Sociologists have shifted their views on social problems over time. Initially, social problems were seen as individual pathologies, but now they are understood in their social context. There are two main types of social problems - norm violations and harmful social conditions. For social conditions, sociologists examine how power and resources are distributed in society and who benefits from and is harmed by existing social arrangements. The sociological imagination allows us to see how broader social forces influence individual experiences. When studying social problems, sociologists aim to remain objective but recognize that complete neutrality is impossible. They use various research methods like surveys, experiments, observation and existing data.
This document certifies that Sterling Price successfully completed the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Examination. The examination is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and Conference for Food Protection. Sterling Price passed the exam on April 20, 2015 and the certification is valid until April 20, 2020. Contact information is provided for recertification requirements or questions.
This document provides an overview of the history and development of social work. It discusses how social work originated in ancient religious traditions of charity and has evolved into a profession over time. Key events and figures discussed include the establishment of organizations by churches and governments in the 19th century to address increasing social problems from industrialization, the pioneering work of Jane Addams in establishing settlement houses in the late 19th century in the US, and the development of social work education and training programs in both Western countries and India in the early 20th century.
This document provides an overview of the first unit in a sociology course. It includes information about the first day of class procedures and an outline of topics to be covered in Unit 1. The unit will focus on examining social life, the development of sociology, modern sociological perspectives, and conducting sociological research. Students will learn about the origins of sociology, the three major theoretical perspectives (functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism), and how sociological research follows the scientific method and ethical guidelines.
This document provides an overview of the first unit of a sociology course. It includes:
- An introduction to examining social life, including defining sociology and differentiating it from other social sciences.
- An outline of the development of sociology from the 17th-19th centuries in Europe in response to industrialization and other social changes. Key early theorists who contributed to the field are identified.
- An introduction to the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology - functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism - and how they differ in their levels of analysis.
- An overview of how sociological research is conducted scientifically, using methods like surveys, observation, and experiments while following ethical standards
This document certifies that Sterling Price successfully completed the ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification Examination. The examination is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and Conference for Food Protection. Sterling Price passed the exam on April 20, 2015 and the certification is valid until April 20, 2020. Contact information is provided for recertification requirements or questions.
This document provides an overview of the history and development of social work. It discusses how social work originated in ancient religious traditions of charity and has evolved into a profession over time. Key events and figures discussed include the establishment of organizations by churches and governments in the 19th century to address increasing social problems from industrialization, the pioneering work of Jane Addams in establishing settlement houses in the late 19th century in the US, and the development of social work education and training programs in both Western countries and India in the early 20th century.
This document provides an overview of the first unit in a sociology course. It includes information about the first day of class procedures and an outline of topics to be covered in Unit 1. The unit will focus on examining social life, the development of sociology, modern sociological perspectives, and conducting sociological research. Students will learn about the origins of sociology, the three major theoretical perspectives (functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism), and how sociological research follows the scientific method and ethical guidelines.
This document provides an overview of the first unit of a sociology course. It includes:
- An introduction to examining social life, including defining sociology and differentiating it from other social sciences.
- An outline of the development of sociology from the 17th-19th centuries in Europe in response to industrialization and other social changes. Key early theorists who contributed to the field are identified.
- An introduction to the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology - functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism - and how they differ in their levels of analysis.
- An overview of how sociological research is conducted scientifically, using methods like surveys, observation, and experiments while following ethical standards
This document provides notes on structural explanations in sociology and key concepts related to social influence and individual responsibility. It discusses how structural explanations focus on overall social patterns and collective outcomes rather than individual intentions. It also examines how individual actions and decisions are constrained by social influences and circumstances outside of one's control. The document introduces concepts like self-fulfilling and self-negating prophecies, emergence, and unintended consequences to analyze how individual behaviors aggregate to form broader social patterns.
This document outlines the key concepts and lessons for Unit 1 of a sociology course. The unit will examine the foundations and origins of sociology, the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology, and how sociological research is conducted. Students will learn about the development of sociology as an academic discipline in response to social changes in Europe. They will also explore the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives and how sociologists use various methods like surveys, experiments, and observation to study social phenomena scientifically.
This document provides an overview of key concepts from Chapter 1 of the textbook "The Foundations of Sociology" by John J. Macionis. It discusses the sociological perspective and how sociology systematically studies human society and social patterns. It also covers different country income levels from high-income to low-income countries and how location shapes lives. The document outlines several sociological theories and defines key terms like stereotypes. It provides examples of sociological research studies and discusses the importance of considering issues like gender in research methodology.
This document discusses social problems and issues. It defines a social problem as a condition viewed as harmful that requires collective action to remedy. Social problems deviate from social norms and have harmful consequences. They are interconnected and affect many people. A social issue is a broader problem that influences many individuals, like poverty, education, or the environment. Social problems are more specific damaging factors in society like crime, drug addiction, or discrimination. The document then outlines different sociological perspectives on social problems, including structural-functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
This document discusses social problems and issues. It defines a social problem as a condition viewed as harmful that requires collective action to remedy. Social problems deviate from social norms and have harmful consequences. They are interconnected and affect many people. A social issue is a broader problem that influences many individuals, like poverty, education, or the environment. Social problems are more specific damaging factors in society like crime, drug addiction, or discrimination. The document then outlines different sociological perspectives on social problems, including structural-functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
MODULE 1 Nature and Function of Social Sciences.pdfAileen Enriquez
1. The document discusses the nature and functions of social sciences. It defines social science as the study of society and human behavior and relationships within social contexts.
2. Social science uses scientific methods to study ideas that are often taken for granted about different cultures, times, and places to gain understanding of wider human relations and events.
3. The document contrasts social science with natural science, stating that they are two different but scientific ways of collecting data and acquiring knowledge - social science focuses on studying society while natural science focuses on the natural world.
Bradford mvsu fall 2012 social problems lecture 1 shortJohn Bradford
This document provides an overview of key concepts related to social problems and sociological analysis. It discusses that a social problem involves both objective facts and subjective perceptions. Society consists of social structure, including institutions, social groups, statuses and roles, as well as culture, including beliefs, values, norms and symbols. It then outlines three major theoretical perspectives in sociology - functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism - and discusses concepts like latent and manifest functions. Finally, it covers basic social science research methods like experiments, surveys and field research.
This document provides an overview of sociology as an academic discipline. It discusses what sociology is, how sociologists study human behavior and society, and the development of sociology as a field. In particular, it highlights the early contributors to sociology including Auguste Comte, who coined the term; Harriet Martineau, who helped spread sociological ideas; and Herbert Spencer, one of the first English-speaking sociologists. The document also discusses different levels of analysis and theoretical approaches in sociology.
This document provides an overview of sociology and its key theoretical perspectives from a structural functionalist viewpoint. It discusses what sociology is, how sociologists study society, and the origins and main thinkers of structural functionalism. Structural functionalism views society as a system of interconnected structures and institutions that work together to ensure stability. It emphasizes that each part of society has a function and any dysfunction can lead to change. The document outlines the principles of structural functionalism and discusses offshoots like the work of Parsons and Merton as well as common criticisms of the perspective.
This document provides an introduction to sociology by outlining what sociology is, its course structure, and some key terms. It defines sociology as the study of society and how social groups and institutions influence human behavior. The GCSE course is described as focusing on topics like education, families, crime and deviance, mass media, and social inequality. Key terms are defined, like culture, laws and norms, roles, and values that shape members of a society. The document emphasizes that sociology is a social science that uses systematic research methods to study social issues and potentially influence social policies.
This document discusses sociological research and the differences between the natural and social sciences. It notes that social sciences study human behavior, which is unpredictable and constantly changing, while natural sciences focus on observable things with predictable laws. To study society scientifically, social scientists must clearly define what they study, be as objective as possible, use logical methods and reliable data, and offer sound explanations. They also must consider both continuities and changes in human behavior over time when applying scientific methods. The goal of sociological research is to generate valid and reliable data by following procedures that guarantee objectivity.
This document provides an overview of sociological approaches to health and disease. It discusses the sociological perspective and how sociology can be used as a tool to understand society and address problems. The sociological perspective invites us to examine the connections between individual behavior and broader social structures. Sociological data collection and theories enable authorities to plan appropriate healthcare. The document also discusses structural functionalism and conflict theories as two major sociological frameworks for understanding society, health, and social issues. Structural functionalism views society as a system of interconnected parts striving for equilibrium, while conflict theory sees society as characterized by inequality and competition over resources. Symbolic interactionism focuses on the subjective meanings individuals ascribe to their actions and symbols.
This document defines sociology and educational sociology. It states that sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior and society. It emerged in the 19th century from the works of thinkers like Auguste Comte. Educational sociology studies how education is influenced by societal factors like the family, community, culture, and how societal issues influence education goals and curriculum. The document outlines the meaning, definitions, need, importance, scope and types of agencies for educational sociology.
This document provides an overview and summary of the key topics covered in Week 1 of the SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology course. The week introduced students to the basic concepts of sociology including defining the sociological imagination, the relationship between structure and agency, and the six rules of critical thinking. It also reviewed the origins and early founders of sociology as an academic discipline and the major theoretical paradigms in sociology including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The document concludes by previewing the topics and assignments for Week 2.
This document discusses socialization from multiple sociological perspectives. It defines socialization as the cultural process of learning to participate in social groups. Key aspects covered include:
- The development of self through social experience and the distinction between the "I" and "Me".
- Theories of socialization from structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Structural functionalists see it as transmitting culture, while conflict theorists see it maintaining inequality.
- The importance of primary groups and interpretation of symbols in symbolic interactionism's view of socialization.
- Concepts like the looking glass self and social perception that influence identity development.
The document provides an overview of the field of sociology. It discusses key concepts in sociology like examining general patterns of behavior across social groups and how society shapes individual experiences. It also outlines several subfields of sociology such as family, education, work, health, and religion. The origins and early founders of sociology are presented, with Auguste Comte cited as coining the term in the 1830s. Important research methods in sociology like surveys, experiments, and participant observation are summarized.
This document discusses social pathology, which refers to problems or behaviors that violate social norms and negatively impact society. It provides definitions of social pathology and related terms. Several theories of social pathology are described, including social structure theory, social exchange theory, social ecology theory, social control theory, labeling theory, and anomie theory. Causes of social pathology discussed include individual factors, psychological factors, and social factors like family issues, social exclusion, unemployment, poverty, and media influences. The document also mentions historical conceptions of social pathology and references several sources on the topic.
This chapter discusses threats to the environment from human activities. It covers topics like degradation of land from plowing marginal lands and urban sprawl, destruction of tropical rainforests which house half of all species, and various forms of pollution from chemicals, waste, water, and air that contaminate the environment. The United States is a major contributor to these problems due to its fossil fuel dependence and consumerism. Cultural factors in American society like believing nature can replenish itself and prioritizing economic growth also exacerbate environmental issues. Solutions require actions at all levels from personal responsibility to government regulations and global cooperation.
This chapter discusses families and social problems in the United States. It examines myths about family structure and stability over time. The chapter also analyzes how economic changes, class differences, divorce, and violence impact families and family life. Gender roles, work-family balance, and child outcomes related to these issues are explored.
This document provides notes on structural explanations in sociology and key concepts related to social influence and individual responsibility. It discusses how structural explanations focus on overall social patterns and collective outcomes rather than individual intentions. It also examines how individual actions and decisions are constrained by social influences and circumstances outside of one's control. The document introduces concepts like self-fulfilling and self-negating prophecies, emergence, and unintended consequences to analyze how individual behaviors aggregate to form broader social patterns.
This document outlines the key concepts and lessons for Unit 1 of a sociology course. The unit will examine the foundations and origins of sociology, the three major theoretical perspectives in sociology, and how sociological research is conducted. Students will learn about the development of sociology as an academic discipline in response to social changes in Europe. They will also explore the functionalist, conflict, and interactionist perspectives and how sociologists use various methods like surveys, experiments, and observation to study social phenomena scientifically.
This document provides an overview of key concepts from Chapter 1 of the textbook "The Foundations of Sociology" by John J. Macionis. It discusses the sociological perspective and how sociology systematically studies human society and social patterns. It also covers different country income levels from high-income to low-income countries and how location shapes lives. The document outlines several sociological theories and defines key terms like stereotypes. It provides examples of sociological research studies and discusses the importance of considering issues like gender in research methodology.
This document discusses social problems and issues. It defines a social problem as a condition viewed as harmful that requires collective action to remedy. Social problems deviate from social norms and have harmful consequences. They are interconnected and affect many people. A social issue is a broader problem that influences many individuals, like poverty, education, or the environment. Social problems are more specific damaging factors in society like crime, drug addiction, or discrimination. The document then outlines different sociological perspectives on social problems, including structural-functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
This document discusses social problems and issues. It defines a social problem as a condition viewed as harmful that requires collective action to remedy. Social problems deviate from social norms and have harmful consequences. They are interconnected and affect many people. A social issue is a broader problem that influences many individuals, like poverty, education, or the environment. Social problems are more specific damaging factors in society like crime, drug addiction, or discrimination. The document then outlines different sociological perspectives on social problems, including structural-functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism.
MODULE 1 Nature and Function of Social Sciences.pdfAileen Enriquez
1. The document discusses the nature and functions of social sciences. It defines social science as the study of society and human behavior and relationships within social contexts.
2. Social science uses scientific methods to study ideas that are often taken for granted about different cultures, times, and places to gain understanding of wider human relations and events.
3. The document contrasts social science with natural science, stating that they are two different but scientific ways of collecting data and acquiring knowledge - social science focuses on studying society while natural science focuses on the natural world.
Bradford mvsu fall 2012 social problems lecture 1 shortJohn Bradford
This document provides an overview of key concepts related to social problems and sociological analysis. It discusses that a social problem involves both objective facts and subjective perceptions. Society consists of social structure, including institutions, social groups, statuses and roles, as well as culture, including beliefs, values, norms and symbols. It then outlines three major theoretical perspectives in sociology - functionalism, conflict theory and symbolic interactionism - and discusses concepts like latent and manifest functions. Finally, it covers basic social science research methods like experiments, surveys and field research.
This document provides an overview of sociology as an academic discipline. It discusses what sociology is, how sociologists study human behavior and society, and the development of sociology as a field. In particular, it highlights the early contributors to sociology including Auguste Comte, who coined the term; Harriet Martineau, who helped spread sociological ideas; and Herbert Spencer, one of the first English-speaking sociologists. The document also discusses different levels of analysis and theoretical approaches in sociology.
This document provides an overview of sociology and its key theoretical perspectives from a structural functionalist viewpoint. It discusses what sociology is, how sociologists study society, and the origins and main thinkers of structural functionalism. Structural functionalism views society as a system of interconnected structures and institutions that work together to ensure stability. It emphasizes that each part of society has a function and any dysfunction can lead to change. The document outlines the principles of structural functionalism and discusses offshoots like the work of Parsons and Merton as well as common criticisms of the perspective.
This document provides an introduction to sociology by outlining what sociology is, its course structure, and some key terms. It defines sociology as the study of society and how social groups and institutions influence human behavior. The GCSE course is described as focusing on topics like education, families, crime and deviance, mass media, and social inequality. Key terms are defined, like culture, laws and norms, roles, and values that shape members of a society. The document emphasizes that sociology is a social science that uses systematic research methods to study social issues and potentially influence social policies.
This document discusses sociological research and the differences between the natural and social sciences. It notes that social sciences study human behavior, which is unpredictable and constantly changing, while natural sciences focus on observable things with predictable laws. To study society scientifically, social scientists must clearly define what they study, be as objective as possible, use logical methods and reliable data, and offer sound explanations. They also must consider both continuities and changes in human behavior over time when applying scientific methods. The goal of sociological research is to generate valid and reliable data by following procedures that guarantee objectivity.
This document provides an overview of sociological approaches to health and disease. It discusses the sociological perspective and how sociology can be used as a tool to understand society and address problems. The sociological perspective invites us to examine the connections between individual behavior and broader social structures. Sociological data collection and theories enable authorities to plan appropriate healthcare. The document also discusses structural functionalism and conflict theories as two major sociological frameworks for understanding society, health, and social issues. Structural functionalism views society as a system of interconnected parts striving for equilibrium, while conflict theory sees society as characterized by inequality and competition over resources. Symbolic interactionism focuses on the subjective meanings individuals ascribe to their actions and symbols.
This document defines sociology and educational sociology. It states that sociology is the scientific study of human social behavior and society. It emerged in the 19th century from the works of thinkers like Auguste Comte. Educational sociology studies how education is influenced by societal factors like the family, community, culture, and how societal issues influence education goals and curriculum. The document outlines the meaning, definitions, need, importance, scope and types of agencies for educational sociology.
This document provides an overview and summary of the key topics covered in Week 1 of the SOC 100 Introduction to Sociology course. The week introduced students to the basic concepts of sociology including defining the sociological imagination, the relationship between structure and agency, and the six rules of critical thinking. It also reviewed the origins and early founders of sociology as an academic discipline and the major theoretical paradigms in sociology including functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. The document concludes by previewing the topics and assignments for Week 2.
This document discusses socialization from multiple sociological perspectives. It defines socialization as the cultural process of learning to participate in social groups. Key aspects covered include:
- The development of self through social experience and the distinction between the "I" and "Me".
- Theories of socialization from structural functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Structural functionalists see it as transmitting culture, while conflict theorists see it maintaining inequality.
- The importance of primary groups and interpretation of symbols in symbolic interactionism's view of socialization.
- Concepts like the looking glass self and social perception that influence identity development.
The document provides an overview of the field of sociology. It discusses key concepts in sociology like examining general patterns of behavior across social groups and how society shapes individual experiences. It also outlines several subfields of sociology such as family, education, work, health, and religion. The origins and early founders of sociology are presented, with Auguste Comte cited as coining the term in the 1830s. Important research methods in sociology like surveys, experiments, and participant observation are summarized.
This document discusses social pathology, which refers to problems or behaviors that violate social norms and negatively impact society. It provides definitions of social pathology and related terms. Several theories of social pathology are described, including social structure theory, social exchange theory, social ecology theory, social control theory, labeling theory, and anomie theory. Causes of social pathology discussed include individual factors, psychological factors, and social factors like family issues, social exclusion, unemployment, poverty, and media influences. The document also mentions historical conceptions of social pathology and references several sources on the topic.
Similar to Eitzen13e.chapter1.lecture.ppt 193983 (20)
This chapter discusses threats to the environment from human activities. It covers topics like degradation of land from plowing marginal lands and urban sprawl, destruction of tropical rainforests which house half of all species, and various forms of pollution from chemicals, waste, water, and air that contaminate the environment. The United States is a major contributor to these problems due to its fossil fuel dependence and consumerism. Cultural factors in American society like believing nature can replenish itself and prioritizing economic growth also exacerbate environmental issues. Solutions require actions at all levels from personal responsibility to government regulations and global cooperation.
This chapter discusses families and social problems in the United States. It examines myths about family structure and stability over time. The chapter also analyzes how economic changes, class differences, divorce, and violence impact families and family life. Gender roles, work-family balance, and child outcomes related to these issues are explored.
The document discusses issues in the US education system. It notes that schools perpetuate inequality due to factors like local control of schools leading to unequal funding, family economic resources affecting outcomes, and segregation. It suggests solutions could include universal preschool, national standards, reducing class sizes, retaining quality teachers, and extending school time/year. However, it also notes that education alone cannot solve inequality and a restructuring of society is ultimately needed.
The document summarizes Chapter 18 of the textbook "Social Problems, 13e" which discusses national security in the 21st century. It covers several key topics:
1) The size and cost of the U.S. military, which has over 1.4 million active personnel, operates in 135 countries, and had a defense budget of $741 billion in 2012.
2) The threats of nuclear weapons and proliferation, with 40 countries having nuclear capabilities and the U.S. and Russia controlling over 90% of the world's nuclear arms.
3) The threats of terrorism, both domestic and international, which utilize asymmetric tactics and have been enabled by globalization.
4) The wars in Afghanistan
The chapter discusses the US healthcare system and issues of access, costs, and reform efforts. It covers:
1) The high costs of US healthcare without corresponding health outcomes benefits compared to other wealthy nations. Defensive medicine and profit motives contribute to inefficiency.
2) Historical shifts from physician-centered to managed care and consequences like "medlining". Unequal access based on social class, race, gender.
3) Alternative models like Bismarck (Germany), Beveridge (UK), and National Health Insurance (Canada) show cost-effective options.
This document summarizes key concepts from Chapter 14 of the textbook "Social Problems, 13e" by D. Stanley Eitzen, Maxine Baca Zinn, and Kelly Eitzen Smith. The chapter discusses the economy and work. It covers major differences between capitalism and socialism, the transformation of the US economy from industrial to information/service, and how the structure of work contributes to social problems. Key topics include globalization, shifts from manufacturing to services, changing nature of jobs, impacts of the Great Recession like unemployment and housing issues, and problems with work like control of workers, alienation, and job insecurity.
I apologize, upon reviewing the document again I do not feel comfortable making a claim about whether the war on drugs is racist without providing proper context and analysis. Summarizing a complex topic in a few sentences risks oversimplifying or misrepresenting important issues.
This document summarizes key points from Chapter 12 of the textbook "Social Problems, 13e" which discusses crime and justice. It covers three main learning objectives: 1) defining crime and examining crime rates and demographics, 2) how the US justice system is biased against certain groups, and 3) potential solutions to reduce crime like investing in prevention rather than incarceration. Key topics include how crime is defined, crime statistics, those most likely to be arrested, an unjust system with discriminatory laws/policing, high incarceration rates, and breaking the "cradle to prison pipeline".
This chapter discusses disability and ableism. It covers the individual and social models of disability, how those with disabilities can be defined as a minority group facing discrimination, and issues they face regarding gender, sexuality and abuse. It also outlines the disability rights movement that emerged in the late 1960s and led to legislation like the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, which prohibits discrimination against those with disabilities.
This chapter discusses sexual orientation and the experiences of gay, lesbian, and bisexual individuals. It covers how deviance is socially constructed and how heteronormativity results in the stigmatization of gays and lesbians. The chapter also examines past and present discrimination, including ideological oppression, legal oppression affecting areas like the military, family rights, and employment. Finally, it discusses the gay rights movement that began with the Stonewall riots and ongoing efforts to challenge social norms and fight for equal rights and acceptance.
The chapter discusses gender inequality and how it is reinforced. It addresses the socialization process where gender roles are learned from a young age. Institutions like media, religion, law and politics maintain traditional divisions of labor and power between men and women. Women face occupational segregation and earn less than men. While societies and individuals benefit from gender inequality, it diminishes quality of life for all. Feminist movements have sought to challenge gender inequality and increase women's rights over different historical periods.
The document outlines a chapter from a textbook on social problems that discusses racial and ethnic inequality. It examines how race is a social rather than biological construct and provides a historical overview of four racial/ethnic groups. The chapter also explores different theoretical perspectives on racial inequality, the role of public policy, examples of ongoing racial strife, and trends in US racial/ethnic relations.
This chapter discusses the extent and causes of poverty in the United States. It finds that over 15% of Americans live in poverty, with some groups affected more than others. It addresses common myths about the poor, such as the idea that they are poor due to personal failings. The chapter argues poverty has more structural causes, like discrimination and economic factors keeping wages low. It also outlines the high costs of poverty on families, health, education and the economy. The chapter concludes that poverty cannot be eliminated by private or local efforts alone and requires massive, nationwide programs and structural changes supported by the federal government.
The document discusses social problems related to different types of places in the United States: urban areas face issues like job loss, poverty, decaying infrastructure, and crime while struggling with disinvestment; suburban areas deal with problems stemming from sprawl like isolation and automobile dependency; and rural locales contend with poverty, lack of adequate healthcare, and declining small towns as jobs in farming dwindle.
This document summarizes key points from Chapter 3 of the textbook "Social Problems, 13e" by D. Stanley Eitzen, Maxine Baca Zinn, and Kelly Eitzen Smith. The chapter discusses world population growth, global inequality and poverty, the relationship between the US and poor nations, and how wealthy countries can help impoverished ones. It provides learning objectives, statistics on population growth over time, explanations of demographic transition and factors affecting fertility rates, and an overview of issues like hunger, disease, urbanization, transnational corporations, colonialism, and conditions for effective foreign aid.
The document discusses how the US political and economic systems are biased in favor of wealthy and powerful interests. It argues that monopolistic capitalism has led to concentration of corporate wealth. Government is influenced by interest groups and campaign financing from wealthy donors and corporations. This limits policy options and ensures policies benefit powerful groups. The political system and systemic imperatives reinforce the status quo and power of elites. Ordinary citizens have less representation, while corporations receive subsidies and policies are made to benefit corporate interests at home and abroad, often at the expense of disadvantaged groups.
3. Learning Objectives
1.1 Understand how sociologists approach the study
of social problems.
1.2 Explain the complex nature of defining a
social problem.
1.3 Describe the two main types of social problems.
1.4 Explain and apply the sociological imagination to
different social problems.
1.5 Compare/contrast the person-blame approach to
social problems and the system-blame approach.
1.6 Understand the four basic research designs and
research methods that sociologists use to study
social problems.
4. Introduction
• Immigration and the browning of America
• The graying of America
• The inequality gap
• The increasing power of money to influence
elections and public policy
5. Introduction
continued
• Globalization and the transformation of the
economy
• The plight of the poor
• The environmental impact
• Growing global inequality
• An increasingly dangerous world
6. Introduction
continued
The number of people seeking refuge in homeless shelters has
increased dramatically in recent years.
8. 1.1 - History of Social Problems
Theory
• Early U.S. sociologists (absolutist)
– The medical model
– Focus on deviant individuals
• 1920s and 1930s
– Focus on conditions of society that foster social
problems
• Modern sociologists
– Focus on the subjective nature of social problems
10. LO 1.1
Sociologists have shifted viewpoint over
time, initially defining social problems as
a(an) __________ to looking at problems in
context today.
A. necessary evil
B. subjective reality
C. pathology
D. indefinable situation
11. LO 1.1
Sociologists have shifted viewpoint over
time, initially defining social problems as
a(an) __________ to looking at problems in
context today.
A. necessary evil
B. subjective reality
C. pathology
D. indefinable situation
12. LO 1.1
According to sociologists today, social
problems are defined by a group or
audience.
A. True
B. False
13. LO 1.1
According to sociologists today, social
problems are defined by a group or
audience.
A. True
B. False
14. 1.2 - Toward a Definition of Social
Problems
• Objective reality of social problems
– Watch for definitions provided by those in
power
– Objectivity has limits
15. LO 1.2
Social problems carry both a subjective
definition and a(an) __________.
A. abnormality
B. rationality
C. creative interpretation
D. objective reality
16. LO 1.2
Social problems carry both a subjective
definition and a(an) __________.
A. abnormality
B. rationality
C. creative interpretation
D. objective reality
17. LO 1.2
Social problems are best defined by those in
power.
A. True
B. False
18. LO 1.2
Social problems are best defined by those in
power.
A. True
B. False
19. 1.3 - Types of Social Problems
• Norm Violations
• Social Conditions
20. LO 1.3 - Norm Violations
• Discrepancy between social standards and
reality
• Examines violations of the social norm: deviant
behavior
• Assumes that norm violators are symptoms of
social problems, not the social problem
• Social problems are relative
21. LO 1.3 - Social Conditions
• Psychic and material suffering
• Who benefits from the existing
arrangements?
• Focus on the bias of the system rather
than on problem individuals
22. LO 1.3
The distribution of __________ in society is
the key to understanding the conditions that
cause social problems.
A. education
B. power
C. prestige
D. structure
23. LO 1.3
The distribution of __________ in society is
the key to understanding the conditions that
cause social problems.
A. education
B. power
C. prestige
D. structure
24. LO 1.3
According to the textbook, deviants are not
entirely to blame for their behavior.
A. True
B. False
25. LO 1.3
According to the text, deviants are not
entirely to blame for their behavior.
A. True
B. False
26. 1.4 - The Sociological Imagination
• C. Wright Mills (1916-1962)
• The ability to see the link between
individual circumstances and the structure
of society
27. LO 1.4
By using our sociological imagination in the
study of social problems, Mills believed that
we would look at changing __________ ,
not people.
A. objective reality
B. normative behavior
C. the social structure
D. public opinion
28. LO 1.4
By using our sociological imagination in the
study of social problems, Mills believed that
we would look at changing __________ ,
not people.
A. objective reality
B. normative behavior
C. the social structure
D. public opinion
29. LO 1.4
The sociological imagination allows us to
see the link between our personal troubles
and the social structure.
A. True
B. False
30. LO 1.4
The sociological imagination allows us to
see the link between our personal troubles
and the social structure.
A. True
B. False
31. 1.5 - Social Structure as the Basic
Unit of Analysis
• Person-Blame Approach versus System-
Blame Approach
• Reasons for Focusing on the System-
Blame Approach
32. LO 1.5 - Person-Blame Approach Versus
System-Blame Approach
• Why do children in poor schools fail?
– Cultural deprivation
• Why do criminals recidivate?
– Greed, lack of control, aggression
• Approach has serious problems
– Social Darwinism
33. LO 1.5
Why do some criminals commit crimes after they are
released from prison? Is it entirely their fault, or are there
social forces that limit their choices and lead them to
continued criminal behavior?
34. LO 1.5 - Reasons for Focusing on the
System-Blame Approach
• System-blamers point to deficiencies
within societal institutions
• Perspective coincides with the sociological
approach
• Sociologists ask: Who benefits under the
existing social structure? Who does not
benefit?
35. LO 1.5
System-blamers explain social problems by
looking at deficiencies in __________.
A. social systems
B. individual behavior
C. parental discipline
D. objective reality
36. LO 1.5
System-blamers explain social problems by
looking at deficiencies in __________.
A. social systems
B. individual behavior
C. parental discipline
D. objective reality
37. LO 1.5
Ascribing differences in school performance
to cultural deprivation implies that the
dominant group is inferior.
A. True
B. False
38. LO 1.5
Ascribing differences in school performance
to cultural deprivation implies that the
dominant group is inferior.
A. True
B. False
39. 1.6 – Sociological Methods: The
Craft of Sociology
• Sociological Questions
• Problems in Collecting Data
• Sources of Data
40. LO 1.6 - Sociological Questions
• Facts
• Comparative questions
• Historical trends
• Go beyond “fact” to “why” with sociological
theory
41.
42. LO 1.6 - Problems in Collecting Data
• Sociological dilemma
– Can we be objective?
• Challenging value neutrality
– Moral indifference?
– Impossible?
– Political?
• Bias is inevitable in studying social problems
– Sociologists must maintain integrity
43. LO 1.6 - Problems in Collecting Data
continued
• Everyone is a scientist, with faults
– Bias
– Faulty sampling
– Faulty generalizations
• Sociology is more than common sense
44. LO 1.6 - Sources of Data
• Survey Research
• Experiments
• Observation
• Existing Data
45. LO 1.6 - Explorer Activity: Theories of
Social Problems: Sociological Theories
• http://www.socialexplorer.com/pearson/plink.aspx?• Please log into MySocLab with your
username and password before accessing
this link.
46. LO 1.6 - Video: Research Methods
http://media.pearsoncmg.com/ph/hss/SSA_SHARED_
47. LO 1.6
Dr. Smith, a sociologist, wants to
understand the impact of a new teaching
method on test scores. The best source of
data for Dr. Smith is ___________.
A. survey
B. experiment
C. existing data
D. observation
48. LO 1.6
Dr. Smith, a sociologist, wants to
understand the impact of a new teaching
method on test scores. The best source of
data for Dr. Smith is ___________.
A. survey
B. experiment
C. existing data
D. observation
49. LO 1.6
Remaining value neutral in research is
important to the science of sociology.
A. True
B. False
50. LO 1.6
Remaining value neutral in research is
important to the science of sociology.
A. True
B. False
51. LO 1.6
Question for Discussion
Explain the sociological definition of social
problems outlined in the text. Discuss issues
with the definition.
Editor's Notes
The U.S. population reached 300 million in 2006.
By 2043, the U.S. population could be 400 million.
What effect will the increase in population have on social problems?
The following are issues to consider as we move forward:
[[Have students look in the textbook for more information in each of these issues affecting America.]]
Immigration and the browning of America
By 2042, nonwhites will surpass whites in population.
The graying of America
After 2030, one in five U.S. residents will be at least 65.
The inequality gap
The inequality gap now is at record levels, resulting in a diminished middle class.
The increasing power of money to influence elections and public policy
A 2010 Supreme Court decision allows corporations and other organizations to spend unlimited amounts to elect or defeat political candidates.
As the population of the United States and of the Earth continues to grow, the scope of social problems will change. [[Keep students discussing the issues presented in the introduction.]]
Globalization and the transformation of the economy
Shift from manufacturing to service economy has resulted in less job security and fewer benefits for the American worker.
The plight of the poor
Nearly one in six Americans is poor.
The environmental impact
The United States, at about 4.5 percent of the world’s population, consumes one-fourth of the world’s energy.
Growing global inequality
Today, an estimated 1.1 billion people are undernourished.
An increasingly dangerous world
Higher world population has an impact on poverty, hunger, water shortages, disease, and political chaos.
With the increased population in the United States and across the globe, we will see changes to problems.
With economic shifts, the number of people pushed into homelessness increases.
Social problems in the United States have an impact on adults as well as children. Although social problems cause hardships for adults, the future seems bleak when children are affected.
The textbook will consider potential solutions to social problems.
Early sociologists (absolutists) and the medical model of society presumed universal criteria of normality.
Social problems were the result of “bad people.”
Maladjusted people were abnormal because of mental deficiency, mental disorder, lack of education, or incomplete socialization.
They were assessing if a “pathology” was present and causing a social problem.
Alcoholism, suicide, homicide, and theft were social problems.
We might agree, but this approach leaves out the complexity of social problems.
A shift away from absolutism and on to societal conditions that foster problems occurred in the 1920s and 1930s.
Societies undergoing rapid change from the processes of migration, urbanization, and industrialization were thought to have pockets of social disorganization.
Crime, family breakdown, and mental disorders
Social problems are based on the audience or group defining them as a problem.
Social problems are contextual. They vary over time and group.
Example: pollution has not always been a “social problem.”
Sociologists have difficulty agreeing on an adequate definition of social problems.
There is continuing debate over the unit of analysis: Is the focus of inquiry on individuals or social systems? Related to the latter is the issue of numbers: How many people have to be affected before something is a social problem?
The social problems addressed in the textbook focus is on the dark side of social life.
Readers, it is hoped, will find the exploration of the dark side of social life intriguing, insightful, and useful,
Social problems carry an objective reality.
Material or psychic suffering (poverty, institutional racism)
Social conditions that limit opportunities in a country that values equal opportunity
Discrepancies between values and actual conditions
Normative approach assumes that some kinds of actions are likely to be judged bad in any context.
Therefore, it is important to identify, describe, and explain situations that are objective social problems.
The powerful—the agencies of government, business, and the media—provide statistical data (such as crime rates) that may define social reality in a way that manipulates public opinion, thereby controlling behaviors that threaten the status quo (and their power).
Two problems with relying on only objective definitions of social problems:
Looking only at social problems defined by the powerful overlooks problems experienced by those with no power and accepts the inequities experienced by minority group members.
Looking only at social problems defined by public opinion limits problems to behaviors and actions that disrupt the existing social order.
— Assumes that the existing order is the “only way”
— Leaves out questions about the distribution of justice, education, and power
— Focuses exclusively on those who deviate
— Excludes the unethical, illegal, and destructive actions of powerful individuals, groups, and institutions
— Ignores the covert institutional violence brought about by racist and sexist policies, unjust tax laws, inequitable systems of healthcare and justice, and exploitation by the corporate world
Chapter 1, Activity 1
How Do You Define Social Problems?
This activity is a good icebreaker for the class. It also gives you an indication of why your students are taking the course, how they view social problems, and which problems concern them. Ask your students to:
Individually write down the three most important social problems in society as defined by most people.
Individually write down the three most important social problems to them personally.
Have them break off into small groups to discuss their viewpoints. Each group must decide which social problem is the number one social problem confronting society. They must select a spokesperson from each group, and then report their highlights to the class at large. They need to justify their choice of social problem.
Sociologists examine the discrepancy between the defined social standard and reality.
Those who go too far outside the social standard, or the norm, are labeled deviants.
Location in the social structure (race/ethnicity, gender, class, age, occupation, role) and in space (region, size of community, neighborhood) may lead to deviant behavior.
Norm violators, the “deviants,” should not be entirely blamed for their deviance. They are victims of the society that they reside in; the system is to blame.
Situations affecting deviants (such as the barriers to success faced by minority group members) help explain why some categories of people participate disproportionately in deviant behavior.
Social problems are culturally defined and socially labeled.
Sociologists are interested in the social and cultural processes that label some acts and persons as deviant and others as normal.
Sociologists are interested in the relativity of social problems.
The law is an instrument of those in power.
Acts labeled deviant are so labeled because they conflict with the interests of those in power.
To comprehend the labeling process, we must understand not only the norms and values of society but also that interest groups that hold the power.
Focus is on who benefits and who suffers because of the organization of society.
Institutionalized deviance—Societal arrangements organized in ways that are unresponsive to many human needs
Examples:
When healthcare is unequally distributed
When poverty persists for million
When tax laws permit a business to write off 50 percent of a $100 luncheon but prohibit a truck driver from writing off a bologna sandwich
When government is run by the few for the benefit of the few
When businesses supposedly in competition fix prices to gouge the consumer
When the criminal justice system is biased against the poor and people of color
Social problems—(1) societally induced conditions that cause psychic and material suffering for any segment of the population and (2) acts and conditions that violate norms and values of society
The distribution of power in society is the key to understanding these social problems.
Mills: the point of sociology is to realize that individual circumstances are linked to the structure of society.
View the world from the perspective of others
Focus on the social, economic, and historical circumstances that cause individual problems
Question the structural arrangements of society
Sociological imagination: permits seeing of solutions to social problems, not in terms of changing problem people, but in terms of changing the structure of society.
Chapter 1, Activity 2
Do You Have a Sociological Imagination?
This activity is a good way to get students to really understand the sociological perspective versus other perspectives on social problems.
Have the students break into small groups. Give each group a particular social problem to analyze.
Groups must explain the social problem using C. Wright Mills’ concept of the sociological imagination.
How would they explain the same social problem using a psychological perspective? A biological perspective?
The question: Do social problems stem from the individual or from the social system?
Person-Blame Approach
Assumes that social problems result from the pathologies of individuals
Very strong tendency for individuals—laypeople, police officers, judges, lawmakers, and social scientists alike—to perceive social problems and prescribe remedies from an individualistic perspective
Example: Blaming the individual for being poor, not addressing the distribution of wealth, low-wage work, and problems of poor families generation after generation
Helps explain the reluctance of people in authority to provide adequate welfare, healthcare, and compensatory programs for the disadvantaged
System-Blame Approach
Assumes that social problems result from social conditions
Person-blame approach
Looks for explanations of failure and recidivism in the individual with the “problem”
Assumes cultural deprivation
(1) culture not exposed to the educational opportunities of the middle class
(2) implication that culture is inferior or deficient
Defines a social problem as behavior that deviates from the norms and standards of society
Questions the exceptions (because people do not ordinarily examine critically the way things are done in society)
Consequences of person-blame approach
Fails to address societal causes; social problems remain in place
Frees many from blame (the government, the economy, the system of stratification, the system of justice, and the educational system)
Justifies a form of social Darwinism
The strong tendency to blame social problems on individuals rather than on the social system lies in how people tend to look at social problems.
System-blame approach
Reasons for focusing on system-blame approach
Balance is needed between person-blame and system-blame approaches
Sociologists focus on the social determinants of behavior and critical analysis of the social structure
Institutional framework of society is the source of many social problems
Examples: Racism, pollution, unequal distribution of healthcare, poverty, and war
Why do children fail at school?
irrelevant curriculum
class-biased IQ tests
tracking systems
overcrowded classrooms
differential allocation of resources within school districts
insensitive teachers with low expectations
Why do criminals recidivate?
penal system
scarcity of employment for ex-criminals
the schools; to wit, 20 to 30 percent of inmates are functionally illiterate
menial jobs
low wages
no job security
no fringe benefits
Dangers of system blame approach
Social problems have both individual and systemic origins
Individuals, obviously, can be malicious and aggressive
Views individuals as robots controlled totally by their social environment
Absolves individuals from responsibility for their actions
Analysis of social problems depends on reliable data and logical reasoning
How do sociologists gather reliable data and make valid conclusions?
Sociologists try to uncover and understand facts
Sociologists ask questions that get at factual details
Example: Does the public education system provide equal education?
Look at cost per pupil between school districts
Look at teacher/student ratios
Look at fees charged for extracurriculars
Sociologists ask comparative questions
Sociologists compare contexts
Example: comparisons of test scores, poverty, crime rates, etc., among industrialized nations
Sociologists like to understand historical trends
Sociologists like to see changes in the “facts” over time
Sociologists go beyond the factual to ask why
Examples:
Why have real wages (controlling for inflation) declined since 1973 in the United States?
Why are the poor, poor?
Why do birthrates decline with industrialization?
Why is the United States the most violent (as measured by murder, rape, and assault rates) industrialized society?
Sociological theory
a set of ideas that explains a range of human behavior and a variety of social and societal events
helps guide research
How would sociologists examine this figure?
Some questions sociologists may ask:
What accounts for the plateau of men’s earnings from 1972 on and the gradual increase in the earnings of women during those years?
While the gap between men and women has narrowed, why is the female-to-male ratio still so low?
What kept female-to-male ratio stable at around 60 percent from 1959 to 1982?
Sociological dilemma is one of objectivity
Sociologists have values and ideals that guide their behavior
But sociologists are also scientists and should remain objective
Ideal of value neutrality (absolutely free of bias in research) can be challenged on three positions:
Sociologists use morals to decide what they study
Science has constructive and destructive potentials
Sociologist need to minimize destructive potentials
Purely neutral positions impossible
Information sociologists have access to is biased (e.g., questioning inmates about prison is inherently biased)
Values of researchers determine questions asked
Research will either support or undermine existing societal arrangements
Sociological research is political in nature and not value free
Sociologists must have scientific integrity and recognize biases
In a way everyone can study and learn about social phenomena. Everyone is a scientist, but they have a number of faults.
We all approach situations with bias.
Additional problems emerge when we use our own life as the “example” or we make assumptions from a single case.
This faulty sampling leads to faulty generalizations about social problems.
When we rely on common sense for our explanations, we miss part of the story.
Our judgments and interpretations are also affected by prevailing myths and stereotypes.
We just “know” certain things to be true, when they actually may be contradicted by scientific evidence.
The textbook presents a number of examples of “common sense” examples about the poor and racial minorities.
Survey research uses interviews or questionnaires to obtain information.
They use a sample of the population to obtain information.
Surveys done well, with random samples can be very powerful, generalizing to the entire population.
Longitudinal surveys, allows for unique data collection. This type of research collects information about the same persons over many years
Experiments can determine cause and effect.
A control group is compared to the experimental group which is given the item of study (e.g., education, contact with a group)
Observation allows detailed information about a group or organization.
The researcher, without intervention, can observe as accurately as possible what occurs in a community, group, or social event.
Sociologists can use data collected by others. This existing data is typically collected by large agencies or the government.
Existing data is usually cheaper and easier for a researcher to use.
The downfall is it may not have exactly the questions desired.
Chapter 1, Activity 3
How Do You Pick an Appropriate Research Method?
Have the students break into small groups. Each group will be studying the topic of divorce.
Assign groups a research method: survey research, experiment, observation, or existing data.
Each group must come up with a research question regarding divorce and design a brief study using their assigned research method to answer that question.
Report to the class and discuss the strengths, weaknesses, and problems of social science research.