Psych/Soc: Lecture 1 + 2

The democratic and republican parties dominate the modern U.S. political party system. Every four years, republican and democratic candidates compete with one another to represent the U.S. as the next President of the United States. This process can be best understood as an example of: A. Conflict theory B. Functionalism C. Malthusian Theory D. Socialism E. Secularization

A. Conflict theory

Tim is a snowboard salesman. For every 15 snowboards he sells, his company gives him a monetary bonus. What schedule of reinforcement describes Tim's bonus arrangement? A. Fixed ratio B. Variable-ratio C. Fixed-interval D. Variable-interval E. None of the above

A. Fixed ratio

A medical school student observes that his fellow peers all share similar ideas of what health and illness mean. The student decides to search for existing literature on how these shared meanings are socially constructed. The concept that the student has observed is known as: A. Social constructionism B. Functionalism C. Symbolic culture D. Socialization E. Symbolic interactionism

A. Social constructionism

A researcher has a group of participants drink a sweetened soda that contains a mood-enhancing drug and notice that the participant's symptoms of depression improve significantly. The researcher then removes the drug from the beverage and observes that the symptoms are still improved when the patients consume the soda. The association between the soda and better mood is a type of learning known as: A. Operant conditioning B. Classical conditioning C. Associative learning D. Observational learning E. Stimulus generalization

B. Classical conditioning

The idea that society is composed of interdependent parts working together to maintain a state of balance and societal equilibrium is best supported by: A. Conflict theory B. Functionalism C. Framework Theory D. Socialism E. Secularization

B. Functionalism

Despite advancements in technologies like GMOs, some demographers still believe that starvation is an inevitable consequence of the existing exponential population growth rate. This belief is best supported by which of the following? A. Malthusian theory B. Demographic transition theory C. The transformationalist perspective of globalization D. Rational choice theory

A. Malthusian theory

Kelly and Jeff live together, and Kelly constantly yells at Jeff to clean his dishes in the kitchen. She tells him that she will stop nagging if he does the chore. He finally cleans the dishes and Kelly, in turn, stops nagging him. As a result, Jeff is more likely to clean his dishes in the future. What is this scenario an example of? A. A positive reinforcement B. A negative reinforcement C. A positive punishment D. A negative punishment E. None of the above explain this scenario.

B. A negative reinforcement Negative reinforcement: Removing stimulus (yelling) to increase/ reinforce a behaviour (dish washing)

Some demographers believe that the movement of high birth and death rates to a stage of low birth and death rates occurs as a result of industrial development. Which of the following best describes this idea? A. Malthusian theory B. Demographic transition theory C. The transformationalist perspective of globalization D. Rational choice theory

B. Demographic transition theory

A couple getting a divorce is deciding how to split their assets. Because each partner has a different set of expectations on the amount they should be compensated for, they each hire a lawyer to guide them through a series of negotiations to reach a settlement. Which of the following sociological theories or perspectives best describes how the actions of the couple? A. Rational choice theory B. Conflict theory C. Exchange theory D. Functionalism E. Demographic transition theory

C. Exchange theory

Lauren is studying for her final exam in her psychology class. For every 45 minutes that she studies, she gives herself a mini doughnut, then goes back to studying. What schedule of reinforcement is Lauren using? A. Fixed ratio B. Variable-ratio C. Fixed-interval D. Variable-interval E. None of the above

C. Fixed-interval

Stuart acquires a classically conditioned phobia of ducks. Now he shows a phobic response not just to ducks, but to other birds as well, especially ones that can swim. What are the changes in his phobia an example of? A. Unconditioned response B. Conditioned response C. Stimulus generalization D. Conditioned response E. Stimulus discrimination

C. Stimulus generalization

A neighbourhood of largely low-income families is located approximately twenty minutes from the city. An influx of many middle and upper-class families causes property values to increase and the low-income families are no longer able to afford to live in their neighbourhood. Which of the following describe this phenomenon? A. Relative poverty B. Urbanization C. Suburbanization D. Gentrification E. Social exclusion

D. Gentrification

Mary is often tired when she wakes up, so she starts drinking coffee every day at 8:00 am, which makes her feel energized. One morning she is coming home from the grocery store she notices the time - it is 8:00 am. She had not wanted coffee before she checked the time, but she suddenly feels tired and craves the drink. Mary's sudden craving for coffee after noticing the time is an example of which of the following? A. An unconditioned stimulus B. An unconditional response C. A neutral stimulus D. A conditioned stimulus E. A conditioned response

E. A conditioned response The time of 8:00am is a stimulus for Mary, who responds by craving coffee. Mary did not always crave coffee when seeing the time of 8:00, thus this new craving is a learned, conditioned response.

Dr. Soreth is teaching a pigeon to peck a green button. First she reinforces the pigeon for turning toward the green button, then for approaching the button, and so on in very small steps. She does this until the pigeon is successfully and consistently pecking the button. What principle of learning is Dr. Soreth using? A. Reinforcement B. Extinction C. Discrimination D. Exposure E. Shaping

E. Shaping

Anxious about a nagging illness, a patient feels ignored by a doctor who is struggling to catch up with patient examinations on a very busy day. The doctor misinterprets the discomfort and agitation of the patient as hostility. Which sociological paradigm can best explain this scenario? A. Conflict theory B. Rational choice theory C. Symbolic culture D. Socialization E. Symbolic interactionism

E. Symbolic interactionism

A researcher is conducting a social experiment on the interpret various symbols that are commonly associated with persons of disability. The researcher sets up three focus groups of ten individuals and interviews each group by showing the participants symbols displayed on cards and asking the participants to name what they associate with the symbols. Which of the following best describes the social process that the researcher is studying? A. Social constructionism B. Functionalism C. Symbolic culture D. Socialization E. Symbolic interactionism

E. Symbolic interactionism Symbolic interactionism focuses on small-scale interactions between two individuals or small groups. Symbolic interactionism is the perspective that shared meanings and labels for symbols are developed through social interactions. Symbols include terms, concepts, or items that represent specific meanings.