Public Policy and Social Issues
Practice Exam
Course Introduction
This course explores the intersection of public policy and contemporary social issues, examining how governments respond to challenges such as poverty, inequality, education, healthcare, and social justice. Students will analyze the policy-making process, understand the roles of various stakeholders, and evaluate the effectiveness of policy interventions. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and ethical considerations in addressing complex social problems, utilizing case studies and comparative perspectives to illustrate the impact of policy decisions on different communities and populations.
Recommended Textbook
Social Problems 13th Edition by D. Stanley Eitzen
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19 Chapters
1521 Verified Questions
1521 Flashcards
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Chapter 1: The Sociological Approach to Social Problems
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6081
Sample Questions
Q1) According to the text,the key to understanding social problems is understanding the
A) opinions of the public
B) personal experiences of those who violate society's norms
C) needs of victims of deviant behavior
D) distribution of power in society
Answer: D
Q2) The __________ assumes a child fails in school because the school setting was inappropriate for the child.
Answer: system-blame approach
Q3) Emergency food requests and people seeking emergency shelter are __________.
A) increasing B) decreasing C) staying the same
D) not currently studied
Answer: A
Q4) Sociologists' study of social problems is a value-free pursuit. A)True
B)False
Answer: False
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Chapter 2 Wealth and Power: The Bias of the System
AMultiple-Choice
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) According to the text,the problems in U.S.society result from the distribution of power and the form of the economy.
A)True
B)False
Answer: True
Q2) According to Marx,capitalism will produce a class of oppressed people called the __________,bent on destroying it.
A) plutocracy
B) proletariats
C) oligopoly
D) capitalists
Answer: B
Q3) By paying less in taxes,the affluent are in effect reducing their support from programs that __________.
A) help the poor
B) maintain roads
C) promote finance reform
D) reduce racism
Answer: A
Page 4
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Chapter 3: World Population and Global Inequality
AMultiple-Choice
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Monopoly control of agricultural land is typically put into __________ that have value as exports but neglect basic food needs.
Answer: cash crops
Q2) A profit-oriented company engaged in business activities in more than one nation is a __________.
A) corporation
B) transnational corporation
C) corporate demographic
D) colony
Answer: B
Q3) Which of the following is characteristic of developing nations?
A) Low rates of poverty, hunger, and misery
B) Low infant mortality rates
C) Relative powerlessness
D) Slow population growth
Answer: C
Q4) Debt bondage is most common in __________.
Answer: South Asia
Q5) Just over half of the world's population now lives in __________ areas.
Answer: urban
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Chapter 4: Threats to the Environment
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Some U.S.corporations are now leading the way in promoting __________ efforts thanks to "green" ideology becoming mainstream in the media.
Q2) One of the main social forces that profoundly disturbs the earth's ecosystem is
A) the increase in human population
B) the astronomical anomalies in the last decade
C) the growing of food in greenhouses
D) the decrease in economic growth
Q3) Most __________ advocates attempt to improve community environments by eliminating toxic hazards.
A) environmental racism
B) environmental classism
C) environmental justice
D) cornucopia naturists
Q4) The dominant cultural ideologies in U.S.society have tended to legitimize and rationalize our wastefulness.
A)True
B)False
Q5) How is deforestation related to climate change?
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Chapter 5 Demographic Changes in the United States: The
Browning and Graying of Society
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Although nursing homes are increasing,__________ percent of people over 80 live independently.
A) more than 90
B) approximately 60
C) less than 30
D) only 10
Q2) The population of the United States was predominantly white and then predominantly African American; by 2050 it will be predominantly Latino/a.
A)True
B)False
Q3) How did the Immigration Act amendments of 1965 impact immigration in the United States?
Q4) In the United States,__________ are increasing faster than the majority population.
Q5) Describe the four assimilation options that immigrants have and discuss the implication of each for the immigrant.
Ideal
Q6) How are immigration and agency related?
Q7) Why are elderly women more likely than men to live alone as widows?
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Chapter 6 Problems of Place: Urban Suburban and Rural
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) To make a profit off of real estate in urban areas by anticipating future gentrification,a landlord could __________.
A) decrease the rent to keep the current residents in place
B) withhold apartments from the housing market for long-term investment
C) buy expensive property and convert them to rental property for the poor
D) rent apartments to new immigrants who are underemployed
Q2) Suburbanization has resulted in __________.
A) less traffic and shorter commutes to work
B) more diverse schools
C) urban sprawl and more air pollution
D) a decrease in residential segregation
Q3) One of the advantages the rural poor have over the urban poor is they
A) save money by riding horses instead of cars
B) have the ability to grow their own food
C) have higher wages for the same work
D) have more access to social services
Q4) What problems are caused by urban poverty in central cities?
Q5) How is redlining practiced in urban areas?
Q6) The process of White flight continues to increase class and race __________.
Page 8
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Chapter 7: Poverty
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) Most government subsidies go to the non-poor.These are known as __________.
A) welfare
B) warfare
C) wealthfare
D) regressive taxes
Q2) "Social Darwinism" refers to the theory that the poor are poor because __________.
A) societal structures limit their opportunities
B) they are unfit
C) they are subject to institutional discrimination
D) they are discriminated against
Q3) According to the text,__________.
A) the poor can lift themselves out of poverty
B) volunteers can lift the poor out of poverty
C) the private sector can lift the poor out of poverty
D) institutional discrimination keeps the poor in poverty
Q4) The culture-of-poverty hypothesis is based on the belief that the poor have a deviant cultural pattern that is transmitted from generation to generation.
A)True
B)False
Page 9
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Chapter 8: Racial and Ethnic Inequality
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6088
Sample Questions
Q1) As the United States is becoming a multiracial society there has been a(n)__________.
A) backlash against civil rights reforms
B) rejection of educational policy reforms
C) increase in opportunities for more qualified minorities
D) elimination of hate groups
Q2) "Institutional racism" refers to __________.
A) social processes that, intentionally or not, protect the advantages of the dominant group while maintaining the unequal position of the subordinate groups
B) overt acts of hostility by individuals intended to harm members of other racial and ethnic groups
C) differences in institutional benefits due to expanded opportunities for more qualified individuals
D) the belief that racial groups have innate intellectual differences
Q3) A minority may have more political power than the majority.
A)True
B)False
Q4) Explain the differences in White and minority income.
Q5) At least __________ hate crime(s)occur(s)on a college campus every day.
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Chapter 9: Gender Inequality
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6089
Sample Questions
Q1) In high school,girls tend to __________.
A) receive higher grades than boys
B) get higher standardized test scores than boys
C) take more math and science courses than boys
D) play on integrated sports teams
Q2) _________ of the religious denominations in the United States ordain women.
A) Half
B) One third
C) A quarter
D) None
Q3) Although limited in how much it can explain,__________ ,which takes into account individual characteristics such as experience and education,is still a useful theory.
Q4) Max thinks of himself as a tough risk taker who is also highly empathetic and nurturing.Max displays __________ characteristics.
A) masculine
B) feminine
C) androgynous
D) bisexual
Q5) Discuss gender bias in the media.
Page 11
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Chapter 10: Sexual Orientation
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6090
Sample Questions
Q1) Homosexuality is classified as a mental disorder.
A)True
B)False
Q2) Which religious entity put forth a resolution in favor of gay marriage?
A) The Southern Baptist Convention
B) The American Family Association
C) The United Church of Christ
D) Evangelical Lutheran Church in America
Q3) Which of the following states allows marriage for same-sex couples?
A) Texas
B) Utah
C) Iowa
D) California
Q4) Some behaviors do not conform to social norms.From a sociological perspective,these behaviors are considered __________.
A) heterosexuality
B) master status
C) deviance
D) sexual orientation
Q5) What major events have impacted the gay rights movement?
Page 12
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Chapter 11: Disability and Ableism
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
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Sample Questions
Q1) The fact that a Black disabled woman experiences her oppression differently than a White disabled man reflects the matrix of __________.
A) disability
B) handicap
C) domination
D) oppression
Q2) Discuss the differences between men and women in terms of the way their disabilities affect them.
Q3) The phrase "__________," as opposed to "a disabled person," counteracts the problem of defining a person wholly by their disability.
Q4) How do labels affect people with disabilities? What role do they play in creating a master status with a stigma?
Ideal
Q5) The Americans with Disabilities Act has ended discrimination against people with disabilities.
A)True
B)False
Q6) The Americans with Disabilities Act is a form of __________ rights legislation.
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Chapter 12: Crime and Justice
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6092
Sample Questions
Q1) Acts that violate laws that enforce the morality of the majority are known as __________.
A) white-collar crimes
B) moral order crimes
C) political crimes
D) organized crime
Q2) Which of the following is most likely to show up in the Uniform Crime Report?
A) Tax fraud
B) Embezzlement
C) Bribery
D) Assault
Q3) The case of the Jena Six is an example of __________.
A) racial profiling
B) a racially biased justice system
C) mandatory sentencing
D) determinate sentencing
Q4) Discuss the demographic characteristics of people arrested for crimes.In what way does social class impact these trends?
Q5) The breaking of a law is the most common definition of __________.
Q6) In what ways are defendants encouraged to plea bargain?
Page 14
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Chapter 13: Drugs
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81 Verified Questions
81 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6093
Sample Questions
Q1) Automobile accidents involving __________ drivers are the leading cause of death among teenagers.
Q2) The tobacco industry has begun which of the following as a way of responding to declining U.S.sales?
A) Pulling out of political campaigns donations as a punishment to lawmakers for not passing favorable legislation
B) Decreasing advertising in the United States
C) Increasing advertising and sales overseas
D) Marketing to senior citizens
Q3) Would the Portuguese strategy toward marijuana work in the United States? Why or why not?
Q4) Discuss the pros and cons of the legalization of drugs.Do you support this move? Why or why not?
Ideal
Q5) How do cultural factors and interest groups affect our drug policies?
Q6) Discuss the evidence supplied that the drug war is racist.How do you think this came about? How could it be changed? Be specific.
Ideal
Q7) Explain what would have to be done to change this situation.
Page 15
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Chapter 14: The Economy and Work
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6094
Sample Questions
Q1) Sweatshops are substandard work environments where workers are subject to __________.
A) being paid minimum wage
B) working regular shift schedules
C) being paid premium rates for working overtime
D) working under conditions that violate labor laws
Q2) The transformation of the economy has reduced the role of National Manufacturing,Inc.,in favor of technology and pharmaceutical companies in a process known as __________.
Q3) The division of labor between the sexes __________.
A) motivates women to work harder and get better educations
B) preserves the differential power, privilege, and prestige of men
C) distributes work more evenly based on ability and not gender
D) contributes to racism
Q4) According to Marx,when workers do not have any control over their labor,they experience __________.
A) improved productivity
B) alienation
C) greater satisfaction
D) less stress
Page 16
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Chapter 15: Families
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6095
Sample Questions
Q1) Many children of divorce lose their relationships with their __________.
A) fathers
B) mothers
C) sisters
D) brothers
Q2) Both divorce and __________ can result in poorer physical and mental health for the child.
Q3) Discuss the short-term and long-term consequences of child abuse.What factors put people at risk of committing and experiencing child abuse?
Ideal
Q4) The fact that __________ is evidence of the decision made by the U.S.government to help the elderly.
A) the young have electoral power that the elderly lack
B) the elderly are not well organized
C) children have fewer lobbying advocates
D) there are no laws that protect young people
Q5) Discuss society's response to disadvantaged children and the long-term implications of this.What,if anything,needs to be done?
Ideal
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Chapter 16: Education
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6096
Sample Questions
Q1) __________ are/is recommended to increase equality in education.
A) Universal preschool
B) Larger class sizes
C) Market-based higher education
D) State-run boarding schools
Q2) By making education entirely free to all children,communities could reduce dropout rates among the poor.
A)True
B)False
Q3) The data presented in the text show that U.S.schools tend to block the chances of minority and economically __________ children in their quest to be successful.
Q4) Mark has been assigned to the Blue Fish reading group,which focuses on simple sentences and recognizing basic punctuation.His friends in the more advanced Red Fish reading group make fun of him and Mark begins to think of himself as stupid.He is suffering from __________.
A) a student subculture
B) a stigma
C) stratification
D) exploitation
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Chapter 17: The Healthcare System
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6097
Sample Questions
Q1) Juan supports a single-payer option for healthcare but with private healthcare providers.This is known as the __________ model.
A) Bismarck
B) Beveridge
C) National Health Insurance
D) Fee for Service
Q2) Patient dumping occurs when __________.
A) the costs of private hospitals implicitly deny services to many poor patients
B) health insurance plans refuse to cover poor customers
C) insurance companies cancel coverage for those who utilize healthcare above their monthly payments
D) patients are prescribed generic brands instead of brand name prescriptions
Q3) Explain the disparities found between the United States and Canada with regard to healthcare systems.
Q4) Discuss the downside of managed care.
Q5) What have been the consequences of the trend toward for-profit hospitals in the United States?
Q6) Discuss and offer evidence to disprove the common belief that the poor are accountable for their own health deficiencies.
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Chapter
18: National Security in the Twenty-First Century
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6098
Sample Questions
Q1) The assassination of Osama bin Laden and the continued U.S.support of Israel and torture in places like Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay are all examples of things that have __________.
A) led to the loss of U.S. credibility in the Arab world
B) won the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
C) fueled the success of the Bush Doctrine
D) heightened the image of Obama throughout the world
Q2) The policy originally guiding U.S.military actions in the war on terror and long-range plans for national security has come to be known as __________.
A) weapons of mass destruction
B) international law
C) the Bush Doctrine
D) containment
Q3) Only Russia,China,and India outspend the United States on national security.
A)True
B)False
Q4) What are the possible outcomes of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq? Identify which scenarios you deem most likely and provide your rationale.
Ideal
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Chapter 19: Progressive Plan to Solve Social Problems
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80 Verified Questions
80 Flashcards
Source URL: https://quizplus.com/quiz/6099
Sample Questions
Q1) The sociological perspective is inherently __________ the individualistic emphasis in the United States.
A) challenging to B) supportive of C) combined with D) intertwined with
Q2) Policies and behaviors that enhance our moral obligations to our neighbors and their children are directly at odds with our society's value on __________.
Q3) Which two conditions are necessary for a new progressive era?
A) A strong union movement and a conservative federal legislature
B) A class-based party and a conservative federal legislature
C) A class-based party and a strong union movement
D) A two-party political system and a female president
Q4) The authors of the text argue for a decrease in taxes on the wealthy to spur a progressive period in this country.
A)True
B)False
Q5) Discuss the significance of the 1997 Teamster strike against UPS.
Q6) Discuss the relationship of social policy and social problems.
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