Question 1

Heiner writes that "Social constructionism is concerned with how the meanings of social problems are constructed." Answer the following questions: (1) What does Heiner mean by this statement? (2) How do social constructionism and critical constructionism differ?

Accepted Answer

(1) Heiner means that social constructionism focuses on understanding how society collectively creates and assigns meaning to social issues or problems. It emphasizes that these meanings are not inherent or objective, but rather are constructed through social interactions, language, and cultural norms. This perspective highlights the importance of examining the social and historical context in which these meanings are formed.

(2) Social constructionism and critical constructionism differ in their approach to understanding the construction of social meanings. While social constructionism focuses on the process of meaning-making and the impact of societal norms and values, critical constructionism takes a more critical and transformative stance. It seeks to challenge and deconstruct dominant social narratives and power structures, with the goal of promoting social change and justice. Critical constructionism also emphasizes the role of power dynamics in shaping social meanings and seeks to uncover and challenge the underlying power imbalances that influence the construction of social problems.

Question 2

What is a problem with the homogenization of US culture?

Accepted Answer

A)   The US loses some of its culture as it is diffused throughout the rest of the world.
B)   The American Dream is not available to all world citizens and thus is an unreachable goal.
C)   US problems accompany the spread of the culture.
D)   Cultural diversity is lost.
E)   All of the above except for A. E

Question 3

A social phenomenon becomes a social problem when:

Accepted Answer

A)   Either a lot of people or a few very important people see it as a problem and attempt to solve the problem.
B)   Someone becomes a whistle-blower and exposes a problem.
C)   It becomes known that the social phenomenon is harmful to the environment or to a specific group of people.
D)   A social problem is a problem from the very beginning because it is obviously a problem for society. A

Question 4

A social problem becomes a social problem because it is inherently bad.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The free will and human nature philosophies are flawed because

Accepted Answer

A)   they don't explain patterns (e.g., why more African American men are in jail than any other racial or ethnic group) .
B)   they aren't sociological.
C)   they rely on religion.
D)   They don't explain variation across cultures.
E)   all of the above.F)  both a and d.

Question 6

Which of the following affect media reporting on social problems?

Accepted Answer

A)   Conflicts with large, conglomerate parent companies.
B)   Conflicts with advertising contracts with large companies.
C)   Conflict between media structure as a corporation and social problems caused by corporatization.
D)   All of the above.

Question 7

All social problems arise from a basic inequality in the social system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Which of the following is accurate about market freedom?

Accepted Answer

A)   It distinguishes the United States from the rest of the world, making the United States the most capitalist nation.
B)   The principles that accompany market freedom (deregulation, for example)  have a hand in creating or worsening social problems.
C)   Principles of market freedom to the extreme taken by the United States are beginning to spread globally.
D)   All of the above.

Question 9

Social problems can be good for society because

Accepted Answer

A)   criminals who are caught are unable to pass along their lifestyle.
B)   crime provides an avenue to financial stability for immigrants who might otherwise not have access to employment.
C)   the criminal justice system employs a lot of people, thus contributing to our economy.
D)   all of the above are true.
E)   all of the above except for a are true.

Question 10

"If we limit the amount of money someone can get from welfare, that will encourage freeloaders to get a job rather than sponge off of hardworking Americans" is an example of:

Accepted Answer

A)   common sense
B)   good policy
C)   free will ideology
D)   none of the above

Question 11

Critical constructionism focuses on the interests of the elite.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

Heiner's approach focuses on the interests of which of the following social groups?

Accepted Answer

A)   the elite
B)   the impoverished
C)   the weak
D)   the vulnerable

Question 13

Why is it important to look at social problems in other cultures and countries?

Accepted Answer

A)   It is not important; only the United States matters.
B)   This broadened perspective can give us different ideas for solving our problems and help us see how other nations deal with their problems.
C)   What is working in one country should work in ours; it saves time.
D)   None of the above.

Question 14

All social problems are bad.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

Heiner makes a connection between word choice and how social issues are framed. (1) Explain that connection. (2) Choose one example of this practice that is not in the book and use it to illustrate your explanation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Heiner makes a connection between word choice...

Question 16

What is the primary goal of modern media?

Accepted Answer

A)   To inform the public so that we can have an informed democracy.
B)   To entertain the public so that the companies can make a profit.
C)   Both of the above,

Question 17

Critical constructionism is a combination of which two sociological perspectives?

Accepted Answer

A)   conflict theory and alignment theory
B)   conflict theory and symbolic interactionism
C)   symbolic interactionism and social psychology
D)   social psychology and social problems theory

Question 18

What does Heiner mean by the social problems perspective? Why is it important? Your answer should show an understanding of objectivity in the social sciences, especially with regard to social problems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of What does Heiner mean by the social...

Question 19

Which sociological perspective does the Heiner text take?

Accepted Answer

A)   social interactionist
B)   critical constructionism
C)   conflict theory
D)   symbolic constructionism

Question 20

Media bias in the United States tends toward

Accepted Answer

A)   big government.
B)   corporations.
C)   fair and balanced coverage.
D)   liberal propaganda.
E)   conservative propaganda.

Exam 1: An Introduction to the Sociology of Social Problems

Heiner writes that "Social constructionism is concerned with how the meanings of social problems are constructed." Answer the following questions: (1) What does Heiner mean by this statement? (2) How do social constructionism and critical constructionism differ?

What is a problem with the homogenization of US culture?

A social phenomenon becomes a social problem when:

A social problem becomes a social problem because it is inherently bad.

The free will and human nature philosophies are flawed because

Which of the following affect media reporting on social problems?

All social problems arise from a basic inequality in the social system.

Which of the following is accurate about market freedom?

Social problems can be good for society because

"If we limit the amount of money someone can get from welfare, that will encourage freeloaders to get a job rather than sponge off of hardworking Americans" is an example of:

Critical constructionism focuses on the interests of the elite.

Heiner's approach focuses on the interests of which of the following social groups?

Why is it important to look at social problems in other cultures and countries?

All social problems are bad.

Heiner makes a connection between word choice and how social issues are framed. (1) Explain that connection. (2) Choose one example of this practice that is not in the book and use it to illustrate your explanation.

What is the primary goal of modern media?

Critical constructionism is a combination of which two sociological perspectives?

What does Heiner mean by the social problems perspective? Why is it important? Your answer should show an understanding of objectivity in the social sciences, especially with regard to social problems.

Which sociological perspective does the Heiner text take?

Media bias in the United States tends toward