FINAL EXAM – ALCOHOL & U.S. SOCIETY (BEHS 364)

 

This exam is worth a possible 20 points based on two essay questions (worth 5 points each) and five open-ended questions (worth 2 points each). Please do not exceed the maximum word count assigned to each question (1,000 words for essay; 200 words for open-ended). Be sure to save your work frequently and to keep a copy until exams have been graded. Completed exams should be saved in Word (.doc, .docx) or rich text (.rtf) file format and uploaded into the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

E-Mail:

 

 

 

1. Essay (1,000 words maximum):

 

 

 

Epidemiological research focuses on how rates of alcohol use and drinking problems vary over time and in different societies. Based on the epidemiological evidence that we have examined in this course, how would you describe the current status of alcohol problems in the U.S. among adolescents and adults as (1) compared the 1970s in the U.S. and (2) as compared to other societies today? Be sure to answer both parts of the question and identify the sources of your epidemiological data (although you don’t need to include formal citations and references). Please avoid the use of graphics and describe these epidemiological trends and patterns in words only. Type your answer below, using as much space as you need (within the 1,000 word limit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Essay (1,000 words maximum):

 

 

 

A variety of social, psychological, and biological factors have been proposed as the causes of serious drinking problems and alcohol dependence. Now that you have read about and discussed these factors, what would you conclude about each of them with regard to their respective roles in the causation of alcohol use disorders? Describe and evaluate the relative contributions of (1) social, (2) psychological, and (3) biological factors in the causation of serious alcohol problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Open-ended (200 words maximum):

 

 

 

BAC (blood alcohol content) is determined by more than just the amount of alcohol consumed by an individual. As discussed in Kinney, what other variables have been found to affect BAC across different individuals and drinking occasions?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Open-ended (200 words maximum):

 

 

 

Based on the research reviewed by Kinney, what is the current state of knowledge about the effects of parental drinking on children of alcoholics (COAs)? In other words, what does the evidence say about the impact of family environment and/or genetic influences on drinking problems among COAs?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. Open-ended (200 words maximum):

 

 

 

Who was E.M. Jellinek and what were his most significant contributions to the field of alcohol studies?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. Open-ended (200 words maximum):

 

 

 

Briefly describe the fundamental differences between the “objectivist” and the “constructionist” perspectives on alcohol problems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Open-ended (200 words maximum):

 

 

 

How do the typical drinking patterns of Jews and Conservative Protestants (e.g., Southern Baptists, Mormons) differ with regard to (1) rates of alcohol use and (2) rates of drinking problems?