After spending his childhood in a war-torn region of Africa, Jorge is walking down the street in a small British Columbia town when a car drives by and backfires. Jorge immediately throws himself on the ground and covers his head. Which sociological concept best explains Jorge's actions?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Jorge's reaction is best explained by the Thomas theorem, which states that if people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences. In this case, Jorge's past experiences in a war-torn region lead him to interpret the car backfiring as gunfire, prompting him to react as if he were in danger, even though he is not. This demonstrates how an individual's perception of a situation significantly influences their actions.

After Spending His Childhood in a War-Torn Region of Africa