SOCIOL 3 FINAL

Subjectivist approach

Belief that social problems are socially constructed and dependent on collective perceptions.

Typifying example

A description of a particular instance of the condition.

Societalization

The process by which claims attract national attention, engaging policymakers and major media.

Counterclaim

An argument that directly opposes a particular claim.

Diagnostic frame

A social movement's depiction of the nature of a problem.

Abeyance

A period when a social movement is relatively inactive.

Medical model

A framework for thinking about medical matters as diseases that require treatment.

Standing

Your status/rank/reputation that allows you to tell a story or make a claim to an audience. (Position in society)

Carrying capacity

The number of issues that can receive attention in an arena.

Agenda setting

Choosing which claims will receive the attention of the media or policymakers.

Causal narrative

Frames a social issue by its cause- accidental, intentional, or inadvertent-, shaping blame and policy responses.

NRA

The National Rifle Association, a controversial gun rights advocacy group founded in 1871. Controversial for demanding higher security in schools and wanting to arm teachers rather than promoting gun control.

Administrative burdens

Barriers people face when accessing policies (paperwork, documentation and legal requirements), affecting policy outcomes.

Policy evaluation

Assessing a policy's effectiveness, efficiency, and impact.

Perverse effects

Unintended negative consequences of policies or actions.

Target population

The group of people intended to be affected by a social policy.

Causal stories

Used to frame social problems, often assigning blame or responsibility.

Policy domains

The part of the political system that focuses on a particular troubling condition.

Policy stream model

Illustrates how these three streams (problem recognition, policy proposal, and political) come together and assume that, at any given moment, people are actively promoting the recognition of different problems, the adoption of different policies, and assorted political opportunities.

Public policy

Course of action taken by government to address a social problem.

Countermovements

A movement that opposes a social movement by promoting counterclaims.

Focus groups

Small groups led by a moderator to explore opinions on specific topics.

Zero tolerance

A policy imposing punishment for every infraction of a stated rule.For example, Trump’s zero tolerance policy which was intended to ramp-up criminal prosecution of people caught entering the United States illegally.

Policy implementation

Process of putting policies into action, which can lead to policy adjustments.

Family separation

Policies that forcibly separated immigrant children from their parents at the U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically enforced by Trump in 2018 leading to numerous children being held in detention facilities.

War on Poverty

Legislation introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson supporting anti-poverty programs.

Medicare

Government funded healthcare program providing coverage for the elderly and disabled.

Poverty line

Estimated income needed for necessities in life like food and housing.

Problem gambling

Framing gambling as a mental compulsion rather than institutional issues.

Civil service

Civilian workforce of the U.S. federal government hired based on merit.

Salience

How important an issue is to society and its perceived urgency.

MMR

Measles, mumps, and rubella, refers to a vaccine against measles, which experienced a resurgence in Texas recently.

Divestment

The process of withdrawing investments from a business or company.

Gatekeeper model

Those who control access to information, influencing policies and decisions made in society.

Tea Party

A movement advocating for limited government and lower taxes, emerging in 2009.Demonstrates how people brought about social problems and wanted change.

Occupy Wall Street

A 2011 movement protesting economic inequality and corporate greed. Another demonstration of bringing attention to a social problem.

Indirect costs

Expenses not tied to research activities such as building maintenance, utilities, and administrative services. It can be an issue because it can divert funding from social problems.