Study guides › P/S › Sociology
Demographics & Social Change
This chapter covers population measures and pyramids, the demographic transition and Malthus, migration and urbanization, globalization, and social movements and technology as sources of change. You will read rates and shapes, then match each term to a scenario.
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What this chapter covers
- Population Measures & Population Pyramids. You should compute a birth rate from a scenario and read a pyramid's shape to describe a country's growth.
- The Demographic Transition & Malthus. The transition model links falling death rates and then birth rates to population growth, and Malthus is the classic pessimistic counterpoint.
- Migration & Urbanization. Push-pull factors, net migration, and the stages of city change are tested as short scenarios.
- Globalization. Globalization questions ask you to classify an economic or cultural effect and to name winners and critics.
- Social Movements, Technology & Social Change. Theories of why movements form and succeed are matched to scenarios, so learn the trigger each theory emphasizes.
Key points to know
- Natural increase = birth rate − death rate (migration is separate)
- Replacement-level total fertility is about 2.1
- Stage 2 begins when the death rate falls; growth is fastest there
- Birth rate falls later because of urbanization, women's education, contraception
- Net migration = immigrants − emigrants
- Push factors repel (war, famine); pull factors attract (jobs, safety)
- Globalization = growing worldwide interconnection
- Outsourcing = using another firm; offshoring = moving work abroad
Try a practice question
In a low-mortality country, replacement-level total fertility is about
- 1.0 children per woman
- 2.1 children per woman
- 3.5 children per woman
- 4.0 children per woman
Show the answer
B. A little above two children per woman replaces both parents, allowing for children who die early or are not born as female. Lower values lead to eventual shrinkage without migration.
Common questions
What does this chapter cover?
Demographics & Social Change covers Population Measures & Population Pyramids, The Demographic Transition & Malthus, Migration & Urbanization, Globalization, Social Movements, Technology & Social Change.
What should I know first?
Natural increase = birth rate − death rate (migration is separate) Replacement-level total fertility is about 2.1 Stage 2 begins when the death rate falls; growth is fastest there
24 original practice questions accompany this chapter in the app. Spaced review brings missed ideas back at the right time; it helps memory but cannot promise you will not miss an idea again.