Chapter 2 test Flashcards
(26 cards)
What are demographics? Why are they important to our understanding of social change?
- Statistical data relating to the population and particular groups (e.g., age, income, education).
- Help analyze societal shifts, trends, and predict future needs
-Play a crucial role in understanding and planning for social change.
What is a census? How often are they done? Why does the government do it?
- A survey collecting demographic info.
- In Canada, it’s done every 5 years.
- Governments use it to allocate resources, plan services, and shape policy.
Who are millenials? Describe their characteristics.
Millennials (Gen Y)
Born ~1981–1996.
Traits: Tech-savvy, value flexibility, seek purpose in work, educated, socially conscious, entrepreneurial, optimistic yet burdened by debt.
Describe the 6 different common family structures in Canada today.
- Nuclear family – two parents + children
- Single-parent family – one parent raising children
- Extended family – relatives living together
- Blended family – remarried families with step-parents/siblings
- Childless family – couples with no children
- Same-sex family – two same-gender parents with or without kids
What is Generation Z? Describe them (7 distinguishing characteristics).
- Born ~1997–2012
- Digital natives
- Socially and environmentally aware
- Value individuality
- Prioritize mental health
- Entrepreneurial
- Embrace diversity
Know the different generations (Builders, Baby Boomer, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, Gen Alpha)- multiple choice
- Builders: before 1946
- Baby Boomers: 1946–1964
- Gen X: 1965–1980
- Gen Y (Millennials): 1981–1996
- Gen Z: 1997–2012
- Gen Alpha: 2013–present
What are some of Gen Z’s concerns about the environment (know 5)? what is “eco-anxiety”?
Concerns:
Climate change
Pollution
Deforestation
Waste
Loss of biodiversity
Eco-anxiety: Stress and fear about environmental destruction.
What is “fast fashion”? What are some hidden costs of fast fashion? What are some possible solutions?
Cheap, fast production of trendy clothes.
Hidden costs: Exploited labor, pollution, waste, poor quality.
Solutions: Thrift shopping, sustainable brands, buying less, reusing.
What is an “influencer”? How can they have positive or negative effects on those who follow them?
Influencer: People who affect others’ choices online.
Positive: Inspire, promote good causes.
Negative: Set unrealistic standards,
encourage materialism or comparison.
What is a tween? Describe current tweens.
Ages ~8–12.
They’re tech-savvy, early users of social media, brand-conscious, and influenced by trends and peer approval.
What is a fledgling adult and why are they having trouble leaving home today?
Young adults struggling with independence.
Barriers: High cost of living, student debt, job insecurity, housing costs.
Describe Festinger’s Social Comparison Theory. What are upward and downward comparisons?
People evaluate themselves by comparing to others.
Upward comparison: to someone better (can motivate or lower self-esteem).
Downward comparison: to someone worse (boosts confidence).
Describe Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. What are the different levels of needs? Describe them.
Physiological – food, water
Safety – shelter, health
Love/Belonging – relationships
Esteem – respect, recognition
Self-actualization – reaching full potential
The hierarchy goes from the most basic to the most advanced needs. The ultimate goal is to reach the highest level of the hierarchy, which is self-actualization.
Describe Sherif’s theory regarding In Groups and Out Groups. What happened in the Robbers Cave Experiment? What does this tell us?
Muzafer Sherif examined whether group ties could be established easily among individuals with no existing group ties.
He found that when brought together to interact in groups for a shared mutual goal, individuals would produce a group structure with social hierarchy and roles. He called this the in-group.
Sherif also suggested that if two distinct groups were formed and brought together in competition, hostile attitudes and actions would result between the original in-group and the secondary group, known as the out-group.
According to Sherif, The in-group members would likely oppose or openly attack the out-group. Sherif’s theory highlights how group structures, codes and norm are shaped.
What information can we learn about the teenage brain and social media from the 2016 UCLA study Unit 2, Content- “Teenage brain on social media”?
“Likes” activate the brain’s reward center.
Teens are more likely to imitate behavior they see getting approval, even risky actions.
Describe Charles Cooley’s looking glass self theory. How can we relate this to social media and self image?
We see ourselves based on how we believe others see us.
Social Media Tie-in: Likes/comments affect self-worth and identity.
What is cancel culture? What’s its purpose? What are some positive and negative effects of it?
Calling out individuals for bad behavior publicly.
Purpose: Promote accountability.
Positives: Raises awareness.
Negatives: Can turn into bullying, lack of nuance.
According to Jonathan Haidt, what are the causes of rising anxiety in youth? What is the impact of technology and social media?
Haidt – Causes of Youth Anxiety
Overuse of social media
Less real-life interaction
Fear of missing out (FOMO)
Impact: Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
According to Melvin Seeman, list and describe the 5 elements of social alienation.
- Powerlessness – no control
- Meaninglessness – lack of purpose
- Normlessness – no clear norms
- Isolation – socially disconnected
- Self-estrangement – loss of true self
Describe Marx’s theory on Money and Power, including the bourgeoisie and the proletariat. What is his theory of value and alienation? What kind of government/economic system would he advocate?
Bourgeoisie: capital owners
Proletariat: working class
Value: comes from labor
Alienation: workers separated from product, process, others, self
Advocated communism to end class inequality
Describe Antonio Gramsci’s theory of Cultural Hegemony. Think of anti-aging creams as an example.
Dominant class controls ideas/culture to maintain power.
Example: Anti-aging creams push the idea youth = beauty, reinforcing consumption and capitalism.
What influence does the media and media figures have on our lives?
They shape values, trends, beauty standards, and behaviors—can both positively and negatively influence identity and self-worth.
What is the body positivity movement? What are its 4 goals? What are some criticisms of the movement?
Goals:
- Accept all bodies
- Challenge unrealistic standards
- Promote self-love
- Focus on health, not size
Criticism: May downplay health concerns or oversimplify complex issues.
Describe Albert Bandura’s studies on learning through observation. What did he conclude from his studies?
Bandura – Observational Learning (Bobo Doll Study)
Children mimic behaviors they see.
Conclusion: Aggression and other behaviors are learned by watching others.
