SOC220 Chapters 1-5

A comprehensive set of question-and-answer flashcards covering key concepts from Chapters 1–5 of Joel Best’s Social Problems, 3rd Edition, including definitions, stages, rhetorical elements, actors, and media dynamics in the social problems process.

What are the two main approaches to defining social problems?

The Objectivist approach (harmful conditions) and the Subjectivist/Constructionist approach (topics of concern).

How does the objectivist approach define a social problem?

As a condition that can be objectively measured as harmful (e.g., crime rates, poverty thresholds).

What is a key limitation of the objectivist approach?

There is no universal standard of harm; many harmful conditions (e.g., racism) were not recognized as problems for years.

Why can the same condition be labeled a social problem for different reasons?

Because people emphasize different types of harm (moral, economic, cultural, etc.).

How does the subjectivist approach define a social problem?

By people’s subjective sense that a condition is troubling, making social problems a process of concern, not just a condition.

What is social construction in the context of social problems?

The process by which people create meanings, defining certain conditions as social problems.

List the six stages in Best’s basic natural history model of social problems.

1) Claimsmaking, 2) Media coverage, 3) Public reaction, 4) Policymaking, 5) Social problems work, 6) Policy outcomes.

Who are claimsmakers?

Individuals or groups who try to convince others that a condition needs attention.

What is the role of resources in the social problems process?

Money, status, power, education, and contacts influence how easily actors can advance claims at every stage.

Define rhetoric in claimsmaking.

The study and practice of persuasion; claims are tailored rhetorically for different audiences.

What is feedback in the social problems process?

When the effects of one stage influence earlier stages, leading to claim revision.

According to Chapter 2, what are the three components of any social problems claim?

Grounds, Warrants, and Conclusions.

What question do the grounds of a claim answer?

“What is wrong?” – they provide evidence that the troubling condition exists.

Give three common rhetorical elements used in grounds.

Typifying examples, names/labels, and statistics.

What is a warrant in a claim?

Justifications that appeal to values, explaining why something must be done.

Why do claimsmakers often use multiple warrants?

To resonate with diverse values so different audiences can support action for different reasons.

What do conclusions specify in a claim?

Recommended actions or policies to solve the troubling condition.

What is a valence issue?

A problem about which there is widespread agreement (e.g., child abuse).

Define a position issue.

A problem about which the public is divided (e.g., gun control).

Why must claims be modified for segmented audiences?

Different demographic groups prioritize different concerns and values.

What is domain expansion?

Broadening the definition of a problem to include more cases (e.g., redefining rape to include marital rape).

Explain piggybacking in claimsmaking.

Linking a new condition to an already recognized problem to gain attention.

What is a counterclaim?

An argument that directly opposes a particular claim.

How do ‘stat wars’ arise?

Opposing sides present conflicting statistics to support claims and counterclaims.

Define ideology in this context.

A set of beliefs about how society should operate that shapes claims and counterclaims.

What are cultural resources?

Shared symbols, ideas, and knowledge that claimsmakers draw on to craft persuasive claims.

Differentiate outsider and insider claimsmakers.

Outsiders lack easy access to power and rely on media attention; insiders (e.g., lobbyists) have direct access to policymakers.

What is a social movement?

A broad cause motivating activists to address a troubling condition.

Define social movement organization (SMO).

An individual organization within a social movement that pursues the movement’s goals.

What is inertia in social change?

Reluctance to alter existing arrangements, often benefiting those who prefer the status quo.

What are the three framing components that mirror claims structure?

Diagnostic frames (grounds), motivational frames (warrants), and prognostic frames (conclusions).

List the four types of frame alignment.

Frame bridging, frame amplification, frame extension, and frame transformation.

What is a frame dispute?

A disagreement among activists over how to frame a condition.

Define resource mobilization.

Gathering money, members, and skills necessary for a social movement.

Who are constituents, beneficiaries, and conscience constituents?

Constituents: all supporters; Beneficiaries: those who directly gain; Conscience constituents: supporters who gain no direct benefit.

What is a cultural opportunity?

A shift in popular ideas that makes audiences more receptive to certain claims.

Define political opportunity.

A change in power (e.g., elections) that makes policy change more feasible.

What does ownership of an issue mean?

A group’s construction becomes widely accepted, making it the go-to authority for that problem.

Why must issue owners keep their frames visible?

To reaffirm authority and fend off rival claimsmakers.

What is medicalization?

Defining a troubling condition as a medical matter requiring treatment.

Give two reasons medicalization is important.

1) It shifts responsibility from moral failing to illness, and 2) grants physicians authority over the issue.

What is biomedicalization?

Attributing troubling conditions to biological processes such as genetics.

Define pharmaceuticalization.

Treating conditions primarily with prescription drugs.

Why are experts considered insider claimsmakers?

Their specialized knowledge gives them prestige and access to policymakers.

What is institutionalized ownership?

When policies (e.g., insurance coverage) cement experts’ authority over a problem domain.

Explain why science can both enhance and complicate claimsmaking.

Scientific authority lends credibility, but research can be slow, contested, or misreported, causing confusion.

Why is consensus harder in social sciences than in physical sciences?

Social phenomena are complex, involve human behavior, and are influenced by values and context.

What is risk construction?

Scientific efforts to define the likelihood and severity of harms, often debated by non-experts.

How can experts face conflicts of interest?

Funding sources, advocacy roles, or disciplinary biases can affect their neutrality.

Why do agencies compete over issue ownership?

Ownership brings resources, influence, and budgetary authority.

Name the three broad types of media discussed in Chapter 5.

News media, entertainment media, and infotainment.

What is an arena in the social problems marketplace?

A public venue where claims are presented (e.g., newspapers, congressional hearings).

Define carrying capacity in media.

The limited amount of attention or space an arena can devote to issues.

List two tactics claimsmakers use to attract media attention.

Press releases/press conferences and using dramatic visuals or spokespeople.

Why does routine ‘news work’ shape coverage more than political bias?

Reporters face constraints like deadlines, space limits, and need for audience relevance.

What happens to primary claims when turned into news stories?

They become secondary claims: shorter, more dramatic, and less ideological.

Why do news outlets favor balance and simplicity?

Time/space limits and audience expectations encourage two-sided, easy-to-grasp narratives.

What is audience segmentation in media?

Tailoring content to specific demographic or ideological groups to retain viewers and attract advertisers.

Define issue ownership within media coverage.

When journalists routinely consult the same individuals or organizations for information on a problem.

What is a landmark narrative?

A typifying example that dominates coverage and shapes public understanding of an issue.

Explain a package in news construction.

A familiar bundle of causes and solutions that frames how an issue is discussed.

What is a condensing symbol?

A slogan, image, or story that evokes an entire package in shorthand form.

Define the sociological imagination.

The ability to relate personal troubles to broader social structures.

Why is assessing media impact difficult?

Multiple variables influence behavior, and true control groups are hard to find.

What is agenda setting?

Media and policymakers selecting which issues will receive focused attention.

According to Figure 5.1, what flows into media representations?

Cultural resources, claimsmakers’ input, and practical considerations like budgets and target audiences.

Why do electronic media increase carrying capacity?

24/7 channels and the internet allow unlimited space for content compared to print limits.

How can social media affect the social problems process?

It allows rapid dissemination of claims but requires vigilance in fact-checking.

Why do news organizations rarely present many sides of an issue?

Complexity exceeds time/space constraints and may overwhelm or bore segmented audiences.

What is ‘news geography’?

The concentration of reporters and media outlets in certain cities (e.g., NY, DC) affecting coverage likelihood.

How can popular culture influence social problem perceptions?

Fictional shows and movies frame issues around individual responsibility, shaping public understanding.

What are practical constraints of news work besides deadlines?

Budget limitations, formulaic story structures, and competition for audience attention.

Describe the relationship between activists and experts in claimsmaking.

Activists translate expert jargon for the public, while experts provide credibility and access to policymakers.