Beliefs, definedThree kinds of beliefsAttitude, defined◦
The link between beliefs, attitudes, and value
From Beliefs to Values
Three definitions◦Sociological
◦Synonymous with “attitude”◦Similar to an attitude, but more basic
What is a “Value,” then
Values serving individual interests vs. values serving collective interests◦
Terminal vs. Instrumental Values
Openness to change vs. conservation
Value orientations, continued
Value hierarchy◦
Overt, or hiddenValue congruence and conflictWhat values are not!◦ ◦
the importance of VALUES
PhysicalAmeliorativeMoralThese are not mutually exclusive!
Three types of Social ProblemsIn the value conflict perspective
Social problems as value conflictAnother view of social problems as a process:◦ ◦ ◦
Social problems emerge from a mix of objective conditions and subjective definitions
Social Problems and Values
“personal” problems vs. “social problems”
The Sociological ImaginationBiological and Psychological influences
“Objective reality” “Subjective reality”
◦The Social Construction of Society
Sociology and Social Problems
The role of “meaning”The role of “language”The role of “social learning”
How social “things” are socially constructed◦gender, race, status, money, college degree
◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qgWH89qWks◦ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ir1UABBe1v4
Social Constructionism
“…all human knowledge is socially constructed through our language, which means that all social problems are socially constructed.” (Best 2008:16)
A Key Assumption for this course
The importance of meaning
Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... They must be Gods!
The importance of meaning
Hey, these people I live with feed me, love me, provide me with a nice warm, dry house, pet me, and take good care of me... I must be God!
Who defines something as a social problem?◦ ◦
What do they (try to) do about it?How does it “spread?”How does it impact those affected?
The Social Problems Process
Making arguments Issues and ConclusionsReasons and EvidenceStated and Unstated Assumptions
Fallacies of logic
The importance of Critical Thinking
Karl Marx’s view: ◦
Max Weber’s view: ◦
Our working definition:◦“At its most basic, class is one way societies sort themselves out” (pg. 8)
Social Class
The four most commonly used criteria to measure class:◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
Other ways we measure class?
Social Class
Rising inequality and class differences has led to negative changes in:◦ ◦ ◦ ◦
From Class to Inequality
As a way to talk about social class
As a way to talk about the economic distribution in America
As a way to discriminate
Inequality