intro

• Social policy is the p____ and a____ of g____ to tackle 's___ p____', especially the welfare of the population in areas such as education and health.

• Many sociologists are interested in what? and much of their research produces policy p____ for g___ to act upon.

• Social policy is the plans and actions of governments to tackle 'social problems', especially the welfare of the population in areas such as education and health.

• Many sociologists are interested in solving social problems and much of their research produces policy proposals for government to act upon.

In this Topic, we examine the relationship between sociology and social policy. what are examples of questions we ask?

In this Topic, we examine the relationship between sociology and social policy. For example:

• Should it be the job of sociologists to influence social policies?

• What kinds of policies do different perspectives favour?

• How far does sociological research actually influence policies?

Social problems and sociological problems

In order to understand the role of sociology in relation to social policy, it is useful to distinguish first between what?

Social problems and sociological problems

In order to understand the role of sociology in relation to social policy, it is useful to distinguish first between social problems and sociological problems.

Social problems

• According to W____ (1977), 'a social problem is what?

• For example, p____, e____ u____, c____ and d____ may all be seen as social problems by members of society, and governments may be called upon to produce p____ to tackle them.

Social problems

• According to Worley (1977), 'a social problem is some piece of social behaviour that causes public friction and/or private misery and calls for collective action to solve it'.

• For example, poverty, educational underachievement, crime and divorce may all be seen as social problems by members of society, and governments may be called upon to produce policies to tackle them.

Sociological problems

• According to Worley, a sociological problem is what?. In other words, it is any piece of behaviour that we wish to m____ s____ of.

• This might be something that society regards as a s____ p____, for example why some people are p___ or c____ crime.

• But it can also include behaviour that society doesn't normally regard as a p____ - for example, why people are p___ or l___-a____. As Worsley puts it:

• 'From the point of view of the State or the neighbours, quiet families are not problem families, S____ speaking, t__ a___.

Sociological problems

• According to Worley, a sociological problem is 'any pattern of relationships that calls for explanation'. In other words, it is any piece of behaviour that we wish to make sense of.

• This might be something that society regards as a social problem, for example why some people are poor or commit crime. But it can also include behaviour that society doesn't normally regard as a problem - for example, why people are prosperous or law-abiding. As Worsley puts it:

• 'From the point of view of the State or the neighbours, quiet families are not problem families, Sociologically speaking, they are.

• In other words, 'n____' behaviour is just as interesting to sociologists as behaviour that people see as a s___ p____. In fact, some sociologists show little or no interest in what?. They see their goal as being to d____ k____ for its own s____.

• On the other hand, many sociologists are interested in solving social problems through their r____. For example, sociologists who feel strongly about p___ have conducted research aimed at discovering s____.

• Similarly, many sociologists are employed directly by g____ d____ such as the H___ O____. These sociologists often have a direct i____ into making p___ and evaluating their effectiveness, for example in reducing crime.

• In other words, 'normal' behaviour is just as interesting to sociologists as behaviour that people see as a social problem. In fact, some sociologists show little or no interest in solving social problems. They see their goal as being to discover knowledge for its own sake.

• On the other hand, many sociologists are interested in solving social problems through their research. For example, sociologists who feel strongly about poverty have conducted research aimed at discovering solutions.

• Similarly, many sociologists are employed directly by government departments such as the Home Office. These sociologists often have a direct input into making policies and evaluating their effectiveness, for example in reducing crime.