Comprehensive Social Problems Study Guide: Sociology, Class, Race & Ethnicity

What is the sociological imagination?

A concept that connects personal lives to the larger social world, distinguishing between personal issues and public issues.

Define a social problem.

A social condition that has negative consequences.

What is objective reality?

Actual experience that can be confirmed through data collection.

What is subjective reality?

How a condition is understood, interpreted, or socially constructed.

What is social constructionism?

A framework emphasizing how social meanings and definitions are created.

What are the stages of the subjective process of social problems according to Spector and Kituse?

1. Transformation process, 2. Legitimization process, 3. Conflict stage, 4. Final stage.

What does the macro level of sociological analysis focus on?

Large-scale social structures, institutions, and broad social patterns.

What does the micro level of sociological analysis focus on?

Smaller-scale interactions and everyday social life.

What is the functionalist perspective?

A view that examines the functions of the structure of society and how it civilizes individual actions.

What is anomie?

A state of normlessness in society.

What does the conflict perspective emphasize?

Power and coercion as the basis of societal structure.

Who were the key classes in Marx's framework?

Proletariat and Bourgeoisie.

What does the feminist perspective focus on?

Gender as a source of social inequality, conflict, and problems.

What is the interactionist perspective?

A micro-level perspective that highlights everyday interactions and the active role of individuals.

What is empirical evidence?

Evidence that is part of the scientific process, based on observation and experience.

What is the difference between basic research and applied research?

Basic research is intended to expand knowledge, while applied research focuses on practical problems.

What is a variable in sociological research?

A characteristic that can vary.

What is a hypothesis?

A proposed relationship that can be examined through research.

What are quantitative methods?

Research methods emphasizing numerical data.

What are qualitative methods?

Research methods emphasizing observations and non-numerical information.

What is survey research?

A research method that collects data through questionnaires or interviews.

What does life chances refer to?

Access provided by a person's social position.

What is the significance of wealth in understanding economic inequality?

Wealth is important in determining income inequality and can preserve economic divisions.

What is the role of social policy in addressing social problems?

Social policy is part of the response to social problems, requiring social action.

What is social innovation?

New strategies, concepts, or ideas aimed at meeting social needs.

What is the main focus of sociological research?

To understand social problems and how they can be addressed through various perspectives.

What is the purpose of the 'Know the Difference' tables in the study guide?

To help students practice distinguishing between different sociological concepts and perspectives.

What does the term 'patriarchy' refer to in the feminist perspective?

A society in which the powerful dominate the powerless.

What is class consciousness?

Awareness of one's social class and its interests, often discussed in the context of the conflict perspective.

What is the distinction between income and wealth?

Income refers to economic resources received or earned, while wealth preserves economic divisions.

What is extreme poverty?

A category of poverty discussed in the lecture.

Define absolute poverty.

A concept of poverty that refers to a condition where a person cannot meet basic needs for survival.

What is relative poverty?

A concept of poverty that compares an individual's economic status to the wider population.

What is the poverty threshold?

A federal definition/measure of poverty discussed in the lecture.

What are poverty guidelines?

Federal guidelines related to poverty.

Who are the working poor?

Individuals who are employed but still live in poverty.

Which demographic is most likely to be poor according to the lecture?

Whites are noted as the largest group of poor individuals.

What family structure is more likely to experience poverty?

Sole-female-householder families.

What is the child poverty rate in Mississippi as per the lecture slide?

29.0%.

What does the Functionalist perspective say about poverty?

It views poverty as a product of social structures that uphold dominant norms.

According to the Conflict perspective, how is inequality created?

Inequality is systematically created through the economic system.

What does the Feminist perspective identify regarding welfare?

It views the welfare state as an arena of political struggle and highlights bias against women.

What does the Interactionist perspective focus on?

It focuses on social inequality and the meanings surrounding poverty.

What are some consequences of poverty mentioned in the lecture?

Food insecurity, lack of affordable housing, and health disparities.

What was a major goal of U.S. welfare policy?

To help people who cannot help themselves.

What is TANF?

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, a program discussed in relation to welfare.

What does the Earned Income Tax Credit provide?

Tax relief for low-income working families.

What is the Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM)?

A measure that expands conversations about the extent of poverty.

How does the lecture define race?

As a group of people who share characteristics, primarily physical, and are said to share a common bloodline.

What is the constructivist view of race?

It posits that race is an invented classification system and socially created.

How do sociologists distinguish race from ethnicity?

Race is imposed by others, while ethnicity is self- or group-designated.

What did Max Weber say about ethnic groups?

He defined them as people believed to have shared descent.

What was W. E. B. Du Bois's contribution to the understanding of race?

He challenged the notion that distinctive racial traits had a biological component.

What does the term 'racialization' refer to?

The process by which certain groups are assigned racial identities.

What is the significance of the PRWORA?

It created low-wage laborers and is discussed in the context of welfare reform.

What is the relationship between social class and life expectancy?

Social class determines life expectancy, with lower-income work being more hazardous.

What is the definition of racism?

The belief that members of separate races possess different and unequal human traits.

What are the three key beliefs of racist thinking?

1. Humans are divided into distinct bloodlines and/or physical types. 2. Bloodlines or physical traits are linked to distinct cultures, behaviors, personalities, and intellectual abilities. 3. Certain groups are superior to others.

What is prejudice?

Negative beliefs or attitudes held about an entire group; broadly applied and based on subjective/inaccurate perceptions.

Define stereotype.

A simplified generalization used as a basis for prejudgments.

What is discrimination?

Actions or behavior that harms or disadvantages people because of group membership.

What is individual discrimination?

Discrimination occurring at the individual level.

What is institutional/structural discrimination?

Discrimination embedded in institutions or structures.

What psychological perspective is often criticized in the context of racism?

The view that racism is an expression of personality disorders, which overlooks social contexts.

What do sociologists emphasize regarding racism?

They emphasize situations where norms encourage prejudicial beliefs or discriminatory acts, suggesting that people are socialized into racism.

What evidence suggests that racism still exists in the United States?

Color-blind rhetoric downplays racism, and studies show racial discrimination in employment.

What is racialization?

The formation of a new racial identity where new ideological boundaries of difference are drawn around a formerly unnoticed group.

What is assimilation in the context of racial and ethnic relations?

A process described in the functionalist perspective as equal and voluntary integration into a dominant culture.

Define pluralism.

A perspective that encourages coexistence of diverse racial and ethnic groups while maintaining their cultural identities.

What is the intersectional perspective?

A viewpoint highlighted by feminist theory that examines how various forms of discrimination overlap, particularly for Black women.

What are the consequences of racial and ethnic inequalities in income and wealth?

Blacks and Hispanics face significant barriers to achieving the same economic success as Whites, with home ownership being a primary way to accumulate wealth.

What is de facto segregation?

Segregation that occurs in practice, even if not legally sanctioned.

What role does health play in racial disparities?

Racial disparities in health are pervasive, with discriminatory practices in medical-social culture affecting outcomes.

What does the Black Lives Matter movement represent?

An intersectional movement addressing police violence against unarmed Black individuals and advocating for racial justice.

What is affirmative action?

Policies aimed at improving minority access to opportunities in employment and education.

What does the term 'ethnic attrition' refer to?

The phenomenon where individuals choose not to self-identify as members of a particular ethnic group.

What is the significance of the 2007 U.S. Supreme Court case regarding public school assignments?

It addressed issues of racial segregation in public schools, emphasizing the importance of social context.

What are the implications of immigration policies since 2009?

Policies have become stricter, with significant changes under the Trump administration, including family separations and increased deportations.

What is the relationship between race and class in the United States?

There are clear racial gaps in income and wealth, with systemic barriers preventing equal success across racial groups.

How do universities contribute to reducing racial bias?

By implementing strong commitments to diversity and offering courses that examine diversity, which can counteract effects of segregation.

What is the difference between prejudice and discrimination?

Prejudice refers to beliefs and attitudes, while discrimination refers to actions that disadvantage individuals based on group membership.

What is the main idea of the conflict perspective on racial and ethnic relations?

It posits that racial and ethnic relations divide groups and connect racism to capitalist-class oppression.

How does the interactionist perspective view race?

It sees race as a practice and acknowledges the complexities of multiracial identities and ethnic attrition.

What are the four sociological perspectives?

Functionalist, Conflict, Feminist, Interactionist

What does the Functionalist perspective focus on?

Functions, stability, structures, norms, dysfunctions

Who is associated with the concept of anomie?

Emile Durkheim

What is the focus of the Feminist perspective?

Gender, power, inequality, patriarchy

What does the Interactionist perspective study?

Micro-level interaction, language, definitions, meanings

Define sociological imagination.

Connecting personal lives to the social world.

What is a social problem?

A social condition that has negative consequences.

Differentiate between subjective reality and objective reality.

Subjective reality is socially interpreted; objective reality is confirmed through data.

What is dysfunction in sociology?

A negative consequence of a social structure.

Define patriarchy.

A society in which the powerful dominate the powerless.

What is empiricism?

Use of evidence/observation in the scientific process.

What is an independent variable?

Explanatory/predictor variable in a research relationship.

What is a dependent variable?

Outcome variable being examined.

What is secondary data analysis?

Analysis of previously collected data.

Define life chances.

Access provided by social position.

How is race defined in sociology?

A socially constructed classification associated with perceived shared characteristics.

What is ethnicity?

A group classification associated with shared descent and social designation.