Sociology of Ageing Quiz

According to functionalists, what is the purpose of the process of 'social disengagement' for the elderly?

• To encourage the elderly to seek new employment opportunities

• To promote active participation of the elderly in society

• To allow younger members of society to take the place of the old in the specialised division of labour

• To provide the elderly with more social relationships

What does conflict theory suggest about the treatment of the elderly in capitalist societies?

• The elderly are given high status and economic power

• The elderly are neglected and seen as a burden on resources

• The elderly have equal opportunities as the younger generation

• The elderly are provided with extensive welfare and health provision

According to labelling theory, how can exposure to ageism affect the mental capability and wellbeing of the elderly?

• It has a positive impact on their mental capability

• It makes them more independent and assertive

• It causes them to behave in a way that confirms the beliefs

• It has no effect on the elderly

What do postmodernists argue about the influence of class, gender, and ethnicity on the experience of old age?

• They have a positive impact on the experience of old age

• They continue to structure the opportunities for the elderly

• They have no influence on the experience of old age

• They are irrelevant in the 21st century

What is the main criticism of postmodernist views of ageing?

• They ignore the negative impact of ageism on the elderly

• They provide a comprehensive understanding of the experience of old age

• They overlook the influence of class, ethnicity, and gender on the opportunities of the elderly

• They emphasize the positive impact of consumerism on the elderly

What do Marxists suggest about the logic of capitalism and its compatibility with the needs of the elderly?

• Capitalism is fully compatible with the needs of the elderly

• Capitalism prioritizes the needs of the elderly

• Capitalism is incompatible with the needs of the elderly

• Capitalism provides equal opportunities for the elderly

According to functionalists, what is the purpose of the ageing process and the social reaction to it?

• To relieve the elderly of economic stress and strains

• To promote active engagement with society for the elderly

• To discourage the elderly from withdrawing from social relationships

• To encourage the elderly to continue their occupational roles

What does labelling theory suggest about the impact of 'baby talk' or infantilised language on older people?

• It promotes assertiveness and self-reliance

• It has no impact on the older people

• It causes them to become more independent

• It causes them to behave in a passive and dependent manner

According to postmodernists, what has undergone a social transformation in UK society in the 21st century?

• The influence of class, gender, and ethnicity

• The experience of old age

• The social experiences based on collective identities

• The individualised and consumerist culture

What do critics of disengagement theory question about the process of disengagement?

• They question the promotion of an uncritically negative view of old age

• They question the active participation of the elderly in society

• They question the inevitability and naturalness of the disengagement process

• They question the positive benefits of disengagement for society and the elderly