Question 1

Bob believes that there is a difference between the "deserving" and "undeserving" poor and that only the "deserving" poor should receive government assistance.Bob's view best illustrates ______ theory.
A)functionalist
B)social mobility
C)social status
D)labeling

Accepted Answer

Labeling theory suggests that individuals are categorized based on societal labels, which can influence their treatment and access to resources. Bob's distinction between the "deserving" and "undeserving" poor reflects this idea, as it involves labeling certain individuals as worthy or unworthy of assistance based on perceived criteria.

Question 2

Social mobility is best defined as ______.
A)the transition from immigrant to citizen
B)the transition from one occupation to another
C)the change that occurs when a person transitions from seeing poverty as functional to seeing it as dysfunctional
D)the movement from one social class to another

Accepted Answer

Social mobility is the movement of an individual or group from one social position to another, typically from one social class to another. Therefore, the best choice is D.

Question 3

The U.S.poverty rate for 2015was at ______.
A)5%
B)13.5%
C)25%
D)35%

Accepted Answer

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the poverty rate for 2015 was 13.5%.

Question 4

The culture of poverty thesis is very similar to ______ theory.
A)functionalist
B)labeling
C)social mobility
D)social status

Accepted Answer

The culture of poverty thesis is similar to labeling theory as both suggest that societal perceptions and labels can influence individuals' behaviors and perpetuate poverty.

Question 5

Defining poverty based on annual income is an example of a(n)______ measure of poverty.
A)absolute
B)relative
C)means-tested
D)subsidiary

Accepted Answer

Defining poverty based on annual income is an example of an absolute measure of poverty. Absolute poverty refers to the minimum level of income or resources that a person or household needs to meet basic needs such as food, shelter, and clothing. This measure is not relative to the income or resources of others in society, but is based on a fixed standard.

Question 6

The belief that wealth can buy influence,media access,and the support of policymakers best illustrates ______.
A)functionalism
B)symbolic interactionism
C)conflict theory
D)integrative theory

Accepted Answer

The belief that wealth can buy influence, media access, and the support of policymakers highlights the power struggle and inequality between the wealthy and the rest of society, which is central to conflict theory. Functionalist theory would focus more on how society works together to maintain stability and order, while symbolic interactionism would focus on the meaning individuals attribute to wealth and its influence on their relationships and interactions. Integrative theory aims to combine different sociological perspectives.

Question 7

Karl Marx argued that when we care more about the things we buy than the labor necessary to create these things,we______.
A)fetishize commodities
B)alienate workers
C)engage in dialectical materialism
D)weaken the capitalist system

Accepted Answer

Marx believed that capitalism creates a culture in which people become obsessed with the things they own and consume, to the point where they fetishize commodities - that is, they imbue objects with a mystical, almost magical power. In doing so, they obscure the fact that these things are the products of labor, and that the laborers who produce them often suffer from exploitation and alienation under capitalism.

Question 8

According to Max Weber,social stratification is primarily based on ______.
A)income and occupation
B)a combination of class,status,and power
C)ownership of the means of production
D)a combination of wealth and status

Accepted Answer

Weber believed that social stratification is based on a combination of class (economic position), status (social honor), and power (political influence). While income, occupation, ownership of the means of production, and wealth may be factors that contribute to one's level of class and power, they are not the only determining factors. Status also plays a significant role in social stratification, as it reflects the esteem and respect given to individuals and social groups based on their occupation, income, education, or other characteristics valued by society.

Question 9

Joe works in an automobile assembly plant.He has no say in what types of cars are made or how the cars are made.This is an example of ______.
A)labeling theory
B)the culture of poverty
C)alienation
D)dialectical materialism

Accepted Answer

This situation describes alienation, which is a sense of disconnection from one's work, larger society, and oneself that often arises in modern capitalist societies. Joe lacks control and autonomy over his work, and he may feel disconnected and unfulfilled as a result. Labeling theory suggests that societal labels, such as "criminal" or "deviant," can shape an individual's self-identity and behavior. The culture of poverty theory argues that poverty is a distinct and stable culture with its own norms and values. Dialectical materialism is a Marxist concept that emphasizes the role of economic and material factors and the tensions between social classes in shaping history and society.

Question 10

All of the following are examples of means-tested safety net programs EXCEPT ______.
A)the Social Security Act
B)Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
C)Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
D)Women,Infants,and Children Program

Accepted Answer

The Social Security Act is not a means-tested safety net program. It is a social insurance program that provides benefits to retired workers, disabled individuals, and the surviving spouses and children of workers who have died. These benefits are paid based on contributions made by workers and their employers throughout their working years, not on their income or financial need.

Question 11

According to Max Weber,all of the following would be examples of status EXCEPT ______.
A)race
B)religion
C)gender
D)income

Accepted Answer

Max Weber defined status as a person's social honor or prestige, which can be based on many factors such as occupation, education, or membership in certain groups. Income, on the other hand, would be considered a measure of wealth or economic standing, rather than a status factor.

Question 12

In 2015,approximately ______ million Americans were living in poverty.
A)1
B)23
C)43.1
D)75

Accepted Answer

According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2015, approximately 43.1 million Americans were living in poverty. This represents 13.5% of the total population. Therefore, choice C is the correct answer.

Question 13

According to Karl Marx,class is primarily based on ______.
A)income and occupation
B)a combination of wealth and income
C)ownership of the means of production
D)a combination of wealth and status

Accepted Answer

Karl Marx believed that class is primarily based on ownership of the means of production, meaning those who own factories, machinery, and other resources that are necessary for producing goods hold a position of power and control over those who do not. He believed that this created a fundamental conflict between the working class (proletariat) and the owning class (bourgeoisie) that would ultimately lead to revolution and a shift towards a socialist system. Income and occupation may be factors that contribute to one's class position, but they are not the primary determining factors according to Marx's theory. Wealth and status may also play a role, but they are not as fundamental as ownership of the means of production.

Question 14

A janitor earns less than a school principal.Functionalist sociologists might argue this difference in income ______.
A)ensures that the most talented people hold the most important jobs
B)prevents the social mobility of janitors
C)creates unnecessary divisions of income and power
D)makes it more likely principals will exploit janitors

Accepted Answer

Functionalist sociologists believe that the unequal distribution of rewards is necessary to motivate individuals to work harder and achieve higher positions in society. Therefore, they would argue that the difference in income between a janitor and a school principal is a reflection of the greater responsibilities and skills required of the principal, and that this serves to ensure that the most talented and capable individuals hold the most important jobs.

Question 15

Which of the following sociological perspectives states that social inequality is necessary and inevitable?
A)functionalism
B)conflict theory
C)symbolic interactionism
D)feminist theory

Accepted Answer

Functionalism is a sociological perspective that views society as a complex system whose parts work together to promote solidarity and stability. According to functionalism, social inequality is necessary and inevitable because it ensures that the most important and difficult jobs in society are filled by the most qualified individuals. This perspective believes that social inequality is functional for society and provides motivation for people to work hard and strive for success.

Question 16

Ben's family was very poor growing up but was considered middle class by the time he reached the age of 18.This is an example of ______.
A)social stratification
B)social status
C)social mobility
D)social transmission

Accepted Answer

Social mobility refers to the movement of individuals or groups from one social class or status to another. In this scenario, Ben's family moved from a lower social class to a higher social class, making it an example of social mobility. Social stratification refers to the categorization of individuals into a hierarchical system based on their social status or class. Social status refers to an individual's position in society relative to others, while social transmission refers to the passing down of cultural traditions and values from one generation to the next.

Question 17

Mary believes that she is poor because she feels inferior,powerless,and lacks work ethic.Mary's beliefs best characterize ______.
A)Lewis's culture of poverty thesis
B)Gans's ideas about the functions of the poor
C)Weber's ideas about class,status,and power
D)Moore's ideas about welfare dependency

Accepted Answer

Mary's beliefs align with the culture of poverty thesis proposed by Oscar Lewis, which argues that the poor have a unique culture characterized by specific attitudes, beliefs, and values that perpetuate poverty. These include a sense of powerlessness, a lack of work ethic, and low self-esteem.

Question 18

The belief that those in power choose to "blame the victim" rather than accept any responsibility for poverty best illustrates ______.
A)functionalism
B)symbolic interactionism
C)conflict theory
D)integrative theory

Accepted Answer

The idea that those in power blame the victim for poverty is a central tenet of conflict theory, which emphasizes the struggle for power and resources between different groups in society. Functionalism focuses on how different parts of society work together to maintain stability and unity, while symbolic interactionism emphasizes the importance of individual interactions and meanings assigned to them. Integrative theory combines elements of multiple perspectives to offer a more comprehensive understanding of social phenomena.

Question 19

Defining poverty by comparing a person to others in the same society is an example of a(n)______ measure of poverty.
A)absolute
B)relative
C)means-tested
D)subsidiary

Accepted Answer

Comparing a person's income or living standards to those of others in the same society is known as relative poverty. Absolute poverty, on the other hand, is defined by a fixed standard of living below which a person is considered to be impoverished. Means-tested and subsidiary measures are policy approaches to addressing poverty, rather than measures of poverty themselves.

Question 20

______ provides reduced-cost meals for students with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty line.
A)The Social Security Act
B)Temporary Assistance for Needy Families
C)The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
D)The School Lunch Program

Accepted Answer

The School Lunch Program provides reduced-cost meals for students with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty line. The program is run by the United States Department of Agriculture and is designed to ensure that students receive healthy and nutritious meals regardless of their family's income level.

Quiz 2: Poverty and Class Inequality

Bob believes that there is a difference between the "deserving" and "undeserving" poor and that only the "deserving" poor should receive government assistance.Bob's view best illustrates ______ theory.

Social mobility is best defined as ______.

The U.S.poverty rate for 2015was at ______.

The culture of poverty thesis is very similar to ______ theory.

Defining poverty based on annual income is an example of a(n) ______ measure of poverty.

The belief that wealth can buy influence,media access,and the support of policymakers best illustrates ______.

Karl Marx argued that when we care more about the things we buy than the labor necessary to create these things,we______.

According to Max Weber,social stratification is primarily based on ______.

Joe works in an automobile assembly plant.He has no say in what types of cars are made or how the cars are made.This is an example of ______.

All of the following are examples of means-tested safety net programs EXCEPT ______.

According to Max Weber,all of the following would be examples of status EXCEPT ______.

In 2015,approximately ______ million Americans were living in poverty.

According to Karl Marx,class is primarily based on ______.

A janitor earns less than a school principal.Functionalist sociologists might argue this difference in income ______.

Which of the following sociological perspectives states that social inequality is necessary and inevitable?

Ben's family was very poor growing up but was considered middle class by the time he reached the age of 18.This is an example of ______.

Mary believes that she is poor because she feels inferior,powerless,and lacks work ethic.Mary's beliefs best characterize ______.

The belief that those in power choose to "blame the victim" rather than accept any responsibility for poverty best illustrates ______.

Defining poverty by comparing a person to others in the same society is an example of a(n) ______ measure of poverty.

______ provides reduced-cost meals for students with incomes between 130% and 185% of the poverty line.