Exam 1: Thinking About Social Problems

Explain the similarities and differences between contemporary Marxist conflict theory and non-Marxist conflict theory.Then choose a social problem and discuss possible explanations of the problem from each conflict perspective (Marxist and non-Marxist).

Structural-functionalists

Which of the following is NOT one of the five traditional social institutions?

According to Herbert Blumer, "social legitimation" of a social problem takes place when the problem achieves recognition by the larger community, such as the media.

Culture includes all of the following elements EXCEPT

According to structural functionalists, social problems occur when some part of the structure or culture of a society fails to work properly.

Which of the following illustrates a latent function of a public school?

Manifest functions are consequences that

The objective element of a social problem

The ___________ variable is the variable that is expected to explain change in the dependent variable.

In research, an operational definition

Choose a private trouble you have experienced.Use your "sociological imagination" to explain how this problem can also be viewed as a public issue.

List and define the five elements of culture.For each element, explain how it contributes to social problems and give examples to illustrate your explanations.

Sociologists refer to the position a person holds in a group as his or her

Explain the concept of verstehen and its relationship to social science research.

Which of the following social policies is most likely to be advocated by a conflict theorist?

Symbolic interactionism emphasizes that

Design a research study on a particular social problem that interests you.Include your research question, variables of interest, hypothesis, sample, and method of data collection, and provide a rationale for each.

Public schools serve as babysitters for employed parents.This is a manifest function of a public school.

Definitions of social problems