Demographic Structure: Age, Gender, and Life Course (9B) - MCAT Psychological and Social Foundations
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Which population pyramid shape indicates low growth and an aging population?
Which population pyramid shape indicates low growth and an aging population?
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Constrictive/columnar pyramid with a narrow base and larger middle/older ages. Reflects declining birth rates and increased longevity.
Constrictive/columnar pyramid with a narrow base and larger middle/older ages. Reflects declining birth rates and increased longevity.
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In the DTM, which stage has high birth rates and high death rates?
In the DTM, which stage has high birth rates and high death rates?
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Stage $1$ (preindustrial). Both rates high, resulting in stable but small population.
Stage $1$ (preindustrial). Both rates high, resulting in stable but small population.
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What characterizes Stage 3 of the demographic transition model?
What characterizes Stage 3 of the demographic transition model?
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Birth rate declines; population growth slows as deaths remain low. Urbanization and education lead to smaller family preferences.
Birth rate declines; population growth slows as deaths remain low. Urbanization and education lead to smaller family preferences.
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What does “social clock” mean in the life course perspective?
What does “social clock” mean in the life course perspective?
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Culturally preferred timing of major life events. Society's expectations for when milestones should occur.
Culturally preferred timing of major life events. Society's expectations for when milestones should occur.
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What is the sex ratio?
What is the sex ratio?
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Number of males per $100$ females in a population. Calculated as $\frac{\text{males}}{\text{females}} \times 100$.
Number of males per $100$ females in a population. Calculated as $\frac{\text{males}}{\text{females}} \times 100$.
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Identify the age-structure diagram shape that indicates stable population size.
Identify the age-structure diagram shape that indicates stable population size.
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Stationary (roughly rectangular) age structure. Equal birth and death rates maintain population balance.
Stationary (roughly rectangular) age structure. Equal birth and death rates maintain population balance.
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In the DTM, which stage is marked by declining birth rates and low death rates?
In the DTM, which stage is marked by declining birth rates and low death rates?
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Stage $3$ (late industrializing). Urbanization and education lead to smaller family sizes.
Stage $3$ (late industrializing). Urbanization and education lead to smaller family sizes.
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In the DTM, which stage has low birth rates and low death rates with stable population size?
In the DTM, which stage has low birth rates and low death rates with stable population size?
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Stage $4$ (postindustrial). Both rates equalize at low levels, zero natural increase.
Stage $4$ (postindustrial). Both rates equalize at low levels, zero natural increase.
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What is the definition of the life course perspective in sociology?
What is the definition of the life course perspective in sociology?
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How age-graded roles and historical context shape lives over time. Examines how social and historical factors interact with aging.
How age-graded roles and historical context shape lives over time. Examines how social and historical factors interact with aging.
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What is role conflict?
What is role conflict?
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Incompatibility between expectations of two or more social roles. Common in work-family balance challenges.
Incompatibility between expectations of two or more social roles. Common in work-family balance challenges.
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Identify the term for the process by which older adults gradually withdraw from social roles.
Identify the term for the process by which older adults gradually withdraw from social roles.
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Disengagement theory. Controversial theory suggesting mutual withdrawal benefits society.
Disengagement theory. Controversial theory suggesting mutual withdrawal benefits society.
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What defines DTM Stage 1 (preindustrial) in terms of birth and death rates?
What defines DTM Stage 1 (preindustrial) in terms of birth and death rates?
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High birth rate and high death rate; slow population growth. Typical of hunter-gatherer societies with minimal medical care.
High birth rate and high death rate; slow population growth. Typical of hunter-gatherer societies with minimal medical care.
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What defines DTM Stage 2 (transitional) in terms of birth and death rates?
What defines DTM Stage 2 (transitional) in terms of birth and death rates?
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High birth rate with rapidly falling death rate; rapid growth. Medical advances reduce deaths while births remain high.
High birth rate with rapidly falling death rate; rapid growth. Medical advances reduce deaths while births remain high.
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What is the demographic transition model (DTM) used to describe in population change?
What is the demographic transition model (DTM) used to describe in population change?
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A shift from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates with development. Describes how societies progress through predictable population changes.
A shift from high birth/death rates to low birth/death rates with development. Describes how societies progress through predictable population changes.
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What defines DTM Stage 4 (postindustrial) in terms of birth and death rates?
What defines DTM Stage 4 (postindustrial) in terms of birth and death rates?
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Low birth rate and low death rate; stable or slow growth. Characteristic of developed nations with family planning.
Low birth rate and low death rate; stable or slow growth. Characteristic of developed nations with family planning.
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State the formula for the dependency ratio in terms of age-group populations.
State the formula for the dependency ratio in terms of age-group populations.
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Dependency ratio $=\frac{P_{0-14}+P_{65+}}{P_{15-64}}\times 100$. Calculates dependent population as percentage of workers.
Dependency ratio $=\frac{P_{0-14}+P_{65+}}{P_{15-64}}\times 100$. Calculates dependent population as percentage of workers.
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What is a population pyramid used to display in demography?
What is a population pyramid used to display in demography?
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Age and sex distribution of a population. Visual tool showing demographic structure by age cohorts.
Age and sex distribution of a population. Visual tool showing demographic structure by age cohorts.
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What is the definition of gender as a sociological construct (as distinct from sex)?
What is the definition of gender as a sociological construct (as distinct from sex)?
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Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and expectations linked to perceived sex. Differs from biological sex; varies across cultures and time.
Socially constructed roles, behaviors, and expectations linked to perceived sex. Differs from biological sex; varies across cultures and time.
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What is the definition of demography in the context of population studies?
What is the definition of demography in the context of population studies?
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Study of population size, structure, distribution, and change. Analyzes how populations grow, shrink, and change over time.
Study of population size, structure, distribution, and change. Analyzes how populations grow, shrink, and change over time.
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What is a cohort in demographic analysis?
What is a cohort in demographic analysis?
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Group sharing a common time-based life event (for example, birth year). Used to track generational patterns and life course effects.
Group sharing a common time-based life event (for example, birth year). Used to track generational patterns and life course effects.
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What is the dependency ratio, and what age groups does it compare?
What is the dependency ratio, and what age groups does it compare?
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Dependents ($0$–$14$ and $65+$) relative to working-age ($15$–$64$). Measures economic burden on the productive population.
Dependents ($0$–$14$ and $65+$) relative to working-age ($15$–$64$). Measures economic burden on the productive population.
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Which population pyramid shape is most consistent with rapid growth?
Which population pyramid shape is most consistent with rapid growth?
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Expansive pyramid (broad base, narrow top). Young population with high birth rates creates wide base.
Expansive pyramid (broad base, narrow top). Young population with high birth rates creates wide base.
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Which population pyramid shape is most consistent with slow or zero growth?
Which population pyramid shape is most consistent with slow or zero growth?
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Stationary pyramid (more rectangular profile). Equal birth and death rates create uniform age distribution.
Stationary pyramid (more rectangular profile). Equal birth and death rates create uniform age distribution.
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Which population pyramid shape is most consistent with population decline?
Which population pyramid shape is most consistent with population decline?
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Constrictive pyramid (narrow base relative to middle). Low birth rates create smaller younger cohorts than middle-aged.
Constrictive pyramid (narrow base relative to middle). Low birth rates create smaller younger cohorts than middle-aged.
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What is the sex ratio, and how is it commonly expressed?
What is the sex ratio, and how is it commonly expressed?
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Males per females, often per $100$ females. Indicates gender balance; $>100$ means more males.
Males per females, often per $100$ females. Indicates gender balance; $>100$ means more males.
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State the formula for sex ratio as males per $100$ females.
State the formula for sex ratio as males per $100$ females.
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Sex ratio $=\frac{M}{F}\times 100$. Multiplied by $100$ to express as males per $100$ females.
Sex ratio $=\frac{M}{F}\times 100$. Multiplied by $100$ to express as males per $100$ females.
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What is the definition of life expectancy at birth?
What is the definition of life expectancy at birth?
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Average years a newborn is expected to live given current mortality rates. Key indicator of population health and development level.
Average years a newborn is expected to live given current mortality rates. Key indicator of population health and development level.
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What is the dependency ratio, and what groups does it compare?
What is the dependency ratio, and what groups does it compare?
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Ratio of dependents (young+old) to working-age population. Measures economic burden on productive population.
Ratio of dependents (young+old) to working-age population. Measures economic burden on productive population.
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State the formula for dependency ratio using $0$–$14$, $15$–$64$, and $65+$ age groups.
State the formula for dependency ratio using $0$–$14$, $15$–$64$, and $65+$ age groups.
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Dependency ratio $=\frac{(0\text{–}14)+(65+)}{15\text{–}64}$. Standard formula divides dependents by workers.
Dependency ratio $=\frac{(0\text{–}14)+(65+)}{15\text{–}64}$. Standard formula divides dependents by workers.
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Identify the dependency ratio when $0$–$14=30$, $65+=10$, and $15$–$64=60$ (proportions).
Identify the dependency ratio when $0$–$14=30$, $65+=10$, and $15$–$64=60$ (proportions).
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Dependency ratio $=\frac{30+10}{60}=\frac{2}{3}$. Calculation: $\frac{40}{60}$ simplifies to $\frac{2}{3}$.
Dependency ratio $=\frac{30+10}{60}=\frac{2}{3}$. Calculation: $\frac{40}{60}$ simplifies to $\frac{2}{3}$.
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