Question 1

Our social system is rarely seen as causing social problems because __________.
A) it is the poor who define what are considered social problems
B) we tend to focus on the elite who commit "deviant" acts
C) institutions cannot be changed
D) we have a hard time questioning our cherished traditions

Accepted Answer

We often have difficulty questioning our cherished traditions, which are part of the social system, making it less likely to be seen as a cause of social problems.

Question 2

Social Darwinists would oppose social reforms like social welfare because __________.
A) they are too expensive to produce viable results
B) they allow people to get money for doing nothing
C) they perpetuate the existence of unfit groups in society
D) it is more effective to provide technical training for the poor

Accepted Answer

Social Darwinists believe that society should allow the "survival of the fittest" and de-emphasize efforts to assist the poor or disadvantaged. They view social welfare as perpetuating the existence of unfit groups in society, which goes against their beliefs in natural selection and competition.

Question 3

The objective reality of social problems is demonstrated by the fact that some social conditions,which can be identified as such in any given place or time,induce material and psychic suffering for entire segments of the population.

Accepted Answer

The statement accurately reflects the definition of social problems, which result in negative consequences for groups of people, indicating their objective existence.

Question 4

In experimental research,who is the "control" group?
A) They are the researchers who conduct the study.
B) They are subjects who are exposed to the independent variable.
C) They are subjects not exposed to the independent variable.
D) They are subjects who are aware of the experimental manipulation.

Accepted Answer

The control group is the group of subjects who are not exposed to the independent variable being tested. This group acts as a baseline for comparison against the group that is exposed to the independent variable. By controlling for all other variables except for the independent variable, differences in the outcome between the two groups can be attributed to the independent variable.

Question 5

Sociologists' study of social problems is a value-free pursuit.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists' study of social problems often involves their own values and perspectives, influencing the choice of topics, methods, and interpretations.

Question 6

Which of the following statements is accurate about sociologists doing research on social problems?
A) Personal values of the researcher do not affect his/her research.
B) Sociologists agree on a liberal agenda that sides with the disadvantaged.
C) The study of social problems cannot be value free.
D) Sociologists largely promote an agenda that maintains the existing social order.

Accepted Answer

The study of social problems cannot be value-free as sociologists bring their own values and biases to their research. This can impact what issues they choose to study, how they define social problems, and what solutions they propose. While some sociologists may advocate for a particular political agenda or social change, there is no one agreed-upon agenda among sociologists as a whole. Additionally, sociologists may challenge existing social orders and power structures in their research.

Question 7

By referring to the subjective nature of social problems,sociologists have more recently come to acknowledge that what is defined as a social problem is basically the same across audiences and time.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists have actually come to acknowledge that what is defined as a social problem is not the same across audiences and time, but rather is subjective and influenced by social, cultural, and historical contexts.

Question 8

Relying solely on a person-blame approach to social problems is the best way to bring about significant social changes.

Accepted Answer

Relying solely on blaming individuals for social problems ignores the larger structural and systemic factors that contribute to those problems. Significant social changes require addressing those larger factors and implementing systemic solutions.

Question 9

With corporations in the process of downsizing their employee base,while at the same time frequently merging with other companies,C.Wright Mills would refer to the resulting unemployment as "private troubles" of the individuals involved rather than a "public issue."

Accepted Answer

According to C. Wright Mills, unemployment resulting from corporate downsizing and mergers is not just a private trouble of the individuals involved, but a public issue that requires analysis of the social and economic structures that create it.

Question 10

The authors assert that exclusively focusing on the individual when studying social problems __________.
A) overlooks deviations from society's norms as potential problems
B) takes an overly deterministic view of social problems
C) ignores the strains that are caused by the inequities of the system
D) treats social problems as being the product of systematic inequity

Accepted Answer

Focusing solely on the individual ignores larger societal factors that contribute to social problems. This includes the inequities within the system that cause strain and contribute to these problems.

Question 11

The victim-blamer would attribute high rates of recidivism to faults and failures of the individual criminals,including their greed,feelings of aggression,weak control of impulses,and relative lack of conscience.

Accepted Answer

The victim-blamer tends to blame the individual criminals for their faults and failures, rather than considering other factors that may contribute to high rates of recidivism. They often focus on factors like greed, aggression, impulse control, and lack of conscience as explanations for criminal behavior.

Question 12

The analysis of social problems relies on __________.
A) politicians
B) reliable data
C) public opinion
D) media representations

Accepted Answer

Reliable data is crucial in analyzing social problems. Politicians, public opinion, and media representations can be influenced by various biases and may not accurately reflect the true nature of the problem. Only reliable data can provide an objective and comprehensive understanding of a social problem, allowing for effective policymaking and intervention.

Question 13

Conclusions made from __________ will be reliable about the entire population.
A) participant observation
B) a control group
C) a probability sample
D) an experiment

Accepted Answer

Probability sampling is a method of sample selection in which each member of a population has an equal chance of being selected for the sample. This ensures that the sample is representative of the entire population and therefore, conclusions drawn from it can be generalized to the entire population with a high degree of reliability.

Question 14

A person-blame approach advocates social programs that transform existing institutions.

Accepted Answer

A person-blame approach focuses on individual responsibility for problems, rather than advocating for systemic changes or transformations of existing institutions.

Question 15

An extremely dogmatic system-blame approach to social problems views individuals almost as robots controlled totally by their social environment.

Accepted Answer

An extremely dogmatic system-blame approach to social problems places all the blame on the social environment, implying that individuals have no control over their actions or choices and are simply programmed by their surroundings. This view is highly deterministic and ignores the influence of personal agency and individual differences.

Question 16

According to the sociological perspective,which of the following best explains social problems?
A) Norm violators
B) People who seek self-actualization
C) Problems caused by societal conditions
D) Biology

Accepted Answer

The sociological perspective views social problems as being caused by societal conditions, such as poverty, inequality, and discrimination, rather than individual norm violators or biology.

Question 17

Sociologists use __________ to explain a range of human behavior and a variety of social and societal events.
A) political discourse
B) media representations
C) public opinion
D) sociological theory

Accepted Answer

Sociological theory provides a framework for understanding and analyzing various aspects of human behavior and social phenomena. It helps sociologists to identify patterns and develop explanations for social events and issues. Political discourse, media representations, and public opinion may influence and reflect social behavior, but they do not offer the same level of explanatory power as sociological theory.

Question 18

The textbook examines two types of social problems: (1)acts and conditions that violate social norms and values,and (2)the difficulties for those suffering from the deviant acts of norm violators.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The textbook examines two types of social...

Question 19

Researchers who use __________ collect information about the same persons over many years.
A) longitudinal surveys
B) experiments
C) participant observation
D) public opinion polls

Accepted Answer

Longitudinal surveys involve tracking the same individuals over an extended period of time, which allows researchers to measure changes and identify patterns in behavior or attitudes. This type of data collection is particularly useful for studying development or the effects of long-term exposure to certain factors. Experiments involve manipulating variables to observe their impact on an outcome, participant observation involves observing a group or community over an extended period of time to gain a deeper understanding of their behavior, and public opinion polls involve collecting data from a representative sample of individuals at a single point in time.

Question 20

Early social pathologists assumed that social norms were universally held and viewed social problems as behaviors or social arrangements that disturb the moral order.

Accepted Answer

Early social pathologists believed in the universality of social norms and considered social problems as disruptions to the moral order based on those norms.

Quiz 1: The Sociological Approach to Social Problems

Our social system is rarely seen as causing social problems because __________.

Social Darwinists would oppose social reforms like social welfare because __________.

The objective reality of social problems is demonstrated by the fact that some social conditions,which can be identified as such in any given place or time,induce material and psychic suffering for entire segments of the population.

In experimental research,who is the "control" group?

Sociologists' study of social problems is a value-free pursuit.

Which of the following statements is accurate about sociologists doing research on social problems?

By referring to the subjective nature of social problems,sociologists have more recently come to acknowledge that what is defined as a social problem is basically the same across audiences and time.

Relying solely on a person-blame approach to social problems is the best way to bring about significant social changes.

With corporations in the process of downsizing their employee base,while at the same time frequently merging with other companies,C.Wright Mills would refer to the resulting unemployment as "private troubles" of the individuals involved rather than a "public issue."

The authors assert that exclusively focusing on the individual when studying social problems __________.

The victim-blamer would attribute high rates of recidivism to faults and failures of the individual criminals,including their greed,feelings of aggression,weak control of impulses,and relative lack of conscience.

The analysis of social problems relies on __________.

Conclusions made from __________ will be reliable about the entire population.

A person-blame approach advocates social programs that transform existing institutions.

An extremely dogmatic system-blame approach to social problems views individuals almost as robots controlled totally by their social environment.

According to the sociological perspective,which of the following best explains social problems?

Sociologists use __________ to explain a range of human behavior and a variety of social and societal events.

The textbook examines two types of social problems: (1)acts and conditions that violate social norms and values,and (2)the difficulties for those suffering from the deviant acts of norm violators.

Researchers who use __________ collect information about the same persons over many years.

Early social pathologists assumed that social norms were universally held and viewed social problems as behaviors or social arrangements that disturb the moral order.