Foundations of Philippine Contemporary Social Issues – Review

A set of Q&A flashcards covering social structure, sociological perspectives, social institutions, environmental issues, climate phenomena, DENR leadership, natural resources, and Philippine solid-waste legislation.

What are the four elements of social structure?

institusyon, Social Groups, Gampanin, Status

Name and define the two kinds of status in sociology.

Ascribed status – assigned at birth or involuntarily acquired;

Achieved status – voluntarily earned or chosen through effort.

What are the two main kinds of social groups?

Primary groups (intimate, face-to-face) and Secondary groups (formal, goal-oriented, impersonal).

Give the complete names of the three sociologists discussed in class.

Émile Durkheim, Karl Heinrich Marx, and Charles Horton Cooley.

How did Émile Durkheim define society?

A reality sui generis that exists beyond and constrains individual actions.

How did Karl Marx view society?

A structure shaped by class conflict over control of the means of production.

According to Charles Horton Cooley, what is society?

An interweaving and interworking of mental selves formed through interaction.

Differentiate a personal issue from a social issue.

A personal issue affects an individual privately; a social issue affects large numbers of people and is rooted in societal structures.

Define illegal logging.

The harvesting, transporting, or selling of timber in violation of laws and regulations.

Define deforestation and reforestation.

Deforestation – large-scale clearing of forests; Reforestation – re-planting or natural regeneration of trees in deforested areas.

What is migration?

The movement of people from one place to another for residence or work.

Explain climate migration.

Population movements triggered primarily by climate-related factors such as droughts, floods, or rising sea levels.

List the five major social institutions and one core function of each.

Family – socialization and emotional support; Government – lawmaking and order; Religion/Church – moral and spiritual guidance; School/Education – knowledge and skill transmission; Hospital/Health – maintenance and restoration of health.

What are La Niña and its common Philippine effects?

Cooling of central & eastern Pacific Ocean resulting in above-normal rainfall, stronger typhoons, and flooding.

Define El Niño and mention one impact on the Philippines.

Warming of central & eastern Pacific Ocean leading to drought, water shortages, and reduced agricultural yield.

Give a concise definition of climate change.

Long-term alteration of global or regional climate patterns, largely due to anthropogenic greenhouse-gas emissions.

Who is the Secretary of the Philippine DENR as of 2025 (projected continuation of the 2022 appointment)?

Ma. Antonia "Toni" Yulo-Loyzaga.

Name the five basic components that make up a social institution.

Personnel, Equipment/Resources, Norms & Rules, Values & Goals, and Social Statuses/Roles.

Provide two reasons why studying contemporary issues is important.

It develops critical thinking and promotes informed, active citizenship in solving social problems.

Define a contemporary issue.

A current, publicly debated problem that affects society and demands collective attention and solutions.

Give five major categories of natural resources.

Forest resources, Mineral resources, Water resources, Land/Soil resources, and Energy resources (e.g., fossil fuels, renewables).

What is solid waste?

Any discarded or abandoned solid material such as household trash, industrial scraps, and agricultural refuse.

What are the 3 R’s of solid-waste management?

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

What is Republic Act 9003?

The Ecological Solid Waste Management Act of 2000, mandating segregation, recycling, and proper disposal of solid waste in the Philippines.