HSC2010
Sociology
Midterm Assessment Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A nurse observes that patients from lower socioeconomic
backgrounds have higher rates of chronic illness.
Question: Which sociological concept best explains this?
- A. Social stratification
- B. Medicalization
- C. Sick role
- D. Symbolic interactionism
Answer: A. Social stratification
Rationale: Health disparities are strongly linked to socioeconomic
status.
---
2. Case: A patient insists on antibiotics for a viral infection due to cultural
beliefs.
Question: Which sociological framework helps the nurse understand
this?
- A. Functionalism
- B. Conflict theory
- C. Symbolic interactionism
- D. Rational choice theory
Answer: C. Symbolic interactionism
Rationale: Focuses on meanings and beliefs attached to health
behaviors.
---
3. Case: A nurse notes that obesity is increasingly treated as a disease
rather than a lifestyle issue.
Question: Which concept applies?
- A. Medicalization
- B. Social construction
- C. Social capital
- D. Structural functionalism
Answer: A. Medicalization
2
, Rationale: Non-medical issues become defined as medical conditions.
---
4. Case: A patient refuses treatment due to mistrust of healthcare
institutions.
Question: Which sociological theory explains this?
- A. Conflict theory
- B. Functionalism
- C. Rational choice theory
- D. Symbolic interactionism
Answer: A. Conflict theory
Rationale: Highlights power imbalances and institutional mistrust.
---
5. Case: A nurse sees that patients with strong family support recover
faster.
Question: Which sociological concept explains this?
- A. Social capital
- B. Sick role
- C. Medicalization
- D. Social stratification
Answer: A. Social capital
Rationale: Social networks and support improve health outcomes.
---
6. Case: A patient adopts the “sick role” and avoids responsibilities.
Question: Who introduced this concept?
- A. Talcott Parsons
- B. Erving Goffman
- C. Karl Marx
- D. Max Weber
Answer: A. Talcott Parsons
3
Sociology
Midterm Assessment Review
(With Solutions)
2026
1
,1. Case: A nurse observes that patients from lower socioeconomic
backgrounds have higher rates of chronic illness.
Question: Which sociological concept best explains this?
- A. Social stratification
- B. Medicalization
- C. Sick role
- D. Symbolic interactionism
Answer: A. Social stratification
Rationale: Health disparities are strongly linked to socioeconomic
status.
---
2. Case: A patient insists on antibiotics for a viral infection due to cultural
beliefs.
Question: Which sociological framework helps the nurse understand
this?
- A. Functionalism
- B. Conflict theory
- C. Symbolic interactionism
- D. Rational choice theory
Answer: C. Symbolic interactionism
Rationale: Focuses on meanings and beliefs attached to health
behaviors.
---
3. Case: A nurse notes that obesity is increasingly treated as a disease
rather than a lifestyle issue.
Question: Which concept applies?
- A. Medicalization
- B. Social construction
- C. Social capital
- D. Structural functionalism
Answer: A. Medicalization
2
, Rationale: Non-medical issues become defined as medical conditions.
---
4. Case: A patient refuses treatment due to mistrust of healthcare
institutions.
Question: Which sociological theory explains this?
- A. Conflict theory
- B. Functionalism
- C. Rational choice theory
- D. Symbolic interactionism
Answer: A. Conflict theory
Rationale: Highlights power imbalances and institutional mistrust.
---
5. Case: A nurse sees that patients with strong family support recover
faster.
Question: Which sociological concept explains this?
- A. Social capital
- B. Sick role
- C. Medicalization
- D. Social stratification
Answer: A. Social capital
Rationale: Social networks and support improve health outcomes.
---
6. Case: A patient adopts the “sick role” and avoids responsibilities.
Question: Who introduced this concept?
- A. Talcott Parsons
- B. Erving Goffman
- C. Karl Marx
- D. Max Weber
Answer: A. Talcott Parsons
3
