Question 1

A social problem exists when most people in a society __________.

Accepted Answer

A social problem exists when there is a general consensus that a particular condition or issue is causing harm to members of society and that some form of action is necessary to address it. This requires agreement among most people in a society, rather than just a few individuals or a particular group. The other options (A, C, D, and E) may be factors that contribute to the recognition or response to a social problem, but they are not indicators in and of themselves that a problem exists.

Question 2

Your text illustrates the three basic perspectives on social problems by showing how they explain the problem of __________.

Accepted Answer

C

Question 3

Social disorganization can be manifested in three major ways,which are__________.

Accepted Answer

The three major ways that social disorganization can be manifested are normlessness, culture conflict, and breakdown.

Question 4

According to the functionalist perspective,the Ten Commandments,the Golden Rule,the Bill of Rights,and the teachings of all the world's religions are examples of sets of rules that __________.

Accepted Answer

Functionalists believe that society is held together by shared values, norms, and beliefs. The examples of rules mentioned are all sets of norms that specify how people should behave in different social roles, thus ensuring social order and stability.

Question 5

What is wrong with an explanation that blames a personal characteristic (such as laziness)for a problem (such as poverty)experienced by an individual?

Accepted Answer

Such explanations fail to explain why entire groups of people share the same problem, and therefore are not helpful in developing effective solutions. Additionally, personal characteristics are not always a direct cause of problems such as poverty, and it is unfair to blame individuals for their circumstances without considering larger systemic factors.

Question 6

Your text illustrates the definition of a social problem with two examples: opium use in China and women's lack of the right to vote in the United States until 1920.These examples demonstrate that __________.

Accepted Answer

The examples of opium use in China and women's lack of right to vote in the United States demonstrate that an existing social condition becomes a social problem when it is redefined as a problem that must be solved. Opium use was initially not seen as a problem in China until it was redefined as a societal issue by Western imperial powers, and women's lack of voting rights was not seen as a problem until suffragettes redefined it as a pressing social issue that needed to be addressed.

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a sociological question?

Accepted Answer

The question focuses on mental and moral characteristics of an individual, which is not a sociological perspective. The other options all pertain to societal and systemic issues.

Question 8

As a sociological concept,the term institution refers to__________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As a sociological concept,the term institution refers...

Question 9

In the functionalist approach,the term social __________ is most closely related to social problems.

Accepted Answer

The functionalist approach sees society as an entity in which different parts (institutions, roles, norms, etc.) work together to maintain balance and order. Therefore, social problems are seen as dysfunctions or disruptions in the equilibrium or balance of the system. Thus, the term most closely related to social problems in the functionalist approach is social disequilibrium.

Question 10

Sociologists use the term __________ to refer to the positions one holds in groups or organizations.

Accepted Answer

The term "statuses" refers to the positions that individuals hold in groups or organizations. These positions can be based on a variety of factors, including social class, education, occupation, and other characteristics. Statuses can be either ascribed (assigned at birth) or achieved (earned through one's own efforts and abilities). The concept of statuses is important in understanding social stratification and inequality.

Question 11

Which classic figure from early sociology does your text use to exemplify the functionalist perspective on social problems?

Accepted Answer

Emile Durkheim is the classic figure from early sociology that is used to exemplify the functionalist perspective on social problems. Durkheim believed that society is like an organism where all parts have a function to maintain the overall stability and balance. He argued that social problems occur when these functions are disrupted, leading to anomie or a state of normlessness. The functionalist perspective aims to understand how society works as a whole and how social problems can be addressed by restoring the equilibrium of the system.

Question 12

The idea that a society should intervene to remedy conditions affecting its citizens was a new development in the __________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The idea that a society should intervene...

Question 13

__________ not only guaranteed the rights of individual citizens,but also established the legal basis for remedying conditions that are harmful to society's members.

Accepted Answer

The United States Constitution established the legal basis for protecting individual rights and providing remedies for harmful conditions in society through its system of checks and balances, separation of powers, and guaranteed rights such as freedom of speech and due process of law. The other options do not have a direct correlation to guaranteeing individual rights and providing remedies for harmful conditions.

Question 14

According to the functionalist perspective,the well-functioning group__________.

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective emphasizes that a well-functioning group agrees on how roles are to be performed, derives rules on how people are to behave, and acts in ways that reflect basic values. Therefore, all the choices listed in options A, B, and C are correct.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a good sociological question?

Accepted Answer

A good sociological question asks about social aspects of a problem and seeks to understand the distribution and impacts of a condition in society. Asking about necessary actions to eliminate a condition that is unrelated to policy questions is not a characteristic of a good sociological question.

Question 16

According to the __________ perspective,societies fear most the crimes that threaten their members' most cherished values,and individuals who dare to challenge those values will receive the most severe punishments.

Accepted Answer

The functionalist perspective in sociology posits that societies are complex systems where each part works together to promote stability and solidarity. According to this perspective, laws and norms reflect the collective values of society, and crimes that threaten these values are met with severe punishment to maintain social order and cohesion.

Question 17

Sociologists use the term __________ to refer to behaviors expected of performance in a position that one holds in a group or organization.

Accepted Answer

Sociologists use the term "roles" to refer to behaviors expected of performance in a position that one holds in a group or organization. Activities refer to specific tasks or actions, statuses refer to a person's position in society, demands refer to requests or requirements made of someone, and requirements typically refer to qualifications or prerequisites for a job or activity.

Question 18

How do functionalists answer the question of why particular crimes are committed and punished in some societies,but not in others?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How do functionalists answer the question of...

Question 19

In the late 1800s and early 1900s,functionalist theories regarded criminal deviance as a form of social__________.

Accepted Answer

Functionalist theories viewed criminal deviance as a form of social pathology, indicating a dysfunction or failure in the social system. They believed that individuals who engaged in criminal behavior were not well-adjusted to society or lacked the necessary socialization and moral guidance to conform to societal norms and values. This perspective emphasized the importance of social control and the need for society to maintain a sense of stability and order to prevent deviant behavior.

Question 20

According to the functionalist perspective on social problems,the main reason for the existence of social problems is that__________.

Accepted Answer

According to the functionalist perspective, societies are complex systems that must adapt to changes and new conditions in order to survive. When a society fails to adapt successfully, social problems arise as a result. Therefore, the main reason for the existence of social problems is that societies sometimes fail to adapt successfully to change and new conditions.

Quiz 1: Sociological Perspective on Social Problems