Question 1

Marjorie,who suffers from chronic pain,has a doctor's appointment later in the day.In preparation,she spends some considerable amount of time working on her hair and make-up.According to the authors of the textbook,what might be the reason behind this seemingly unrelated behaviour?

Accepted Answer

Marjorie might be trying not to look too well put together so that her doctor takes her complaints about the pain seriously. This behavior reflects a concern that appearing too healthy or well-groomed might lead the doctor to underestimate her pain or the seriousness of her condition.

Question 2

What is the interactionist approach to health based on?

Accepted Answer

The interactionist approach to health is based on the meanings attributed to illness and disease. It focuses on how people interpret and respond to symptoms, as well as how social factors shape these interpretations and responses. This approach looks beyond the biological aspects of health and considers the social and cultural contexts in which health is experienced and managed. It includes the study of health behaviors, illness narratives, and the patient-provider relationship.

Question 3

According to Talcott Parsons's concept of the sick role,what obligations does the sick person have?

Accepted Answer

According to Talcott Parsons's concept of the sick role, the sick person has two major obligations. The first is to try to get well as quickly as possible, and the second is to seek out and cooperate with medical professionals. The sick role also grants the sick person exemption from normal social responsibilities and absolves them of blame for their condition. However, the obligation to return to a healthy state is the most emphasized one.

Question 4

According to Talcott Parsons's concept of the sick role,which statement best characterizes the sick person?

Accepted Answer

According to Talcott Parsons's concept of the sick role, the sick person is exempt from normal social responsibilities. However, the sick person is also expected to seek help and follow medical advice in order to return to a healthy state.

Question 5

According to post-modern theorists,as the medical science became increasingly intertwined with rational-bureaucratic health care systems,which of the following has resulted?

Accepted Answer

Post-modern theorists argue that as medical science became intertwined with rational-bureaucratic systems, the authority and supremacy of physicians' claims about health and wellness increased over those of other health practitioners.

Question 6

What does the research tell us about the relationship between aging and chronic health conditions?

Accepted Answer

The research tells us that it is not age itself which determines chronic health and increased healthcare spending, but rather multiple health conditions. This means that as we get older, we are more likely to have multiple chronic health conditions which can lead to increased healthcare spending. Option A is incorrect because research shows that the vast majority of elderly people have multiple health conditions, making it unlikely that most people between the ages of 75 and 80 do not have a chronic health condition. Option D is also incorrect because chronic health conditions can be affected by lifestyle factors, such as smoking or a poor diet.

Question 7

Irene has Crohn's disease.She is currently taking five university courses and working part-time.When she has a bout of her illness she calls in sick for work and stays home from school.To what extent does Irene conform to the sick role?

Accepted Answer

Irene's behaviour is consistent with the sick role as she is taking steps to seek treatment and rest when her illness flares up. She is also notifying her work and school of her absence due to her illness. Although she is still attending school and working when she is feeling well, her actions during times of illness align with the expectations of the sick role.

Question 8

Canadian women who live in rural areas are often unable to obtain adequate prenatal support,pregnancy counselling,or abortion services.How would a conflict theorist approach this problem?

Accepted Answer

A conflict theorist would focus on the inequality and differential access to health services between rural and urban areas. They would see this as part of a larger systemic issue related to power dynamics between different social groups, and would likely critique the role of government and economic structures in perpetuating these disparities. While analyzing dysfunctions in the healthcare system and examining the social construction of reproduction are also important perspectives to consider, they do not directly address the issue of unequal access to health services for women in rural areas.

Question 9

Martin has been battling flu symptoms and a cold for more than two weeks.He complains about how he is feeling to his roommate,but refuses to follow his doctor's suggestion to stay at home,rest,and focus on his recovery.Which characteristic of the sick role is Martin ignoring?

Accepted Answer

Martin is ignoring the characteristic that the sick person must want to get well and cooperate with the physician's directions by refusing to stay at home, rest, and focus on his recovery as suggested by his doctor.

Question 10

Deaths in old age now usually result from degenerative diseases.

Accepted Answer

As people age, their bodies become more susceptible to degenerative diseases such as heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, deaths in old age often result from these types of diseases rather than acute illnesses or injuries.

Question 11

Today more women have caesarean sections,are assisted in the birth process by medical technology and drugs,and are more likely to deliver babies in hospitals than 100 years ago.What do these trends illustrate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Today more women have caesarean sections,are assisted...

Question 12

Which statement best describes the relationship between medicine and pregnancy?

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy and childbirth have increasingly become medicalized by society, with more and more aspects of pregnancy and childbirth being treated as medical conditions rather than natural processes. This can lead to overuse of medical interventions and a dependence on medical professionals during pregnancy and childbirth. The other answer choices, while related to pregnancy and medicine, do not best describe the overall relationship between these two topics.

Question 13

The top causes of death among both older and younger populations are preventable.

Accepted Answer

Many of the top causes of death, such as heart disease and cancer, can often be prevented through lifestyle changes, regular check-ups and screenings, and early detection and treatment.

Question 14

Critics of the functionalist model of health and illness claim that the sick role places too much blame on which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Critics argue that the functionalist model places too much blame on the individual for being sick and not fulfilling their expected role in society, rather than recognizing the social and structural factors that contribute to illness. The other options listed (B, C, D) are not directly related to the critique of the sick role in the functionalist model.

Question 15

According to the text,which factor significantly increases a senior's visits to health professionals?

Accepted Answer

The text states that having three or more chronic health conditions significantly increases a senior's visits to health professionals.

Question 16

Which theoretical perspective explains why street-involved youth who have no ID or health-care card are more likely than other youth to suffer from acute health problems?

Accepted Answer

The conflict perspective suggests that society is composed of groups competing for scarce resources, and those with less power or resources often experience negative consequences. Street-involved youth who lack basic identification and healthcare resources are at a disadvantage compared to other youth, often leading to acute health problems.

Question 17

With which of the following is the conflict approach to health and illness most concerned?

Accepted Answer

The conflict approach to health and illness focuses on how power and inequality influence health outcomes, access to healthcare, and the legitimacy of different forms of healthcare. It emphasizes the role of the state and powerful medical interests in defining what constitutes legitimate healthcare, often marginalizing alternative forms of medicine and reinforcing existing power structures.

Question 18

With which of the following statements would a conflict theorist agree?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists view society as being divided by power struggles between different groups, such as the wealthy and the working class. In the case of healthcare, a conflict theorist might argue that the emergence and spread of infectious diseases is linked to societal inequalities created by capitalism. For example, in a capitalist society, some people may not have access to healthcare or may be forced to work in unsafe environments, contributing to the spread of infections. This is the only statement that aligns with conflict theory.

Question 19

What term do interactionists use to refer to the meaning attached to the physical experience of pathology of the body?

Accepted Answer

Interactionists use the term "illness" to refer to the meaning attached to the physical experience of pathology of the body. "Malady" refers to a specific disease or disorder, while "morbidity" refers to the relative frequency of a disease or illness within a population. "Sickness" is a more general term that can refer to any type of physical or mental ailment.

Question 20

Which theoretical approach to health views health as a commodity?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory views health as a commodity because it sees society as divided into classes with different levels of power and resources, and those with more power and resources are able to access better healthcare and maintain better health than those with less power and resources. This creates an unequal distribution of health and healthcare as a commodity only available to those who can afford it.

Quiz 12: Health and Illness: Is It Lifestyle or Something More