Deck 2: Understanding Social Problems

Question 1

Most social programs are justified on the basis of:

A) mandates by law.
B) community demand.
C) needs of a target or client population.
D) longevity.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Profit and loss are the benchmarks of business, while in social service programs, the benchmarks are all of the following EXCEPT:

A) client need.
B) cost-effectiveness.
C) number served.
D) cost efficacy.

Answer 2

C

Question 3

In social service programs, understanding of the problem to be addressed is through all of the following EXCEPT:

A) the relationship of the problem.
B) client need.
C) program.
D) examining similar programs.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

"Program Planners" is the diverse group of people who participate in the process. This group may include which of the following:

A) consumers or potential clients who have experienced the problem.
B) staff of the program.
C) a community coalition of similar programs.
D) the organization's Board of Directors.

Question 5

In a systematic program planning process some of the questions asked are all of the following EXCEPT:

A) what is the problem
B) what are the characteristics of those who have the problem
C) what will the staffing pattern include
D) what is the spatial and geographic distribution of potential clients

Question 6

An inaccurate word often used in program planning as a solution to the problem is:

A) new space.
B) better educated staff.
C) more.
D) better management control of efficiency.

Question 7

The program planning process is often deterred by a focus on all of the following EXCEPT:

A) organizational survival.
B) doing what the grant or funder is willing to fund.
C) expansion.
D) maintain the original purpose without analysis of the current problem.

Question 8

The critical considerations in developing an understanding of a social problem include all of the following EXCEPT:

A) problem analysis.
B) first planning for the continuation of current services and then what expansion is needed.
C) understanding the problem, not on generating the solution.
D) problem analysis should be objective, without assumptions, and politics.

Question 9

Program planners start with an understanding of a condition based on the ______of the social problem.

A) an expert's opinion
B) the client's assessment of the condition
C) facts
D) a review of past plans

Question 10

Perception of a social problem is relative to the individual, while a condition is defined as a social fact, without ________.

A) a good family history.
B) expectations.
C) goals and objectives.
D) values.

Question 11

An example of a standard that might be used to help the planner move from fact to identification of the problem might be which of the following:

A) unemployment rate, dropping out of school, students should graduate from high school.
B) high school students are killed in drunk driving accidents, student access to alcohol, young adults should not drink alcohol until they are 21 years old.
C) people die from heart attacks, inactivity and obesity, adults BMI should be 25 or under.
D) poor school performance, children come to school tired, busses pick up children for school at 7 AM.

Question 12

Which of the following is NOT one of the questions used in the Framework for Problem Analysis?

A) What are the characteristics of those experiencing the condition?
B) What is the scale and distribution of the condition?
C) How widely is the problem recognized?
D) Which other social service organizations offer services for this condition?

Question 13

Which answer below would NOT be an example of the etiology of the problem?

A) Crime: lack of recreational activities
B) Teen pregnancy: cultural values
C) Unemployment: a low population density
D) HIV/AIDS: injection drug users sharing needles

Question 14

One problem that might cause a client to seek help related to gender is which if the following:

A) how to start a business.
B) theft.
C) how to enroll in college.
D) rape.

Question 15

An orderly, systematic approach to program planning that planners use to begin the process is which of the following questions:

A) what is the problem?
B) what needs do clients have?
C) what services do organizations offer?
D) what resources will be necessary for the program?

Question 16

Planning will probably never be completely technical or objective. Which of the following will NOT help in the planning process?

A) Considering the scope of the problem
B) Considering the political influence
C) Considering the technical influence
D) Rational decision-making

Question 17

An understanding of the problem can help in building a profile of the condition. Which of the following is NOT one of the facts that could be used in building the process?

A) How many people are experiencing the problem
B) Who are the people experiencing the condition
C) How long people have had the condition
D) Where people with the condition live

Question 18

Scientific objectivity in the analysis of a community's problems can never be completely possible, because when searching for objectivity ____________can be the result.

A) expert opinion only
B) a technical report
C) dominant values
D) mis-assumptions about the target population

Question 19

In determining the situation/condition it is important to take facts and impressions from many different kinds of people. Which of the following would NOT be a group that would be considered in this process?

A) Inexperienced new workers
B) Clients experiencing the problem
C) Direct service workers
D) Community leaders

Question 20

Efficiency and effectiveness should first be examined before concluding that the problem is:

A) not enough staff.
B) need for more resources.
C) a poor program design.
D) incompetent management.

Question 21

In social services, it is important that all terms are clearly defined during the planning process. That will happen when the group reaches consensus.

Question 22

Conditions become problems when they are judged by someone or some group to be negative, harmful, or pathological.

Question 23

In planning, the steps of a problem analysis are the same as in a traditional research framework.

Question 24

Force field analysis can identify potential opposing forces.

Question 25

Interventions that target the causes of the problem are more likely to result in positive outcomes.

Question 26

An epidemiologic approach uses a hypothesis that includes causal chains.

Question 27

Social Problems often do not have causal chains but instead rely on correlations, associations, and probabilities between outcomes.

Question 28

Interventions are designed around agreement on a common understanding of cause and effect.

Question 29

If planners do not clearly define the problem, it is likely to strengthen the existing system, rather than using the understanding of the problem to find the solution.

Question 30

It is not necessary to identify possible factors in the target population in order to develop an intervention.

Question 31

__________ is the first step to understand and address social problems.

Question 32

A classic example of the causal chain of ______________is John Snow's response to a cholera outbreak in London.

Question 33

In social services, it is important during the planning process that all terms are ____________ through group consensus.

Question 34

It is important that programs develop a clear focus on __________________ and the extent to which it is met becomes the barometer for measurement of program integrity and effectiveness.

Question 35

The program planner must clearly understand the social problem in a way that makes explicit the relationship of the problem, client need, and _____________.

Question 36

In one county, there is 30% poverty (using the poverty line) and there is a great effort to determine the problem and need. There is a higher rate of heart disease, cancer, days children are absent from school, violence, etc. and the community recognizes the great need for intervention. In the adjoining county there is also a 30% poverty rate (using the poverty line) but virtually none of the problems listed above and an assessment showed that the residents thought of themselves as rich and healthy. Why might that be?

Question 37

Three critical considerations in developing an understanding of a social problem are: 1) problem analysis is the first in a series of related activities; 2) problem analysis should focus on understanding the problem-not on generating the solutions; and 3) problem analysis should involve an unbiased examination of issues, free of assumptions about client needs or services. Choose two of these critical considerations, and 1) define problem analysis and 2) explain the critical consideration, rationale, and importance of these considerations to program planning.

Question 38

Define, describe, compare, and contrast and give an example of a social fact and a social problem as it might be used in human services program planning.