Module 2 - Sociological Perspective on Aging

Question 1

“A sociological perspective understands aging and

age-related problems as…

Answer 1

more than private, personal
troubles faced by individuals, but as public,
political issues faced by many and shaped by the
socio-historical context.”

Question 2

Sociological Perspective on Aging: Macro-Micro Connection (Individual Society)
• Applying a sociological perspective to aging also involves making the connection between…

Answer 2

micro-level individual aging experiences and macro-level social structures, social processes, and social forces.

Question 3

What are the 3 main concepts sociologists use to study aging?

Answer 3

Social structure, Social stratification, time and social context

Question 4

The “ways in which a society is organized at a given point in history, including its distribution of wealth, political, and economic system, cultural patterns, dominant social roles, and power relations between groups”
is the definition of what key concept sociologists use to study aging?

Answer 4

Social structure

Question 5

Concepts that refer to the societal expectations and perceptions toward the timing of age events and transitions as well as concepts that focus on changes that occur in successive groups of aging individuals.
Is the definition of what key concept sociologists use to study aging?

Answer 5

Concepts Related to Time & Social Context

Question 6

The “structured, patterned differences in access to power and resources …” that affect our opportunities and experiences as we age. Structured inequality across groups of individuals (e.g., classes, gender, ethnicities).
Is the definition of what key concept sociologists use to study aging?

Answer 6

Social stratification

Question 7

Which sociological concept in the study of aging do the following concepts belong to?

1) Inequality, Exclusion
2) Generation, Cohort, Age Norms
3) Social Institutions, Status, Roles

Answer 7

Social structure - Social Institutions, Status, Roles
Social stratification - Inequality, Exclusion
Time and social context - Generation, Cohort, Age Norms

Question 8

The following theories fit under what major sociological theoretical paradigm? Disengagement, modernization, age stratification, life course

Answer 8

Structural-functional

Question 9

The following theories fit under what major sociological theoretical paradigm?
Social constructionism, social phenomenology, exchange

Answer 9

Symbolic-interaction

Question 10

The following theories fit under what major sociological theoretical paradigm?
Political economy, feminist theory

Answer 10

Social-conflict