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Soc. 204 - Test 1
Name: _____________________________
1. What is a Social Problem? (15)
2. Describe the 2 types of social problems. (10)
3. Give 2 examples of the 2 types of social problems in #2 above. (10)
4. Define the Sociological Imagination. (15)
Sociological Imagination is a term coined by C. Wright Mills in 1959. The term refers to a
general sense of knowledge and awareness of sociology, and its application in different societies,
and in different times throughout history. The term is applied mainly to a society, rather than
an individual, as it portrays a society's general sociological awareness. Societal trends
throughout history demonstrate that Sociological Imagination is often directly related to a
.nation's progress in development
5. Describe the (relentless) “Pursuit of the Ideal” and discuss how this contributes to the rift
between societal progress and the well-being of the entire society. (10)
The “ideal” is a set of the best possible circumstances, which is believed to hold the most
favorable qualities. This conception of perfection is broadcasted and instilled through
advertisement and other forms of media. The necessity of the ideal creates high standards
for happiness. With a high emphasis on the importance of the ideal, people are diverted
from what is most practical and obtainable, and set more exclusively on that in the highest,
most unobtainable quality. When the possibility of happiness is invested in such fine levels
of quality, there are more people left unhappy. This idea can also be applied to wealth.
Considering that vast wealth is considered ideal, people are encouraged to stockpile their
own wealth. This accounts for the gap between the rich and the poor.
6. Describe how wealth and power become concentrated and discuss some of the sociological
consequences of this concentration in US society. (20)
Distribution of wealth is vastly unequal, and disproportionate. While the poor range by the
millions, the vastly rich exist only by the thousands. Power and wealth go hand in hand;
therefore, power sees distribution very similar to wealth. With wealth and power
concentrated in the hands of the few, an elite class of citizens are formed, resembling that
of the Nobility of the Feudal ages. Most power within the society exists only within this elite
group of wealthy citizens, rendering the rest of the public practically useless.
7. Describe the 2-pronged approach that illustrates government support of the bias of the system
in its strategies to solve economic problems. (20)
The two-pronged approach of the government's solution to economic problems is discussed
in D. Stanley Eitzen's “Bias of the Political System”. The two-pronged approach that is
discussed are the Trickle-Down solutions. Through these solutions, it is believed that relief
money should be distributed to businesses, as the money would “trickle down” from them
to the people. The idea is that with additional funding, companies will feel more comfortable
hiring more employees. The money would then trickle down to the employees and be
funneled back into the economy through their spending. The problem here, as described by
Eitzen, is that the flow of money is diluted on its way to the people. Not all of the money
received would be spent to hire new employees, and the rest would be absorbed into the
company and its infrastructure. It is noted that this money can in some cases even be
spent to reduce the need for employment. In other cases, the money can be used to
increase dividends, which would simply distribute the money largely to the major
stockholders of the corporation. This approach to economic problem solving by the
government shows a bias toward business, as a problem focused primarily on the people is
being solved through relief to business. The public is only benefited by second hand
means, getting only what is left over from the businesses.