1. Claims across Space and Time Chapter 10 Norton Media Library
Joel Best

2. Examining social problems
Constructionists need to examine social problems claimsmaking campaigns to see parallels instead of only examining one at a time
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

3. Examining social problems
Comparing social problems claimsmaking campaigns – possible options
Geography: how different geographic entities (i.e., cities, states, nations) handle claims
Time: how same kind of claims are managed in different historical eras
Similar conditions: how are claims in the same category or orientation alike or not?
Similar constructions: asking what shared characteristic(s) diverse social problems have in common
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

4. Examining social problems
Diffusion: spread of innovation from one society or place or time or setting to another
Transmitters share the innovation with those who will come to adopt it
More likely when societies have similar cultural patterns
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

5. Examining social problems
Occurs through interactive channels between possible transmitters and possible adopters
Relational channels: direct interpersonal interaction between them
Nonrelational channels: those connections that do not utilize interpersonal ties
Adopters play key roles
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

6. Examining social problems
Societal differences effect process of diffusion also, because what works in one society may not be successful in another due to it’s cultural norms, etc.
Easier when involves theorization (abstract claimsmaking using general principles)
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

7. Claimsmaking cycles
Current claimsmakers often focus on just the current condition that is troubling them
But understanding that many successful claims occur in cycles, and have had other peaks of enthusiasm, only to have interest wane, could help current claimsmakers to construct claims in ways that keep the audience’s interest high for longer periods of time
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

8. Claimsmaking cycles Understanding claimsmaking cycles
Need for newness/freshness in claims and not always possible to keep a campaign novel for long periods of time
Why do they exist?
Least likely answer: troubling condition itself waxes and wanes
More likely answer: waves of concern but condition stays relatively stable over time; what may change is how people react to the condition (e.g., the media may pay more attention during peaks and then much less attention in other times)
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

9. Claimsmaking cycles
Axes of variation: ongoing troublesome issues or conditions that persist over time in any one society; may flare up at various times under certain contingencies and allow for significant claimsmaking
Constant flow of potential grievances
Heightened tension more likely to lead to period of claimsmaking about a variety of different problems at the same time
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

10. Problem of progress
Rhetoric of claimsmakers often downplays progress – why is that?
Focus on perfectability: goal is to eradicate the troubling condition, not just improve it
Matter of proportion: as life in society improves, claimsmakers have to focus more of their efforts on smaller problems than before
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

11. Problem of progress
Proliferation of social problems claims: new forms of media reach highly targeted audiences, so that claimsmakers can find highly “protective” audiences who are less likely to criticize them
Paranoia: problems not just bad, but the claimsmaking rhetoric is about horrific extremes
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

12. Problem of progress
So makes sense, given these rhetorical strategies, that few claimsmakers will argue that success (progress) is happening
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

13. Case study: Studying Immigration Claims across Time and Space
Social Problems
Copyright © 2008 W.W. Norton & Company

14. Independent and Employee-Owned
End Chapter 10
W. W. Norton & Company
Independent and Employee-Owned
This concludes the Norton Media Library Slide Set for Chapter 10
Social Problems By
Joel Best