question 11

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 problem 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

Question 12

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

A)adopters.
D)entrepreneurs.
B)transmitters.
E)trendsetters.
C)innovators.

Question 13

Claimsmakers tend to __________ the history of the social condition with which they are concerned.

A)emphasize
D)misunderstand
B)alter
E)b and c only
C)deemphasize

Question 14

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

Question 15

The __________ of a society influences its susceptibility to diffusion.

A)culture
D)heterogeneity
B)economy
E)all of the above
C)structure
F)a and c only

Question 16

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
D)cultural issues; economic issues
B)economic issues; political issues
E)political issues; cultural issues
C)political issues; international issues

Question 17

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 campaigns move.d.the media attempt to force social problems campaigns to move.e.the law says social problems campaigns should move.

Question 18

Transmitters are typically __________ in the diffusion process.

A)active
D)compensated
B)disillusioned
E)all of the above
C)passive
F)a and c only

Question 19

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

Question 20

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)many policymakers are reluctant to discuss social problems.
E)all of the above
F)a and c only

Question 21

What role does novelty play in cycles of concern?

Question 22

When looking at the periods in U.S history characterized by intense reform efforts, what societal conditions or trends seem to make society more open to claimsmaking?

Question 23

Describe and discuss at least three reasons diffusion is likely to increase in the coming years.

Question 24

Describe and discuss at least four types of comparisons that can be made between cases of social problems construction.

Question 25

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.

Question 26

Discuss why and how social problems claimsmakers downplay progress.

Question 27

What role do societal fault lines play in cycles of concern?

Question 28

Describe and discuss at least three conditions that facilitate diffusion of social problems.