Social Problems: Key Concepts and Perspectives

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Questions and Answers

How do Meeuvisse & Swärd's criteria contribute to the understanding of social problems?

They offer a structured approach for defining and assessing the severity of social issues. (correct)
They establish a universal standard for measuring individual well-being.
They outline specific legal remedies for addressing social problems.
They provide a framework for analyzing the economic impact of social problems.

Which perspective emphasizes the importance of objective, measurable data in understanding social phenomena?

Psychoanalysis
Interactionism
Constructivism
Objectivism (correct)

Which of the following best describes the focus of constructivism as a theoretical perspective?

Understanding how shared meanings and interpretations shape social reality. (correct)
Examining an individual's unconscious motivations.
Analyzing societal structures to understand social problems.
Measuring the economic impact of government policies.

How does considering different levels of analysis enhance our understanding of social issues?

It generates a more detailed understanding of the interconnected factors influencing social phenomena. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the central idea behind the structure/actor perspective in social analysis?

Individuals and broader societal forces mutually shape each other. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How does the concept of 'stigma' impact individuals within a society?

It can lead to social exclusion and diminished opportunities. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How might 'shame' influence individual behavior according to interactionist perspectives?

It can drive conformity or deviance, depending on social context. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the concept of the 'looking-glass self' suggest about the development of individual identity?

Self-identity is shaped by our perception of how others see us. (C) Signup and view all the answers

In the context of social problems, what implications does 'labeling' have?

It can reinforce deviant behavior and create self-fulfilling prophecies. (C) Signup and view all the answers

According to Merton's modes of adaptation, how do individuals respond to societal goals and means?

Individuals may adapt through conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, or rebellion. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Social Problems

Conditions or behaviors that are seen as detrimental and problematic by a significant segment of society, often evaluated using criteria defined by Meeuvisse & Swärd.

Objectivism

The view that reality exists independently of the mind and can be known objectively.

Constructivism

A perspective emphasizing that knowledge and reality are actively constructed by individuals through social interaction and experience.

Levels of Analysis

Different levels of analysis used to examine social phenomena, ranging from individual interactions (micro) to communities and organizations (meso) to large-scale societal structures (macro).