Deck 1: An Introduction to the Sociology of Social Problems

Question 1

Social problems can be good for society because

A) criminals who are caught are unable to pass along their lifestyle.
B) crime provides an avenue to financial stability for immigrants who might otherwise not have access to employment.
C) the criminal justice system employs a lot of people, thus contributing to our economy.
D) all of the above are true.
E) all of the above except for a are true.

Answer 1

E

Question 2

A social phenomenon becomes a social problem when:

A) Either a lot of people or a few very important people see it as a problem and attempt to solve the problem.
B) Someone becomes a whistle-blower and exposes a problem.
C) It becomes known that the social phenomenon is harmful to the environment or to a specific group of people.
D) A social problem is a problem from the very beginning because it is obviously a problem for society.

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Which of the following is a questions that Heiner's social problems perspective approach raises?

A) Why do we call one phenomenon a social problem but not another (e.g., why is sexism in rap music considered offensive but sexism in country music nearly ignored)?
B) What social, racial, and ethnic characteristics combine to explain why some people take part in social problems?
C) What can first world nations do to help solve the social problems rampant in third world nations?
D) Why do some phenomena begin to be seen as social problems when they were not seen as such in the past (e.g., why are we concerned with child abuse when this was considered a "family matter" in the past)?
E) Both b and c are true.
F) Both A and D are true.

Answer 3

F

Question 4

Which sociological perspective does the Heiner text take?

A) social interactionist
B) critical constructionism
C) conflict theory
D) symbolic constructionism

Question 5

Critical constructionism is a combination of which two sociological perspectives?

A) conflict theory and alignment theory
B) conflict theory and symbolic interactionism
C) symbolic interactionism and social psychology
D) social psychology and social problems theory

Question 6

Heiner's approach focuses on the interests of which of the following social groups?

A) the elite
B) the impoverished
C) the weak
D) the vulnerable

Question 7

Which of the following best describes critical constructionism as Heiner defines it?

A) Critical constructionism is helpful in seeking solutions to tricky social problems.
B) Critical constructionism is excellent at understanding core causes of long-term social problems.
C) Critical constructionism is good at criticizing existing efforts to cure social problems.
D) Critical constructionism is helpful in understanding how the framing of social problems reflects elite interests.

Question 8

"If we limit the amount of money someone can get from welfare, that will encourage freeloaders to get a job rather than sponge off of hardworking Americans" is an example of:

A) common sense
B) good policy
C) free will ideology
D) none of the above

Question 9

The free will and human nature philosophies are flawed because

A) they don't explain patterns (e.g., why more African American men are in jail than any other racial or ethnic group).
B) they aren't sociological.
C) they rely on religion.
D) They don't explain variation across cultures.
E) all of the above.
F) both a and d.

Question 10

Why is it important to look at social problems in other cultures and countries?

A) It is not important; only the United States matters.
B) This broadened perspective can give us different ideas for solving our problems and help us see how other nations deal with their problems.
C) What is working in one country should work in ours; it saves time.
D) None of the above.

Question 11

Which of the following is accurate about market freedom?

A) It distinguishes the United States from the rest of the world, making the United States the most capitalist nation.
B) The principles that accompany market freedom (deregulation, for example) have a hand in creating or worsening social problems.
C) Principles of market freedom to the extreme taken by the United States are beginning to spread globally.
D) All of the above.

Question 12

What is the primary goal of modern media?

A) To inform the public so that we can have an informed democracy.
B) To entertain the public so that the companies can make a profit.
C) Both of the above,

Question 13

Which of the following affect media reporting on social problems?

A) Conflicts with large, conglomerate parent companies.
B) Conflicts with advertising contracts with large companies.
C) Conflict between media structure as a corporation and social problems caused by corporatization.
D) All of the above.

Question 14

Media bias in the United States tends toward

A) big government.
B) corporations.
C) fair and balanced coverage.
D) liberal propaganda.
E) conservative propaganda.

Question 15

What is a problem with the homogenization of US culture?

A) The US loses some of its culture as it is diffused throughout the rest of the world.
B) The American Dream is not available to all world citizens and thus is an unreachable goal.
C) US problems accompany the spread of the culture.
D) Cultural diversity is lost.
E) All of the above except for A.

Question 16

All social problems are bad.

Question 17

A social problem becomes a social problem because it is inherently bad.

Question 18

All social problems arise from a basic inequality in the social system.

Question 19

Critical constructionism focuses on the interests of the elite.

Question 20

Critical constructionism is not very helpful for providing solutions to social problems.

Question 21

What does Heiner mean by the social problems perspective? Why is it important? Your answer should show an understanding of objectivity in the social sciences, especially with regard to social problems.

Question 22

Heiner writes that "Social constructionism is concerned with how the meanings of social problems are constructed." Answer the following questions: (1) What does Heiner mean by this statement? (2) How do social constructionism and critical constructionism differ?

Question 23

Heiner makes a connection between word choice and how social issues are framed. (1) Explain that connection. (2) Choose one example of this practice that is not in the book and use it to illustrate your explanation.