Question

Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are given below. Choose the correct option:

Assertion (A): Population explosion occurs when death rates decline rapidly but birth rates remain high.

Reason (R): Societal reproductive behavior changes instantly with improvements in healthcare.

• A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation
• C. A is true, but R is false
• D. A is false, but R is true

Answer 1

Answer:

C. A is true, but R is false

Assertion (A): Population explosion occurs when death rates decline rapidly but birth rates remain high.

• This statement is TRUE. Population explosion, also known as rapid population growth, happens when the number of births significantly exceeds the number of deaths over a period.

• Historically, this phenomenon was observed when advancements in medicine, sanitation, and agriculture led to a sharp decrease in mortality rates (fewer people dying from diseases and starvation), while birth rates continued to be high due to traditional norms and lack of widespread access to family planning.

• This imbalance creates a positive natural increase in population.

Reason (R): Societal reproductive behavior changes instantly with improvements in healthcare.

• This statement is FALSE. Societal reproductive behavior is influenced by a complex interplay of cultural, social, economic, and educational factors, in addition to healthcare.

• Changes in reproductive behavior, such as a decrease in birth rates, typically occur gradually over time. Factors like increased education for women, urbanization, greater access to contraception, and changing economic conditions often precede or accompany significant shifts in fertility rates.

• While improved healthcare contributes to lower death rates and can indirectly influence family size preferences over the long term, it does not cause an instantaneous change in reproductive behavior.