Psychosocial exam 1/Psych Exam (Questions
and Answers) Graded A+
Sociology - ANSWER - The systematic and scientific study of human social life, groups, societies
and the social context in which behavior occurs
Sociological imagination - ANSWER - The application imaginative thought to the asking and
answering of sociological questions. Someone using the sociological imagination "thinks himself
away" from the familiar routines of daily life
Quality of mind that makes it possible to understand the larger meaning of our experiences
Social structure - ANSWER - The underlying regularities of patterns in how people behave and
in their relationships with one another. Individuals can connect their personal experiences to
this
Socialization - ANSWER - A social process through which children develop an awareness of
social norms and values and achieve a distinct sense of self. This is particularly significant in
infancy/childhood but continues to some degree throughout life.
Social control theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Suggests identifying with and
conformity to the norms of social institutions, such as the family/law, are important factors
influencing law abiding behavior
Youth commit offenses because they do not conform to the mores of these institutions, thus
these institutions do not provide an effective control over their behavior
Assumes an inherent tendency among youths to deviate, controlling this is critical in order for
them to behave
Containment theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Examines conformity and deviant
conduct in terms of pushes and pulls
Youths are pushed toward deviant conduct bu both negative internal impulses and an external
environment supportive of deviance
,Positive inner and outer controls are factors acting to prevent deviant "pulls" (behavior)
Ego strength is often equated with a good self-concept and with a sense of individuality, self-
sufficiency, and independence. Self-definitions are acquired by youths in their early, formative
years. Good or positive self-definitions furnish youths with inner controls to interfere with
deviant influences. Outer controls, which include family and school, are strong structural
elements that act in concert with or in opposition to inner controls. Assumes an inherent
tendency among youths to deviate, controlling this is critical in order for them to behave
Anomie theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Describes mode of adaptation
(alternative strategies used by others in response to diverse cultural goals; conformity →
innovation → ritualism → retreats → rebellion). Society exposes certain approved cultural goals
to be sought, these goals function as legitimate incentives for societal members to pursue
during their lives.
Delinquent conduct and crime are characteristic responses of those adopting an innovative
mode of adaptation; they want the same things as non-delinquents but cannot obtain them
through legit means
Theory of opportunity in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Indicates that a lack of
opportunity is responsible for juvenile crime
Some youths do not have the same advantages and opportunities for success as others, thus
delinquent conduct allows these youths who lack the opportunity to achieve an alternative
opportunity to succeed through deviant
Developmental theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Detachment from parents,
adoption of unhealthy role models, and personal identity crises seems to exert profound effects
on certain juveniles
Considers faulty childhood development in interacting with the environment as a possible
cause of delinquency during one's adolescence
Moral stages of development in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Essentially there are 3
levels of moral development: pre-conventional, conventional, post-conventional with 2 stages
within each level.
, Kohlberg says 90% of juveniles tend to function at the 3rd stage and second level, where
juveniles re-concerned with gaining approval from others; however some juvenile function at
lower levels of moral dev. and are more inclined to develop propensities for delinquent conduct
Psychodynamic theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Focuses on the dynamic
relations between the conscious and unconscious mind and explores how these psychological
forces might relate to early childhood experiences
Social learning in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Suggest "subcultures of violence,"
poverty, urbanization, or social class as strong causal factors associated with delinquent
conduct
Difference between psychological and sociological theories - ANSWER - Sociologists suggest
"subcultures of violence," poverty, urbanization, or social class as strong casual factors
associated with delinquent conduct
Psychologists also suggest that certain body types, unusual chromosomal patterns, adn
hereditary factors provide compelling explanatory evidence based upon studies of twins and
adopted-parent research
Conclusions of Davis article - ANSWER - Some studies suggest that psychological theories are
not as important in accounting for correlations with delinquency as sociological theories
Researchers opt for a social psychological explanation. There is contradictory evidence about
the importance of family. Self-image is shaped by many forces, including gangs. Research
should include a mixture of both
Psychosomatic medicine - ANSWER - An interdisciplinary medical field exploring the
relationships among social, psychological, and biological factors on bodily processes and quality
of life in humans and animals
Biopsychosocial model of medicine - ANSWER - The model proposes that all three factors:
biological, psychological, and social factors affect and are affected by the person's health
Behavioral medicine - ANSWER - A multidisciplinary field that includes both medical and mental
health professionals who investigate psychological factors in the symptoms, cause, and
treatment of physical illnesses
and Answers) Graded A+
Sociology - ANSWER - The systematic and scientific study of human social life, groups, societies
and the social context in which behavior occurs
Sociological imagination - ANSWER - The application imaginative thought to the asking and
answering of sociological questions. Someone using the sociological imagination "thinks himself
away" from the familiar routines of daily life
Quality of mind that makes it possible to understand the larger meaning of our experiences
Social structure - ANSWER - The underlying regularities of patterns in how people behave and
in their relationships with one another. Individuals can connect their personal experiences to
this
Socialization - ANSWER - A social process through which children develop an awareness of
social norms and values and achieve a distinct sense of self. This is particularly significant in
infancy/childhood but continues to some degree throughout life.
Social control theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Suggests identifying with and
conformity to the norms of social institutions, such as the family/law, are important factors
influencing law abiding behavior
Youth commit offenses because they do not conform to the mores of these institutions, thus
these institutions do not provide an effective control over their behavior
Assumes an inherent tendency among youths to deviate, controlling this is critical in order for
them to behave
Containment theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Examines conformity and deviant
conduct in terms of pushes and pulls
Youths are pushed toward deviant conduct bu both negative internal impulses and an external
environment supportive of deviance
,Positive inner and outer controls are factors acting to prevent deviant "pulls" (behavior)
Ego strength is often equated with a good self-concept and with a sense of individuality, self-
sufficiency, and independence. Self-definitions are acquired by youths in their early, formative
years. Good or positive self-definitions furnish youths with inner controls to interfere with
deviant influences. Outer controls, which include family and school, are strong structural
elements that act in concert with or in opposition to inner controls. Assumes an inherent
tendency among youths to deviate, controlling this is critical in order for them to behave
Anomie theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Describes mode of adaptation
(alternative strategies used by others in response to diverse cultural goals; conformity →
innovation → ritualism → retreats → rebellion). Society exposes certain approved cultural goals
to be sought, these goals function as legitimate incentives for societal members to pursue
during their lives.
Delinquent conduct and crime are characteristic responses of those adopting an innovative
mode of adaptation; they want the same things as non-delinquents but cannot obtain them
through legit means
Theory of opportunity in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Indicates that a lack of
opportunity is responsible for juvenile crime
Some youths do not have the same advantages and opportunities for success as others, thus
delinquent conduct allows these youths who lack the opportunity to achieve an alternative
opportunity to succeed through deviant
Developmental theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Detachment from parents,
adoption of unhealthy role models, and personal identity crises seems to exert profound effects
on certain juveniles
Considers faulty childhood development in interacting with the environment as a possible
cause of delinquency during one's adolescence
Moral stages of development in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Essentially there are 3
levels of moral development: pre-conventional, conventional, post-conventional with 2 stages
within each level.
, Kohlberg says 90% of juveniles tend to function at the 3rd stage and second level, where
juveniles re-concerned with gaining approval from others; however some juvenile function at
lower levels of moral dev. and are more inclined to develop propensities for delinquent conduct
Psychodynamic theory in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Focuses on the dynamic
relations between the conscious and unconscious mind and explores how these psychological
forces might relate to early childhood experiences
Social learning in relation to gang formation - ANSWER - Suggest "subcultures of violence,"
poverty, urbanization, or social class as strong causal factors associated with delinquent
conduct
Difference between psychological and sociological theories - ANSWER - Sociologists suggest
"subcultures of violence," poverty, urbanization, or social class as strong casual factors
associated with delinquent conduct
Psychologists also suggest that certain body types, unusual chromosomal patterns, adn
hereditary factors provide compelling explanatory evidence based upon studies of twins and
adopted-parent research
Conclusions of Davis article - ANSWER - Some studies suggest that psychological theories are
not as important in accounting for correlations with delinquency as sociological theories
Researchers opt for a social psychological explanation. There is contradictory evidence about
the importance of family. Self-image is shaped by many forces, including gangs. Research
should include a mixture of both
Psychosomatic medicine - ANSWER - An interdisciplinary medical field exploring the
relationships among social, psychological, and biological factors on bodily processes and quality
of life in humans and animals
Biopsychosocial model of medicine - ANSWER - The model proposes that all three factors:
biological, psychological, and social factors affect and are affected by the person's health
Behavioral medicine - ANSWER - A multidisciplinary field that includes both medical and mental
health professionals who investigate psychological factors in the symptoms, cause, and
treatment of physical illnesses
