1

JENNIFER SOLANO-CRUEL, RN,MN

INSTRUCTOR

Sociology and Social Problems

Sociology
It is the scientific study of human social relationships with special emphasis upon groups and
institutions
It is the scientific study of social problems like race relations, juvenile delinquency, crime, divorce,
etc.
The study of the origin, growth, structure, and characteristics of group life and of associated
environmental, biological, and psychological factors
Sociology as a scientific discipline is sometimes considered the youngest of the social studies but
local problems had been observed and discussed since the dawn of history
In the study of group behavior, sociology considers how the group does it work, how it governs
itself, and how it uses standards and rules of conduct

The Nature of Social Problems

What is a social problem?

Social Problem
Reab and Selznick (1961) a problem in human relationships which seriously threatens society or
impedes the important aspirations of many people
Mckee and Robertson (1975), state that a social problem exists when a significant number of
people, or a number of significant people, perceive an undesirable difference between social
ideals and social realities and believe that this difference can be eliminated by collective action
(any action taken together by a group of people whose goal is to enhance their status and achieve
a common objective)

Mckee and Robertson explained social problems as follows:

1. Social problems involve the subjective perception of an objective condition
For a social problem to exist, there must be a real , objective condition, such as cime, drug
abuse, or poverty
But the mere existence of such a condition is not enough to make it a social problem
According to him, there must be a subjective response in peoples minds; they must perceive
the condition as presenting a problem
2. Social problems involve a gap between social ideals and social reality
All social problems involve a widespread perception of the difference between the real -- what
is and the ideal what ought to be
The ideals of any society are based on the values and attitudes of its people

Values are shared ideas about what is desirable, such as a belief in the sanctity of
marriage, equal opportunity, etc.

Attitudes are predispositions to respond favorably toward particular people, events, or
situations such as feeling of prejudice (prejudgment) against an ethnic group.

3. Social problems must be perceived as problems by a significant number of people or by a number
of significant people
2

JENNIFER SOLANO-CRUEL, RN,MN
INSTRUCTOR

No matter how undesirable a social condition may seem to a few people, it cannot be regarded
as a social problem until it is subjectively perceived as such either by a significant proportion of
the population or by a number of people who occupy positions of power and influence in
society
For example, the problem of juvenile delinquency reveals the importance both of significant
numbers of people and of numbers of significant people in leading public opinion to perceive a
social condition as a social problem and then to confront that problem by collective action
4. Social problems must be regarded as capable of solution through collective action
All societies experience social conditions that they recognize as undesirable, such as a
disease, war, or a fume (gas or smoke)
But it is only when people believe they have the capacity to do something about these
conditions that the conditions are regarded as social problems

Collective action may take in many forms:
Extreme case.
1. Public demonstration
2. Violence
3. Revolution

The Sociological Approach

2 elements employs by the sociologist in analysis of social problems:
1. Theory
is a formulation of relationships or underlying principles of certain observed phenomena
it implies considerable evidence in support of a formulated general principle explaining the
operation of certain phenomena

2. Research
Is a careful systematic investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to discover
facts

Relationship between Theory and Research
Theory and research complement each other.
Selltiz et. al. (1959) express the view that theory can point to areas in which research is likely to
be fruitful, and can provide a basis for explanation and prediction.
Research findings, on the other hand, can test theories which have been worked out, can clarify
theoretical concepts, and can suggest new theoretical formulations or extend old ones.

The Three Research Methods (Mckee and Robertson 1975):
1. Case study
2. Sample survey
3. Experiment

Case Study
Sometimes called the case history technique
Involves a comprehensive and intensive examination of a particular individual, group, or
situation over a period of time
In making case studies, the researcher, often as a participant-observer, observes actions and
facts and maintains careful records of significant events and observations
3

JENNIFER SOLANO-CRUEL, RN,MN
INSTRUCTOR


Sample Survey
This a type of investigation wherein only a representative group of people is chosen from a a
particular population which may be a school, an occupational group, ethnic group or even the
whole nation
In the sample survey, instead of examining the entire group called the population or universe,
one examines a small part of the group called a sample
The sample survey is not as useful as the case study for the penetrating analysis of social
problems, and it can be relatively expensive to conduct, but it is an indispensable source of
information and data on social behavior, values and attitudes
The questionnaires or interviews can be repeated at intervals

Experimental Method
Rests on the assumption that there exists invariant relationships between certain antecedents
(a preceding circumstance, event, object, style, phenomenon, etc.) and certain conequents so
that, provided a given set of condition that prevails, if one does this, that will follow.
Experts express the view that experimentation which is the basic scientific method is the most
precise and reliable way of obtaining data
The chief characteristic of the method is that all the conditions in a situation are carefully
controlled, or at least known
A basic technique of the experimental method is to have two groups of subjects, one of which,
the experimental group is subjected to the experiment, while the other group, the control
group, is not subjected to experiment but is otherwise similar to the experimental groupnin all
significant respects.

Perspectives in Social Problems

1. Social Disorganization
The development of vast resources and the expansion of productivity brought about t
technological progress have raised hopes of a better life.
These changes in perspective have, for better or worse, made possible and perhaps
inevitable many of the changes that characterize the times
Social problems arise due to change in some areas accompanied by failure to change in
others. Thus, the disruption or breakdown of a social system called social disorganization.

2. Value-Conflict
A society which is rapidly changing because of modern technology is expected to be
composed of many groups having different values and attitudes.
Consequently, in such a situation, there is continual conflict with one another.
Social problems result from the basic incompatibility of interests of the various social
groups

3. Deviance
Is a product of both organization and disorganization
It reveals the weakness of social structure and at the same time shows how alternative
patterns are created and sustained
Broom and Selznick (1977) define deviance as any conduct that violates social
expectations

Interrelatedness of Social Problems
4

JENNIFER SOLANO-CRUEL, RN,MN
INSTRUCTOR

It can be observed that one social problem leads to another.
The interrelatedness of social problems is apparent in the slums of great cities particularlybin
Metro Manila
Slums are characterized by:
- Overcrowded housing
- Poverty
- High delinquency and criminality rates
- Prostitution
- Broken homes
Overcrowding in housing is correlated with high infectious disease rates
Thus the existence of one problem makes probable the presence of others
This does not mean, however, that one problem may not exist without another.
It simply means that the situation makes greater or less probabilities of incidence of problems
(Lee, 1955)

Social Workers
- sociologists who are specialists in applied sociology
- other specialties in this field include:
a. social organization
b. social satisfaction
c. intergroup relationships
d. family group
e. social psychology
f. social disorganization (includes work in such areas as delinquency, criminology and
poverty)

Social Work
is a field of study and practice that attempts to alleviate or solve social problems
stresses the individual (case work) and the (group work) approaches to social problems, with
some increasing emphasis upon the institutional or social organizational approach
it shares its area with
a. medicine
b. psychiatry
c. public health
d. public administration
Social work, while its main body of content may be regarded as one of the arts of the
application of sociological principles, derives principles from other arts and sciences
It is usually regarded by social workers themselves as a body of techniques rather than
as an academic discipline

The Conceptual Framework of Social Problems

Definition of Terms:

Norms
- refer to any standard or rule that states what human beings should or should not think, say, or
do under given circumstances

Prescriptive Norms
5

JENNIFER SOLANO-CRUEL, RN,MN
INSTRUCTOR

- are those which the individual is told to do spelling out the forms of behavior to which a person
must conform

Proscriptive Norms
- are those which the individual is supposed to not do this to avoid and desist from all forms of
behavior such as those forbidden in the Ten Commandments

Social Values
- are simply those things to which a society or cultural group attaches value, worth, or
significance
- social values are described by some as the goals and objectives of a given society or culture
- they are not only shared; they are regarded as matters of collective welfare to which is often
attached a high degree of emotional belief that they are important

Social Action
- refers to a concerted effort or movement in the field of social welfare
- when the forces of government or the community are mobilized to achieve certain objectives,
these efforts are regarded as forms of social action

Social Change
- is change in the social structure and social relationships of the society

Social Deviation
- is any failure to conform to customary norms

Social Disintegration
- represents the deviation or departure from societal norms

Social Disorganization
- refers to disruptions which are brought about by social change

Social Integration
- is the degree to which there are common ends and values toward which people are oriented
and in terms of which the life of the community is organized