Question 1

The sociological imagination gives us the ability to link our personal lives and experiences with our social world.

Accepted Answer

The sociological imagination allows individuals to understand how personal experiences are shaped by larger social structures and systems, and how their actions contribute to and potentially transform those structures.

Question 2

Nearly one half of all college-qualified, low- and moderate-income high school graduates are unable to afford college

Accepted Answer

According to a report by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce, nearly 50% of college-qualified, low- and moderate-income high school graduates are unable to afford college.

Question 3

In the first stage of the identification of a social problem, activists, advocates, and victims of the problem feel distrust towards formal organizations.

Accepted Answer

In the first stage of identifying a social problem, activists, advocates, and victims often work to raise awareness about the issue, rather than feeling distrust towards formal organizations. This stage is more about problem recognition and mobilization of support.

Question 4

In order for a social condition to be considered a social problem, it must be personally experienced by every individual in a particular society.

Accepted Answer

A social condition can be considered a social problem if it negatively impacts a significant portion of society, even if not every individual personally experiences it. For example, poverty, inequality, and discrimination are all social problems that affect many individuals in society, but not every person may experience them firsthand.

Question 5

The defining of HIV/AIDS as a sexual epidemic rather than a public health threat occurred during the Stage 2 legitimization process.

Accepted Answer

The defining of HIV/AIDS as a sexual epidemic rather than a public health threat did not occur during the Stage 2 legitimization process. The disease was recognized as a public health threat from the beginning, with its sexual transmission being one aspect of its spread.

Question 6

A theory is a set of assumptions and propositions used for explanation, prediction, and understanding.

Accepted Answer

This statement correctly defines what a theory is - it is a set of assumptions and propositions that are used for various purposes related to understanding and explaining phenomena.

Question 7

Melissa, a sociologist conducting research on drug use, recently interviewed three drug-addicted individuals living in downtown Trenton, New Jersey. She plans on writing her findings on the drug use based on these three interviews. Melissa is approaching her research from a macro perspective.

Accepted Answer

Melissa is approaching her research from a micro perspective as she is focusing on the experiences and perspectives of three individuals rather than studying drug use trends on a larger scale.

Question 8

Conflict theorists argue that most social problems can be traced to the family.

Accepted Answer

Conflict theorists primarily argue that social problems arise from inequalities and conflicts within society, such as those related to class, race, and gender, rather than attributing them mainly to the family.

Question 9

Anomie can be explained by periods of rapid social change, such as political upheaval.

Accepted Answer

Anomie is a state of normlessness or a lack of social norms, which can occur during periods of social change and upheaval, such as during a time of political revolution or rapid modernization. This was proposed by French sociologist Emile Durkheim in his study of suicide rates during times of societal change.

Question 10

Functionalism uses a macro perspective to examine society.

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is a macro-level theoretical perspective that examines the big picture of society and its institutions. It views society as a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain social stability and order.

Question 11

From a conflict perspective, most social problems do not arise from competing interest groups; they, rather, emerge out of family.

Accepted Answer

While family conflicts can certainly contribute to social problems, the conflict perspective argues that social problems primarily arise from competing interest groups, such as economic classes or political factions.

Question 12

For feminists, the patriarchal society where men dominate women and justify their domination within powerful groups is the basis of social problems.

Accepted Answer

This is a common belief among feminists, who argue that the patriarchal system perpetuates gender inequality and causes harm to women, including in areas such as politics, economics, and interpersonal relationships.

Question 13

Secondary data analysis usually involves the analysis of originally collected data.

Accepted Answer

Secondary data analysis involves analyzing data that was collected by someone else, rather than data that was originally collected for a specific research project.

Question 14

Applied research differs from basic research in that it examines causes without intent to use the data somewhere specific whereas applied research has a specific intent to apply findings for policy implementation.

Accepted Answer

Applied research is conducted with a specific intent to apply the findings for practical purposes such as policy implementation or product development. On the other hand, basic research is focused on advancing scientific knowledge and understanding without any specific application in mind.

Question 15

Mickey Chopra, UNICEF's chief of health, reports that as countries such as the United States have turned their attention and funding to the AIDS epidemic worldwide, deaths due to preventable diseases have increased.

Accepted Answer

Mickey Chopra, UNICEF's chief of health, reports that as countries focus on AIDS funding, deaths due to preventable diseases have increased.

Question 16

Social action to address social problems is only effective in the form of laws.

Accepted Answer

Social action can take many forms, including but not limited to advocating for new laws or changes to existing laws. Other forms of social action include grassroots organizing, community mobilization, awareness-raising campaigns, education and training programs, and direct service provision. Many social problems require a multi-faceted approach that involves both legal and non-legal strategies.

Question 17

Discuss the rising costs of education and the increasing issues surrounding it by using sociological tools and concepts. Who is paying for the changes in school financing? Is it just the student? What is the overall cost to our culture? What do you see as possible solutions to the education-funding crisis?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Discuss the rising costs of education and...

Question 18

Explain the four-stage process identified by Spector and Kituse in the identification of a social problem. Provide your own example of a social problem that has followed this four-step process.

Accepted Answer

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Question 19

How does the idea of human agency explain HIV/AID epidemic in the United States? How does the active role of an individual define their action? What other deciding factors should be considered?

Accepted Answer

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Question 20

Discuss the different research methods: survey research, qualitative methods, historical and comparative methods and last secondary data analysis. How are these methods distinctive from each other?

Accepted Answer

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Quiz 1: Sociology and the Study of Social Problems