Chapter 1: Sociology: Studying Social Problems

Front 1

Sociological Imagination

Back 1

A point of view that highlights how society affects the experiences we have and the choices we make.

Front 2

Society Culture

Back 2

A way of life including widespread values, beliefs, and behaviors.

Front 3

Social Problem

Back 3

A condition that undermines the well being of some or all members of society and is usually a matter of public controversy.

Front 4

Social-Constructionist Approach

Back 4

The assertion that social problems arise as people define conditions as undesirable and in need of change.

Front 5

Claims Making

Back 5

The process of convincing the public and important public officials that a particular issue or situation should be defined as a social problem.

Front 6

Social Movement

Back 6

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.

Front 7

Theoretical Approach

Back 7

A basic image of society that guides theory and research.

Front 8

Structure-Functional Approach

Back 8

A theoretical framework that sees society as a system of many interrelated parts.

Front 9

Social Institutions

Back 9

Major spheres of social life, or societal subsystems, organized to meet a basic human need.

Front 10

Social-conflict Approach

Back 10

A theoretical framework that sees society as divided by inequality and conflict.

Front 11

Feminism

Back 11

A political movement that seeks the social equality of women and men.

Front 12

Symbolic-Interaction Approach

Back 12

A theoretical framework that sees society as the product of individuals interacting with one another.

Front 13

Eight Assertions of Social Problems

Back 13

1. Social problems result from the ways in which society operates.

2. Social problems are not cause by bad people.

3. Problems are socially constructed as people define a condition as harmful and in need of change.

4. People see problems differently.

5. Definitions of problems change over time.

6. Problems involve subjective values as well as objective facts.

7. Many (but not all) social problems can be solved.

8. Various social problems are related.

Front 14

Stages in Social Movements

Back 14

Emergence, coalescence, formalization, and decline.

Front 15

People come together with a common concern about the status quo and begin to make claims about the need for change.

Back 15

Emergence

Front 16

New organizations begin to hold rallies and demonstrations to publicize their beliefs; and engage in political lobbying.

Back 16

Coalescence

Front 17

Organizations become established ‘players’ on the political scene.

Back 17

Formalization

Front 18

Organizations may fail due to lack of funds, falling on deaf ears, or losing arguments.

Back 18

Decline