HSC2010
Medical Sociology
Midterms Exam (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. Which of the following best describes the concept of the "sick
role" in medical sociology?
- A. A person's responsibility to seek medical help
- B. A person's obligation to avoid illness
- C. A socially recognized set of rights and obligations linked
with illness
- D. A healthcare provider's duty to treat patients
- ANS: C. A socially recognized set of rights and obligations
linked with illness
©2024/2025
, - Rationale: The "sick role" concept, introduced by Talcott
Parsons, describes the social expectations of behavior and
responsibilities of individuals who are ill.
2. What is the primary focus of the social determinants of
health?
- A. Genetic predispositions
- B. Individual lifestyle choices
- C. Economic and social conditions
- D. Medical treatments
- ANS: C. Economic and social conditions
- Rationale: Social determinants of health refer to the
conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age,
which significantly impact health outcomes.
3. Which theory in medical sociology emphasizes the power
dynamics between different social groups in healthcare?
- A. Functionalism
- B. Conflict theory
- C. Symbolic interactionism
- D. Social constructionism
- ANS: B. Conflict theory
©2024/2025
, - Rationale: Conflict theory focuses on the struggles between
different social groups, highlighting how power and inequality
affect healthcare access and outcomes.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
4. The concept of __________ refers to the process by which
non-medical problems become defined and treated as medical
issues.
- ANS: medicalization
- Rationale: Medicalization is the process by which human
conditions and problems come to be defined and treated as
medical issues.
5. In medical sociology, the term __________ refers to the
unequal distribution of health resources and outcomes across
different population groups.
- ANS: health disparities
- Rationale: Health disparities refer to differences in health
outcomes and access to healthcare services among different
population groups.
True/False Questions
©2024/2025
, 6. True or False: The biomedical model of health focuses solely
on biological factors and excludes psychological, environmental,
and social influences.
- ANS: True
- Rationale: The biomedical model of health emphasizes
biological factors and often neglects the psychological,
environmental, and social aspects of health.
7. True or False: Social support has no impact on an individual's
health outcomes.
- ANS: False
- Rationale: Social support is crucial for health and well-
being, as it can reduce stress and improve health outcomes.
Multiple Response Questions
8. Which of the following are considered social determinants of
health? (Select all that apply)
- A. Education level
- B. Genetic mutations
- C. Housing conditions
- D. Access to healthcare
©2024/2025
Medical Sociology
Midterms Exam (Qns & Ans)
2025
1. Which of the following best describes the concept of the "sick
role" in medical sociology?
- A. A person's responsibility to seek medical help
- B. A person's obligation to avoid illness
- C. A socially recognized set of rights and obligations linked
with illness
- D. A healthcare provider's duty to treat patients
- ANS: C. A socially recognized set of rights and obligations
linked with illness
©2024/2025
, - Rationale: The "sick role" concept, introduced by Talcott
Parsons, describes the social expectations of behavior and
responsibilities of individuals who are ill.
2. What is the primary focus of the social determinants of
health?
- A. Genetic predispositions
- B. Individual lifestyle choices
- C. Economic and social conditions
- D. Medical treatments
- ANS: C. Economic and social conditions
- Rationale: Social determinants of health refer to the
conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age,
which significantly impact health outcomes.
3. Which theory in medical sociology emphasizes the power
dynamics between different social groups in healthcare?
- A. Functionalism
- B. Conflict theory
- C. Symbolic interactionism
- D. Social constructionism
- ANS: B. Conflict theory
©2024/2025
, - Rationale: Conflict theory focuses on the struggles between
different social groups, highlighting how power and inequality
affect healthcare access and outcomes.
Fill-in-the-Blank Questions
4. The concept of __________ refers to the process by which
non-medical problems become defined and treated as medical
issues.
- ANS: medicalization
- Rationale: Medicalization is the process by which human
conditions and problems come to be defined and treated as
medical issues.
5. In medical sociology, the term __________ refers to the
unequal distribution of health resources and outcomes across
different population groups.
- ANS: health disparities
- Rationale: Health disparities refer to differences in health
outcomes and access to healthcare services among different
population groups.
True/False Questions
©2024/2025
, 6. True or False: The biomedical model of health focuses solely
on biological factors and excludes psychological, environmental,
and social influences.
- ANS: True
- Rationale: The biomedical model of health emphasizes
biological factors and often neglects the psychological,
environmental, and social aspects of health.
7. True or False: Social support has no impact on an individual's
health outcomes.
- ANS: False
- Rationale: Social support is crucial for health and well-
being, as it can reduce stress and improve health outcomes.
Multiple Response Questions
8. Which of the following are considered social determinants of
health? (Select all that apply)
- A. Education level
- B. Genetic mutations
- C. Housing conditions
- D. Access to healthcare
©2024/2025
