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The Sociological Study of Social Problems
“For every major problem in this
nation, there is a simple solution –
and it is wrong.”
H.L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)
journalist, editor, critic
The Sociological Study of Social Problems
The application of a sociological perspective will help us
understand
1. the kinds, sources, persistence, and consequences
of social problems;
2. why some programs rather than others are
implemented to address these problems
3. what factors - all apart from the severity of the
problem - affect the likelihood that proposed
programs will successfully reduce the extent to
which the problem exists.
Socio-historical Account
. . . people,
. . . events,
. . . and especially ideas and how they have changed over time
Defining Social Problems
Objectivist
&
Subjectivist
Approaches
What is a “Social Problem”
Every set of conditions that is recognized as a social problem
existed for some time before it came to be “defined” as such.
Historically, unjust conditions have been taken for granted as
part of the natural and inescapable order of things - i.e., the
treatment of women, Native Americans and African-Americans.
The act of defining a phenomenon as a social problem implies
that the situation is undesirable and that something should be
done to remedy it.
A major process is involved in transforming an objective
problem condition into one that is in the forefront of the
public’s consciousness.
What is a “Social Problem”
Where does legitimate discipline end and child abuse begin?
Pro Choice
OR
Pro Life
organized social protest by “rabblerousers”
OR
blind obedience, ignorance and/or public apathy
Institutionalized discrimination
OR
Affirmative action programs
Is poverty a social problem or the fault of certain individuals?
Subjectivist position
A condition is a social problem only when it is perceived as undesirable.
A social problem exists when a significant number of people – or a small
number of significant people – believe that a certain condition is in fact a
problem in need of remedy.
“No condition, no matter how dramatic or shocking
to someone else, is a social problem unless the values
of a considerable number of people within the society
define it as a problem.”
Paul B. Horton & Gerald R. Leslie
Objectivist position
A social problem exists as soon as a significant number of individuals
are adversely affected by a phenomenon related to social factors,
even if no one recognizes it.
“A social problem is a condition caused by factors
built into the social structure of a particular society
that systematically disadvantages or harms a specific
segment or a significant number of the society’s
population.”
Daniel J. Curran & Claire M. Renzetti
“A social problem exists when there is a sizable
difference between the ideals of a society and its
actual achievements.”
James Coleman & Harold Kerbo
Objective & Subjective Elements
Social problems are not only subjective states
of mind; they are also objective states of affairs
“A social problem exists when there is a sizeable
discrepancy between what is and what people
think ought to be.”
Robert K. Merton
1910- 2003
manifest social problems – those that are recognized
latent social problems – those that are real but unnoticed.
Objective & Subjective Elements
“Social problems come into being as a concerned
group defines an issue as harmful and in need of
change.” [Page 1]
“A social problem is a condition that undermines
the well-being of some or all members of a
society and that is usually a matter of public
controversy.” [Page 2]
“The reality of a social problem is partly a matter
of objective facts and partly a matter of how
individuals subjectively interpret these facts.”
John J. Macionis
What is a “Social Problem”
Rarely does a complete consensus occur in society as to
whether a given condition does or does not constitute a
social problem.
In most instances, consensus on social problem matters is
virtually impossible to obtain.
Disagreements:
What constitutes a social problem
How severe or urgent is it - priority ranking
What should be done?
Summary of Questions
What social factors affect the probability that one set of circumstances
rather than another comes to be “defined” as a social problem that
requires our attention and active intervention?
What types of social factors lead to the existence of social problems?
What social factors affect the probability that one type of program
will be implemented rather than any of the alternative competing
approaches?
What social factors - all apart from the severity of the social problem affect the probability that proposed programs will reduce the extent
to which the problem exists?
What is a “Social Problem”
“What constitutes a social problem” is the outcome of an
extended set of social negotiations between different groups
with markedly different sets of legitimate beliefs, values,
attitudes, perceptions, interests, and power.
These differences affect not only why some social
circumstances rather than others come to be defined and
acknowledged as social problems, but also how these social
problems, once recognized, are prioritized, and why some
proposed solutions rather than others are implemented.
What is a “Social Problem”
Ingredients & Problematics
1. An “objective” condition: real, tangible, measurable
“a sizeable discrepancy between what is and what people
think ought to be”
Who determines “what is” and how do they do so?
Social scientists? Those directly affected?
How accurate, robust or contentious are the
findings? Lies, damn lies, and statistics.
What constitutes a “sizeable” - as compared to as
acceptable - discrepancy? Threshold?
What “ought to be?” Who decides?
What is a “Social Problem”
Ingredients & Problematics
2. A “subjective” definition of the condition as problematic
Rarely does a complete consensus occur in society as to
whether a given condition should be considered a
social problem.
What social factors affect the probability that one set of
circumstances rather than another comes to be “defined”
as a social problem that requires our attention and active
intervention? --> Social Movements, resource mobilization
A situation will become an officially recognized or certified
social problem only when people who are strategically located
in a society’s power structure acknowledge its existence.
What is a “Social Problem”
Ingredients & Problematics
3. An “objective” condition that is “undesirable”
“. . . that adversely affects a significant number of people – or
a small number of significant people”
That which adversely affects one group can and often does
privilege another group
Typology of Social Problems
Manifest Social Problems
Objectively real and empirically demonstrable
Recognized, certified and supported by
government agencies
Contending Social Problems [vying for governmental validation]
Objectively real and empirically demonstrable
Recognized, certified and supported by private
agencies and/or organizations
Typology of Social Problems
Incipient Social Problems
[initial stage; beginning to come to notice]
Objectively real and empirically demonstrable
Recognized by a loose collection of individuals
with similar beliefs and grievances; no
organizational base.
Latent Social Problems
Objectively real and empirically demonstrable
Not recognized.
Pseudo Social Problems
Spurious. Not corresponding to reality
Recognized by either governmental or private
agencies and/or by specified groups
Typology of Social Problems
Objective
Reality;
Empirically
Demonstrated
Subjectively Recognized and
Acted Upon by
Govt.
Private
Collectivities;
Agencies
Groups
Manifest
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Contending
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Incipient
Yes
No
No
Yes
Latent
Yes
No
No
No
Pseudo
No
Rarely
Sometimes
Often
What is a “Social Problem”
Ingredients & Problematics
4. They are “social” in origin
“. . . caused, perpetuated, prolonged by social factors.”
Prior to the emergence of sociology, social problems have
been variously attributed to
“Original Sin” and/or the sinfulness of a particular individual,
malevolent spirits,
insanity, either moral or physical,
the inevitable result of natural law,
an inferior heredity
The “Social” Origins of Social Problems
What types of social factors lead to the existence of social
problems?
The influence of other people:
significant others – including parents, role models, peer groups;
Social disorganization:
rapid social and technological change;
Institutional breakdowns:
family, economy, polity, religion, education;
Structural strains and internal contradictions:
social structure and anomie; institutional ambivalence
Unanticipated consequences of well-intentioned actions:
labeling, “Matthew Effect”;
The “Social” Origins of Social Problems
“Social sadism” & “sociological euphemisms”
“Social sadism”: social structures that are so organized as
to systematically inflict pain, humiliation, suffering, and deep
frustration upon particular groups and strata.
unequal access to resources and opportunities;
institutionalized discrimination;
exploitation of weak groups by powerful ones;
“Sociological euphemisms”: analytically useful concepts
such as social stratification, social exchange, reward system,
dysfunction, symbolic interaction, etc. that, by sounding
impersonal and objective, deflect attention from the intense
feelings of pain and suffering that are the experience of
some people caught up in given patterns of social life.
Robert Merton, “Insiders and Outsiders.”
Sociologists
as
Social Critics
One of the tasks of sociologists is to identify latent social
problems – conditions that are at odds with current interests
and values but not generally recognized as being so – thereby
alerting people to pending difficulties.
By making latent social problems manifest – by discovering
unwanted consequences of institutionalized arrangements –
the sociologist inevitably becomes a social critic.
Sociologists
as
Social Activists
“The philosophers have only interpreted
the world in various ways; the point is
to change it.”
Karl Marx, 1845
1818 - 1883
This epitaph appears on Marx’s tombstone in Highgate Cemetary, London.