Sociology Final Flashcards Part 3

Questions and Answers

Which of the following best defines the term commodity?

An activity that benefits people, such as health care, education, and entertainment.

A physical object we find, grow, or make to meet our needs and those of others. (correct)

A benefit given to those who participate in the capitalist market.

An economic system which adheres to the principles of socialism.

Which of the following is an example of structural unemployment?

Though many companies are hiring in Washington DC, unemployment is high in Tennessee. (correct)

Three sales associates from Target are fired after stealing merchandise from the electronics department.

John quits his job after getting accepted into law school.

A large fire burns down an automotive plant in Detroit, forcing the employees temporarily out of work.

During which time period did economies begin to develop globally?

The Agricultural Revolution (correct)

The Industrial Revolution

The Post-Industrial Revolution

The Information Age

Terrence and his family own a farm in a remote region of Chile. They farm only enough to produce food for themselves and to pay their taxes. What are Terrence and his family engaging in?

Subsistence Farming Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of polarization?

The job market is increasing in the lowest economic levels, and is increasing in the highest economic levels. Signup and view all the answers

Jin is a conflict theorist sociologist. Which of the following statements about Occupy Wall Street would most align with Jin's sociological perspective?

Occupy Wall Street is positive; our capitalist economy is only making social inequality grow larger. Signup and view all the answers

The term xenophobia can be best defined as:

An illogical fear and even hatred of foreigners and foreign goods. Signup and view all the answers

Davis is low on cash, but really wants an electric guitar. He offers to trade his acoustic guitar for his friend Bill's electric guitar. Davis is engaging in:

Bartering Signup and view all the answers

By 2009, America had suffered several consecutive quarters of economic decline. America was in the midst of a:

Recession Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines the term globalization?

The process of integrating governments, cultures, and financial markets through international trade into a single world market. Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of NAFTA?

It allowed freer trade opportunities for the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Signup and view all the answers

Apple computers ship their computer parts to India to be made, and station their tech support in India. This is an example of a:

Global assembly line Signup and view all the answers

Keshawn used to work for an IT company in Baltimore, but lost his job when his company decided to use workers in New Delhi instead. This is an example of:

Outsourcing Signup and view all the answers

The term mercantilism can best be defined as:

An economic policy based on national policies of accumulating silver and gold through controlling markets. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not an example of underemployment?

After his wife gave birth to twins, Jerry quit his job to help raise them. Signup and view all the answers

Alex's country was once communist, but now allows limited private ownership of companies. What kind of economy is Alex living in?

Market Socialist Signup and view all the answers

What is one reason unemployment statistics are unreliable?

The statistics include only those who are currently looking for work. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following industries is not projected to experience growth within the United States within the next 10 years?

Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Signup and view all the answers

Emile Durkheim described mechanical solidarity as:

A form of social cohesion that comes from sharing similar work, education, and religion. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of convergence theory in action?

Germany rebuilt its economy after World War II, creating more job opportunities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is an example of a commodity?

Corn Signup and view all the answers

When did the first economies begin to develop?

When people began to grow crops and domesticate animals Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important commodity in post-industrial society?

Information Signup and view all the answers

In which sector of an economy would someone working as a software developer be?

Quaternary Signup and view all the answers

Which is an economic policy based on national policies of accumulating silver and gold through controlling markets?

Mercantilism Signup and view all the answers

Who was the leading theorist on the development of socialism?

Karl Marx Signup and view all the answers

The type of socialism now carried on by China is a form of _____ socialism.

market Signup and view all the answers

Among the reasons socialism never developed into a political movement in the United States was that trade unions _____ .

secured worker's rights Signup and view all the answers

Which country serves as an example of convergence?

Singapore Signup and view all the answers

Ben lost his job when General Motors closed their US factories and opened factories in Mexico. Now Ben is very anti-immigration. Ben might be experiencing:

Xenophobia Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not an aspect of globalization?

Integrating child care through international trade Signup and view all the answers

One reason critics oppose globalization is that it:

Has negative impacts on the environment Signup and view all the answers

All of the following are characteristics of global cities, except:

Host influential philosophers Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a characteristic of multinational corporations?

A large share of their capital is collected from a variety of nationalities. Signup and view all the answers

Which is evidence that the United States workforce is largely a meritocracy?

Highly skilled jobs pay better than low-skill jobs. Signup and view all the answers

If someone does not earn enough money to pay for the essentials of life he or she is said to be _____ poor.

absolutely Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Economic Concepts and Definitions

Commodity: A physical object produced to meet needs (e.g., food, goods).
Structural Unemployment: Occurs when unemployment is high in one region despite hiring in another (e.g., high jobs in D.C. but unemployment in Tennessee).
Agricultural Revolution: Time when economies began to develop globally through farming and domestication of animals.
Subsistence Farming: Farming that focuses on producing just enough food for the family.
Polarization: Job market growth in both the lowest and highest economic levels, leading to a divided economic landscape.

Sociological Perspectives

Conflict Theory: Views movements like Occupy Wall Street as responses to social inequality perpetuated by capitalism.

Economic Terms

Xenophobia: Irrational fear or hatred of foreigners and foreign goods.
Bartering: Exchanging goods without using money (e.g., trading guitars).
Recession: A period of economic decline experienced by consecutive quarters of negative growth.

Globalization and Trade

Globalization: The integration of governments and cultures through international trade, forming a single world market.
NAFTA: The agreement that facilitated freer trade between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.
Global Assembly Line: Production process where components are made in different countries (e.g., Apple outsourcing production).

Employment and Underemployment

Outsourcing: Relocating jobs to countries where labor is cheaper (e.g., IT jobs moved to India).
Underemployment: Situations where individuals work in jobs that do not utilize their skills or pay sufficiently (e.g., forced to take lower-paying jobs after losing skilled employment).

Economic Systems and Policies

Mercantilism: Economic policy focused on accumulating wealth through national control and trade with colonies.
Market Socialism: A system allowing limited private ownership while letting market forces guide production and pricing.

Growth and Development

Convergence Theory: Suggests that economies, like Germany post-WWII, can grow and improve job opportunities for citizens.
Information: Considered the most vital commodity in a post-industrial society.
Quaternary Sector: Refers to industries involving knowledge-based services, such as technology and software development.

Mechanical Solidarity: Social cohesion based on shared work and beliefs, typical in simpler societies.

Critiques of Globalization

Environmental Impact: Criticism that globalization adversely affects the environment through increased production and resource extraction.

Labor and Workforce Dynamics

Meritocracy: The idea that job opportunities reflect individual talents and skills, as seen in the pay disparity between skilled and low-skill jobs.
Absolutely Poor: Describes individuals lacking enough income to meet life's basic necessities.

Characteristics of Global Cities and Multinational Corporations

Global Cities: Centers that host multinational corporations and exert significant international influence, excluding the presence of influential philosophers.
Multinational Corporations: Operate across national borders and concentrate wealth in core nations, emphasizing their global market strategies.

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Test your understanding of key sociology concepts with these flashcards. This quiz focuses on definitions relevant to commodities and economic systems. Perfect for final exam preparation.