CHAPTER 1
SOCIOLOGY: STUDYING SOCIAL PROBLEMS
CHAPTER UPDATE
In this fifth edition of the text, Chapter 1 has been updated in a number of ways. To begin,
there is a new chapter opening that highlights the effects of the ongoing economic recession,
namely job loss and company closures. Throughout the chapter, updated examples from
current events are provided to illustrate the concepts presented. These examples include
discussions of the Occupy Movement and the increasingly polarized American political
spectrum. New data is also presented on everything from the most serious social problems
in 2012 to laws about drivers using handheld cell phones. Even more, the chapter has new
student annotations, as well as new instructor annotations. .
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Seeing Patterns: The Sociological Imagination
Social Problems: The Basics
Social Policy: C. Wright Mills: Turning Personal Problems into Social Issues
Social Problems Over Time
The Social-Constructionist Approach
Claims Making
Problems and Social Movements
Stages in Social Movements
,Social Problems: Eight Assertions
Social problems result from the ways in which society operates.
Social problems are not caused by bad people.
Social problems are socially constructed as people define a condition as harmful and
in need of change.
People see problems differently.
Definitions of problems change over time.
Problems involve subjective values, as well as objective facts.
Many – but not all – social problems can be solved.
Various social problems are related.
Beyond Our Borders: A Global Perspective
Social Problems in Global Perspective: The Global Village: Problems around the
World
Analyzing Social Problems: Sociological Theory
The Structural Functional Approach
Early Functional Theory: Problems as Social Pathology
The Chicago School: Problems as Disorganization
More Recent Functionalism: Problems as Dysfunctions
Critical Review
The Social-Conflict Approach
Marxism: Problems and Class Conflict
Multiculturalism: Problems of Racial and Ethnic Inequality
The Feminist Approach
The Symbolic-Interaction Approach
Learning Theory: Problems and the Social Environment
, Labeling Theory: Problems and Social Definitions
Finding the Facts: Sociological Research
Research Methods
Survey Research: Asking Questions
Field Research: Joining In
Social Problems in Focus: The Study of Social Problems: Science?
Politics? Or Both?
Experimental Research: Looking for Causes
Secondary Analysis: Using Available Data
Truth Science and Politics
Truth and Statistics
Responding to Social Problems: Social Policy
Policy Evaluation
Policy and Culture
Policy and Politics
Politics: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
The Political Spectrum
Conservatives, Liberals, and Radicals
Social Issues
Leaning Left
Leaning Right
Economic Issues
Leaning Left
Leaning Right
, Who Thinks What?
A Word about Gender
Going On from Here
A Call to Action: The Message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Defining Solutions: Whose Problem Is It?
SOCIOLOGY: STUDYING SOCIAL PROBLEMS
CHAPTER UPDATE
In this fifth edition of the text, Chapter 1 has been updated in a number of ways. To begin,
there is a new chapter opening that highlights the effects of the ongoing economic recession,
namely job loss and company closures. Throughout the chapter, updated examples from
current events are provided to illustrate the concepts presented. These examples include
discussions of the Occupy Movement and the increasingly polarized American political
spectrum. New data is also presented on everything from the most serious social problems
in 2012 to laws about drivers using handheld cell phones. Even more, the chapter has new
student annotations, as well as new instructor annotations. .
CHAPTER OUTLINE
Seeing Patterns: The Sociological Imagination
Social Problems: The Basics
Social Policy: C. Wright Mills: Turning Personal Problems into Social Issues
Social Problems Over Time
The Social-Constructionist Approach
Claims Making
Problems and Social Movements
Stages in Social Movements
,Social Problems: Eight Assertions
Social problems result from the ways in which society operates.
Social problems are not caused by bad people.
Social problems are socially constructed as people define a condition as harmful and
in need of change.
People see problems differently.
Definitions of problems change over time.
Problems involve subjective values, as well as objective facts.
Many – but not all – social problems can be solved.
Various social problems are related.
Beyond Our Borders: A Global Perspective
Social Problems in Global Perspective: The Global Village: Problems around the
World
Analyzing Social Problems: Sociological Theory
The Structural Functional Approach
Early Functional Theory: Problems as Social Pathology
The Chicago School: Problems as Disorganization
More Recent Functionalism: Problems as Dysfunctions
Critical Review
The Social-Conflict Approach
Marxism: Problems and Class Conflict
Multiculturalism: Problems of Racial and Ethnic Inequality
The Feminist Approach
The Symbolic-Interaction Approach
Learning Theory: Problems and the Social Environment
, Labeling Theory: Problems and Social Definitions
Finding the Facts: Sociological Research
Research Methods
Survey Research: Asking Questions
Field Research: Joining In
Social Problems in Focus: The Study of Social Problems: Science?
Politics? Or Both?
Experimental Research: Looking for Causes
Secondary Analysis: Using Available Data
Truth Science and Politics
Truth and Statistics
Responding to Social Problems: Social Policy
Policy Evaluation
Policy and Culture
Policy and Politics
Politics: Constructing Problems and Defining Solutions
The Political Spectrum
Conservatives, Liberals, and Radicals
Social Issues
Leaning Left
Leaning Right
Economic Issues
Leaning Left
Leaning Right
, Who Thinks What?
A Word about Gender
Going On from Here
A Call to Action: The Message of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Defining Solutions: Whose Problem Is It?
