Exam 1

Question 1

define social policy

Answer 1

Social policy is the direct action taken by the government to improve the well-being of its citizens

Question 2

systems in Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory

Answer 2

Erie brofenbrenners ecological theory is also known as the bioecological model as it involves the importance of brain, behavior,environment, and context. Its focus on context brings light to the bidirectional influences between the interactions of each thing. This includes 4 systems outside the individual: microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, and macrosystem.

Question 3

Microsystem

Answer 3

are the most direct and immediate environment such as family, peers, school, church, and health services

Question 4

Mesosystem

Answer 4

are the interactions and connections with direct influences.

Question 5

exosystem

Answer 5

are the indirect influences such as neighbors, industry, mass media, local politics, and social services

Question 6

macrosystem

Answer 6

are the attitudes and ideologies of the culture.

Question 7

components of systems theory : wholeness

Answer 7

refers to how social policy must counter the whole picture.

Question 8

components of systems theory : Rules

Answer 8

brings light to how policies are ineffective if they do not understand meta rules (rules about rules). This is crucial in change as it is important to know how decisions were made.

Question 9

components of systems theory : Boundaries

Answer 9

component involves rigid boundaries and ideology impact being effective in policy making.

Question 10

components of systems theory : Homeostasis/Morphogenesis

Answer 10

bring tension between maintaining status quo and changing.

Question 11

components of systems theory : Feedback loops

Answer 11

is how a system takes in information and uses it to recognize itself. it is an ongoing process of evaluating outcomes and changing them as needed

Question 12

components of systems theory : Hierarchy

Answer 12

is how a system is organized based on power. Powerful policies persist in spite of criticism or waning effectiveness.

Question 13

components of systems theory : circular causality

Answer 13

is the idea that there is no single cause, but a complex system. A nonlinear view of causality is most effective.

Question 14

components of systems theory : Equifinality

Answer 14

means that there is multiple ways that can be used to get the same result or how the same way can produce different results. There is more than one way to solve societal problems.

Question 15

name the two distinct types of inputs that the government receives in order to operate

Answer 15

The government works by receiving 2 types of input: demands and support. Demands involve the various groups in society that have a common need for certain resources (usually scarce). Support is the mass approval for a certain political movement.

Question 16

Dialectical Perspective

Answer 16

The dialectical perspective believes that all things are a phenomena of ongoing contradictions between opposite poles of thesis and anti-thesis emerging change through the production of synthesis. Klaus Riegal developed this theory and believed child development occurs through the interaction of 4 dimensions that would come into conflict with each other. These include inner/biological, individual/psychological, outer/physical (ex: puberty conflicting with individual/psychological), and social/cultural. Baxter and Montgomery (1998) relational dialectics emphasizes the contradictions in human relationships: totality ( idea that must address the whole issue), Change (system always going be influx), contradiction(inability of any one thingto have all the answers), and Praxis (idea that to know something we must know what it is not).

Question 17

Convergent thinking

Answer 17

is finding a logical and well thought-out solution to a problem (decide what to do).

Question 18

Divergent Thinking

Answer 18

seeks the ultimate solution but acknowledges that many viable solutions exist simultaneously (explore possibilities).

Question 19

The types of policies

Answer 19

Distributive, Regulatory, self-regulatory, and Redistributive policy

Question 20

models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each: Rationalism/comprehension model

Answer 20

focuses on maximizing the greatest good for human kind.The downfall in this model is that it is hard to abandon, ever if it doesn’t work.

Question 21

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each : Elitism

Answer 21

is the view that a small group of a governing body has the knowledge and expertise to share a policy. It’s weakness is that it depends completely on the knowledge and ethics of the elite group.

Question 22

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each : The process model

Answer 22

stresses the necessity of a coherent succession of actions in the development’s of policy. It involves 6 stages: Recognize the problem, Estimate various problems involved in moving the concern to an agenda, Concern has risen to the agenda, Ongoing evaluation of the issue and possible ways of addressing it (a decision is made on how to act), Concrete stepsane taken to implement the policy, and Ongoing evaluation of the policy’s success. It’s con is how it has too much attention on the process.

Question 23

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each : Group theory

Answer 23

are groups that advocate for specific policies. Its weakness is that its too focused on self-interests.

Question 24

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each : The risk and resilience model

Answer 24

based on reducing the risk and increasing protective factors. Its con is that the focus is on short term outcomes.

Question 25

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each : The systems model

Answer 25

holds the belief that disparate parts get in coordination as a greater whole. Its weakness is that it does not describe the process of interaction. It only looks at the different parts and how they interact.

Question 26

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each : Systems/dialectical model

Answer 26

explains how the decision making process works to form the policy outcome. However, it does not address the status quo because it is constantly looking at contradictions.

Question 27

Policymaking process and what needs to occur in order for policies to be created

Answer 27

In order for policies to be created: events must be traumatic/hideous, create widespread concern, and have the attention of a passionate advocate group. Step 1 is the Initiation phase where the discovery of an issue takes time and the media/TV/etc. raise concern. Step 2 is the implementation phase where they assess how many people have the problem,what are possible actions, and what would happen if they didn’t do anything. Step 3 is proposing ideas and Step 4 is to evaluate.
C

Question 28

Describe the demographics of children today

Answer 28

Overall, the number of children has increased (in total, not per family). The ratio of adults to children has decreased. There are now more diverse children; the reason for more children (ex: hispanic families tend to have more children).

Question 29

The indicators of a home environment that are related to child wellbeing

Answer 29

Type and quality of parenting, presence of both parents, immigration status, and language spoken.

Question 30

Define fragile families

Answer 30

Fragile families are families that are at risk of breaking up and going into poverty.

Question 31

The common mental health diagnoses that children receive and the racial / gender disparities in diagnosing

Answer 31

With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), children are being over prescribed and overdiagnosed. This is due to children being seen acting up in the classroom and medication as the solution. Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) is over diagnosed in boys and children of color. This is due to boys usually being hyperactive and labeled as acting out. Also, from created stereotype, black boys struggle with behavior management. Both ODD and conduct disorder are characterized by deviant behavior. Depression and anxiety are common, even in young children. They tend to be higher for low-income children and adolescents. Likelihood of children going undiagnosed as lots lack the language to communicate. When it comes to Alcohol and Substance Use girls and white children are most likely. Tourette syndrome and Tic Disorder is related to OCD, ODD, and ADHD.

Question 32

The research findings related to nonparental childcare and preschool for all

Answer 32

Non parental childcare involves research investigating quality of care. They investigate the structure (physical environment) and process ( interactions between the caregiver and child). There are lots of variables to consider such as child, family, and environmental characteristics. Findings include that quality is key, children benefit from quality care, and there is no difference in attachment. With preschool for all question, it brings attention to the achievement gap. This refers to how different groups have different achievement levels. Black children are two months behind and Hispanics are three months behind white children. Low-income children are three months behind and middle class are two months behind (gap widens throughout school). Limitations are brought to groups due to systematic resources and racism.
The results demonstrate that low-income children should while high-income don’t have to. This is because low-income children who received high quality care scored higher on IQ measures that extended into grade school. On the other hand, high-income children didn’t bring more benefit from attending preschool. Research doesn’t generally suggest increased benefits due to large systematic factors. Nevertheless, 3/4 of American children already attend preschool and there is no public cry for more assistance. Larger public preschools would eliminate private providers. This means that if the government stepped in to fund, it may eliminate private preschools which could eliminate parent choice.

Question 33

Conceptualize the systems/dialectical perspective on social policy and children

Answer 33

A systems dialectical perspective on social policy & children generally believes family is responsible for this, government picks up the slack, and children need protection, support, and nurturance. it identifies policies that improve a families ability to provide for one another without reliance and dependence on the government long term. The US government assists through allocating funds such as income assistance,housing aid, food programs,and health insurance.
Promoting marriage is one belief but married people also live in poverty. However, financial stress is related to divorce. The goal of the systems dialectical perspective is to protect and support women by not help creating a false sense of security in marriage. in doing so they support outside marriage and marital support (ex: therapy). When it comes to child health, early prevention is key. But early prescription of adult strength medications without proper research can be harmful. They can have unknown side effects and may not be proven to resolve the issue.

Question 34

Reasons why topics related to children and their families are difficult to talk about

Answer 34

They are uncomfortable, emotional, and contentious (get each other riled up)

Question 35

The categories that concerns for the welfare of the fetus fall into

Answer 35

Concern for the welfare of the fetus fall into the following categories: fetal alcohol spectrum disorder, neglect, poor nutrition, ingestion of illegal substances, fetal tissue used for stem cell research, and abortion.

Question 36

The role that neurotransmitters play in the prenatal period

Answer 36

Neurotransmitters play a pivotal role in the prenatal period through cell replication, call differentiation, cell growth, and cell death.

Question 37

Effects of nicotine

Answer 37

Nicotine exposure leads to cell loss and death. It also results in impaired learning, ADHD, behavioral disorders, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Question 38

Effects of Alcohol

Answer 38

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) is part of the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) where brain damage occurs. Adolescents with FAS tend to be shorter than average, low academic performance, poor judgement, and social maladjustment. Effects of alcohol include brain and spinal damage, hippocampal shrinkage, slower neural migration, and central & peripheral nervous system damage.

Question 39

Effects of Cocaine

Answer 39

Cocaine directly enters the blood stream of a fetus. It effects the placenta in many ways such as detainment and spontaneous abortion. It can also restrict blood flow, cause strokes, and reduce nutrition (low birth weight). It man after the brain structure and brain cell production.

Question 40

Effects of Prescribtion meds

Answer 40

Prescription medications may affect the Apgar score .

Question 41

Conceptualize the systems/dialectical perspective on a child’s right to be born free of damage vs. the mother’s rights

Answer 41

Conversation usually centers around the right to an abortion. The two opposing camps are prenatal experience is important for long long term health and a fetus is part of a woman’s body. For when criminalizing the mother’s behavior during pregnancy: Mothers who blankly disregard the heath of the fetus should be charged with child abuse vs. Criminalizing drug use will lead to less treatment seeking and increase mental health concerns. For topic of mother’s constitutional rights: many women drink, smoke, etc. before they know they are pregnant vs. Risks to the fetus in any trimester is punishable. Topic of mother’s reproductive rights: doesn’t a mother have rights vs. No reproductive rights, what about the fetus. Topic of discrimination against women: men also liable for fetus health if using same drugs that can effect the sperm vs. fetus in women’s body. Topic of right to privacy: women’s business vs. what about the fetus.

Question 42

Definition of poverty

Answer 42

are families that fall below a certain income level based on the lost of food x3

Question 43

Three ways to measure poverty

Answer 43

There are 3 ways to measure poverty: income basis used by the government(cost of food x3), supplemental poverty measure (government spending as a whole to reduce poverty), and amount of money that families spend (what families are actually spending;general living expenses beyond just food).

Question 44

The child poverty rates

Answer 44

Poverty Rate for children has increased in the last decade. It differs according to race and increase in single-parent families is correlated with poverty level. The US ranks amongst the highest in child poverty.

Question 45

the effects of poverty on children

Answer 45

The effects of poverty on children include family instability, violence, poor housing, poor living conditions, lack of social support, and less parental supervision. Limits body’s ability to balance stress and stress for long periods of time can negatively impact quality & quantity of life. Poor school readiness (low test & IQ scores) for which home learning environment accounts for. Poor postnatal environment car affect brain function, resulting in problems regulating behaviors and emotions. Parenting is impacted by chronic stress (punitive punishment, lack knowledge, poor relationship skills, and parent mental health). Child-parent attachment depends on the caregivers abilities to provide to the of the child. There are also environmental factors such as missing more days of school, severe asthma, and exposure to lead.

Question 46

Define welfare state and be able to distinguish it from the free market

Answer 46

Welfare state is when an economically developed government provides assistance for poor and needy families. Free market refers to the ability of supply and demand without government intervention.

Question 47

The debate for and against raising the minimum wage

Answer 47

The debate for raising the minimum wage say it would offer families the ability to participate in the economy and would reduce poverty without additional government expenditures. The debate against raising the minimum wage say that minimum wage jobs are not meant to create a high standard of living, it would hurt business owners, and it would reduce motivation to improve one’s lot in life.

Question 48

Define “cliff effects”

Answer 48

Cliff effects are when it is help but also a burden. This is because if they get pushed right above the poverty line, they lose government assistance.

Question 49

Conceptualize the systems/dialectical perspective on social policy and poverty

Answer 49

Conceptualizing poverty involves individual (person is at fault; lazy, unable, bad characteristics, etc.) vs. context (society is at fault; no equal access, not a characteristic or a desire to be in poverty). Lifting people out of poverty and economic growth have a bidirectional dependency. In order for people to participate in economic growth, they must have access to the tools that allow them to participate.

Question 50

What are the No Child Left Behind policy

Answer 50

Signed into law by George W. Bush. Ensure accountability by administering standardized testing and it held teachers accountable for student outcomes. Reward schools for high achievement and punish those that fall below the standards. It was believed to help close the achievement gap.

Question 51

The reasons behind our education system crisis

Answer 51

No one is happy about the current education system but both conservatives and progressives continue to disagree on how to fix it. Some problems include high teacher attrition rates (45% burn out and leave after 5 years), need closer teacher/parent involvement ( both stressed and busy with a poor partnership), students graduate with poor literacy skills, reform efforts have produced few results (achievement gap, math & science steady, and low teacher count), and majority of education budget goes to administration ( staff, resource officers, lockdown procedure)

Question 52

What are the common core curriculum including advantages and disadvantages

Answer 52

The advantage of common core curriculum is that there is consistency across educational domains. The disadvantage of common core curriculum is that it does not address the needs of those of extreme (most/least gifted).

Question 53

The beliefs of Sir Ken Robinson, particularly his agency based approach

Answer 53

According to Robinson, the challenge of education is not how to raise the bar of achievement, but how to respond to each child’s way of learning. The Agency-based approach includes individual choice rather than compulsion, pursuit of truth from original sources, parents are the main guide, and top-down hierarchal system only benefits high SES children.

Question 54

Conceptualize the systems/dialectical perspective on social policy and education

Answer 54

Current lack of systems or holistic thinking. Holding schools accountable for student test scores is linear and doesn’t grasp complexity. The non-linear interacting system is a better fit as it includes flexibility, evolution, and various systems interacting to contribute to student learning. End the blame game and focus on how students learn. Change our understanding of intelligence because we tend to believe intelligence is based off score. Should include creativity and not measure by scale. Continue policy debates on whether federal department of education is needed. Eliminate policies/programs that are ineffective (remove & replace).

Question 55

Define Distributive policy

Answer 55

is the allocation of funds to a target group.

Question 56

Define Regulatory policies

Answer 56

are rules and guidelines to accomplish certain goals

Question 57

Define Self-regulatory policy

Answer 57

refer to policies being set up by a group to advance its interests.

Question 58

Define Redistributive policy

Answer 58

is policies shift resources from one group to another.

Question 59

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each : Incrementalism

Answer 59

are how changes to social policy occur from small and unplanned changes overtime. However, it does not grasp the significance of events.

Question 60

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each: Game theory

Answer 60

focuses on the interactions of humans as being the foundation of social policy. it includes 3 types of interactions: cooperative (form partnerships and pool resources), non-cooperative (operate in privacy and mistrust), and hybrid(groups joining together but playing competitively). Its downfall is that it is too mechanistic and deterministic.

Question 61

Models for social policy development and understand the weaknesses of each: The institutional model

Answer 61

holds the belief that public institutions create public policy. However, the disjointed agencies lead to inconsistent policies.