Question 1

Which of the following is true of behavioral change?

Accepted Answer

All the statements are correct as they highlight important aspects of achieving successful behavioral change, including the role of positive feedback, support systems, and the effectiveness of combining individual and population-wide efforts.

Question 2

__________ is the stage of behavioral change where an individual realizes that she needs to lose weight to reduce her chances of developing diabetes, but she is not yet ready to start a diet.

Accepted Answer

Contemplation is the stage where an individual recognizes the need for change but is not yet ready to take action.

Question 3

_______________ is the stage of behavioral change where individual decides that he will start a diet right after the holidays and announces his plan to his family and friends.

Accepted Answer

The preparation stage is when an individual intends to take action soon and may begin taking small steps toward behavior change, such as announcing plans to start a diet.

Question 4

When an individual has lost 15 pounds and participates in a regular exercise program to keep the weight off, he or she can be said to be in the ____________ stage of behavioral change.

Accepted Answer

The maintenance stage involves sustaining new behavior over time, such as keeping weight off after losing it.

Question 5

In West Virginia, residents reported an average of 10 unhealthy days in the past 30 days. In North Dakota, residents reported an average of 4 unhealthy days in that same period. Which of the following statements is most likely to be true?

Accepted Answer

The Gini index is a measure of inequality. A higher Gini index indicates greater inequality. In this case, the residents of West Virginia reported more unhealthy days than the residents of North Dakota, which suggests that there is greater inequality in West Virginia.

Question 6

Which of the following best describes the contributions of social sciences to public health?

Accepted Answer

Social sciences contribute to public health by providing insights into human behavior, social structures, and cultural factors, which are crucial for understanding and addressing public health issues.

Question 7

Which of the following is not included in the definition of socioeconomic status as used in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Socioeconomic status typically includes education, family income, and professional job status, but "social class" is a broader concept that encompasses more than just these economic and educational factors.

Question 8

Which of the following types of behaviors is typically easiest to change?

Accepted Answer

New behaviors that can be substituted with an alternative that satisfies short-term needs are typically easier to change because they are not deeply ingrained and there is a readily available alternative that meets the same needs.

Question 9

Which of the following influences on health is the strongest in the following example: Those who have completed the fewest grades of formal education have an increased risk of developing tuberculosis?

Accepted Answer

Socioeconomic factors, such as education level, are strong determinants of health outcomes. Lower educational attainment is often linked to poorer health due to factors like limited access to information, resources, and healthcare.

Question 10

Which of the following influences on health is the strongest in the following example: An ethnic group's practice of cooking with a large amount of salt is associated with increased blood pressure and strokes?

Accepted Answer

Cultural practices, such as dietary habits, can significantly influence health outcomes, as seen in the example of using a large amount of salt leading to increased blood pressure and strokes.

Quiz 4: Social and Behavioral Sciences and Public Health