Sociology Exam #3

Describe one main point that is made by those who espouse the Malthusian/Population Bomb/Zero Population Growth theories.

All believe that there is a population explosion and that it is contributing to a lot of problems such as poverty, disease, starvation, pollution, and resource depletion. They believe that there needs to be immediate and free contraceptives to stop the birth rate boom.

Describe one example of a religious ritual and one example of a religious totem

An example of a religious ritual would be how Christians go to church every Sunday to express and practice their religion. An example of a religious totem would be a physical object that is seen as holy such as the holy cross.

Fully describe with is meant by "stereotype threat"

A stereotype threat takes any type of societal stereotype, and based on a person's self perception, pressure, and stress, they are bound to be negatively effected by the stereotype. For example, some higher performing students can underperform on a test if they are convinced that they are not going to perform well, even if they know all the information.

First, describe the basic relationship between teacher expectations and educational performance. Second, describe one category of students that is negatively affected by teacher expectations.

A teacher creates expectations for their students based on their abilities and how they act. When a teacher makes these labels they may treat students differently or expect different behaviors from them based on their label. This can affirm or punish the students and often causes them to conform to teacher expectations. So if a student is labeled a trouble maker, their teachers may expect that of him/her and treat them differently than they would treat another student with a different label and that student is more apt to keep acting like a trouble maker.

Describe 3 examples of social movements, including: a) 1 example of a personal transformation movement, b) 1 example of a social change movement, and c) 1 example of a reactionary movement

A) One example of personal transformation is Alcoholics Anonymous. They are trying to focus only on the individual to try and get them to change their behaviors. B) One example of a social change movement would be peace movements trying to get rid of war. They are trying to make a collective change in society that will move in a future direction and change the past. C) An example of a reactionary movement would be the white supremacy movement believing that there should still be separations between races. They are looking to resist a change in society and want to take us back to how it was before.

Sociologists do not use the medical model to explain problems faced by people with disabilities. First according to the medical model, what is the root cause of the problems faced by people with disabilities? Second, what do sociologists think is the root cause of problems faced by people with disabilities?

According to people who use the medical model, the root problem is in the person who has the disability. They are seen as the person who is flawed and expected to change and adapt to the workplace themselves. Sociologists that use the social model theory say that society is the problem and it is the one that creates physical and structural barriers against people with disabilities

Fully describe the basic relationship between class and education

Class determines the quality and quantity of your education. Depending on what quality of education you receive it contributes to your future class because it effects your job and your income.

Give an example of people who have coercive power.

Coercive power is achieved by force and is usually against the will of the people who are having the power thrust upon them. For example, a dictator takes over the people and forces them to do everything he says against the will of the people and usually makes them do it out of fear.

Explain how those who employ the Conflict framework view religion

Conflict theorists believe that religion contributes to inequality and is used for class oppression. This in turn makes them believe that religion creates a lot more conflicts than it does any good.

Explain what is meant by "environmental racism"

Environmental racism is when certain races are more exposed to pollution because they live in impoverished areas

Explain how those who employ the Functionalist framework view religion.

Functionalists believe that religion creates stability in society. They believe that it contributes to common meanings and gives people something to relate to among each other.

Describe 2 of the 3 characteristics of the ideal type capitalist economies

Ideal capital characteristics include: individuals own economic enterprises/businesses/property, they are not government owned. They are always trying to make more money and profit, and there is competition between economic units.

Explain the difference between monotheistic and polytheistic beliefs

Monotheistic religions believe in one God whereas polytheistic religions believe in more than one God.

Fully describe one characteristic or consequence of modernization

One consequence of modernization is the decline of religious organizations. Over time these organizations have become less involved and modernization is causing people to deviate from some of these affiliations.

Give one example of how category membership influences voting patterns

One example of a category of people that are less likely to vote are poor people. They often don't see people of their class getting elected and see that money is what gets people recognition so they tend not to vote.

Describe one factor that helps children better adjust to the divorce of their parents.

One factor that helps children adjust to the divorce of their parents is if both parents are still involved in the child's life after the divorce. If one of the parents decides to become uninvolved it can negatively effect the child's development and emotional wellbeing.

Describe one main cause of elder abuse (by family members) in the U.S.

One main cause of elder abuse by family members is that the children often end up taking care of the elderly parent, which often involves them moving in with them. It can become very stressful because it can cost a lot of money and time.

Describe 2 of the major sources of social change discussed by your textbook authors

One major source of social change is cultural diffusion, which is when the culture of one group becomes part of another group. Another major source of social change are social movements that promote the ideas of certain groups.

Describe 2 negative consequences of increased suburbanization in the U.S.

One negative consequence of increased suburbanization is when people move out to the suburbs it creates more class segregation. The people that can afford to move out have more money and leave a concentration of lower class people in the cities. This also creates race segregation that fuels class and race prejudice because people become "afraid of the city". Another reason is, if the businesses and higher income people move out of the cities, the city is deprived of a tax base that effects schools, police, fire departments, recreation programs, and road repairs.

Describe 2 major types of environmental problems

One problem is pollution of the air, water, ground, and climate change because it makes the environment more toxic. Another problem is resource depletion of gas, water, coal, soil, and forests.

Describe 2 explanations sociologists offer for why the U.S. Has not developed a national health care plan that covers everyone (like other rich nations).

One reason sociologists believe that the U.S has not developed a national healthcare system is because many people are anti-government and think it's fraudulent. When the government can't make advancements because they don't have support of the people they can't accomplish these types of national plans so they don't control the health care. Another reason why is because the health care industry is for profit. Because they take control of the profits, it is hard to create any change in the health care plan

Describe 2 recent changes in the U.S. Economy

One recent economic change is increased monopolization. Many companies try to buy each other out and downsize. Another change is automation. It cuts jobs because machines do most of the work now, and it de-skills them too because people don't need to have as much experience or skill.

Describe 2 of the social factors that sociologists have found contribute to high incidence of divorce in the U.S.

One social factor the contributes to the divorce rate is that the U.S has a very individualistic mind set, meaning that we only think of ourselves and our own problems and not others which tends to create problems. Another factor is that women's lives are changing a lot by working more, driving cars, and bringing home money for the family, so they can provide for themselves and are no longer dependent on another person.

Describe one type of discrimination that is evident in the contemporary U.S. Military institution

One type of discrimination that is evident in the contemporary U.S Military is that colored people are often assigned to tech positions that get paid less money and provides them with less experience when they get out of the military.

The U.S. And some other countries have shifted from having a mainly Industrial economy to that of a Post-Industrial economy. First, describe the primary type of work available in industrial economies. Second, describe the primary to type of work available in post-industrial economies.

Primary type of work is mechanical in industrial economies. The primary type of work available in post-industrial economies are service sectors .

Describe one way the U.S. Election process advantages the rich

The U.S election process advantages the rich because people who have a lot of money are the main donors to campaign financing. This allows them to promote the candidate they want to be elected more.

First, name the most widely practiced religion in the world. Second, name the 2nd most commonly practiced religion in the world. Third, describe one way that the dominant religion influences U.S. Citizens who are not members of the dominant religion

The most widely practiced religion in the world is Christianity, and the second is Islam. One way that the dominant religion influences the other non dominant religions is by having school breaks and holidays for Christian students but no holidays or religious days for other religions.

Name 2 of the 3 basic demographic processes/variables that concerns demographers

They three demographic variables that concern demographers are the birth rate, the death rate, and the immigration/migration rate.

In the United States today, in most families that are comprised of a male-female couple with children, both parents have jobs in the workplace. In these families, describe the typical distribution of household tasks (including housework and childcare) between women and men.

Women do more household work and childcare and spend more hours doing it. Also known as "double shift." Men have 11 more hours of leisure a week.

Describe how U.S. health care system compares to that of other industrial nations in terms of both spending on health care and health care equality

Compared to all of the other industrial nations the U.S has the highest price of healthcare. It is average in quality, and it doesn't cover everybody. Our healthcare system is overall more complex, and doesn't compare to some of the other industrial countries.

Define "demography"

Demography is the scientific study of population shifts in the world. It is measured by the census, which is the biggest national study

Describe one reason why government unemployment figures are misleading.

Government unemployment figures are misleading because it's not an accurate number of people that actually want jobs. The government figure can usually be doubled. If a person is not applying for jobs and reporting them to the unemployment office, they are not included in the count. Another reason is that anyone who is earning any type of money is not accounted for in the unemployment figures, even if they are not making a big enough paycheck to live on.

Describe one way that the U.S. Political system is not particularly democratic in regard to "representing all people".

In the U.S not all groups are proportionally represented in the population. Not all the groups in society are represented in government because of this, so many issues are missed and not addressed by the government because there is not equal representation.

Describe one way that gender impacts health in the U.S.

In the U.S. Certain health issues can be identified as more prevalent in one gender than the other. For example, anorexia is more prevalent in women because of negative body image, and more accident injuries are more prone in males from high risk behavior.

Describe one reason why U.S. military veterans of the most recent wars have higher rates of mental problems (than veterans in the prior period)

In the past, people were not deployed multiple times like they are today. They used to be deployed once and then come home and be done after serving. Nowadays, military people may be deployed more than one. This increased the risk of PTSD. Also, many people are living through injuries that they never used to live through in the past because of our advancements in medical care.

Name 3 different types of families that are common in the U.S.

Step families, gay/lesbian families, female-headed/single-parent households

Describe one reason why it is rational for families in poor countries to have more children

It is rational for people in poor countries to have more children because poverty drives population. There is usually a higher death rate among infants in poor countries so it helps to give birth to multiple children. Also, in poor countries the family can use their children for work and support for when the parents retire they will still have resources and people to provide for them.

Functionalist theories of social change argue that all societies move in particular directions. Describe one direction of social change toward which many societies have moved

Many societies have been changing from mechanical to organic solidarity. They believe that we are becoming more different from each other and are moving towards a more increased division of labor.

Describe 2 effects of automation on lower level workers.

One effect is that it de-skills jobs. People don't have to know as much and they don't have to do as much work because the machines do most of it for them. Another effect is that is decreases pay. Because people aren't providing as much labor they do not get paid as much as they used to

Describe 2 social forces that contribute to health problems in the U.S.

One example of a social force that contributes to health problems in the U.S. Is the fact that many people work far away from their jobs. Because they spend a lot of time in the car traveling back and forth they do not get as much exercise. Another social force is that U.S. Culture is based on unhealthy food, because it is much cheaper. Most people can't afford to go out and by fresh or organic healthy food, but they can afford processed and pre-made food that is much unhealthier and contributes to health problems.

Describe one fact about eldercare in the U.S.

One fact about elder care is that people tend to care more for their elder relative more than their children.

Describe one fact about gay/lesbian households in the U.S.

One fact is that both kids and their parents face discrimination for their sexuality.

Name 2 functions of education according to Functionalist scholars.

One is to provide socialization for kids and implement aspects of culture. Another function is to provide occupational training at some high schools and in college.

Schools in the U.S. Are more segregated by race and class now than in the 1980s. Describe one negative consequence of segregated schools.

One negative consequence of segregated schools is that it contributes to an unequal education. Generally African American and Latino schools are inferior schools based on their product, less qualified teachers, less lab equipment, and overall less school funding. Segregated schools contribute to racial profiling and racial segregation because there is no socialization between races which creates prejudices in the long run.

Describe one negative consequence of tracking in the education institution

One negative consequence of tracking in the education system is when a teacher has a particular expectation of a student they often expects them to fulfill those expectations all the time. A lower tracked student can be harmed by tracking because they are taught less, get less work, and have lower expectations. Another consequence is that it can create segregation of class and race. Upper/upper middle whites are usually in higher tracks and lower/working classes tend to be in lower tracked classes.

Describe 2 reasons why there has been an increase in the number of single people in the U.S.

One reason is because there is a higher rate of divorce in the U.S now then there ever has been. Another reason is because people are living life longer than they used to, but their spouse may or may not live the same length of time so they become widowed

Give an example of people who have authority (or, legitimate power).

People who have authority are perceived as legitimate, so the people don't tend to mind it. An example of this is a democratic society electing a president because they see him/her as legitimate and pick them by their choice.

Describe 2 reasons why economic class impacts health in the U.S.

Peoples economic class impacts their health in the U.S. Because the more money one has the more access they have to resources. For example, unhealthy food is cheaper to buy, so people in the lower classes buy the unhealthy food instead which can contribute to health issues like obesity. Another reason is that the white upper class has easier access to getting health care. Because they have more money they have easier access and they don't have to worry about cost being a contributor.

Explain the difference between "sacred" and "profane".

Sacred means it is set apart from the ordinary for worship, it is seen as holy, and it is protected by special rights and rituals. Whereas, profane is seen as a part of every day life.

Describe one problem with standardized tests that are commonly used in education institutions

Standardized testing creates a gap between the lower and upper class. Depending on what class you are in, you may not be able to afford preparatory classes to prepare for these tests. Because of this, upper class students tend to do better because they have more access to resources for these tests, studying, and they have more money to take the test multiple times. Whereas, someone who is in a lower class may only be able to afford to take the test once, and may not do as well because they didn't take a preparatory class that would set them up to perform better.

Describe 2 parts of, or institutions within, the state

The "state" is the organized system of power and authority in society. They are used to regulate the relations between the people and maintain the peace. Two examples of institutions within the state are police and law enforcement's, and the military. The police officers and law enforcement regulate the relationships between the people and make sure that they are following the states laws in the best interest of the people and the individual. The military is also used to regulate relations in and out of the country.

Fully describe the pluralistic model of how power is distributed in society.

The Pluralistic Model is described as: 1) power is believed to be widespread and a lot of people have it, 2) power is exerted through interest groups, so if a bunch of people have a particular interest they can exert more power as a group than if they were on their own, and 3) government balances the interests of the groups by providing support or laws for things if they approve of it.

Describe the central root cause of violence against women in families

The central root cause of violence against women in families is that the victims of violence are usually powerless in relation to the perpetrator. For women, they are often seen as weak and have no power so men feel as if they can take advantage of them easier.

Explain the main reason why children raised by single women are more likely to have problems.

The main reason is, single women don't make enough money so it puts strain on the kids because of the high poverty rates especially if they don't receive child support.

Explain how sociologists who employ the Conflict framework view education.

The conflict framework about education believes that education creates race, class, and gender inequities in societies. They believe that it segregates people by race and contributes to class segregation depending on how people can afford their education.

According to those from the Conflict Framework, what is the main impetus for social change?

The conflict theory believes that inequality causes people to rebel and try to make social changes. They believe that this is the basis to social change because through conflict people fight back for equality.

Explain demographic transition theory

The demographic transition theory suggests that countries pass though a consistent sequence of population patterns linked to the degree of development. In stage one, there is a high birth rate and a high death rate so the population stays about the same and has more younger people. In stage two, there is a high birth rate and lower death rate, so it creates a big boom in the population. In stage three, there is a low birth rate and a low death rate, so the population has a lot of older people and it stays pretty balanced.

Explain the main difference between reform and radical social change movements

The difference is that radical tries to change the very ways that things are organized or set up, more big structural changes. Whereas, a reform wants to modify changes within the current structure and make smaller changes.

First, name the dominant religion in the U.S. Second, name two non-dominant religions that are also present.

The dominant religion in the U.S. Is Christianity. Two non-dominant religions that are also present are Judaism and Buddhism.

Fully describe the power elite model of how power is distributed in society

The power elite model is described as: 1) a small group of rich people who have power, 2) these rich people have common beliefs about economic issues, 3) they most influence the government, and 4) the government caters to this rich elite group by supporting their interests.

Describe how family policy in the U.S. Compares to that of other industrial nations

There are very few family policies in the U.S compared to other countries. There are none about education, maternity leave, or for the equality of women.

First, name 2 categories of people that are significantly "undercounted" in. The U.S. Census. Second, describe the main negative political consequence of this undercounting

Two categories of people that are significantly undercounted in the U.S census are the homeless and low income groups in large cities. The main negative consequence is that the government uses the census to distribute money and congress representatives. So if some areas and populations are underrepresented they get an unfair distribution of these resources.

Women, people of color, gay/lesbians/bisexuals, and people with disabilities face discrimination in the economic institution. Describe 2 consequences of this discrimination of one of these groups.

Two consequences that women face in the economic institution is that job segregation often leads to separate and less pay, and they often face sexual harassment in the workplace.

Describe an example that illustrates the point that family form has changed in the U.S. Over time

Up until the late 1900s, married couples made up the majority of households. Today, married couples make up a smaller proportion of households; single-parent households have increased dramatically; and divorced and never married-couples make up a larger portion of the population.

Describe one popular myth about families in the U.S.

•Myth: Absence of fathers is the cause of numerous social problems; if these fathers would just adopt "family values" families would be stronger and children wouldn't get into so much trouble. •Reality: The mere presence of men in a family does not in itself prevent family problems. Concerns about father-less families are typically directed at poor, not middle-class, families.