Sociology 220 Final Review Guide

A collection of flashcards to aid in studying key concepts in sociology related to drugs, mental health, and environmental issues.

What is a drug?

Any substance that causes a physiological change in the body.

What were cocaine and heroin used for in the early 1900s?

Medicinal purposes, including pain relief and as a cough suppressant.

What is the Harrison Act?

A 1914 federal law that regulated and taxed the production, importation, and distribution of opiates and coca products.

What was the 18th amendment?

Prohibition of alcohol in the United States.

What are the reasons people use drugs?

Pain relief, recreation, socialization, escape, and coping mechanisms.

What is drug abuse?

The harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances.

What are withdrawal symptoms?

Physical and mental symptoms that occur when a dependent drug user stops taking the drug.

What are stimulants?

Drugs that increase alertness, attention, and energy.

What is the most widely used drug in the US?

Caffeine.

Who is a typical cocaine user?

Generally, a middle-class individual, often in urban settings.

Who is a typical crack cocaine user?

Often represents lower-income individuals in urban neighborhoods.

What are depressants?

Substances that reduce neural activity and slow body functions.

What are hallucinogens?

Drugs that cause perceptual anomalies and altered states of consciousness.

What is codependency in terms of drug use?

A situation where one person's behavior relies on another's substance abuse.

What is the Fair Sentencing Act?

A law that reduced the disparity between crack and powder cocaine sentencing.

Who used the phrase 'Just say no to drugs'?

Nancy Reagan.

What does structural functionalism say about using drugs?

Drugs can serve functions in society, such as social bonding and maintaining social order.

What does symbolic interactionism say about drugs?

Focuses on the meanings and symbols attached to drug use and societal reactions.

What does conflict theory say about drugs?

Suggests that drug use is a result of social inequality and power struggles.

What illnesses carry a heavy stigma?

Mental illnesses, especially depression and anxiety disorders.

What is health?

A state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being.

What is a chronic disease vs. an acute disease?

Chronic diseases are long-term and usually progressive; acute diseases are severe but short-term.

What is the DSM V?

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, used for diagnosing mental disorders.

What is the difference between men’s and women’s suicides?

Men tend to use more lethal methods, while women use less lethal means.

What is body dysmorphic syndrome?

A mental disorder characterized by obsessive focus on perceived flaws in appearance.

What is anxiety?

A feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease about something.

What problems does depression cause?

Impaired daily functioning, relationship issues, and decreased quality of life.

Is there a manic-only disease?

Yes, it's known as Bipolar I disorder.

What percent of the US will qualify for a diagnosable disorder at some point?

Approximately 50%.

What is deinstitutionalization?

The process of reducing the population of mental health institutions.

Why don’t people seek help for mental illnesses?

Stigma, lack of awareness, and limited access to treatment.

What is sociology’s contribution to understanding environmental issues?

Examines how social structures and policies impact environmental behaviors.

What is the natural environment?

All living and non-living things occurring naturally.

What has had the most impact on our ability to modify the natural environment?

Industrialization.

What is the environmental deficit?

The gap between environmental sustainability and current consumption levels.

What is the 'logic of growth'?

The belief that continuous economic growth is attainable and desirable.

What is Silent Spring?

A book by Rachel Carson that highlighted the dangers of pesticide use.

What are the impacts of the US being a 'disposable society'?

Increased waste, environmental degradation, and significant resource depletion.

What is recycling?

The process of converting waste into reusable material.

What is acid rain?

Rainfall that is made acidic by atmospheric pollution.

What is environmental racism?

The disproportionate impact of environmental hazards on people of color.

What does conflict theory believe about poorer people and their societies?

That their needs and issues are often neglected in favor of wealthier interests.

What is an ecologically sustainable culture?

A culture that operates within environmental limits and preserves ecological health.