Question 1

During and after World War II, Todd worked in an asbestos factory. His occupation is an example of an occupation that is:

Accepted Answer

Working in an asbestos factory, especially during and after World War II, would have been done in a disabling environment due to the health risks associated with asbestos exposure, such as lung diseases and mesothelioma.

Question 2

Since the fall of communism in the former Soviet Union, why has the incidence of AIDS been multiplying?

Accepted Answer

The rise in prostitution and drug use, particularly the sharing of needles among drug users, has significantly contributed to the spread of HIV/AIDS in the post-communist era in the former Soviet Union.

Question 3

Many of the physical signs of aging, such as balding, wrinkles, and a sagging chin or buttocks, are now treated by physicians. Which term describes this process of turning something into a medical matter?

Accepted Answer

Medicalization refers to the process by which human conditions and problems come to be defined and treated as medical issues.

Question 4

What is one of the most significant sociological aspects of AIDS?

Accepted Answer

The stigma associated with AIDS is one of its most significant sociological aspects, affecting how individuals with the disease are perceived, treated, and able to access care.

Question 5

Although a promising treatment has been found for AIDS if given to someone in the early stages of the disease, some researchers are fearful that the "cocktail" of drugs may result in________ .

Accepted Answer

The concern among some researchers is that the use of a "cocktail" of drugs to treat AIDS in its early stages could lead to the microbes mutating, potentially resulting in a more resistant or virulent strain, sometimes referred to as a "super AIDS" virus. This is a common concern with the use of antimicrobial treatments, where the selective pressure exerted by the drugs can lead to the evolution of drug-resistant strains.

Question 6

What did Haas and Shaffir find by observing medical students?

Accepted Answer

Haas and Shaffir, through their observations, found that most medical students tend to depersonalize their patients, a process where the patient is seen more as a case or condition rather than as a person. This is a coping mechanism to manage emotional overload and maintain professional detachment.

Question 7

Since when has universal, government-funded medical, hospital, and other related health insurance been available in Canada?

Accepted Answer

Universal, government-funded health insurance in Canada, known as Medicare, was fully established in 1971 with the implementation of the Medical Care Act, which provided coverage for all necessary medical services.

Question 8

According to the authors of your text, what is the definition of health?

Accepted Answer

The authors define health as having four components: physical, mental, social, and spiritual. This comprehensive definition acknowledges that health is not merely the absence of disease or solely based on physical fitness, but includes mental, social, and spiritual well-being.

Question 9

Angela woke up this morning with a temperature of 38oC. According to the functionalist perspective, her decision regarding whether she is sick or not often depends on________ .

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective on illness, particularly as articulated by Talcott Parsons, emphasizes the "sick role" as a social role that an individual might adopt when they consider themselves to be sick. This concept involves the individual's decision to take on the role of being sick, which includes seeking medical help and being exempt from normal social roles. Therefore, Angela's decision regarding whether she is sick or not, from a functionalist viewpoint, often depends on her decision to claim the sick role.

Question 10

Because the sociology of medicine focuses on how cultural beliefs, lifestyle, and social class influence health and illness, the sociology of medicine is a[n]________ field of sociology.

Accepted Answer

The sociology of medicine is considered an applied field because it uses sociological theories and methods to address practical issues related to health and illness, such as the impact of cultural beliefs and social factors on health outcomes.

Question 11

Jack Kevorkian, a retired pathologist, helped over __________people commit suicide.

Accepted Answer

Jack Kevorkian, also known as "Dr. Death," is reported to have assisted around 100 people in ending their lives.

Question 12

The populations of poorer countries are more likely to become ill or die from_________ .

Accepted Answer

The answer of The populations of poorer countries are more...

Question 13

When a parent calls the school to report that their child is sick, they are acting as a[n] _________to the sick role.

Accepted Answer

Gatekeepers, such as parents, determine whether an individual will assume the sick role, often by making decisions like calling a school to report an illness.

Question 14

In the former Soviet Union, ________physicians are women.

Accepted Answer

In the former Soviet Union, the medical profession was and still is heavily dominated by women, with approximately three out of four physicians being female. This gender distribution in the medical field is notably different from that in many Western countries, where the profession has traditionally been more male-dominated.

Question 15

Which term is used to refer to the for-profit industries that extend across the health and medicine sector of the Canadian economy?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which term is used to refer to...

Question 16

Which explanation of gender differences in health and illness claims that women are more willing than men to admit to being sick?

Accepted Answer

The social acceptability explanation suggests that it is more socially acceptable for women to admit to being sick and to seek help, which could account for observed gender differences in health and illness. This perspective posits that societal norms and expectations around gender roles influence individuals' willingness to acknowledge illness and seek care.

Question 17

Clearly, there are biological components of health-a nutritious diet, exercise, the use of antibiotics, and so on. However, there is also an important _________to physical well- being that is the focus of the sociology of health and medical sociology.

Accepted Answer

The sociology of health and medical sociology often focus on the cultural dimension, which includes how cultural beliefs, practices, and social norms influence health and well-being.

Question 18

When a physician deals with people as though they are cases and diseases, and not as individuals, this is called __________.

Accepted Answer

Depersonalization refers to treating people as if they are not individuals but rather objects or parts of a category, such as cases or diseases, which is common in clinical settings where the focus might shift from the patient's individuality to their condition.

Question 19

What is the study of how medical disorders are distributed throughout the population?

Accepted Answer

Epidemiology is the study of how diseases and medical conditions are distributed and their determinants in populations.

Question 20

Koto is a member of a tribal society and has been taken ill. Who is he likely to ask to cure his illness?

Accepted Answer

In tribal societies, shamans are often the primary healers and spiritual leaders. They are believed to have the ability to communicate with the spirit world, diagnose and cure illnesses, and perform rituals to ensure the well-being of their community. Unlike medics, nurses, midwives, and doctors who are more commonly found in societies with formal medical education and healthcare systems, shamans fulfill a unique role that blends spiritual, medicinal, and community leadership functions in tribal societies.

Quiz 15: Medicine: Health and Illness in Canada