The Experience of Illness: A Comprehensive Guide for Sociology Students

Question 1

Which sociological theory interprets illness as a social construct?

Accepted Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Positivism

Question 2

The 'sick role' theory developed by Talcott Parsons suggests that individuals who are ill are:

Accepted Answer

Expected to be passive and dependent in society.

Answer

Expected to seek medical attention immediately.

Answer

Expected to return to work as soon as possible.

Answer

Expected to be isolated from others.

Question 3

The concept of 'social death' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The loss of social identity and roles due to illness or disability.

Answer

The physical death of an individual.

Answer

The social isolation experienced by individuals with serious illnesses.

Answer

The stigma associated with certain illnesses.

Question 4

Which factors are key in shaping an individual's experience of illness, according to the sociological perspective?

Accepted Answer

Social and cultural factors, such as beliefs and norms

Answer

Biological factors only

Answer

Psychological factors only

Answer

Economic factors only

Question 5

According to the social model of illness, what is the primary factor that shapes illness?

Accepted Answer

Social, cultural, and historical factors

Answer

Individual behaviour and lifestyle choices

Answer

Inevitable and unpreventable part of human existence

Answer

Supernatural forces or divine intervention

Question 6

From a sociological perspective, which of these is NOT considered a social factor that influences the experience of illness?

Accepted Answer

Biological factors

Answer

Cultural beliefs and norms

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Psychological factors

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a social factor that can affect our experience of illness?

Accepted Answer

The weather

Answer

Income inequality

Answer

Education level

Answer

Social support

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a factor that influences health outcomes based on social circumstances?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Answer

Social support

Question 9

Which of the following is **not** a social aspect of illness?

Accepted Answer

Biological factors

Answer

Stigma

Answer

Social support

Answer

Cultural beliefs

Question 10

Which of the following is a fundamental principle of the social model of illness?

Accepted Answer

Illness is socially constructed and shaped by societal norms and values.

Answer

Illness is primarily caused by individual factors.

Answer

Illness is a purely biological phenomenon.

Answer

Illness is always a negative experience.

Question 11

What is the term used to describe the process through which individuals make sense of and respond to their illness experiences?

Accepted Answer

Illness management

Answer

Normalization of illness

Answer

Sick role

Answer

Medicalization

Question 12

How does the concept of 'biographical disruption' relate to the experience of illness?

Accepted Answer

It refers to the disruption of an individual's sense of self, identity, and life trajectory caused by illness.

Answer

It highlights the importance of social support in coping with illness.

Answer

It focuses on the psychological impact of illness.

Answer

It emphasizes the role of medical treatment in managing illness.

Question 13

How does the concept of 'intersectionality' relate to the experience of illness?

Accepted Answer

It highlights the interconnectedness of various forms of social inequality, including age, race, gender, and socioeconomic status, and their impact on health outcomes.

Answer

It suggests that illness experiences are solely determined by an individual's social position.

Answer

It focuses on the experiences of marginalized and disadvantaged groups in healthcare.

Answer

It is a concept only relevant to Western societies.

Question 14

What is the term for the process by which social norms and expectations shape the way we conceptualize and respond to illness?

Accepted Answer

Social construction of illness

Answer

Normalization of illness

Answer

Medicalization

Answer

Biomedicalization

Question 15

According to the 'sick role' concept, individuals experiencing illness are:

Accepted Answer

Expected to behave in a certain way that exempts them from social responsibilities

Answer

Always perceived as weak or incapable

Answer

Automatically entitled to government benefits

Answer

Expected to recover quickly and return to their usual activities

Question 16

The 'illness narrative' approach focuses on:

Accepted Answer

The personal stories and interpretations individuals give to their experiences of illness

Answer

The objective medical diagnosis and prognosis

Answer

The impact of illness on the economy

Answer

The legal rights of individuals with illnesses

Question 17

The 'consumerist' model of healthcare suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Patients are actively involved in making decisions about their own healthcare

Answer

Healthcare providers have the exclusive authority to determine the best course of treatment

Answer

Healthcare is a commodity that can be bought and sold

Answer

Access to healthcare should be based solely on financial need

Question 18

What does the 'healthy sick role' refer to?

Accepted Answer

People with chronic illnesses who have learned to manage their condition and live relatively normal lives

Answer

People who are diagnosed with an illness but do not show symptoms

Answer

People who have symptoms of an illness but do not receive a diagnosis

Answer

People who do not have any illnesses or symptoms

Question 19

Which of the following factors is **NOT** a key social determinant of health?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Access to education

Answer

Social support

Answer

Cultural beliefs

Question 20

Which sociological theory emphasizes the role of social inequality in shaping health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Conflict theory

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Feminism

Question 21

Which of the following is a sociological approach to understanding disability?

Accepted Answer

The social model

Answer

The medical model

Answer

The cultural model

Answer

The economic model

Question 22

How does the social construction of illness shape the coping mechanisms used by individuals facing health conditions?

Accepted Answer

It offers a framework of socially acceptable roles and behaviors for individuals to adopt.

Answer

It removes the need for individuals to create their own coping strategies.

Answer

It guarantees equal access to healthcare resources for all individuals.

Question 23

Which communication strategy is most appropriate for conveying complex medical information to patients with diverse backgrounds, ensuring effective understanding and engagement?

Accepted Answer

Using plain language, incorporating visual aids, and involving family members or caregivers in the communication process

Answer

Using medical jargon without providing clear explanations

Answer

Directly translating medical information without considering cultural context

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a central theme explored in the 'Experience of Illness' unit?

Accepted Answer

The legal implications of illness

Answer

The social impact of illness

Answer

The psychological implications of illness

Question 25

According to the biopsychosocial model, which factors are considered in understanding the experience of illness?

Accepted Answer

A combination of biological, psychological, and social factors

Answer

Biological factors only

Answer

Psychological factors only

Answer

Social factors only

Question 26

Which theory emphasizes the influence of cultural beliefs and norms on the experience of illness?

Accepted Answer

Social constructionism

Answer

Symbolic interactionism

Answer

Functionalism

Answer

Marxism

Question 27

When explaining complex medical information to patients from diverse backgrounds, which communication strategy is most effective?

Accepted Answer

Using simple language, pictures, and examples that relate to their culture.

Answer

Using lots of medical terms to ensure accuracy.

Answer

Translating materials directly into different languages.

Answer

Giving patients only a small amount of information to avoid confusion.

Question 28

Evaluate the concept of 'lay epidemiology' and its potential influence on public understanding of health and illness.

Accepted Answer

Lay epidemiology can contribute to misinformation and unnecessary fear about health and illness.

Answer

Lay epidemiology is a valid form of medical knowledge that should be considered equally to scientific evidence.

Answer

Lay epidemiology has a minimal impact on public understanding of health and illness.

Answer

Lay epidemiology is always more accurate than scientific evidence.

Question 29

Which of the following is a common social consequence of illness?

Accepted Answer

Stigma

Answer

Increased social support

Answer

Improved career opportunities

Answer

Enhanced physical health

Question 30

According to the biopsychosocial model of illness, which of the following factors plays a significant role in shaping the experience of illness?

Accepted Answer

Psychological, social, and biological factors

Answer

Biological factors only

Answer

Environmental factors only

Answer

Social factors only

Question 31

Which of the following is a potential coping mechanism for managing the emotional challenges of illness?

Accepted Answer

Seeking support from healthcare professionals or mental health services

Answer

Ignoring the illness

Answer

Blaming others for the illness

Answer

Avoiding social contact

Question 32

What is the term for the subjective interpretation of symptoms and the impact of illness on one's life?

Accepted Answer

Illness experience

Answer

Diagnosis

Answer

Pathophysiology

Answer

Epidemiology

Question 33

Which of the following is a critique of the medical model of illness?

Accepted Answer

It focuses primarily on physical symptoms, often neglecting the social and psychological dimensions of illness.

Answer

It promotes patient empowerment.

Answer

It provides effective treatments for all illnesses.

Question 34

What is the process by which individuals come to terms with their illness and its impact on their lives?

Accepted Answer

Adaptation

Answer

Isolation

Answer

Regression

Answer

Denial

Question 35

Which of the following is an example of how cultural norms can influence illness experience?

Accepted Answer

In some cultures, mental illness is stigmatised, leading to social isolation for individuals with mental health conditions.

Answer

Gender only

Answer

Age only

Question 36

What is the key difference between acute and chronic illness?

Accepted Answer

Acute illness has a sudden onset and typically resolves within a short period, while chronic illness has a gradual onset and lasts for an extended duration.

Answer

Acute illness is always more severe than chronic illness.

Question 37

What is the term for the field of study that examines the social and cultural aspects of health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Medical sociology

Answer

Biomedicine

Answer

Clinical psychology

Answer

Epidemiology