Study Guide for Chapter 1 Section 1:1 In today's reading I want you to pay attention to the "definition" of a social problem. 1. Explain thoroughly, the objective and subjective elements of social problems. For any condition or behavior to be considered a social problem, it must have negative consequences for large numbers of people. Reasonable people can and do disagree on whether such consequences exist and, if so, on their extent and seriousness, but ordinarily a body of data accumulates- from work done by academic researchers, government agencies and other sources- that strongly points to extensive and serious consequences. The latter demonstrates the objective component. The objective component involves empirical evidence of the negative consequences of a social condition or behavior, while the subjective component involves the perception that the condition or behavior is indeed a problem that needs to be addressed. 2. What do the authors mean when they say, " perception matters at least as much as reality?" When the authors say, “perception matters at least as much as reality”, they are referring to the social constructionist viewpoint that negative conditions and behaviors are not a social problem unless they are recognized as such by policymakers, large numbers of lay citizens, or other segments of our society. Within this viewpoint, perception matters at least as much as reality because it is perception that dictates what becomes or does not become a social problem, despite reality. 3. Discuss the implications of society as a social construction… The implications of society as a social construction can be dangerous and reckless. Perception is not always reality. Allowing perception to dictate what is and what is not a social problem can lead to many false understandings and furthermore distorted policies and law. In the example in the textbook, the author explains how in the 1800’s women were discouraged from attending college based off of two main reasons: the stress of college would disrupt their menstrual cycle and that they would do poorly on exams during that “time of the month.” This perception has little to no basis, however in the 1800’s it was considered to be a social problem. 4. Apply the basic stages of social problem recognition to current social problems? 1) Emergence and Claims Making: Policy violence and brutality, excessive force, wrongful convictions and racism towards people of color. 2) Legitimacy: Real examples support claims. George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmed Arbory, etc… 3) Renewed Claims Making: Consequences for the police officers that committed these acts not sufficient. Demand harsher punishment for these individuals. Demand social and systematic change, i.e. defund the police. 4) Development of Alternative Strategies: Continuing to grow and expand the presence and efforts of Black Lives Matter.
