Health and Illness: A Comprehensive Guide for Sociology Students

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a social factor that influences health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predispositions

Answer

Income inequality

Answer

Educational opportunities

Answer

Social support networks

Question 2

Which of these factors does NOT have a direct impact on an individual's health and illness?

Accepted Answer

The weather

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Lifestyle choices

Answer

Social class

Question 3

Which of these is a major social factor that affects health?

Accepted Answer

Education

Accepted Answer

Income

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Climate

Question 4

Which of the following is a biological factor that can influence an individual's health?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Answer

Social support

Question 5

Which dimension is excluded from the World Health Organization's definition of health?

Accepted Answer

Spiritual fulfillment

Answer

Physical fitness

Answer

Mental well-being

Answer

Social relationships

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a key social factor that significantly influences health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Personality traits

Answer

Access to healthcare

Answer

Education level

Answer

Lifestyle choices

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a social factor that directly influences health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Answer

Social support

Question 8

Which of the following is NOT a key concept in the sociological study of health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Technological advancements in medicine

Answer

Social determinants of health

Answer

Cultural influences on health beliefs

Answer

Social consequences of illness

Question 9

In the context of sociology, which approach is deemed most effective in promoting health and minimizing illness within a society?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring equitable access to healthcare services for all individuals

Answer

Adopting a limited biomedical approach centered solely on treating specific diseases

Answer

Encouraging healthy habits and behaviors without addressing social and environmental factors

Answer

Diminishing government funding for public health initiatives and programs

Question 10

Which of the following is not a central concept in the sociology of health and illness?

Accepted Answer

The role of technology in healthcare

Answer

The social construction of health and illness

Answer

The impact of social inequality on health outcomes

Question 11

According to the sociological perspective, which of the following statements about health and illness is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Health and illness are influenced by a combination of individual, social, and environmental factors.

Answer

Health and illness are objective, biological states that can be easily defined and measured.

Answer

Health and illness are solely determined by individual behaviors and lifestyle choices.

Answer

Health and illness are primarily caused by supernatural or spiritual forces.

Question 12

Which of the following is **not** a primary responsibility of public health agencies in preventing illness?

Accepted Answer

Providing medical treatment to individuals with illnesses.

Answer

Educating individuals about healthy behaviors and disease prevention.

Answer

Enforcing public health laws and regulations, such as vaccination requirements.

Question 13

In the context of preventing illness, what is the primary responsibility of individuals to protect their own health and well-being?

Accepted Answer

To actively make informed decisions about their health and lifestyle.

Answer

To depend solely on medical interventions and treatments to maintain health.

Answer

To hold healthcare professionals solely responsible for preventing illness.

Answer

To avoid regular check-ups and screenings, as they are unnecessary for maintaining health.

Question 14

How do cultural norms and values influence how different social groups perceive and experience health and illness?

Accepted Answer

They shape how individuals define health and illness, and how they seek treatment.

Answer

They have no influence on how individuals experience health and illness.

Answer

They only influence how individuals from non-Western cultures perceive and experience health and illness.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a social factor that can affect health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Genetics and biology

Answer

Income and poverty

Answer

Education and literacy

Answer

Social support and networks

Question 16

Which of these is NOT a major social factor that affects health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Access to healthcare

Answer

Social support networks

Question 17

How do economic and political factors, such as income inequality, access to healthcare, and government policies, contribute to health disparities among different social groups?

Accepted Answer

Economic and political factors can worsen health disparities by creating inequalities in living conditions, access to resources, and opportunities that affect health outcomes.

Answer

Economic and political factors have no significant impact on health disparities.

Answer

Economic and political factors are the only factors that determine health disparities.

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a key social factor that influences health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Climate and geographical location

Answer

Income and socioeconomic status

Answer

Education level and health literacy

Question 19

What is the primary function of the healthcare system?

Accepted Answer

Prevent and treat illness, and promote health

Answer

Provide free healthcare to all citizens

Answer

Regulate the pharmaceutical industry

Question 20

Which of the following is a biological factor that influences health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Income

Answer

Education

Answer

Social support

Question 21

As per the World Health Organization (2020), which of these is NOT considered a key social determinant of health?

Accepted Answer

Political Views

Answer

Education

Answer

Gender

Question 22

According to the sociological perspective, which of the following best describes the concept of health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Socially constructed concepts shaped by cultural beliefs, values, and norms

Answer

Objective states that can be precisely defined and measured

Answer

Mutually exclusive categories, with individuals either being healthy or ill

Answer

Primarily determined by biological factors

Question 23

From a sociological perspective, which strategy is crucial for preventing illness and promoting health?

Accepted Answer

Empowering individuals to make healthy choices

Answer

Enhancing access to healthcare services

Answer

Boosting funding for medical research

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT considered a social factor influencing health and illness, according to sociological perspectives?

Accepted Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Income inequality

Answer

Education level

Answer

Social support networks

Question 25

In sociology, what is a primary focus for preventing illness?

Accepted Answer

Addressing social inequalities that contribute to health disparities

Answer

Expanding healthcare access

Answer

Promoting individual accountability for maintaining health

Question 26

According to the 'social model' of health and illness, which statement is true?

Accepted Answer

Health is a resource for daily life, and illness is a form of social deviance.

Answer

Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and illness is the absence of disease.

Answer

Health is a state of balance between the body and the environment, and illness is caused by an imbalance in this balance.

Answer

Health is a state of happiness and well-being, and illness is a state of unhappiness and distress.

Question 27

Which social factor has the most significant influence on how people experience illness?

Accepted Answer

Cultural beliefs and practices

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Access to healthcare

Answer

Political ideology

Question 28

Which of the following is a biological factor that influences health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Socioeconomic status

Answer

Access to healthcare services

Question 29

According to the biopsychosocial model, which factors play a role in shaping health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Biological, psychological, and social factors

Answer

Biological factors alone

Answer

Psychological factors alone

Answer

Environmental factors alone

Question 30

Which of the following is **not usually** considered a characteristic or cause of diseases?

Accepted Answer

Lack of access to healthcare

Answer

Infectious agents (e.g., bacteria, viruses)

Answer

Genetic factors

Answer

Environmental factors (e.g., pollution, toxins)

Question 31

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), what is the definition of health?

Accepted Answer

Health includes physical, mental, and social well-being, not just the absence of disease.

Answer

Health is simply the lack of illness or disability.

Answer

Health is a personal experience that differs for each individual.

Question 32

Which of these is NOT a factor that affects health due to social reasons?

Accepted Answer

Genes

Answer

Income and social class

Answer

Access to medical care

Question 33

How should healthcare systems approach alternative and complementary medicine, considering their potential benefits, risks, and impact on health equity?

Accepted Answer

Regulate their use to ensure safety and minimize risks, while recognizing their potential benefits.

Answer

Fully integrate them, as they are generally safe and effective.

Answer

Discourage their use, as they have no place in modern healthcare.

Question 34

How do the physical, mental, and social dimensions of health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), interact and influence an individual's overall well-being?

Accepted Answer

The different dimensions of health interact and influence each other, contributing to a holistic view of an individual's overall well-being.

Answer

Physical health directly affects mental and social well-being, but mental and social well-being do not affect physical health.

Answer

Mental, social, and physical health are completely separate and do not affect each other.

Answer

Social health has the most significant impact on overall well-being, while physical and mental health are less important.

Question 35

How does using a sociological approach to health and illness help us understand why different social groups experience different health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

It shows how social and cultural factors can affect health behaviors and outcomes, leading to health disparities.

Answer

It only looks at personal choices and behaviors as the main causes of health.

Answer

It ignores the role of biology and genetics in health disparities.

Answer

It is not very useful for studying health and illness in different cultures.

Question 36

Discuss the impact of global health initiatives on the health outcomes of populations in developing countries, considering both positive and negative effects.

Accepted Answer

Global health initiatives have led to positive health outcomes in some developing countries but have had mixed impacts in others.

Answer

Global health initiatives have universally improved health outcomes in developing countries.

Answer

Global health initiatives have had no significant impact on health outcomes in developing countries.

Question 37

Analyze how cultural factors influence both health perceptions and practices across diverse societies.

Accepted Answer

Cultural factors significantly shape health perceptions and practices, influencing beliefs, values, and behaviors related to health and illness.

Answer

Cultural factors have no impact on health perceptions or practices.

Answer

Cultural factors primarily affect health perceptions but have minimal influence on health practices.

Answer

Cultural factors only affect health practices in less developed societies.

Question 38

In healthcare decision-making, which ethical principle prioritizes the patient's right to make choices about their own health, even if it goes against medical advice?

Accepted Answer

Patient Autonomy

Answer

Paternalism

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Question 39

Which of the following is NOT considered a fundamental social determinant of health?

Accepted Answer

Biological and genetic factors

Answer

Income and wealth

Answer

Education and literacy

Answer

Access to healthcare

Question 40

Medicalization refers to the process by which:

Accepted Answer

Health issues are increasingly defined and treated as medical conditions

Answer

Medical advancements become accessible to a broader population

Answer

Individuals become more health-conscious and seek medical assistance

Answer

Health concerns are exclusively addressed within the medical system

Question 41

The term 'social capital' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The network of social relationships that provide individuals with resources and support

Answer

The economic resources and assets possessed by an individual or group

Answer

The cultural norms and values that shape health-related behaviors

Answer

The availability of healthcare services within a community

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a recognized category of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM)?

Accepted Answer

Surgery

Answer

Acupuncture

Answer

Homeopathy

Answer

Osteopathy

Question 43

How do healthcare disparities interact with social inequalities like racial discrimination and poverty? Discuss the consequences of this intersection for health outcomes.

Accepted Answer

Healthcare disparities worsen for marginalized groups due to interactions with social inequalities.

Answer

Social inequalities have little impact on healthcare disparities.

Answer

Healthcare disparities are mainly caused by personal choices, not social factors.

Question 44

Which of the following is **not** a key concept in medical sociology?

Accepted Answer

Biological Causes of Illness

Answer

Social Determinants of Health

Answer

Disease as Metaphor

Answer

The Sick Role

Question 45

According to the World Health Organization, what constitutes the definition of health?

Accepted Answer

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

Answer

The absence of disease or infirmity.

Answer

The ability to perform daily tasks without difficulty.

Answer

A state of optimal physical functioning.

Question 46

Which of the following **best** describes a social factor that influences health outcomes?

Accepted Answer

Income

Answer

Genetics

Answer

Climate

Answer

Age

Question 47

The 'sick role' model suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Society expects individuals who are sick to behave in specific ways.

Answer

Individuals who are sick are not held responsible for their own behavior.

Answer

Being sick is a form of social deviance.

Answer

Sickness is a purely biological phenomenon.

Question 48

Which theory suggests that illness can be used as a means of social control?

Accepted Answer

Conflict Theory

Answer

Functionalist Theory

Answer

Symbolic Interactionist Theory

Answer

Marxist Theory

Question 49

What is the primary objective of the healthcare system in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

To provide universal healthcare free at the point of use.

Answer

To deliver healthcare only to those who can afford it.

Answer

To prevent illness and promote health.

Answer

To cure diseases and disabilities.

Question 50

Analyze how the concept of 'disability' has varied across different cultures and historical periods. Discuss the social and political implications of these variations.

Accepted Answer

The concept of disability has evolved over time, reflecting changing social and political values.

Answer

Disability is a universal, fixed category that has remained unchanged throughout history and across all cultures.

Answer

The social and political implications of disability are always negative, leading to discrimination and exclusion.

Answer

Disability is solely a personal tragedy, and has no impact on the broader social and political context.

Question 51

According to the social stress model, what is a major cause of illness?

Accepted Answer

Chronic unemployment or job strain

Answer

Exposure to environmental toxins

Answer

Genetic predisposition

Answer

Inadequate access to healthcare

Question 52

The concept of 'social construction of illness' suggests that:

Accepted Answer

Illness is defined and shaped by social and cultural factors, including norms, values, and beliefs.

Answer

Illness is purely a biological phenomenon.

Answer

Illness is always the result of individual choices and behaviors.

Answer

Illness is a universal experience unaffected by social or cultural context.

Question 53

Which of the following is an example of a primary prevention strategy aimed at reducing the incidence of disease?

Accepted Answer

Vaccination programs

Answer

Screening for cancer to detect it early

Answer

Medical treatment for an existing illness

Answer

Rehabilitation services after an injury or illness

Question 54

The concept of 'health literacy' refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ability of individuals to find, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions about their health.

Answer

The level of scientific knowledge possessed by healthcare professionals.

Answer

The amount of health-related information available to the public.

Answer

The ability of doctors to communicate effectively with patients.

Question 55

Which concept in medical sociology emphasizes the social rather than biological nature of illness?

Accepted Answer

Social construction of illness

Answer

Social inequality and health

Answer

The sick role

Answer

Epidemiology

Question 56

According to the social constructionist perspective, illness is:

Accepted Answer

A socially defined and interpreted experience

Answer

An objective, biological state

Answer

Caused solely by genetic factors

Answer

A result of psychological weakness

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT an example of social inequality in health?

Accepted Answer

Equal access to health education for all

Answer

Higher mortality rates among lower socioeconomic groups

Answer

Access to healthcare based on income

Answer

Disproportionate burden of chronic diseases among certain ethnicities

Question 58

The biomedical model of health focuses on:

Accepted Answer

The role of genetics and biology in illness

Answer

The importance of patient experiences and perspectives

Answer

The prevention and treatment of diseases

Answer

The social and environmental determinants of health

Question 59

The social model of disability emphasizes that:

Accepted Answer

Disability is a social construct created by societal barriers

Answer

Disability is primarily caused by individual impairments

Answer

People with disabilities should be segregated from society

Answer

Disability is a tragedy that needs to be overcome

Question 60

Genetic testing has the potential to enhance healthcare, but it also raises ethical concerns. Analyze these concerns and explain how they might impact individuals and society.

Accepted Answer

Genetic discrimination

Accepted Answer

Privacy concerns

Accepted Answer

Personalized medicine

Answer

Genetic information is always accurate

Question 61

Which of the following is NOT a social factor that can influence health and illness?

Accepted Answer

Genetics

Answer

Stress

Answer

Poverty

Answer

Education

Question 62

Medicalization is a process where:

Accepted Answer

Social problems are labeled as medical conditions.

Answer

Doctors gain more authority in society.

Answer

Health and illness are purely biological phenomena.

Answer

Medical conditions are defined as social problems.

Question 63

A key feature of the biopsychosocial model of health and illness is that it:

Accepted Answer

Acknowledges the influence of biological, psychological, and social factors on health and illness.

Answer

Assumes health and illness are solely biological phenomena.

Answer

Emphasizes individual accountability for health.

Question 64

Health inequalities refer to:

Accepted Answer

Health outcome disparities between various population groups.

Answer

Unequal distribution of healthcare resources.

Answer

Health-related choices made by individuals.