SOCIOL 103 Chapter 2: Sociology Chapter Two
Document Summary
Constructing a new social problem involves making claims. Claims are the first element in the social problems process. Every social problems claim makes a persuasive argument. Claims need to be tailored to their audiences. Information and evidence about the troubling condition- typifying examples, statistics, etc. Grounds: argue that the condition exists and offer supporting evidence. Worsening situation: claims insist that the problem is getting worse. Familiar type of problem: categorize a problem as being of a recognizable type. Kinds of people involved: identify categories of people involved in the troubling condition, and explain how their involvement should be understood. Range of people affected: suggestion that the problem affects a broad range of people. Challenge to older interpretations: challenge existing or alternative interpretations of the social problem. Typifying example: description of a particular instance of the condition. Chosen to illustrate the seriousness of the problem. Tend to be especially extreme, dramatic, disturbing, memorable cases.
