FREE BMS Sociology Death and Dying Questions and Answers Flashcards

What is 'anticipatory grief' in the sociology of death and dying?

Answer: Grief experienced before an expected death occurs

Anticipatory grief is the mourning process that begins when a death is expected, allowing individuals to start processing the loss beforehand.

According to the 'dying trajectory' concept developed by Glaser and Strauss, which trajectory involves a slow and predictable decline?

Answer: Lingering trajectory

The lingering trajectory describes a gradual, expected decline typically seen in chronic illness, where death is anticipated over weeks or months.

Which factor has contributed most to the growth of the hospice movement in the United States?

Answer: A cultural shift toward prioritizing quality of life in terminal illness

The hospice movement grew from increasing recognition that comfort-focused care better serves the needs and dignity of dying patients.

In sociological terms, what role does a funeral serve for the bereaved community?

Answer: It provides a structured rite of passage that facilitates the transition from life to social memory

Funerals function as rites of passage that help communities collectively process loss and transition the deceased into memory and legacy.

What does the term 'death system' as used by Robert Kastenbaum encompass?

Answer: The interconnected people, places, symbols, and practices a society uses to deal with death

Kastenbaum's death system includes all sociocultural components—people, places, times, objects, and symbols—through which a society mediates its relationship with death.

How does socioeconomic status most directly affect the death and dying experience in the United States?

Answer: Lower-income individuals have less access to quality end-of-life care and palliative services

Research consistently shows that socioeconomic disparities lead to unequal access to hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning resources.