1. Studying Social Problems in the Twenty-First Century
Chapter 1
Studying Social Problems in the Twenty-First Century

2. Foundational Terminology
Sociology: systematic study of human society
Society: Individuals sharing geographic area and culture
Culture: Knowledge, values, customs, material objects passed person to person
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3. Defining a Social Problem:
A social problem is:
a social condition; a behavioral pattern
A social problem harms:
certain individuals; all people in a society
A social problem causes:
public concern; collective action for change
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5. Sociological Imagination
Developed by C. Wright Mills (1959)
Allows us to:
Connect private problems to public issues
Shift focus to a larger social context
Personal problems such as job loss are caused by economic trends
Downsizing, new technology
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6. Social Problems and Theory
Theory is:
A set of logically related statements
Attempt to describe, explain, or predict social events
Theory gives us a framework for viewing society called a sociological perspective.
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7. Functionalist Perspective
Views society as:
Stable and orderly
Made up of smaller interrelated parts
Manifest function:
Intended and recognized activity of a social process
Recognized as the purpose of the process
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8. Functionalist Perspective
Latent function:
Unintended consequences of a social process
Not usually overtly recognized by society
Dysfunction:
Undesirable consequences of a social process
Can lead to social disorganization
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9. Functionalist Perspective
Conditions which undermine ability for institutions to govern
Applying the Functionalist Perspective to Problems of Violence
Violence increases when social institutions are weakened
Solution: Strengthen social institutions
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10. Conflict Perspective Macrolevel analysis
Assumes inherent power struggle
Different groups working to control scarce resources
Critical-Conflict Perspective
Sources of Inequality
Power
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11. Conflict Perspective
Applying the Conflict Perspective to Problems of Violence
Violence is a response to inequalities in society
Solution: Reform political and economic institutions to change inequality
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12. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Microlevel analysis
Society is sum of interactions between groups and individuals
Must have shared set of symbols for interaction to be meaningful
Labeling Theory and the Social Construction of Reality
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13. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Applying Symbolic Interactionist Perspectives to Problems of Violence
Violence is learned behavior
Solution: change societal values which encourage violence
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14. Research Methods
Strategies or techniques to collect data about society
Uses a systematic approach
Produces results that are:
Quantitative: explanations using numbers
Qualitative: explanations using interpretive descriptions (words)
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15. Field Research Observe behavior in a natural setting
Can be an outsider or observe as a participant
Participant observation: joining the group you are observing
Gain a complete understanding by seeing all aspects on the interaction taking place
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16. Survey Research Respondents asked a series of questions
Data collected through questionnaires or interviews
Most frequently used method
Target smaller samples of people who are representative of the larger population
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17. Secondary Analysis Use of already existing data
Unobtrusive: researcher has no contact with subjects
Examples: public records, U.S. Census Bureau data
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18. Secondary Analysis Includes Content Analysis:
Systematic examination of artifacts or documents
Extraction of thematic data to explain social life
Examples: television programming, lyrics to songs, political speeches
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20. Solutions Functionalist/Conservative Solutions
Maintain and preserve traditional moral and social values
Conflict/Liberal Solutions
Pass legislation that requires that workers be paid a wage high enough that they can:
Adequately support their families
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21. Solutions
Improving public schools so young people will receive a better education
Be able to find decent jobs
Have community, state, and national economic development programs that:
Create good jobs and benefit all people, not just a small percentage of the world’s wealthiest people
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22. Solutions Symbolic Interactionist Solutions
Teach people of all ages to engage in nonviolent conflict resolution
Critique of Our Efforts to Find Solutions
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