Deck 7: Work and Unemployment

Question 1

Post-industrialization is characterized by

A)decreased government involvement in economic issues.
B)a lower standard of living.
C)service-oriented occupations
D)assembly line work.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

The replacement of hand tools, human labor, and animal labor with machines run by steam, gasoline, and electricity resulted in​

A)​a gemeinschaft society.
B)​industrialization.
C)​post-industrialization.
D)​a global economy.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The ________ refers to the structure and means by which a society produces, distributes and consumes goods and services.

A)ergonomics
B)transnational corporation
C)economic institution
D)corporatocracy

Answer 3

C

Question 4

Free trade agreements have included all of the following goals EXCEPT

A)reduce foreign restrictions on exports.
B)prevent technology from being copied.
C)eliminate taxes on imported goods.
D)force the U.S.to abide by more strict environmental regulations than other countries.

Question 5

All of the following are characteristics of capitalism except

A)social welfare assistance programs.
B)economic motivation through profit.
C)determination of prices and wages through supply and demand.
D)the absence of government intervention in the economy.

Question 6

Critics of capitalism argue that it creates

A)too much government control.
B)high levels of inequality, economic instability, and job insecurity.
C)reduced work incentives and technological development.
D)competition, which keeps prices low.

Question 7

Industrialization led to

A)the emergence of large cities.
B)family-centered societies.
C)development of hand tools.
D)social interaction in primary group relationships.

Question 8

McDonaldization refers to the process by which

A)the McDonald restaurant chain has spread to countries outside the U.S.
B)the principles of the fast food industry are being applied to more and more sectors of society.
C)chain restaurants and stores, such as McDonalds and Wal-Mart, are displacing smaller, independently owned enterprises in U.S.cities.
D)more and more consumers eat at fast food restaurants.

Question 9

The structure and means by which a society produces, distributes, and consumes goods and services is known as __________.

A)the economic institution
B)global credit
C)the U.S.economy
D)microeconomics

Question 10

Socialism is more likely than capitalism to emphasize

A)social equality.
B)private ownership.
C)capital investment.
D)individual freedom.

Question 11

A retail store worker reciting a script when interacting with customers is an example of which principle of McDonaldization identified by Ritzer?

A)priority on quality
B)efficiency
C)calculability
D)predictability

Question 12

All of the following are principles of McDonaldization except

A)priority on quality.
B)efficiency.
C)calculability.
D)predictability.

Question 13

Which type of society is dominated by service and information technology?​

A)​horticultural
B)​industrial
C)​postindustrial
D)​gemeinschaft

Question 14

Socialism is defined as

A)a totalitarian political system in which one or a few people control all government and economic decisions.
B)a political system in which the masses (the people)rule-i.e., make all political decisions.
C)an economic system in which the means of producing goods and services are collectively owned.
D)an economic system based on commercialization of the means of production-i.e., private individuals invest money in public businesses.

Question 15

Elements of socialism in the United States include

A)government subsidies to industry.
B)a competitive market.
C)determination of prices by supply and demand.
D)state ownership of the factories.

Question 16

The organization currently overseeing the multilateral trading system throughout the world is the

A)World Trade Organization (WTO).
B)General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).
C)North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
D)European Union (EU).

Question 17

An interconnected network of economic activity that transcends national boundaries and spans the world is referred to as a

A)global economy.
B)transnational economic structure.
C)post-industrial economy.
D)transnational corporation.

Question 18

The U.S.economic system is ___________ in which private individuals and groups invest and attempt to make a profit in a competitive market.​

A)​capitalism
B)​socialism
C)​fascism
D)​communism

Question 19

Free trade agreements

A)increase foreign restrictions on exports.
B)make it easier to trade goods across national boundaries.
C)increase tariffs on imported goods.
D)allow competitors to copy or use U.S.technology.

Question 20

McDonaldization in the workplace is most likely to produce

A)close friends.
B)job satisfaction.
C)feelings of alienation.
D)creativity.

Question 21

"Corporatocracy" refers to the

A)power of mass media corporations to influence the opinions of people.
B)large amounts of wealth controlled by economic corporations.
C)dominance of an economy by transnational corporations.
D)a system of government that serves the interests of the corporations.

Question 22

On a global scale, the policies of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank

A)increase local consumption in a country, instead of exportation of their products.
B)are designed to protect natural resources, such as forests and minerals.
C)reduce exploitation of labor by foreign corporations.
D)pressure developing countries to open their economies to foreign investors.

Question 23

A significant decline in economic activity spread across the economy and lasting for at least six months is a​

A)​catastrophe.
B)​recession.
C)​boom.
D)​latent function.

Question 24

According to measures of employment in the U.S., which of the following would be considered unemployed?

A)a mother who chooses to stay home with children
B)a person laid off from a job due to corporate downsizing
C)a prisoner
D)a real estate agent who hasn't sold a house in six months

Question 25

The symbolic interactionist perspective of work and unemployment is most likely to be concerned with explaining

A)inequalities in income among workers.
B)how work gives meaning and self-worth to the individual.
C)the importance of a person's occupation to family well-being.
D)the power of large corporations in modern society.

Question 26

Transnational corporations

A)help the U.S.to compete in the global economy.
B)help reduce the U.S.trade deficit.
C)decrease U.S.unemployment.
D)decrease the U.S.budget deficit.

Question 27

The structural-functionalist perspective argues the economic institution

A)creates inequality between groups which contributes to hostility and social instability.
B)contributes to social stability by providing basic survival needs.
C)plays a central role in individuals' identities.
D)has little impact on individuals' daily lives.

Question 28

According to the ___________, Americans view the term "capitalism" more negatively than the term "free enterprise."​

A)​symbolic interactionists
B)​conflict theorists
C)​feminists
D)​structural functionalists

Question 29

NAFTA has contributed to

A)greater equality in incomes within the U.S.and within Mexico.
B)putting Mexican corn farmers out of business.
C)a decrease in imports to the U.S.from Mexico and Canada.
D)more jobs for both American and Mexican workers.

Question 30

____________ are corporations that have their home based in one country and affiliates in other countries.

A)Transnational corporations
B)Global superpowers
C)Free trade agreements
D)GATTs

Question 31

The _______ perspective analyzes the relationship between unemployment rates, college enrollments, and crime as part of its focus on how changes in one aspect of society affect other aspects.

A)symbolic interactionist
B)conflict
C)structural-functionalist
D)postmodern

Question 32

According to the "economic hit man" cited in your text, huge loans to poor countries benefit _______ the least.

A)the poor masses of the indebted country
B)the wealthy of the poor country
C)the large U.S.corporations
D)the United States government

Question 33

Measures of unemployment in the United States consider an individual to be unemployed if he or she meets certain criteria.Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of those considered unemployed?

A)without employment.
B)actively seeking employment.
C)available for employment.
D)employed but wanting a better job

Question 34

Which theoretical perspective sees the ruling class as controlling the economic system and oppressing the working masses?​

A)​structural-functional
B)​conflict
C)​social exchange
D)​symbolic interaction

Question 35

Structural-functionalists would call the economic institution __________ when it fails to provide members with the goods and services they need.​

A)​dysfunctional
B)​functional
C)​latently functional
D)​exploited

Question 36

Free trade agreements have as one of their goals

A)protection of intellectual property rights.
B)higher prices for consumers.
C)increased tax revenue.
D)the elimination of U.S.jobs.

Question 37

For many, occupation represents a(n)_______, the most significant status in a person's social identity.

A)ego status
B)master status
C)work status
D)power status

Question 38

Transnational corporations contribute to all of the following except

A)the trade deficit.
B)the budget deficit.
C)lower consumer prices.
D)increased military spending.

Question 39

In 2012, about ________ percent of the global labor force was unemployed.

A)1
B)2
C)4
D)6

Question 40

According to Social Problems Research Up Close , many participants 50 years and older said they omitted graduation dates and some work history from their resumes, a phenomenon known as

A)age deflection.
B)deprofessionalization.
C)bartering.
D)resume fraud.

Question 41

Underemployment includes all of the following except

A)unemployed workers.
B)those working part-time but who wish to work full-time.
C)those who want to work but have been discouraged from searching by their lack of success.
D)those who are capable of working but who choose not to work.

Question 42

In general, the job prospects for recent college grads are

A)not as good as they have been in the past.
B)better than ever.
C)good for women, but not for men.
D)not going to improve.

Question 43

Compared to chattel slaves in the past, modern slaves today are

A)more likely to be treated well because the world has become more humane.
B)more likely to be controlled by violence, the threat of violence, and/or debt.
C)more valuable, which gives the slave-holder incentive to provide a reasonable standard of care.
D)more educated and better able to defend themselves against unscrupulous slave holders.

Question 44

Most forced workers work in agriculture, mining, and

A)high tech industries.
B)prostitution.
C)elder care.
D)construction.

Question 45

In "chattel slavery,"

A)slaves are considered property and can be bought and sold.
B)people are not "owned" but controlled by violence or the threat of violence.
C)people are forced to work for someone because of debt.
D)people have been sold into work contracts which they are legally or morally obliged to fulfill.

Question 46

Approximately what percentage of recent college graduates (ages 24 or young)have moved back in with their parents?

A)5%
B)10%
C)25%
D)45%

Question 47

Automation

A)relocates jobs to other countries where products can be made more cheaply.
B)replaces human labor with animal labor.
C)replaces human labor with machinery and equipment.
D)contributes to underemployment but not unemployment.

Question 48

Worldwide, about _____ people are victims of slavery.

A)1 million
B)10 million
C)15 million
D)27 million

Question 49

The long-term unemployment rate refers to the unemployed who have been out of work for _____ or more.

A)6 weeks
B)12 weeks
C)27 weeks
D)1 year

Question 50

Another term for slavery is

A)forced labor.
B)domestic labor.
C)sweatshop labor.
D)unpaid labor.

Question 51

The unemployment rate for young college graduates was ____ in 2013.

A)1.2%
B)3.4%
C)5.9%
D)8.8%

Question 52

The most common form of forced labor today is

A)legal ownership.
B)bonded slavery
C)kidnapping.
D)exchange of work for food and shelter.

Question 53

Offshoring refers to

A)the merging of 2 or more corporations.
B)the relocation of jobs to other countries.
C)decreased profit margins of corporations.
D)cuts in employees' salaries and/or benefits.

Question 54

The highest number of victims of forced labor are found in

A)South Asia
B)Africa
C)North America
D)South America

Question 55

In the national survey described in Self and Society , which of the following were people most likely to do to cut back on their spending in tough economic times?

A)cancel magazine subscriptions
B)go to a hairdresser or barber less often
C)buy more generic products
D)cancel phone service

Question 56

All of the following were cited in the text as possible effects of unemployment EXCEPT​

A)decreased rates of substance abuse.
B)increased ​risk of child abuse.
C)​lowered property values.
D)​increased rates of heart disease.

Question 57

All of the following are major causes of unemployment emphasized by your text except

A)job exportation.
B)welfare dependency.
C)automation.
D)corporate downsizing.

Question 58

Slaves in the United States are least likely to be used for

A)migrant farm labor.
B)domestic work.
C)sex work.
D)assembly-line manufacturing labor.

Question 59

Outsourcing is

A)the relocation of jobs to other countries where products can be produced more cheaply.
B)the replacement of human labor with machinery and equipment.
C)a practice in which a business subcontracts with a third party to provide business services.
D)a slowdown in the production and consumption of goods and services over a sustained period of time.

Question 60

Barry lost his job over a year ago and has not been able to find another.He is categorized as part of the ​

A)​long-term unemployed.
B)​outsourced.
C)​labor movement.
D)​permanently jobless.

Question 61

Job burnout refers to which of the following?

A)prolonged job stress
B)the movement of jobs from the U.S.to other countries
C)the replacement of human labor with technology
D)the lack of highly skilled labor in developing countries

Question 62

Which industry can legally employ children as young as 12 in the U.S.?

A)food service
B)agriculture
C)manufacturing
D)the garment industry

Question 63

________________ was created in 1970 to develop, monitor, and enforce health and safety regulations in the workplace.

A)OECD
B)GATT
C)NAFTA
D)OSHA

Question 64

Edith dreads going to work where her co-workers are constantly gossiping and bullying others.This very stressful condition is known as a​

A)​postindustrial job.
B)​job burnout.
C)​toxic workplace.
D)​immature work environment.

Question 65

The most dangerous form of child labor in the United States is​

A)​child care.
B)​farmwork.
C)​entertainment.
D)​food service.

Question 66

"Alienation" in industrialized societies is often caused by

A)a high degree of division of labor.
B)lack of sufficient knowledge or training for one's job.
C)dislike of fellow employees.
D)unreasonable expectations of employers.

Question 67

Aaron feels powerless and estranged from his work in a meat packing plant.Marx would call this​

A)​alienation.
B)​a toxic workplace.
C)​anomie.
D)​labor induced trauma.

Question 68

The 1935 National Labor Relations Act, that guarantees the right to unionize, bargain collectively, and to strike, excludes all of the following except

A)agricultural workers.
B)hotel workers.
C)independent contractors.
D)railroad and airline employees.

Question 69

____________ describes a work environment in which employees are subjected to co-workers and/or bosses who engage in bullying, backstabbing, and gossiping.​

A)​Toxic workplace
B)​Underemployment
C)​Job burnout
D)​Workplace failure

Question 70

Sweatshops are characterized by all of the following except

A)worker organizations.
B)unsafe or inhumane working conditions.
C)less-than-minimum wage pay.
D)excessively long hours of work.

Question 71

______ percent of U.S.men and women report some interference between work and nonwork responsibilities.

A)10
B)25
C)53
D)70

Question 72

The most common job related fatality involves

A)animal processing
B)chemical burns
C)transportation accidents
D)cuts, lacerations.

Question 73

In 2012, the United States Department of Labor found widespread "sweatshop-like" conditions among

A)fast food restaurants.
B)child care workers.
C)hospital workers.
D)garment workers.

Question 74

Children working in agriculture are at risk for​

A)​exposure to chemicals.
B)​lack of sanitary facilities.
C)​injury from sharp tools.
D)​all of the above

Question 75

What is the most common type of nonfatal workplace injury?

A)respiratory illness
B)sprains, strains and tears
C)skin disorders
D)poisoning

Question 76

Which of the following have changed union density in recent decades?

A)growth of manufacturing jobs
B)globalization
C)corporate increases of wages and benefits for nonunion employees
D)growth of benefits packages due to industry competition

Question 77

The four components of alienation include all of the following except

A)powerlessness over work decisions.
B)meaninglessness or lack of fulfillment in one's work.
C)fear of losing one's job or being demoted.
D)unclear or conflicting workplace norms.

Question 78

In contrast to American workers, European workers

A)work more hours per year.
B)have less vacation.
C)receive at least four weeks of vacation each year.
D)are more willing to work longer hours to achieve higher earnings.

Question 79

Which of the following have the lowest annual family incomes of any U.S.wage and salary workers?

A)garment industry workers
B)migrant farm workers
C)assembly-line workers in the automobile industries
D)construction workers

Question 80

Union density in the United States has fallen to

A)under 2 percent of workers.
B)11.3 percent of workers.
C)just under 50 percent of workers.
D)64.2 percent of workers.