1. Chapter 1 How Sociologists View Social Problems

2. Sociology Sociology: The systematic study of human societies
Macro/Micro
Society
Culture

3. The Sociological Imagination
Sociological Imagination (C. Wright Mills):
Looking at people’s behavior and attitudes in the context of the social forces that shape them.
Changes in society have a profound influence on people’s lives.
Emphasis on how larger events have an impact on how we think, feel, act
Connecting personal troubles and public issues/social world
Personal Troubles – are really social issues that affect many people

4. Social Location
The process of becoming aware of ourselves by evaluating our own identity in relation to other people; structures.
Jobs
Income
Education
Gender
Age
Race/Ethnicity

5. What is a Social Problem?
Some aspect of society that people are concerned about and would like changed; socially constructed
A condition that undermines the well being of some or all members of society; usually a matter of public controversy.
Social Constructionist Approach
Social problems arise as people define conditions:
As undesirable
In need of change
Examples of Social Problems:
Crime
Poverty
Sexual abuse
Domestic violence
War
Racism

6. The Role of Sociology in Social Problems
Tool for breaking through emotions and defenses
Common sense is not enough: not adequate for addressing social problems.
May be faulty
Five ways sociology penetrates emotional convictions to yield objective understanding of social problems:
Sociologists can measure objective conditions.
Sociologists can measure subjective concerns.
Sociologists can apply the sociological imagination.
Sociologists can identify different ways to intervene in a social problem.
Sociologists can evaluate likely consequences of social policies.

7. Elements of a Social Problem
Social Problems have two essential components:
Objective Condition
Measured
Experienced
Subjective Concern
Concern about the social problem
Both sides of the issue
Culturally influenced
Change in societies will cause a change in opinions and concerns
Characteristics:
Social problems are dynamic: respond to changes in society
Social problems are relative: social problems depend on values

8. The Natural History of Social Problems
Four Stages (Social Movements):
Defining the problem, the emergence of leaders, and beginning to organize
Crafting an official response
Reacting to the official response
Developing alternative strategies

9. Methods for Studying Social Problems
Four basic research designs and methods:
Case Studies – specific situations/cases
Documents – secondary resources
Surveys – generalizability
Interviews (Structured and Unstructured)
Questionnaire – closed/open ended
Experiments – experimental/control groups
Field Studies – participant observation
Observation - overt/covert

10. Principles Underlying Sociological Research
Sociologists use scientific methods to provide objective, systematic research findings.
Sociologists do not base their conclusions on emotions or personal values.
Sociologists use the sociological imagination.
Because sociology cannot dictate that one set of values is superior to another, it provides no basis for making value decisions.

11. Should Sociologists Take Sides?
Problem of determining morality
Research methods allow one to gather objective information on social problems, but do not reveal what attitude or social policy is “correct.”
Sociology is not equipped to make judgments about values and morality.
Should sociologists forget their own subjective concerns and strive to remain dispassionate, detached, and value-free or should they report the facts and not take sides on the social issues that affect our society?

12. The Debate Among Sociologists
Those who champion neutrality stress the position that sociologists enjoy no superior vantage point from which to make moral judgments.
Sociologists do have knowledge and skills to offer but not morality.
Sociologists can indicate the potential consequences of different social policies, but should not promote any particular policy or solution.
On the other side of this issue, some sociologists are convinced that they have a moral obligation to take a stand.

13. Taking Sides: Divisions and Agreement
If sociologists want to take sides on any issue, they should do so as private citizens, not as sociologists.
Debate keeps sociologists sensitive to the boundaries between objectivity and partisanship.
Most sociologists attempt to resolve this dilemma by separating research evidence from their own values and opinions.