Problemset
Title
Essay Questions
Introductory
Text
Question 1
What is a social network and are there gender, age, SES, and racial group differences?
Hint:
Type:
Essay
Feedback: pp. 208-211 A network is our collection of others (family and friends) who are
closest to us and the source of our social support. Group differences are
described and qualified on these pages. Such differences are often dependent
on other differences (e.g., race differences depend to some extent on marital
status).
Question 2
How do social, psychological, and behavioral factors play a role in the positive relationship
between social support and health?
Type:
Hint:
Essay
Feedback: pp. 211-212 Stress should be an important part of your answer. You know that
stress has a negative effect on health (Chap. 5) and social support seems to
alleviate stress through social buffering. Psychological factors to talk about
include the importance of perceiving social support. Behavioral factors might
operate to help (friends tell you to quit smoking) or negatively (friends offer you
cigarettes).
Question 3
What factors contribute to a stable, long-lasting marriage and what factors are likely to lead
to divorce?
Type:
Hint:
Essay
Feedback: pp. 213-221 The two sets of factors are not simply opposites of one another.
Among marriage factors are marital satisfaction, friendship, continuing
affection, use of humor, and others discussed in the text. Factors leading to
divorce are a little different than those named by people already divorced.
Among the former is foolish spending, while communication problems are
among the latter. What are some other examples from the text? Infidelity
appears in both research strategies.
Question 4
Type:
What are the types of elder abuse, who is more likely to be abused, who is the more likely
abuser, and what is the major difference between elder abuse and other instances of
domestic abuse?
Essay
Hint:
Feedback: Box 10-1 Six types of elder abuse are listed and you should define each of
these. There are differences in the age and ethnic groups for abuse victims
(but maybe some groups are more likely to report abuse). Children are the
most frequent abusers. The major difference centers on shelter for victims of
different types of abuse.
Question 5
What are the advantages and disadvantages of cohabitation for older adults?
Hint:
Type:
Essay
Feedback: p. 219 Advantages may be largely economic while disadvantages may be a
result of norms for older cohorts. The view of older adults toward cohabitation
practiced by others and by themselves (these may not be the views of the
same people) should be discussed.
Question 6
Why does sexual activity decline with age and does it ever stop completely?
Hint:
Do you think your grandparents have sex?
Type:
Feedback: pp. 222-224 Your text discusses this decline as a function of hormonal
Essay
changes, physical changes, health, medications, partner availability, and social
attitudes so your answer should also discuss these factors. Sex may stop for
individuals but not because of age.
Question 7
In what ways are gay and lesbian couples similar to and different from heterosexual
couples?
Type:
Hint:
Essay
Feedback: p. 216-219 They are similar in most ways (examples of specific similarities are
discussed in the text). They differ in the importance of close social network
members being aware of their orientation and in the obstacles they face (e.g.,
when a partner is hospitalized).
Question 8
What factors play a positive role in the lives of grandparents?
Hint:
Are your grandparents happy? Why?
Type:
Feedback: pp. 227-230 Think about the ages at which grandparents are happiest (age is
Essay
Question 9
one factor). List the four rewards that grandparents name as important for
them (e.g., spoiling the grandchildren). Talk about the positive feelings and
pride that occurs when a grandchild makes a surprise contact and/or asks for
advice.
How are the friendships of younger and older adults different?
Hint:
Type:
Essay
Question 10
Type:
Essay
Feedback: pp. 230-234 Friendships are said to have six major characteristics. Four of
these are less frequent in older friendships. Older friendships are also more
likely to be cross-gender. Why is that?
Religion is strongly associated with good health and longevity. What are the important
factors that mediate this relationship?
Hint:
Why does religion seem to result in better health?
Feedback: pp. 234-238 The text discusses the factors of religious demands, social
support, network expansion, prayerful meditation, and positive outlook.