SOC 0007 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: The Sociological Imagination, Institutional Racism, Sociological Theory
Document Summary
Social problems are usually thought of being social situations in which a large number of people believe were inappropriate and needed to be remedied. Absolutist approach: problems are created by bad people. 1920s and 30s saw societies undergoing rapid change as the cause of social problems. Conflict between culturally prescribed goals of society and the obstacles people face. Vs. the role of society in creating and sustaining deviance through labeling. Subjective nature of social problems: what is defined as a social problem differs by audience and time. Public issue or social problem: affects a large number of people. Objective reality of social problems: conditions in society that induce material of psychic suffering for certain segments of the population i. e. institutional racism and poverty. There is no standard for a social problem to become objective . Social problems are defined by those in power. Public opinion diverts attention away from the social problem of the status quo.
