Understanding Science and Technology Impact

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Questions and Answers

Which sector is primarily concerned with the organization of technological systems?

Ideational sector

Personality-behavioral sector

Societal sector

Engineering sector (correct)

What does the term 'cumulative synthesis theory of invention' describe?

A social process involving a sequence of novelty stages (correct)

A method of artistic creation

An educational framework for technology training

A process involving genetic sequencing

What is encompassed by the concept of culture as described in the content?

The psychological traits of individuals

Only the material artifacts of a society

A group’s inherited and transmitted lifestyle (correct)

Biological aspects of living organisms

Which of the following best defines an ecosystem?

A specific area with a unique mix of organisms and physical attributes Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of an environmental impact statement?

To estimate effects of a technological initiative on the environment Signup and view all the answers

What does 'enskilling effect' refer to?

The requirement for workers to develop new skills in a new work situation Signup and view all the answers

Which process is NOT part of the cumulative synthesis theory of invention?

Immediate implementation of ideas Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT typically associated with culture?

Genetic traits Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of public participation in science and technology?

To involve the public in decision-making processes Signup and view all the answers

What aspect is essential for making socially responsible decisions regarding innovations?

Comprehensive long-term information availability Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the role of science?

An organized inquiry into natural phenomena Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of rationalization in scientific practice?

Relying more on explicit and intellectual knowledge Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of technology is emphasized in its definition?

Expanding the realm of practical human possibility Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following concepts is central to quantum mechanics?

Light's duality as wave and particle Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary characteristic of scientific management?

Emphasis on systematic evaluation of work Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately reflects the socio-cultural environmental system in scientific inquiry?

Encourages a comprehensive understanding of causes and consequences Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure of DNA?

Double helix Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following represents the base pair combinations found in DNA?

AT (TA) and GC (CG) Signup and view all the answers

What does the heroic theory of invention suggest?

Inventions are the result of sheer genius by individuals. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines 'high technology'?

Technologies dependent on advanced scientific knowledge. Signup and view all the answers

What does a hypothesis represent in scientific research?

A testable scientific idea. Signup and view all the answers

Which statement accurately describes an influence agent?

An actor that exerts some type of influence on science or technology. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by influence exercise in the context of science or technology?

Any interaction that changes scientific or technological activity. Signup and view all the answers

Industrialization is characterized by which of the following?

The application of sophisticated technology to extract resources. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by the term 'Big Science'?

Scientific research that involves large-scale organization and resources. Signup and view all the answers

Which phrase describes 'Big Technology'?

Technological activity that involves large-scale organization and resources. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'consequentialist ethical theories' focus on?

The consequences of actions in determining their rightness or wrongness. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes 'cultural convergence'?

An increase in similarity of content or structure between cultures. Signup and view all the answers

How does the development of technology impact socio-cultural change?

It can quicken and intensify the pace of cultural change. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by a 'cultural system'?

A society's culture viewed as a complex network of interacting elements. Signup and view all the answers

What does biodegradable refer to?

The ability of substances to be broken down by natural processes. Signup and view all the answers

Which best describes the context of science and technology?

The setting influencing scientific and technological activities and their effects. Signup and view all the answers

What is a scientific theory defined as?

An established and experimentally verified fact Signup and view all the answers

What does technology assessment refer to?

Systematic estimation of potential social consequences of technologies Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes viruses?

They require a cellular host to reproduce Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best defines technology transfer?

The conveyance of technical systems and methods Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the modern cultural view of work?

Work is seen as a fungible labor task for a set period Signup and view all the answers

Who are practitioners of technology as a form of human cultural activity?

Engineers, machinists, and craftspeople Signup and view all the answers

How is a hypothesis differentiated from a theory in science?

A hypothesis is an untested speculation or prediction Signup and view all the answers

What is a distinguishing feature of a theory in scientific terms?

It is established through experimentation and observation Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Behavior Setting

The material environment that human behavior occurs in.
Technology can influence this setting and the speed at which socio-cultural change occurs.

Consequentialist Ethical Theories

The "rightness" or "wrongness" of actions is determined solely by their consequences.

Big Science

Scientific research since WWII has required large amounts of funding, personnel, and resources.

Big Technology

Technological activity since the mid-19th century has required significant funding, staff, and resources.

Context of Science and Technology

The social and natural environment in which scientific and technological activities occur.
The context is affected by and affects the process and products of these activities.

Cultural Convergence

Similarity of content or structure in different cultures.

Cultural System

The complete set of a society's values, beliefs, and behaviors - often divided into four subsystems:
- Ideational
- Societal
- Material
- Personality-Behavioral

Culture

A group's or society's inherited and transmitted way of life.
Includes ideas, beliefs, values, social structures, and material artifacts.
Behavior is influenced by and influences culture.

Cumulative Synthesis Theory of Invention

Inventions are a cumulative, synthetic social process with four stages of novelty:
- Perception of a problem
- Setting the problem up for a solution
- Critical act of insight
- Critical revision

Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA)

DNA is a double helix molecule.
All organisms have only two forms of base pairs:
- Adenine-Thymine (A-T) or Thymine-Adenine (T-A)
- Guanine-Cytosine (G-C) or Cytosine-Guanine (C-G)
Determines the accurate copying of nucleotide sequences during cell division or protein biosynthesis.

Ecosystem

A biological system in a specific location with a unique mix of living organisms and physical properties.

Engineering

A profession that designs, produces, and operates technical systems to meet human needs.

Enskilling Effect

Work situations that require workers to learn and use new skills not needed in previous roles.

Environmental Impact Statement

A systematic assessment of the potential effects of a technological initiative on the environment and human-built structures.

Health and Safety Issues

Risks associated with science and technology, such as exposure to chemicals or radiation.
May lead to fewer fatal accidents but increased disabling diseases.

Heroic Theory of Invention

Inventions are created by individuals due to their genius, determination, and hard work.

High Technology

Technologies that rely on advanced scientific or engineering knowledge, such as those used in microelectronics, biotechnology, and aerospace.
Characterized by companies using a higher than average ratio of research and development expenditures to sales.

Hypothesis

A testable scientific idea that can be proven right or wrong.
A hypothesis is a question that can be predicted, verified, or falsified.

Public Participation in Science and Technology

Involvement of the general public or their representatives in decision-making about scientific and technological affairs.

Purposes or Functions Characteristic of Scientific and Technological Activity

Science: to understand the natural world
Technology: to expand the realm of human possibilities

Quantum Mechanics

Explains the behavior of atoms and subatomic particles.
Explains the wave-particle duality of light, chemical bonds, and radioactivity.

Rationalization

Shifting from decisions based on tradition or sentiment to decisions based on calculations and knowledge.

Scientific Management

Techniques for analyzing and specifying work tasks, evaluating worker performance, and using knowledge and procedure to manage work.

Science

Organized and well-founded knowledge of natural phenomena.
Systematic inquiry into these phenomena.
A field of human cultural activity.
The total societal enterprise dedicated to the study and understanding of the natural world.

Scientific Theory

An established and experimentally verified fact or collection of facts about the world.
Not an unproved idea or just theory, unlike the everyday use of the word.

Technology

The complex of knowledge, materials, and methods used in making a particular technology.
A distinctive form of human cultural activity.
The societal enterprise dedicated to researching, developing, producing, operating, and maintaining technology.

Technology Assessment

Systematic estimation of the potential social, economic, environmental, and health consequences of new technologies or policies.

Technology Transfer

The transmission of technical systems and knowledge associated with technology.

Time Orientation Toward Work

A modern cultural view of work as replaceable labor carried out for a set period of time, regardless of task completion.

Virus

The smallest type of organism, often not considered alive.
Relies on a host organism such as bacteria, plants, or animals for reproduction.
Viruses have no metabolism of their own and depend on passive carriers for transportation.

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Description

Explore the intricate relationships between behavior settings, ethical theories, and the socio-cultural context of science and technology. This quiz delves into how technological advancements and funding have shaped research and cultural convergence over time. Test your knowledge on these pivotal concepts in contemporary science and technology.