Sociology Finals Preparation Quiz

1. Why is it useful for claimsmakers to claim that the middle class is the victim of a social problem?

By focusing on the middle class, claimsmakers can avoid addressing the root causes of the social problem.

Middle class is the largest target audience for media, and it gains the attention of the public

Because the middle class is the least affected by social problems compared to other classes.

Claiming the middle class as victims creates sympathy and empathy among the general public.

Claimsmakers strategically target the middle class as victims to draw attention and gain support for addressing social issues. By framing the middle class as victims, claimsmakers can effectively capture the public's interest and mobilize resources towards solving the problem.

Explanation

Claimsmakers strategically target the middle class as victims to draw attention and gain support for addressing social issues. By framing the middle class as victims, claimsmakers can effectively capture the public's interest and mobilize resources towards solving the problem.

2. What type of arguments do policymakers favor?

Arguments that are biased and one-sided

Those that appeal to widespread audience, provide a measurable andplausible solution

Arguments that are based on personal opinions and emotions

Arguments that are overly complex and difficult to understand

Policymakers generally prefer arguments that can be easily understood by a broad audience and offer practical solutions based on evidence.

Explanation

Policymakers generally prefer arguments that can be easily understood by a broad audience and offer practical solutions based on evidence.

3. What is the composition of the homeless population in the U.S? In Colorado?

32% of all homeless in the U.S are veterans

45% of all homeless in the U.S are elderly individuals

13% of all homeless in the U.S are individuals with mental health conditions

The correct answer highlights the percentage of children and teens in the homeless population and their distribution in Colorado.

Explanation

The correct answer highlights the percentage of children and teens in the homeless population and their distribution in Colorado.

4. According to guest speaker Greg Harms, what are 2 programs that the Boulder shelter offers to our local homeless population? What is one thing they do not offer?

Housing First, morning services, winter shelter, andtransition programs do not offer services for anyone under 18, or families

Emergency housing and childcare assistance, addiction recovery programs

Food distribution and clothing drives, shelters for animals

Financial assistance and job training programs, mental health services

The correct answer mentions programs like Housing First, morning services, winter shelter, and transition programs offered by the Boulder shelter, and highlights that they do not provide services for anyone under 18, or families.

Explanation

The correct answer mentions programs like Housing First, morning services, winter shelter, and transition programs offered by the Boulder shelter, and highlights that they do not provide services for anyone under 18, or families.

5. What is evaluation research?

A method of conducting market research

A social scientific assessment of the effectiveness of a specific policy

A form of experimental psychology

An investigation into historical events

Evaluation research specifically focuses on assessing the outcomes of various policies or interventions to determine their effectiveness.

Explanation

Evaluation research specifically focuses on assessing the outcomes of various policies or interventions to determine their effectiveness.

6. One reason Gilens describes leading the media to misrepresent poverty?

3. Prioritization of sensationalism over accuracy in reporting.

5. Lack of training and education among journalists on poverty-related issues.

4. Influence of political biases in shaping media narratives.

The correct answer includes factors related to accessibility and suitability of news for journalists. The incorrect answers focus on other potential reasons that could contribute to misrepresentation of poverty in the media.

Explanation

The correct answer includes factors related to accessibility and suitability of news for journalists. The incorrect answers focus on other potential reasons that could contribute to misrepresentation of poverty in the media.

7. What are 3 types of changes a public policy can make to affect social problems?

1. Enact new laws2. strike down old laws3. implement new taxes to discourage behavior/give tax advantages to encourage behaviors

Public policy can have a significant impact on social problems by enacting new laws, repealing outdated laws, and implementing financial incentives or disincentives. Increasing funding, creating task forces without action, and ignoring problems are not effective ways for public policy to address social issues.

Explanation

Public policy can have a significant impact on social problems by enacting new laws, repealing outdated laws, and implementing financial incentives or disincentives. Increasing funding, creating task forces without action, and ignoring problems are not effective ways for public policy to address social issues.

8. What are some of the reasons that poverty and homelessness might be treated separately/differently as social problems?

People view poverty and homelessness as interchangeable issues, leading to confusion in addressing solutions.

Societal perceptions of poverty and homelessness vary, influencing how each issue is prioritized and addressed.

The correct answer highlights how cultural misconceptions and empathy play a role in differentiating the treatment of poverty and homelessness, whereas the incorrect answers provide alternative perspectives on why these social problems may be treated differently.

Explanation

The correct answer highlights how cultural misconceptions and empathy play a role in differentiating the treatment of poverty and homelessness, whereas the incorrect answers provide alternative perspectives on why these social problems may be treated differently.