,Chapter 01 – Approaches to the Study of Social Problems
Multiple-Choice Questions
1. A group is said to be an influential group if it has ________.
a. a large number of members
b. a significant impact on public debate and social policy
c. existed for more than 5 years
d. advocated for issues that affect a large number of people
Answer: b
Question Title: TB_01_01 What Is a Social Problem?, Understand, LO 1.1
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: 2–Moderate
2. Personal troubles become public issues only when ________.
a. an influential group so defines them
b. it has been affecting a family for a long time
c. a social condition has caused it
d. they require economic support to be resolved
Answer: a
Question Title: TB_01_02 What Is a Social Problem?, Understand, LO 1.1
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: 1–Easy
3. ________ are people’s ideas about what is good or bad, right or wrong.
a. Norms
b. Rules
c. Hypotheses
d. Values
Answer: d
Question Title: TB_01_03 What Is a Social Problem?, Remember, LO 1.1
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,Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty: 1–Easy
4. A social condition is considered to be a social problem if it ________.
a. threatens a group’s values
b. cannot be remedied by social action
c. poses a threat to an individual’s values and beliefs
d. affects a small number of people
Answer: a
Question Title: TB_01_04 What Is a Social Problem?, Understand, LO 1.1
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Difficulty: 1–Easy
5. ________ are rules of conduct that guide people’s behavior.
a. Norms
b. Values
c. Causalities
d. Hypotheses
Answer: a
Question Title: TB_01_05 What Is a Social Problem?, Remember, LO 1.1
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
Difficulty: 1–Easy
6. What is the difference between the way in which laypeople and sociologists view deviant behaviors?
a. Sociologists view behaviors or characteristics as being deviant, while laypeople consider a behavior to
be deviant only when some group so defines it.
b. Sociologists view deviance as relative, while laypeople view deviance in an absolute way by
comparing it with some fixed standards.
c. Sociologists consider deviance to be a healthy group characteristic, while laypeople dislike and
reproach deviance.
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, d. Sociologists suggest that deviant behaviors are universal, while laypeople insist that deviance can be
understood only within the context of the norms and values of a particular culture.
Answer: b
Question Title: TB_01_06 What Is a Social Problem?, Analyze, LO 1.1
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
Skill Level: Analyze It
Difficulty: 3–Difficult
7. Some college students have joined together to form a rock band. This band consists of people who have
similar interests and a passion for rock music. This group is an example of a(n) ________.
a. subculture
b. interest group
c. anomie
d. ethnic group
Answer: a
Question Title: TB_01_07 What Is a Social Problem?, Apply, LO 1.1
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
Skill Level: Apply What You Know
Difficulty: 2–Moderate
8. A majority of the people in the state of Trecova value hard work and industriousness. They regard
welfare schemes with disdain and oppose their existence. However, these schemes are welcomed by the
poor and disadvantaged people who are not capable of doing much labor. This difference in interest
creates a clash between the two groups and becomes a social problem. This social problem has developed
because of ________.
a. deviation from norms
b. misuse of power
c. influential interest groups
d. differences between subcultures
Answer: d
Question Title: TB_01_08 What Is a Social Problem?, Apply, LO 1.1
Learning Objective: 1.1 Define when a condition is and is not a social problem, identify the social context
of social problems, and explain what sociological imagination is.
Topic: What Is a Social Problem?
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