AAMC FL Practice Exam

Which demographic change does the Demographic Transition Model describe?

1. A shift from high to low birth and death rates

2. An increase in social mobility

3. The decline of cultural traditions

4. A rise in ethnic diversity

The correct answer is: A shift from high to low birth and death rates

The Demographic Transition Model illustrates the transition of a society from high birth and death rates to low birth and death rates over time, typically as a country develops economically. This model is generally divided into several stages: 1. In the initial stage, both the birth and death rates are high, which results in a relatively stable population. 2. As societies transition into the second stage, improvements in healthcare and sanitation lead to a significant decrease in death rates while birth rates remain high, causing population growth. 3. In subsequent stages, as economic development continues and social changes occur, particularly in women’s education and workforce participation, birth rates begin to decline, moving communities into the fourth stage where both birth and death rates are low. This shift reflects the processes of modernization and urbanization that accompany economic growth, making the selected answer about a transition from high to low birth and death rates accurate. The other options pertain to different societal changes that are not specifically addressed by the Demographic Transition Model. Social mobility involves interactions between socioeconomic classes, cultural traditions reflect societal values and practices, and ethnic diversity deals with the composition of a population, none of which are components of the demographic transition framework that focuses primarily on population dynamics.