Intro to Sociology- Excelsior College questions with
correct answers
Average Life Expectancy for Women in US Correct Answer-80.6 years
Average Life Expectancy for Men in US Correct Answer-75.7 years
Reasons for "Graying of the U.S." Correct Answer-1. Birthrate is going
down d/t women having less children(children live longer now, do not
need as many children to tend a farm etc)
2. Life expectancy is going up
Age Stratification Correct Answer-The unequal distribution of wealth,
power and privilege among people at different stages of the life course.
Varies according to society's level of technological development
% of elderly still in the labor force in low-income nations Correct
Answer-37% of men & 14% of women
% of elderly still in the workforce in high-income nations Correct
Answer-15% of men & 8% of women
Aging in Hunting & Gathering Societies Correct Answer-as members
grow old they become less active and may be considered an economic
burden
,Aging in Pastoral, Horticultural & Agrarian Societies Correct Answer-in
such societies individuals build up considerable wealth over a lifetime.
The most privileged are the elderly & are honored and sometimes feared
by their families. These societies may for gerontocracy- a form of social
organization in which the elderly have the most wealth, power and
prestige
Aging in Industrial & Post-Industrial Societies Correct Answer-
Technology adds to quantity of life but not always quality. Little power
or prestige goes to the elderly because prime source of wealth shifts
from land to businesses and other goods. Idea of retirement first
appeared in this type of society.
Poverty after Retirement is declining due to Correct Answer-1. Better
health of seniors allowing them to work longer and more homes have 2
incomes.
2. Government policy such as SS administration
Poverty Rate of the Elderly Correct Answer-8.9% in 2009
Caregiving Correct Answer-informal and unpaid care provided to a
dependent person by family members, other relatives, or friends.
80% of the time by a family member most likely female
Abuse of the Elderly is most likely to occur when the Caregiver: Correct
Answer-1. works full-time 2. cares for young children 3. is poor 4. feels
, little affection for the older person 5. fids the elderly person very
difficult and 6. gets no support or help from others
Ageism Correct Answer-prejudice and discrimination against older
people
Structural-Functional Theory of Aging Correct Answer-physical decline
an death can disrupt society. In response society disengages the elderly,
gradually transferring statuses and tasks from the old to the young so
that tasks are performed with minimal interruption. Disengagement
Theory
Allows elderly to think about more what they want to do instead of what
they have to do.
limitation include when the elderly cannot disengage d/t financial
limitations or when they do not want to.
Symbolic- Interaction Theory of Aging Correct Answer-Activity
Theory- the idea that a high level of activity increases personal
satisfaction in old age. Ppl need to find new roles to replace those they
left behind.
Social-Conflict Theory of Aging Correct Answer-Based on the idea that
access to opportunities and social resources differs for people in
different age categories. Age is a dimension of social stratification.
correct answers
Average Life Expectancy for Women in US Correct Answer-80.6 years
Average Life Expectancy for Men in US Correct Answer-75.7 years
Reasons for "Graying of the U.S." Correct Answer-1. Birthrate is going
down d/t women having less children(children live longer now, do not
need as many children to tend a farm etc)
2. Life expectancy is going up
Age Stratification Correct Answer-The unequal distribution of wealth,
power and privilege among people at different stages of the life course.
Varies according to society's level of technological development
% of elderly still in the labor force in low-income nations Correct
Answer-37% of men & 14% of women
% of elderly still in the workforce in high-income nations Correct
Answer-15% of men & 8% of women
Aging in Hunting & Gathering Societies Correct Answer-as members
grow old they become less active and may be considered an economic
burden
,Aging in Pastoral, Horticultural & Agrarian Societies Correct Answer-in
such societies individuals build up considerable wealth over a lifetime.
The most privileged are the elderly & are honored and sometimes feared
by their families. These societies may for gerontocracy- a form of social
organization in which the elderly have the most wealth, power and
prestige
Aging in Industrial & Post-Industrial Societies Correct Answer-
Technology adds to quantity of life but not always quality. Little power
or prestige goes to the elderly because prime source of wealth shifts
from land to businesses and other goods. Idea of retirement first
appeared in this type of society.
Poverty after Retirement is declining due to Correct Answer-1. Better
health of seniors allowing them to work longer and more homes have 2
incomes.
2. Government policy such as SS administration
Poverty Rate of the Elderly Correct Answer-8.9% in 2009
Caregiving Correct Answer-informal and unpaid care provided to a
dependent person by family members, other relatives, or friends.
80% of the time by a family member most likely female
Abuse of the Elderly is most likely to occur when the Caregiver: Correct
Answer-1. works full-time 2. cares for young children 3. is poor 4. feels
, little affection for the older person 5. fids the elderly person very
difficult and 6. gets no support or help from others
Ageism Correct Answer-prejudice and discrimination against older
people
Structural-Functional Theory of Aging Correct Answer-physical decline
an death can disrupt society. In response society disengages the elderly,
gradually transferring statuses and tasks from the old to the young so
that tasks are performed with minimal interruption. Disengagement
Theory
Allows elderly to think about more what they want to do instead of what
they have to do.
limitation include when the elderly cannot disengage d/t financial
limitations or when they do not want to.
Symbolic- Interaction Theory of Aging Correct Answer-Activity
Theory- the idea that a high level of activity increases personal
satisfaction in old age. Ppl need to find new roles to replace those they
left behind.
Social-Conflict Theory of Aging Correct Answer-Based on the idea that
access to opportunities and social resources differs for people in
different age categories. Age is a dimension of social stratification.
