Exam 1 Study Guide SYG 2010-07 The following list of course concepts from the readings, videos, and class is designed to assist you to study for your first exam. This study guide is meant to guide you through the course material and IS NOT a substitute for course readings and videos, lectures, PowerPoint presentations, and your notes. Happy studying!Note: Course Readings are highlighted in BOLD text General exam information:35-40 questions worth 2 points each – mostly multiple choice with some true/false2-3 short answer/essay worth 10 points eachFOR EACH SOCIAL PROBLEM we have discussed you should be prepared to discuss the problem and its solutions from the various perspectives along the political spectrum (ex. radicalleft, liberal, conservative). Ex: How would a liberal discuss poverty (its causes) and possible solutions? How would a conservative discuss poverty? Use the tables in your book to study this –“Applying Theory” and “Left to Right” – and “Making the Grade” at the end of each chapter.Introduction to Social Problems and Sociology as a DisciplineSociology-Sociology : the systematic study of human societies Culture, social institutions, other terms- Society : people who live within some territory and share many patterns of behavior- Culture : a way of life including widespread values (about what is good and bad), beliefs (about what is “true”), and behavior (what people do everyday)- Social institutions : a major sphere of social life, or a societal subsystem, organized to meet a basic human need Durable over time, though various aspects may change due to cultural shifts Structures created through interactions Ex: families, schools, banks, churches, corporations, governments, the militaryThe Sociological Imagination-C. Wright Mills- You should be able to use your sociological imagination to explain social problems-Sociological imagination : a point of view that highlights how society affects the experiences we have and the choices we make The ability to look beyond one’s own everyday lifeBeing aware of the ideas, beliefs, norms, and values that we tend to take for grantedRecognizing that society affects the personal experiences we have and the choiceswe make- Ability to use the connections between our personal lives (and others’) and the social 1world. – C. Wright Mills Allows people to connect their own lives to that of wider society Allows people to look beyond their individual environment - Question our own beliefs and assumptions Rejecting the status quoWhat Is a Social Problem? How do issues develop into social problems? Describe how various techniques are used to construct the image of a social problem. Conditions PERCEIVED to undermine the WELL-BEING of a society that are usually a matter of PUBLIC CONTROVERSY Two Elements of Social Problems: OBJECTIVE: the existence of a social condition SUBJECTIVE: condition is perceived harmful to societySignificant # of people – widely accepted# of significant people – power dynamics Five characteristics of social problems – how do you know if something is a social problem? OBJECTIVE: Factual and concrete data for support SUBJECTIVE: Socially defined, based on values and norms - AGREED to be harmful WITH or WITHOUT objective facts DYNAMIC: Change over time vary across time RELATIVE: A problem for some is a solution for others VISIBLE**: Publicized, and on the “radar” for most in society **This characteristics MAKES or BREAKS a “social problem” Social Problems aren’t problems unless people know about them, hear about them, get angry, etc. How do we know if an issue is “on the radar” as a social problem?Public OutragePublicityResources are directed towards itOrganizations are formedInstitutionalized by government (no argument here) Objectivist vs Constructionist/Subjective orientationso What are they?o How does each view something as a social problem?o Shortcomingso Review the peanut butter vs Marijuana comparison2oo Joel Best’s “Typification” Flaws of Objectivist Definitions – Joel Best Minimize or even ignore the subjective nature of social problems Objectivist would consider Peanut Butter a social problem because of the health concern3 Flaw: not all harmful conditions are regarded as social problems  The objective conditions that people define as social problems have relatively little in common Peanut butter - rape - ozone layer thinning out- Constructionism – Joel Best Subjectivist perspective on social problems NOT TWO SIDES OF COIN – objectivist v. constructionist Groups social problems through PROCESS NOT KIND Reasoning: It does not matter whether the conditions exist; it matters only that people make claims about them  Look at what social problems have in common VIA CLAIMSMAKING PROCESS- Typification (Joel Best): Characterizes a problem as a particular type: e.g., a moral/medical/economic/etc. problem Naming …creates a desired image or focus “teen promiscuity” v. “teen pregnancy”: moral v. medical “welfare queen” “Grabber” or “Horror Story” Horror Stories” Dramatic accounts, either real or fabricated, that are offered as “typical” cases Horror stories take on a reality (repetition/elaboration) E.g., Poisoned Halloween candy Define a Problem: Presence and Scope Assemble Claims (gather data) Organize the claims into a “frame”o Package ideas to make sure they seem like a problemo “raiding the land” v. “exploring for energy”o “partial birth abortion” v. “third term” Publicize the Problem Suggest Solutions 4Sociological Theories- Theory : a statement of how and why specific facts are related- Building a theory depends on…- Theoretical approach : basic image of society that guides theory and research- Framework, ideas, standpoint- Theoretical approaches in sociology- Macro-level : looks broadly at the social world as influencing individual behavior- Structural-Functionalist: Society is comprised of interrelated partso Social institutions are essential to society in order to meet basic human needs- Social-Conflict- Micro-level : examines individual behavior as influencing larger society - Symbolic InteractionHow do these theories view individuals and society? Structural-Functionalismo Manifest function: intended outcomeo Latent