Test Bank
Chapter 1: Understanding and Solving Social Problems
Multiple Choice
1. Which entity determines what constitutes a social problem?
a. members of society
b. legislation
c. judges
d. sociologists
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.1: What are social problems and how are they social constructions?
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Social Problems Are Social Constructions
Difficulty Level: Medium
2. Early in 2019, New York passed the “Reproductive Health Act,” which reduced restrictions on abortion in the state. A few short months later, Georgia became the first of several states to pass laws imposing strict restrictions on abortion, including in the cases of rape and incest. What sociological concept demonstrates why two states passed such dramatically different laws to address a social problem at roughly the same time?
a. Northern states are more politically conservative than southern states.
b. Social constructions of what is—and is not—a social problem vary from state to state.
c. Abortion is a much more detrimental to society in Georgia than in New York.
d. The social structures in Georgia are more concerned about public opinion than in New York.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.1: What are social problems and how are they social constructions?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Social Problems Are Social Constructions
Difficulty Level: Hard
3. In 1960, Lois Rabinowitz was ejected from a New York traffic court for wearing pants, which was considered indecent. In 2019, a federal judge struck down a dress code at a charter school in North Carolina that required girls to wear skirts, claiming that it was unconstitutional and discriminatory toward females. What conclusion can be inferred from this change?
a. The institution of the judiciary is becoming more responsive to public opinion.
b. Federal judges are more likely to be politically liberal than in the past.
c. Perceptions of social problems change over time.
d. The constitution has changed since 1960, and now ensures equal protections under the law.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.1: What are social problems and how are they social constructions?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Social Problems Are Social Constructions
Difficulty Level: Hard
4. Which term describes the rules, values, beliefs, and material goods of a society?
a. social structure
b. social constructionism
c. social problems
d. culture
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.1: What are social problems and how are they social constructions?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Social Constructionism Perspective
Difficulty Level: Easy
5. ______ is an example of a social institution.
a. The government
b. A home
c. An apartment building
d. A car
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.1: What are social problems and how are they social constructions?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Social Constructionism Perspective
Difficulty Level: Easy
6. What movement’s ideas, values, and beliefs emphasized reason and rationality?
a. Renaissance
b. Enlightenment
c. Industrial Revolution
d. French Revolution
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Sociology and the Study of Social Problems
Difficulty Level: Easy
7. Which sociologist of the early twentieth century used data to advocate for policies to address social problems?
a. Daniel Engber
b. Auguste Comte
c. Jane Addams
d. C. Wright Mills
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Jane Addams (1860–1935)
Difficulty Level: Easy
8. The Enlightenment and ______ were catalysts for the formation of sociology as an academic discipline.
a. religion
b. monarchy
c. Renaissance
d. Industrial Revolution
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Sociology and the Study of Social Problems
Difficulty Level: Easy
9. Jane Addams established one of the first settlement houses in the United States, Hull House, in order to ______.
a. educate women
b. house juvenile offenders
c. promote Pan-African organizing efforts
d. provide social services for low income immigrants
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Jane Addams (1860–1935)
Difficulty Level: Medium
10. Based on their life’s work, which sociologist can be described as a sociologist in action—using their sociological skills to convince people that social injustices are social problems to be addressed?
a. Auguste Comte
b. W.E.B. Du Bois
c. Daniel Engber
d. Virginia Wesleyan
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963)
Difficulty Level: Medium
11. ______ was one of the first to argue that sociology could make sense of the social changes resulting from the Enlightenment and the Industrial Revolution.
a. Harriet Martineau
b. W.E.B. Du Bois
c. Auguste Comte
d. Jane Addams
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Sociology and the Study of Social Problems
Difficulty Level: Easy
12. What did Jane Addams do with the research she conducted?
a. She used the data to further her scientific career.
b. She helped the military improve basic training programs.
c. She advocated for policies to end racism in the United States.
d. She convinced policy makers to address social problems.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Jane Addams (1860–1935)
Difficulty Level: Medium
13. What researcher inspired W.E.B. Du Bois’ data collection methods?
a. Jane Addams
b. August Comte
c. Harriet Martineau
d. Emile Durkheim
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963)
Difficulty Level: Easy
14. What is an example of sociology in action?
a. Collecting data on terrorist events and building a large dataset to study.
b. Utilizing research to encourage universities to improve their response to sexual assault.
c. Presenting a paper on social inequality at a conference.
d. Publishing peer-reviewed research identifying the negative impact of social inequality.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.2: What sparked the development of the science of sociology?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: W.E.B. Du Bois (1868–1963)
Difficulty Level: Hard
15. Prior to the 2000s, portrayals of LGBTQ individuals in the media were overwhelmingly negative and hyperbolic. In a 2006 study, Edward Schiappa, Peter Gregg and Dean Hewes found that the TV show Will and Grace, which included more positive and “normal” portrayals of LGBTQ individuals than seen in years past, was successful in reducing homophobia. What does this study illustrate?
a. Society became less homophobic, which led to more positive portrayals in media.
b. LGBTQ individuals changed the way they were portrayal by gaining power in the media.
c. Social problems are constructed and deconstructed by societies.
d. Homophobia has only recently impacted enough people to be considered a social problem.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: What Sparked the Quicksand Fear?
Difficulty Level: Hard
16. Which statement about social problems is true?
a. Once social problems have been constructed, they cannot be deconstructed by culture or social institutions.
b. Social problems are rational fears experienced by large segments of society.
c. In order to determine if something is a social problem, one must first ensure that many people are negatively impacted.
d. Powerful individuals and groups can influence what society believes to be a social problem.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Social Problems and Power
Difficulty Level: Medium
17. Based on what you know about how social problems are constructed, which social issue is most likely to be considered a social problem?
a. Several gang-related burglaries occur in a gated community.
b. Lead is discovered in the drinking water of the poor section of town.
c. A large corporation’s most popular product is found to cause cancer.
d. Millions of people go bankrupt each year because they cannot afford healthcare.
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Social Problems and Power
Difficulty Level: Hard
18. In 2006, a poll conducted by Langer Research Associates for ABC News found that 85% of people believed that climate change was caused by human activity. In 2018, the same poll found that the number had decreased to 81%. Based on what you know about how social problems are constructed, which explanation is the most likely cause for the decrease?
a. Scientists have become less successful in communicating the causes of climate change to the public.
b. In recent years, powerful corporations have worked harder to influence public opinion on climate change in a way that benefits the corporations.
c. There has been a decrease in the number of organized social movements related to climate change.
d. The media has reported on new scientific discoveries of other causes for climate change.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: Social Problems and Power
Difficulty Level: Hard
19. People with the ______ have the most influence over what a society believes to be a social problem.
a. most intelligence
b. greatest passion
c. most power
d. most political connections
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: Social Problems and Power
Difficulty Level: Easy
20. Juanita is troubled by the rising number of shootings in her community. She lacks money and power, but desperately wants to make a lasting structural difference. If she is to be successful, what is the next thing she should do?
a. Stage a boycott of gun shops in town.
b. March through town with a sign to raise awareness.
c. Begin patrolling high-crime neighborhoods in her car to deter crime.
d. Form an organized group of like-minded people.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Power of Organized People
Difficulty Level: Hard
21. What is a goal shared by all organized social movements?
a. change society
b. ensuring that people recognize social inequality
c. furthering scientific research
d. counteracting the influence of large corporations on public policy
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: The Power of Organized People
Difficulty Level: Medium
22. Why did the same sex marriage movement become successful?
a. People generally become more accepting as time goes on.
b. Legislation negated the tyranny of the majority.
c. Fewer and fewer heterosexual people were marrying.
d. Organizing efforts paired with media campaigns and legal strategies.
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: Same-Sex Marriage Movement
Difficulty Level: Medium
23. Successful social movements will research the social problem and possible solutions to the problem, as well as identify individuals and groups who can help support their cause. What is the next step?
a. Identify a goal that others can rally around.
b. Form an organized group.
c. Mobilize resources.
d. Organize effective actions.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Power of Organized People
Difficulty Level: Hard
24. If a social movement successfully garnered public support for their cause, then this suggests that the ______.
a. cause involves a social issue impacting many individuals
b. public will begin to join the movement
c. movement is made up of high-status individuals
d. public will be ready for society to address the social problem
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: Same-Sex Marriage Movement
Difficulty Level: Medium
25. It is important for a social movement to form an organized group before planning a rally because ______.
a. political parties are typically associated with rallies
b. rallies are difficult to plan and require specialized resources
c. effective action comes after people organize and come together
d. rallies are not allowed in some cities unless an organized group is involved.
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: The Power of Organized People
Difficulty Level: Medium
26. Which statement is true of ordinary individuals without high status who wish to change society?
a. They are unlikely to be involved with successful social movements.
b. They can gain power to cause change if they organize with others.
c. They can achieve change if they create an organized group along with high-status individuals.
d. They can reach their goals if they hold boycotts.
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.3: Why are some social conditions considered social problems while others are not?
Cognitive Domain: Analysis
Answer Location: The Power of Organized People
Difficulty Level: Medium
27. If you are able to connect your personal experiences with public issues, and recognize the historical context in which individuals make choices about their lives, what ability have you gained?
a. sociological perspective
b. sociological eye
c. sociological imagination
d. two core commitments
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.4: What can be done to help address social problems?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Core Commitments of Sociology and the Sociological Imagination
Difficulty Level: Easy
28. Bianca has developed her sociological imagination, and has begun to recognize all kinds of social patterns that she never realized existed in society. This skill is known as ______.
a. the second core commitment
b. political ideology
c. the sociological perspective
d. the sociological eye
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.4: What can be done to help address social problems?
Cognitive Domain: Comprehension
Answer Location: The Core Commitments of Sociology and the Sociological Imagination
Difficulty Level: Medium
29. Dwayne plans on becoming a social scientist after graduating from a PhD program. As a black man, he recognizes that his academic choices would not have been available to him if he had been born in his great-grandparents’ generation. What sociological skill is he using when he draws this conclusion?
a. sociological imagination
b. sociological eye
c. sociological perspective
d. sociological constructionism
Ans: A
Learning Objective: 1.4: What can be done to help address social problems?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Core Commitments of Sociology and the Sociological Imagination
Difficulty Level: Hard
30. In the early years of the opioid crisis, individuals struggling with addiction were perceived as lacking willpower, and their struggles were criminalized. In recent years, several states sued pharmaceutical companies for misleading doctors about the addictive potential of the opioids they manufactured. Being able to identify the opioid crisis as a “public health problem” with structural causes is an example of what sociological concept?
a. sociological imagination
b. sociological eye
c. sociological perspective
d. sociological constructionism
Ans: B
Learning Objective: 1.4: What can be done to help address social problems?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: The Core Commitments of Sociology and the Sociological Imagination
Difficulty Level: Hard
31. The two obligations, or core commitments of sociology, include the ability to use a “sociological eye,” and ______.
a. sociological perspective
b. sociological imagination
c. social activism
d. social constructionism
Ans: C
Learning Objective: 1.4: What can be done to help address social problems?
Cognitive Domain: Knowledge
Answer Location: The Core Commitments of Sociology and the Sociological Imagination
Difficulty Level: Easy
32. You have identified a social problem you are interested in studying. According to the social scientific research process, what is your next step?
a. plan to collect data
b. collect and analyze data
c. decide on the type of data to collect
d. conduct a literature review
Ans: D
Learning Objective: 1.5: What are the steps of the social scientific research process?
Cognitive Domain: Application
Answer Location: How to Conduct Social Scientific Research
Difficulty Level: Hard
33. According to the social scientific research process, once you have collected and analyzed data relating to your social problem, what should you do next?
a. describe the findings and propose how to solve it
b. determine how to implement solutions
