Psychology SOC Assignments

1/18/24, 2:47 PM Quiz: Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems

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Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems Started: Jan 18 at 2:47pm

Quiz Instructions

1 ptsQuestion 1

The objective element of a social problem refers to

our attitudes about the social conditions.

the existence of a social condition.

the only part of a problem that can be measured.

our beliefs about the importance of a condition.

1 ptsQuestion 2

The belief that a social condition harms society is the _____________ element of the social problem.

objective

subjective

operational

theoretical

1 ptsQuestion 3

Definitions of social problems

1/18/24, 2:47 PM Quiz: Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems

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remain consistent and accurate throughout history.

vary across societies and over time.

are determined by a society's governing structure.

are determined by academic intellectuals.

1 ptsQuestion 4

Society’s structure is made up of

the people who share a culture.

institutions, social groups, norms, and symbols.

beliefs, values, norms, and symbols.

institutions, social groups, statuses, and roles.

1 ptsQuestion 5

Which of the following is one of the five traditional social institutions?

A university

Religion

A hospital

A prison

1 ptsQuestion 6

Which of the following is more likely to be found in primary rather than secondary groups?

1/18/24, 2:47 PM Quiz: Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems

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Task-oriented actions

Impersonal interaction

Intimate relationships

Formal statuses and roles

1 ptsQuestion 7

Sociologists refer to the position a person holds in a group as his or her

status.

folkway.

institution.

role.

1 ptsQuestion 8

Which of the following is an ascribed status?

Native American

Single parent

High school graduate

Football player

1 ptsQuestion 9

Roles

1/18/24, 2:47 PM Quiz: Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems

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help us predict behaviors.

tell us what is true or false.

are general ideas about what is important.

refer to the positions within a social group.

1 ptsQuestion 10

Having to attend classes, read assignments, take exams, and write papers illustrates the __________ of

a college student.

status

role

institution

sanctions

1 ptsQuestion 11

Socially defined rules of behavior are

beliefs.

values.

norms.

sanctions.

1 ptsQuestion 12

1/18/24, 2:47 PM Quiz: Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems

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Janet receives disapproving looks from strangers for singing loudly while walking down the street. The

disapproving looks Janet receives are examples of

values.

folkways.

informal sanctions.

formal sanctions.

1 ptsQuestion 13

An inner-city youth was caught burglarizing houses. Which of the following explanations views the

youth’s crime as a public issue?

The youth was unable to find a job because most of the factories had moved out of the inner city.

The youth dropped out of school because he did not like his teachers

The youth’s mother did not provide adequate supervision because she was more interested in her boyfriend.

The youth thought burglarizing homes would be an easier way to make money than to work in a job.

1 ptsQuestion 14

According to C. Wright Mills, the ____________ is the ability to see the connections between our

personal lives and the social world.

functional perspective

sociological imagination

ascribed status

1/18/24, 2:47 PM Quiz: Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems

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anomie

1 ptsQuestion 15

A society is in a state of “anomie” when

the standards for behavior are not clear.

the major social institutions reinforce the same cultural values.

there are more secondary groups than primary groups.

some segments of society have more wealth than others.

1 ptsQuestion 16

According to Herbert Blumer the first stage of a social problem is

mobilization for action.

societal recognition.

implementation of a plan.

social legitimation.

1 ptsQuestion 17

Symbolic interactionist Herbert Blumer said that social problems develop in stages. In the ________

stage, a condition is recognized as a social problem by the larger community, such as media, schools,

and churches.

objectification

1/18/24, 2:47 PM Quiz: Ch 1 Review Quiz - Mooney Social Problems

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social legitimation

mobilization

implementation

1 ptsQuestion 18

The first stage in conducting a research study is

reviewing the literature.

formulating a research question.

formulating a hypothesis.

defining variables.

1 ptsQuestion 19

Jasmine received a list of questions in the mail. She was asked to answer the questions on paper and

return them to a researcher. Jasmine was asked to participate in

an experiment.

a questionnaire.

non-participant observation.

participant observation.

1 ptsQuestion 20

To study interaction between prison guards and inmates, a sociologist lived at a prison for several

months. Only the warden and a few other administrators knew he had not been convicted of a crime.

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Not saved

This is an example of

secondary data research.

non-participant observation.

participant observation.

an experiment.

Submit Quiz

1/18/24, 2:50 PM Chapter 1 Outline - Mooney-2: (Spring 2024) SOC 268 (1XYW) - Social Problems

https://learn.vccs.edu/courses/602127/pages/chapter-1-outline-mooney-2?module_item_id=44413962 1/6

Chapter 1 Outline - Mooney-2 LECTURE OUTLINE

I. WHAT IS A SOCIAL PROBLEM? A. Objective and Subjective Elements of Social Problems 1. Objective element: the existence of a social condition. 2. Subjective element: the belief that a particular social condition is harmful to society or to a segment of society and that the condition should and can be changed. 3. Definition of a social problem contains objective and subjective elements: a social condition that a segment of society views as harmful to members of society and in need of remedy. B. Variability in Definitions of Social Problems 1. Individuals and groups disagree about what constitutes a social problem 2. Definitions of social problems vary within societies, across societies, and across historical time periods.

II. ELEMENTS OF SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND CULTURE Social structure and culture are distinct but inseparable elements of society that help us understand the root causes of social problems. Thinking about Social Problems A. Elements of Social Structure: the way society is organized 1. Institution: an established and enduring pattern of social relationships a. Traditional institutions: family, religion, politics, economics, and education. b. Other institutions important in modern society: science and technology, mass media, medicine, sports, military. 2. Social groups: two or more people who have a common identity, interact, and form a social relationship a. Primary groups tend to be small and are characterized by intimate and informal interaction. b. Secondary groups may be large or small and are task-oriented, impersonal, and formal. 3. Statuses: positions within a social group a. Ascribed status is assigned on the basis of factors over which the individual has no control (e.g., sex, race). b. Achieved status is assigned on the basis of some characteristic or behavior over which the individual has some control (e.g., parent, college graduate). c. One’s ascribed status may affect the likelihood of achieving other statuses. d. Master status: the status that is the most significant in a person’s social identity 4. Roles: the set of rights, obligations, and expectations associated with a status

1/18/24, 2:50 PM Chapter 1 Outline - Mooney-2: (Spring 2024) SOC 268 (1XYW) - Social Problems

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a. Roles guide our behavior and allow us to predict the behavior of others. b. A single status involves more than one role. B. Elements of Culture: the meanings and ways of life that characterize a society 1. Beliefs: definitions and explanations about what is assumed to be true a. Beliefs influence whether an individual or group views a particular condition as a social problem, and the existence of the condition itself. 2. Values: social agreements about what is good and bad, right and wrong, desirable and undesirable a. Conditions are considered social problems when they are incompatible with or contradict closely held values b. Values also impact the development of the social condition itself 3. Norms and Sanctions: socially defined rules of behavior a. Folkways: customs, habits, and manners of society b. Laws: norms that are formalized and backed by political authority c. Mores: norms that have a moral basis d. Sanctions: social consequences for conforming to or violating norms i. Sanctions may be positive or negative, formal or informal 4. Symbol: something that represents something else a. Cultural symbols: language, gestures, and objects whose meaning is commonly understood b. Sometimes people attach different meanings to the same symbol.

III. THE SOCIOLOGICAL IMAGINATION A. The sociological imagination: the ability to see the connections between our personal lives and the social world. 1. Understanding causes of social problems by relating elements of social structure and culture to personal troubles that are shared by others in society.

IV. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES A. Structural-Functionalist Perspective 1. Defines society as a system of interconnected parts that work together to maintain a state of balance and social equilibrium; focuses on how each part influences and is influenced by other parts. 2. Effects of social elements on society a. Functional effects: contribute to social stability

b. Dysfunctional effects: disrupt social stability c. An element of society, such as crime, can be both functional and dysfunctional 3. There are two types of functions: a. Manifest: intended consequences that are commonly recognized b. Latent: unintended consequences that are often hidden B. Structural-Functionalist Theories of Social Problems

1/18/24, 2:50 PM Chapter 1 Outline - Mooney-2: (Spring 2024) SOC 268 (1XYW) - Social Problems

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1. Two theories of social problems grew out of structural-functionalism a. Social Pathology: problems result from elements of social structure or culture that no longer perform properly i. Due to inadequacies in our institutions or improper socialization b. Social Disorganization: rapid social change disrupts norms in society i. Anomie (normlessness) results when norms become weak or are in conflict with each other. ii. Social problems may be solved by slowing the pace of social change and strengthening social norms. C. Conflict Perspective 1. Views society as comprised of different groups and interests that compete for power and resources. D. Conflict Theories of Social Problems 1. Examines which groups have power and benefit from a particular social arrangement. a. Marxist theories: social problems result from class inequality inherent in a capitalist system. i. What benefits the “haves” in society often creates poverty and other social problems for the “have-nots” ii. Corporate violence: harm and or risk of harm inflicted on consumers, workers, and the general public resulting from decisions by corporate executives or managers iii. Alienation: powerlessness and meaningless in people’s lives • Workers feel sense of powerlessness due to lack of control over jobs • Specialized nature of work requires repetitive tasks, which may feel that their lives are meaningless b. Non-Marxist Conflict Theories: conflicts arise when groups have opposing values and interests. i. Different values result in different subjective interactions of what constitutes a social problem ii. Sometimes the social problem is way that conflict is expressed (e.g., pro-life advocates who shoot doctors who perform abortions). E. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective 1. Micro sociological perspective: concerned with the social-psychological dynamics of individuals interacting in small groups 2. Views human behavior as influenced by definitions and meanings created and maintained through social interactions a. W. I. Thomas suggested that humans respond to their definition of a situation rather than the objective situation itself; therefore, situations we define as real become real in their consequences b. Cooley stated that we develop our self-concept by observing how others interact with and label us; we see a reflection of ourselves called the “looking-glass self.”

1/18/24, 2:50 PM Chapter 1 Outline - Mooney-2: (Spring 2024) SOC 268 (1XYW) - Social Problems

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c. Weber argued social scientists must see the world through the eyes of an individual or group to understand behavior; he called this approach Verstehen, which in German means to understand. F. Symbolic Interactionist Theories of Social Problems 1. A condition must be defined or recognized as a social problem for it to be a social problem a. Blumer suggested social problems develop in stages. i. “societal recognition”—the process by which a social problem is “born.” ii. “social legitimization”—the social problem achieves recognition by the larger community, including the media, schools, and churches. iii. “mobilization for action”—individuals and groups become concerned about how to respond to the social condition. iv. “development and implementation of an official plan” for dealing with the problem. b. Labeling theory i. A social condition or group is viewed as problematic if it is labeled as such. ii. Resolving social problems sometimes involves changing the meanings and definitions that are attributed to people and situations. c. Social constructionism: reality is socially constructed by individuals who interpret the social world around them i. Society is a social creation rather than an objective given. ii. The media, universities, research institutes, and government agencies are often responsible for the public’s initial “take” on the problem under discussion.

V. SOCIAL PROBLEMS RESEARCH A. Stages of Conducting a Research Study 1. Formulating a research question a. Question may come from the researcher’s own life experiences, personal values, test a sociological theory, or reflect current events or concerns of community/activist groups 2. Reviewing the literature: review of published material on the topic to find out what is already known 3. Defining variables a. Variable: any measurable event, characteristic, or property that varies or is subject to change b. Operational definition: specifying how a variable is to be measured. 4. Formulating a hypothesis a. Hypothesis: prediction about how one variable is related to another variable b. Dependent variable: the variable the researcher wants to explain c. Independent variable: the variable that is expected to explain change in the dependent variable d. Researchers predict how the independent variables affect the dependent variables B. Methods of Data Collection 1. Experiments: assess causation by manipulating the independent variable to determine how it

1/18/24, 2:50 PM Chapter 1 Outline - Mooney-2: (Spring 2024) SOC 268 (1XYW) - Social Problems

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affects the dependent variable. a. Requires one or more experimental groups that are exposed to the experimental treatment(s) and a control group that is not exposed b. Major strength: provides evidence of causal relationships c. Major weakness: results from small samples and artificial laboratory settings; may not be generalizable to people in natural settings 2. Surveys: eliciting information from respondents through questions. a. Requires a representative sample: a portion of the population selected so that the information from the sample can be generalized to a larger population. 3. Interviews: use trained interviewers to ask questions a. Advantages: interviewers can clarify questions and follow up on answers b. Disadvantages: Cost; Lack of anonymity that may result in respondents refusing to participate or concealing or altering information 4. Questionnaires: mail, post on-line, or give to a sample of respondents i. Advantages: Less expensive and time-consuming; Provides privacy and anonymity to the respondents increasing the likelihood of truthful answers ii. Disadvantage: difficult to obtain an adequate response rate 5. Web-based surveys a. A new method of conducting survey research through web-based surveys b. Reduce many of the problems associated with traditional surveys 6. Field Research: observing social behavior in its natural setting a. Two types of field research: i. Participant observation: researcher participates in the phenomenon being studied so as to obtain an insider’s perspective on the people and/or behavior being observed. ii. Non-participant observation: researcher observes the phenomenon begin studied without actively participating in the group or activity. b. Sometimes sociologists conduct in-depth detailed analyses or case studies of an individual, group, or event. c. Advantage: Provides detailed information about values, rituals, norms, behaviors, symbols, beliefs, and emotions of those being studied d. Disadvantages: Researcher’s observations may be biased; Findings may not be generalizable due to small samples. 7. Secondary data research: analyze data already collected by other researchers or government agencies (e.g. historical documents, police reports, hospital records) a. Advantages: Researchers avoid time and expense of collecting data and is readily accessible; Often based on large, representative samples. b. Disadvantage: Researcher is limited to the data already collected.

VI. TEN GOOD REASONS TO READ THIS BOOK A. Provide an integrated theoretical background: will expand your thinking about how the world works

1/18/24, 2:50 PM Chapter 1 Outline - Mooney-2: (Spring 2024) SOC 268 (1XYW) - Social Problems

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B. Develop a sociological imagination: helps you see the link between private troubles and public issues. C. Understand globalization: social problems in one part of the world affect other parts of the world. D. Increase awareness about fixing social problems: fixing one problem might create others. E. Increase optimism: positive changes and solutions are profiled throughout the text F. Be empowered with knowledge: accurate information shows that we have solutions G. Increase self awareness: using the Self and Society exercises. H. Increase empathy and compassion: using The Human Side features. I. Learn the basics of scientific research: in Social Problems Research Up Close J. Make a difference in the world: through individual and collective action.

VII. UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL PROBLEMS A. All social problems have an origin, consequence and solution. 1. Sociologists have been studying social problems since the Industrial Revolution a. Industrialization brought about massive social changes. b. Increases in crime, pollution, divorce and juvenile delinquency 2. Field of sociology developed to understand and find solutions to these issues. 3. No single agreed upon definition of what constitutes a social problem.