Understanding Social Problems

Fifth Edition

Chapter Outline

What Is a Social Problem? Elements of Social Structure and Culture The Sociological Imagination Theoretical Perspectives Social Problems Research Goals of the Textbook Understanding Social Problems

What Is a Social Problem?

There is no absolute definition of what constitutes a social problem.

Social problems are defined by a combination of objective and subjective criteria that vary across societies, among individuals and groups within a society, and across historical time periods.

Question

I believe that underage drinking is an important social problem in our society.

A. Strongly agree

B. Agree somewhat

C. Unsure

D. Disagree somewhat

E. Strongly disagree

Objective and Subjective Elements of Social Problems

All social problems share two elements:– An objective social condition– A subjective interpretation of that social

condition. A social problem is a social condition that a

segment of society views as harmful to members of society and in need of remedy.

Variability in Definitions of Social Problems

Some Americans view the availability of abortion as a social problem, others view restrictions on abortion as a social problem.

Variations in what is considered a social problem are due to differences in values, beliefs, and life experiences.

Elements of Social Structure

The structure of a society refers to the way society is organized.

Society is organized into– Institutions– social groups– Statuses– Roles.

Institution

An institution is an established and enduring pattern of social relationships.

The five traditional institutions are:– Family– Religion– Politics– Economics– Education

Social Groups

Defined as two or more people who have a common identity, interact, and form a social relationship. – Primary groups are characterized by intimate and

informal interaction. • Examples: Families and friends

– Secondary groups are task oriented and are characterized by impersonal and formal interaction.

• Examples: employers and their employees, and clerks and their customers.

Question

Which type of group is the most important to you?

A. Primary group

B. Secondary group

Statuses

A status is a position that a person occupies within a social group.

The statuses in a family may consist of mother, father, stepmother, stepfather, wife, husband and child

Statuses

An ascribed status is one that society assigns to an individual on the basis of factors over which the individual has no control.– Example: child, teenager, senior citizen.

An achieved status is assigned on the basis of some characteristic or behavior over which the individual has some control. – Example: college graduate, spouse, parent, bank

president

Statuses

A person’s master status is the status that is considered the most significant in a person’s social identity.

A person’s occupational status is regarded as his or her master status.

Roles

The set of rights, obligations, and expectations associated with a status.

Elements of Culture

Beliefs– Definitions and explanations about what is

assumed to be true. Values

– Social agreements about what is considered good and bad, right and wrong, desirable and undesirable.

Elements of Culture

Norms– Socially defined rules of behavior.

Sanctions– Consequences for conforming to or

violating norms. Symbols

– Language, gestures, and objects whose meaning is commonly understood by the members of a society.

Question

Social agreements about what is considered right and wrong, desirable and undesirable are called:

A. norms.

B. values.

C. beliefs.

D. sanctions.

Answer: B

Social agreements about what is considered right and wrong, desirable and undesirable are called values.

Three Types of Norms

1. Folkways - customs and manners of society.

2. Laws - formal norms backed by authority.

3. Mores - norms with a moral basis.

Personal Beliefs AboutVarious Social Problems

Statement% Agreeing in

2004

Federal military spending should be increased.

35

Colleges should prohibit racist/sexist speech on campus.

59

There is too much concern in the courts for the rights of criminals.

58

Abortion should be legal. 54

Same-sex couples should have the right to legal marital status.

57

Question

Some people in our culture are very concerned about the amount of pornography we have in this country; others are not much concerned at all. How about you? Are you:

A. Very concerned

B. Fairly concerned

C. Only somewhat concerned

D. Not really concerned at all

Sanctions

When we conform to a social norm, we may be rewarded by a positive sanction.

When we violate a social norm, we may be punished by a negative sanction.

Most sanctions are informal expressions of approval or disapproval.

Sanctions that are part of a recognized or formal procedure are formal sanctions.

Types and Examples of Sanctions

Positive Negative

Informal Being praised by one’s neighbors for organizing a neighborhood recycling program.

Being criticized by one’s neighbors for refusing to participate in the neighborhood recycling program.

Formal Being granted an award for organizing a neighborhood recycling program.

Being fined by the city for failing to dispose of trash properly.

Question

Receiving a speeding ticket for driving above the speed limit is an example of what type of sanction?

A. formal negative

B. formal positive

C. informal negative

D. informal positive

Answer: A

Receiving a speeding ticket for driving above the speed limit is an example of a formal negative sanction.

Sociological Imagination

The ability to see the connections between our personal lives and the social world in which we live.

Structural-Functionalist Perspective

Society is composed of parts that work together to maintain a state of balance.

Two types of functions: – latent - Consequences that are unintended

and often hidden.

– manifest - Intended and recognized

Structural-Functionalist Theories of Social Problems

Social pathology - problems result from sickness in society.

Social disorganization - rapid social change leads to anomie.

Conflict Perspective

Society is composed of groups and interests competing for power and resources.

Marxist theories: social problems result from class inequality in a capitalistic system.

Non-Marxist theories: conflicts arise when groups have opposing values.

Levels of Analysis

Macro sociology - Looks at the "big picture" of society and suggests how social problems are affected at the institutional level.

Micro sociology - Concerned with the social psychological dynamics of individuals interacting in small groups.

Symbolic Interactionist Perspective

Human behavior is influenced by meanings that are created and maintained through interaction with others.

Labeling theory: a social condition or group is viewed as problematic if it is labeled as such.

Social constructionism: argues that reality is socially constructed by individuals who interpret the social world around them.

Stages of Conducting a Research Study

1. Formulating a research question.

2. Reviewing the literature.

3. Defining variables.

4. Formulating a hypothesis. 

Methods of Data Collection

Experiments Surveys Field research Secondary data research

Question

William plans to conduct a research study on domestic violence. After formulating his research question, his next step is to do what?

A. define variables

B. formulate a hypothesis

C. collect data

D. review the literature

Answer: D

William plans to conduct a research study on domestic violence. After formulating his research question, his next step is to review the literature.

Quick Quiz

1. According to Marxist conflict theorists, social problems are the result of:

A. class inequality.

B. anomie.

C. the sickness within social institutions.

D. different interpretations of roles.

Answer: A

According to Marxist conflict theorists, social problems are the result of class inequality.

2. According to symbolic interactionists, what must occur in order for a condition to be a social problem?

A. The condition weakens institutions.

B. The condition disrupts society's harmony and balance.

C. The condition is defined as a social problem.

D. The condition involves competition between groups.

Answer: C

According to symbolic interactionists, in order for a condition to be a social problem, the condition is defined as a social problem.

3. Defining abortion as an immoral act of murder is an example of what?

A. conflict theory

B. looking glass self

C. anomie

D. labeling theory

Answer: D

Defining abortion as an immoral act of murder is an example of labeling theory.