Answer & Explanation:Read Chapter One. Explain how people’s
political attitudes affect the kinds of issues they are likely to define
as social problems. For example, do conservatives or liberals see the
“breakdown of the traditional family” as a social problem? Why? Are
conservatives or liberals more concerned about gender inequality?
Explain. (This response should be equivalent to two pages, double spaced
in 12 point font with APA or ASA format, including a work cited page).
See APA or ASA cheat sheet on Google).Below I uploaded Chapter 1 Powerpoint so the paper can be written.
lecture_ch01_2.ppt
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Chapter 1
Sociology: Studying Social Problems
Chapter 1:
Sociology: Studying Social Problems
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Seeing Patterns:
The Sociological Perspective
• Sociology is the systematic study of
human societies.
• Society is a term referring to people who
live within a territory and share many
patterns of behaviors.
• Culture refers to a way of life including
widespread values, beliefs, and behavior.
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Further:
– People experience social problems in very
personal ways
– Sociology shows that the problems we face are
not only the results of personal choices but
reflect the operation of society itself
– C. Wright Mills used the sociological
imagination to show that our personal
troubles are really social issues that affect
many people – ourselves included
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Defining Social Problems
• A social problem
– is a condition that undermines the well-being of
some or all members of society
– is usually a matter of public controversy
• Determining social problems can be controversial
– subjective and objective realities may
– actually end up being quite different
– what people identify as the most serious
– social problems varies over time
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Table 1-1
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Social Constructionist Approach
• Social problems arise as people define
conditions:
– As undesirable
– In need of change
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Claims Making
• Process of convincing the public that a
particular issue or situation should be
defined as a social problem
• Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Figure 1-1
The Objective and Subjective Assessment of Social Issues
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Defining Social Problems
• One indication that people recognize an
issue as a social problem is the formation
of a social movement
– an organized effort at claims making that
tries to shape the way people think
about an issue in order to encourage or
discourage social change
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Stages in Social Movements
• Social movements progress through four
distinct stages:
– Emergence
– Coalescence
– Formalization
– Decline
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Eight assertions that form the
foundation for the analysis of social
problems:
1. Social problems result from the ways in
which society operates.
2. Social problems are not caused by bad
people.
3. Social problems are socially constructed
as people define a condition as harmful
and in need of change.
4. People see problems differently.
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Further:
5. Definitions of problems change over
time.
6. Problems involve subjective values as
well as objective facts.
7. Many – but not all – problems can be
solved.
8. Various social problems are related.
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Figure 1-2
Four Stages in the Life Course of a Social Movement`
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Looking Beyond Ourselves:
A Global Perspective
• A global outlook shows
– Harmful conditions often cross
national boundaries
– Many of the problems that we in the
U.S. face are more serious elsewhere
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Analyzing Social Problems:
The Role of Theory
Theory:
A statement of how and why specific
facts are related
Theoretical Approach:
A basic image of society that guides
thinking and research
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
The Structural-Functional Approach
• A theoretical framework that sees society as
a system of many interrelated parts
• Social Institutions: the main parts of this
system (organized to meet basic human
needs)
– education
– family
– economics
– politics
– religion
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Global Map 1-1
Women’s Childbearing around the World
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
The Structural-Functional Approach
• Early Functionalism: Problems as Social
Pathology
• The “Chicago School”: Problems as
Disorganization
• More Recent Functionalism: Problems as
Dysfunctions
– Manifest versus Latent Functions
– Eufunctions versus Dysfunctions
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
The Social Conflict Approach
• A theoretical framework that sees society as
divided by inequality and conflict
• Social problems arise because our society is
divided into “haves” and “have nots”
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
The Social Conflict Approach
• Marxism: Problems and Class Conflict
– Capitalists
– Proletarians
• Multiculturalism: Problems of Racial
and Ethnic Inequality
• Feminism: Problems and Gender Conflict
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
The Symbolic-Interaction Approach
• A theoretical framework that sees society as
the product of individuals interacting with
one another
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
The Symbolic-Interaction Approach
• Learning Theory:
– Problems and the Social Environment
• Labeling Theory:
– Problems and Social Definitions
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Survey Research: Asking Questions
A researcher asks subjects to respond to items in a
questionnaire or interview.
• A questionnaire is a series of items a researcher
presents to subjects for their response
• In an interview, the researcher meets face to face
with respondents to discuss a particular issue
• While questionnaires offer a chance for greater
breadth of opinion, interviews can provide greater
depth of understanding
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Field Research: Joining In
• Also called participant observation
• Involves researchers observing people while
joining in their everyday activities
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Experimental Research:
Looking For Causes
• Experiment: a method by which a
researcher investigates cause-and-effect
relationships under highly controlled
conditions
• Most experiments are carried out in
specially designed laboratories
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Secondary Analysis:
Using Available Data
• A common major research method that is
based on collection of data originally
collected by others
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Truth, Science, and Politics
• Max Weber’s “value-free” approach
• The “value commitment” approach
• Is “objective” research even possible?
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Truth and Statistics
• Check how terms are defined
• Numbers are subject to error
• People often “spin” their statistics
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Figure 1-3
Do Statistics Lie?
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Responding to Social Problems:
Social Policy
• Social policy refers to formal
strategies to affect how society
operates.
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Responding to Social Problems:
Social Policy
• The evaluation of social policy:
– How is success defined?
– What are the costs?
– Whom should get the help?
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Policy and Culture
• Social policy tends to be shaped by existing
cultural values
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Policy and Politics
• Conservatives: seek to limit the scope of
societal change (focus is on shortcomings of
individuals, not society)
• Liberals: favor more sweeping change in
society (see problems in the organization of
society)
• Radicals: support policies that go beyond
mere reform
– can be either ultra liberal or ultra
conservative
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Table 1-2
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Politics: Constructing Problems and
Defining Solutions
• The Political Spectrum: a continuum
representing a range of political attitudes
from “left” to “right”
• Social Issues: political debates involving
moral judgments about how people should
live
• Economic Issues: political debates about
how a society should distribute material
resources
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Who Thinks What?
• Two good predictors of political attitudes
are education and wealth – both of which
are elements of social class
• The fact that social class affects social and
economic attitudes differently means that
most people have some combination of
liberal and conservative attitudes
Social Problems, Fourth Edition by John J. Macionis
Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc., Upper
Definition of Sociology:
Sociology is the systematic and scientific study of human
behavior in groups and society.
Sociologists study various aspects of social life, including
behavior in large organizations and small groups, deviant
behavior, and the characteristics of political and religious
institutions and social movements; sociologists study the socialpsychological explanations for behavior.
Ex: A person that goes to a football game to watch the people
rather than the game.
Knowledge:
Knowledge accumulates in one of three general ways:.
Mysticism- refers to knowledge gained by intuition, revelation,
inspiration, magic visions, or spells.
Rationalism- refers to knowledge gained through common
sense, logic, and reason.
Empiricism- (real world knowledge) refers to knowledge that is
gained by sense observation-by observing or experiencing
phenomena with the sense of touch, sight, hearing, smell, or taste.
Ex: Based on scientific Observations.
The Sociological Perspective:
If sociology is the systematic and scientific study of
human group behavior, and a perspective is a viewpoint,
or a particular way of looking at the world.
Then, the sociological perspective is a particular of looking at
the world of human activities that focuses on their social nature.
Humans are social animals that congregate to establish
families, groups, tribes, communities, and nations.
Our desire to be social, far outweighs biological and instinctual
drives of other animals that cluster for survival.
This choice of collectivities with rules, laws and various other
guidelines; sacrifices freedoms of the individual. Yet, it protects
the individual in the sense that society is made up of individualsbut laws govern the collectivity or Macro-level as well as Microlevel or individuality.
The term sociology was not coined until the latter part of
the nineteenth century. Human behavior, and why people
behave the way they do, has been a part of the human
consciousness, writings of philosophers, poets, and
religious leaders, and ancient civilizations.
The Pioneers of Philosophy and the
Social Sciences:
Greece had a profound impact on western social thought
with three very distinctive social philosophers:
Socrates- (469-399 B.C.) is noted as being one of the most
profound thinkers and teachers of all time. He refused to accept
the classical or traditional explanations of religion, politics, and
the rights of the individual in relation to the state. He came up
with the “Socratic Method” of teaching (questioning and
answering orally rather than written).
The Pioneers of Philosophy and the
Social Sciences:
Greece had a profound impact on western social thought
with three very distinctive social philosophers:
Plato- (427-347 B.C.) is noted as being a student and follower of
Socrates. Plato, in Athens, developed the Academy-a school
where he incorporated the “Socratic Method.” He drilled his
students endlessly of questions that became central to
philosophical and sociological inquiry.
The Pioneers of Philosophy and the
Social Sciences:
Greece had a profound impact on western social thought with three
very distinctive social philosophers:
Aristotle- (384-322 B.C.) is noted as being a student and follower of Plato.
Aristotle was more practical in his beliefs of government and society.
Whereas, Plato was more idealistic and utopian. Aristotle and his students in
the Lyceum, which was like a modern university, through the “Socratic
Method” explored social issues, religion, politics, education, the rights and
duties of the citizenship, and the relationship between the individual and the
larger society.
During the 17th and 18th centuries, or the Age of Enlightenment, Western
Culture emerged from the middle ages, also known as the Dark Ages, into a
new era of social thought.
Over several centuries, the standard way of explaining social events shifted
from a theological to a scientific.
Rather than attributing human behavior and social conditions to
supernatural forces, people searched for logical-rational cause-and-effect
explanations.
As a direct result, the religious bodies, such as the church, were replaced
by the universities as the primary source of knowledge.
Polar Extreme Model
Religion
Universities
To Explain
And Scientists
Everything
To Explain
Everything
This era created Francis Bacon (1561-1626), who is largely
credited with developing the “Scientific Method.”
The Scientific Method is the basic steps that provide a systematic framework
to guide the research process.
Although social thinkers and philosophers has long pondered the influence of
society on human behavior, the formal discipline of sociology did not emerge
until the early nineteenth century.
Sociology began in France, it gained momentum in Germany, and Great
Britain, and it eventually arrived in the United States as each of these countries
experienced an industrial revolution.
The transition from feudalism to industrialism in Europe is believed to be
responsible for the development of the social sciences, especially
“Sociology.”
In the industrialization and urbanization periods, the proletariat or
common-folk/working class, were now considered to be important
members of society because they were consumers/workers. During the
feudalism periods they were not as such.
This era focused on the conditions of their lives. Never before had
society been confronted with such a rapid social change.
People were made aware of social problems such as: poverty,
unemployment, homelessness, mental disorders, and crime.
The time was just right for a systematic approach to the study
of society.
Auguste Comte- (1798-1857)-is honored with the title
“Father of Sociology.” Comte was somewhat an
eccentric person (he claimed to practice “Mental
Hygiene” or refused to read the works of others as he felt
it would contaminate his own originality or thoughts. He
is regarded as one of the most original thinkers of all
time.
It was he who coined the term “sociology” and argued, in 1838,
that the methods of science should be applied to the study of
society
Comte wrote Positive Philosophy-the first systematic
sociological approach to the study of society, which offered
solutions to social problems.
Comte’s new approach or science, emphasized “Positivism” –the
use of observation, comparison, experimentation, and the
historical method to gain necessary facts to analyze society.
Comte established two specific problems for sociological
investigation: “Social Statics” and “Social Dynamics.”
Social Statics- refers to the problem of order and stability
or social structure or the relatively stable elements found
in every society.
Social Dynamics- refers to the problems of social
change.
• What make society or societies change and what
shapes the nature and direction of the changes?
Comte was so confident that the scientific method would unlock the secrets of
society that he came to regard sociologists as the “Priesthood of humanity.” They
were experts that would not only explain society or social events, but would
guide society in the direction of greater progress. Comte believed sociologists
could cure the social ills of society.
Although later sociologists have generally had more modest ambitions, they
have continued to wrestle with the problems of social order and social change.
Harriet Martineau (1802-1876)- she is considered to
as a co-founder of sociology along with Comte. In 1838
she wrote “How to Observe Manners and Morals.” This
was one of the first books on social research.
While Comte was introducing sociology to France, Martineau
was laying the ground-work for sociological research in the
United States and Great Britain.
Martineau produced another book entitled “Society in America”
which was on e of the first and most thorough sociological
treatments on American social life.
This book addressed moral values; compared the system of social
stratification in Europe to that in America.
Martineau also condensed and translated Comte’s
six volume positive philosophy into two volumes
and became the first to present sociology to
England.
Martineau had similarities to Comte in her views
on social order and social change.
Herbert Spencer (1820-1903)- was considered to
be a major influence in sociology.
He devised a theory to explain the problems of social order and change. He
also compared human societies to living organisms.
Ex: The parts of an animal, such as the heart and the lungs are interdependent
and contribute to the survival of the total organism.
Similarly, Spencer argued, the various parts of society, such as the state and
the economy, are also interdependent and work to ensure the stability and
survival of the the entire system.
To explain change, Spencer pushed from his analogy even
further. Applying Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution to
human societies, or “On the Origin of Species” (1859), he
argued that they gradually evolve from the forms found in the
primitive societies of his own time.
Spencer believed that evolution- means progress, and he
strongly opposed attempts at social reform on the grounds
they might interfere with the natural evolutionary process.
This position was c …
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