Question 1

English economist __________, one of the first scholars to systematically study the effects of population, argued that "the power of population is infinitely greater than the power of the earth to produce subsistence (food) for man."

Accepted Answer

The quote is attributed to Thomas Malthus, an English economist known for his work on population growth and its implications for society. Malthus argued that population growth would eventually outstrip the earth's ability to provide enough food for everyone, leading to famine and other social issues.

Question 2

The __________ distribution of a population has a direct bearing on the demand for schooling, health, employment, housing, and pensions.

Accepted Answer

The age distribution of a population directly impacts the demand for schooling, health, employment, housing, and pensions. Younger populations have a greater demand for schooling and employment opportunities, while older populations require more healthcare and pension benefits. Understanding the age distribution of a population allows policymakers to plan and provide adequate resources for these areas.

Question 3

The enduring significant contribution of Marx and Engels to the study of demography is the suggestion that___________________________.

Accepted Answer

Marx and Engels argued that the problems of scarcity and access to resources, including food, were primarily due to the inequalities and dynamics of capitalist economies, rather than being a simple matter of overpopulation. They believed that poverty and the distribution of resources were central issues, rather than the Malthusian perspective of population growth outstripping food supply (B), or the inevitability of disaster-led population checks (C), or the focus on technology's use (D).

Question 4

A conflict perspective on migration, the __________ suggests that immigrants from lowincome countries are often recruited for secondary-labor-market positions in other countries. Workers from high-income countries are recruited for primary sector employment.

Accepted Answer

The split-labor-market theory suggests that immigrants from low-income countries are often recruited for secondary-labor-market positions in other countries, while workers from high-income countries are recruited for primary sector employment. This theory emphasizes the role of employers in creating and maintaining a divided labor market, where one group of workers has greater access to secure, well-paying jobs while another group is relegated to more precarious and low-paying work.

Question 5

English economist Thomas Malthus argued that the population would increase in a geometric (exponential) progression whereas the food supply would increase only by an arithmetic progression; thus, a __________ occurs.

Accepted Answer

The answer of English economist Thomas Malthus argued that the...

Question 6

During the demographic transition stage of ____________, little population growth occurs because high birth rates are offset by high death rates.

Accepted Answer

The demographic transition theory describes how population growth changes as a result of economic and social development. In the preindustrial stage, birth rates and death rates are high, resulting in little overall population growth. As the society moves through subsequent stages of industrialization and urbanization, birth rates eventually decline and population growth slows. Therefore, the correct choice is D, preindustrial societies, where little population growth occurs due to the offset of high birth rates by high death rates.

Question 7

A population pyramid that is actually pyramidal in shape is likely to pertain to __________.

Accepted Answer

A population pyramid that is pyramidal in shape indicates a high number of births, a high fertility rate, and a young population. This is more likely to be the case in high-fertility countries where there are fewer restrictions on childbearing and where children are seen as an economic asset.

Question 8

During the demographic transition stage of __________, birth rates continue to decline as more women gain full-time employment and the cost of raising children continues to increase. The population grows very slowly, if at all, because the decrease in birth rates is coupled with a stable death rate.

Accepted Answer

The answer of During the demographic transition stage of __________,...

Question 9

During the demographic transition stage of __________, very little population growth occurs because both birth rates and death rates are low.

Accepted Answer

During the stage of advanced industrialization and urbanization, both birth rates and death rates are low, leading to very little population growth. This stage is also known as the post-transitional stage.

Question 10

In the United States, the estimated sex ratio for 2013 was __________​

Accepted Answer

The estimated sex ratio in 2013 in the United States was 97.0 males per 100 females, according to the United States Census Bureau. This means that there were slightly more females than males in the population. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they are higher than the actual estimated sex ratio.

Question 11

Several major theories have been developed in an attempt to explain international migration. The __________ assumes that migration patterns occur based on geographic differences in the supply and demand for labor.

Accepted Answer

The neoclassical economic approach assumes that migration patterns occur based on geographic differences in the supply and demand for labor. This theory suggests that individuals migrate in search of better economic opportunities, particularly higher wages.

Question 12

__________ refers one explanation of the process by which some societies have moved from high birth and death rates to relatively low birth and death rates as a result of technological development.

Accepted Answer

The demographic transition theory explains the process by which some societies have moved from high birth and death rates to relatively low birth and death rates as a result of technological development. It suggests that as societies modernize, they move from a preindustrial phase with high birth and death rates, to an industrial phase with declining death rates and continuing high birth rates, to a post-industrial phase with low birth and death rates.

Question 13

The most commonly used graphic depiction of the age-sex distribution of a population is called a __________.

Accepted Answer

A population pyramid is a graphical representation of the age and sex distribution of a population, with the youngest age groups at the base and the oldest age groups at the top. It is the most commonly used graphic depiction of the age-sex distribution of a population. Choice A (demographic diagram) and choice D (actuarial graph) are not as commonly used or specific to age-sex distributions. Choice B (socio-ecological snapshot) is not a recognized or commonly used term in demography.

Question 14

Malthus argued that, if left unchecked, the earth's population would exceed the __________.

Accepted Answer

Malthus believed that the population would surpass the available food supply, leading to famine, disease, and ultimately population control mechanisms such as war and pestilence.

Question 15

According to the __________ perspective, overpopulation and rapid population growth result in global environmental problems, ranging from global warming and rain-forest destruction to famine and vulnerability to epidemics.

Accepted Answer

The neo-Malthusian perspective emphasizes the detrimental impact of overpopulation and rapid population growth on the environment, including issues such as global warming, deforestation, and the spread of diseases. This perspective builds on the ideas of Thomas Malthus, who argued that population growth would outpace resources and lead to famine and other problems.

Question 16

__________ suggests that as the natural resources, land, and workforce in low-income countries with little or no industrialization have come under the influence of international markets, there has been a corresponding flow of migrants from those nations to the highly industrialized, high-income countries.

Accepted Answer

World systems theory explains that the movement of people from low-income countries to high-income countries is a result of the global economy and its unequal distribution of resources and power. This theory suggests that countries in the periphery of the world economy are dependent on the core countries for economic development and trade, resulting in the movement of people as a response to global economic inequalities.

Question 17

During the demographic transition stage of __________, significant population growth occurs because birth rates are relatively high whereas death rates decline due to improvements in health, sanitation, and nutrition.

Accepted Answer

During the early industrialization stage, birth rates remain high, while death rates decline due to improved health, sanitation, and nutrition, leading to significant population growth.

Question 18

According to some contemporary economists using a Marxist perspective, the greatest crisis today facing low-income nations is __________, not a food shortage.

Accepted Answer

According to Marxist economists, the greatest crisis facing low-income nations is a capital shortage, which leads to underinvestment, lack of industrialization, and dependence on foreign aid and loans. This perpetuates a cycle of poverty and hinders economic development, making it difficult to address other issues such as food shortage or lack of access to contraception. War and natural disasters can also contribute to economic instability, but the root cause is often linked to the lack of capital and economic exploitation by more powerful nations.

Question 19

For economist Thomas Malthus, _________ is the only acceptable preventive check on population.

Accepted Answer

Malthus believed that moral restraint, or individuals choosing to delay marriage and have fewer children, was the only acceptable way to prevent overpopulation and subsequent suffering from food shortages, as he opposed measures such as contraception and believed that natural checks like famine and disease were inevitable and necessary.

Question 20

Neo-Malthusians refer to ___________ as the point at which no population increase occurs from year to year because the number of births plus immigrants is equal to the number of deaths plus emigrants.

Accepted Answer

Neo-Malthusians refer to zero population growth as the point at which no population increase occurs from year to year because the number of births plus immigrants is equal to the number of deaths plus emigrants.

Quiz 15: Population and Urbanization