Question 1

What is the relationship between formal education and occupational status?

Accepted Answer

Studies have consistently shown a positive correlation between the level of formal education and occupational status. Individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to have higher status and higher paying jobs. While it is possible for some individuals to achieve high occupational status through self-learning or experience, the overall trend shows that formal education is strongly tied to occupational status.

Question 2

Which of the following is a criticism regarding standardized tests given in the text?

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

Which statement about homeschooling is accurate?

Accepted Answer

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, approximately 3 percent of school-aged children are homeschooled in the United States. Option A is incorrect as research suggests that families with three or more children are more likely to homeschool. Option B is also incorrect as homeschoolers have been found to be equally or more successful in college admissions and, on average, score higher on standardized tests. Option D is incorrect as there is no evidence to support the claim that homeschooling is more common among impoverished families.

Question 4

According to the text, the United States currently spends about _____ of its gross domestic product on health care.

Accepted Answer

According to the text, the United States currently spends about 18 percent of its gross domestic product on health care.

Question 5

Which of the following is true regarding standardized tests such as the SAT?

Accepted Answer

Standardized tests like the SAT have been found to have some predictive validity for future academic performance across different groups, but their accuracy can vary by gender and ethnicity. They are known to predict somewhat for White males, have been criticized for being less accurate for minorities, and there are debates about their predictive validity for females compared to males, making all the statements true to some extent.

Question 6

High school completion rates are not the same for all racial-ethnic groups. In fact, as of 2016,

Accepted Answer

As of 2016, Hispanics have lower high school completion rates compared to both Whites and Blacks. This reflects disparities in educational attainment among different racial-ethnic groups.

Question 7

The _____ perspective focuses on the process of how expectations are created as students and teachers interrelate.

Accepted Answer

The symbolic interactionist perspective studies how individuals interact with each other and the meanings they attach to those interactions. By focusing on the process of how teacher and student expectations are formed and how those expectations influence behavior, the symbolic interactionist perspective is best suited to understanding this phenomenon.

Question 8

When the SAT was first introduced, it was supposed to be an objective predictor of academic ability. What have evaluations of the SAT shown?

Accepted Answer

Evaluations have shown that SAT scores often reflect a student's socioeconomic background more than their academic ability, indicating a bias towards those from more privileged environments.

Question 9

The types of education in the United States include which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Public education, homeschooling, and private education are all types of education options available in the United States. Therefore, choice D is the best answer.

Question 10

Which statement about the SAT is true?

Accepted Answer

Studies have shown a strong correlation between family income and SAT scores, with higher income families generally having higher average scores.

Answer: B
 While there is some debate about the effectiveness of SAT preparation courses, there is evidence to suggest that they can improve scores for some students.

Answer: C
 While there may be individual differences, overall statistics show that White and Asian students tend to have higher average scores than Black and Hispanic students in all three SAT subjects.

Answer: D
 The SAT and other college entrance exams can have a significant impact on access to higher education, as colleges and universities often use these exams as a factor in their admissions decisions. However, there are many other factors that can also influence access, such as high school grades, extracurricular activities, and personal essays.

Question 11

Which statement about inequality in the U.S. education system is correct?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which statement about inequality in the U.S....

Question 12

T he occurrence of breast cancer is _____ among African American women than White women, and the mortality rate (death rate) for breast cancer in African American women is considerably _____ than it is for White women.

Accepted Answer

The occurrence of breast cancer is lower among African American women than White women, but the mortality rate is higher for African American women due to factors like later stage diagnosis and differences in access to care.

Question 13

According to functionalists, education accomplishes all of the following except

Accepted Answer

Teacher expectancy is not generally considered a key function of education according to functionalist theory. Instead, it focuses on education's role in socialization, occupational training, and social control.

Question 14

If a teacher believes that Latinos are particularly skilled at math, then interactions that the teacher has with Latino students may subtly convey to them that they are more capable, and the teacher may unconsciously devote extra effort to ensuring their success. This phenomenon is called

Accepted Answer

The scenario described in the question is an example of the expectancy effect, which refers to the phenomenon where the expectations a person has for someone else can influence the person's behavior towards them and ultimately influence the other person's performance. In this case, the teacher's belief that Latinos are skilled at math may cause the teacher to unconsciously communicate to Latino students that they are capable and spend more time helping them, leading to better performance.

Question 15

According to functionalist theory, schools provide _____ along with learning skills.

Accepted Answer

According to functionalist theory, schools not only provide academic learning but also serve functions of socialization and social control. Schools are seen as institutions that teach students how to behave in society, follow rules, and work together with others to achieve common goals. This is achieved through a process of formal and informal education, including discipline, rewards, and punishments. Therefore, the best choice is B – social control.

Question 16

The stratification function of schools includes

Accepted Answer

The stratification function of schools includes drawing on existing stratification, sorting people into categories based on ability, and sorting people into existing social categories. All of these choices are correct. Schools may reinforce existing social hierarchies by tracking students into different levels or programs based on their perceived ability or cultural background. This can result in increasing inequality and limiting opportunities for certain groups of students.

Question 17

What is the relationship between educational test scores (e.g., SAT and ACT) and social class?

Accepted Answer

Several studies have found that students from higher-income families tend to score higher on standardized tests like the SAT and ACT. This may be due to factors like better access to resources, including high-quality schools, test preparation services, and tutoring. Additionally, students from lower-income families may face other challenges, such as less time to devote to studying due to work or family responsibilities, which may negatively impact their test scores.

Question 18

Jared's teachers at Clay Elementary School labeled him as a poor student, and his grades were, indeed, poor. When Jared's family moved and he started attending North Fork Elementary, the teachers did not label him as a poor student, and his grades were, indeed, average or above average. This example is most consistent with

Accepted Answer

This example is consistent with the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy, which is when a person's expectations about another person lead them to behave in ways that ultimately confirm those expectations. In this case, the teachers at Clay Elementary labeled Jared as a poor student, which may have led them to treat him differently and provide him with fewer opportunities to succeed in school. This may have contributed to his poor grades. When Jared started attending North Fork Elementary, the teachers did not label him as a poor student, which may have led them to treat him differently and provide him with more opportunities to succeed in school. This may have contributed to his improved grades.

Question 19

Sociological research on the effect of education on occupation and income has found that

Accepted Answer

Sociological research has shown that while education can improve one's chances of obtaining a middle-class job, entering the upper class is unlikely for middle-class Whites. This is due to factors such as discrimination and unequal access to resources and networks that are necessary for obtaining elite positions. Additionally, public education has not completely ensured equal opportunities for all social classes, as factors such as school quality and funding can still disproportionately affect disadvantaged communities. While scholarships may help some working-class students attend elite schools, they are not accessible to all and do not completely eliminate systemic barriers to upward mobility.

Question 20

Which statement about health disparities in the United States is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Hispanics in the United States tend to have a longer life expectancy compared to other racial/ethnic groups, including White non-Hispanics. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "Hispanic paradox," suggests that despite facing many socioeconomic disadvantages that would typically predict worse health outcomes, Hispanics have better-than-expected health outcomes in several areas, including overall longevity.

Quiz 14: Education and Health Care