THREE FUNDAMENTAL APPROACHES TO SOCIAL PROBLEMS: THEIR UTILIZATION BY THE PUBLIC
Abstract
Sociologists have assumed or hypothesized that people in different structural positions in society will use different approaches to understand social problems. However, few studies have empirically examined this relationship. Of these few, most have examined only two approaches to social problems--the individualistic and the structural. In this research three approaches--the individualistic, the structural and the technological--are proposed. Additionally, the empirical literature has been limited for the most part to single problem areas and single components of a social problem approach (e.g., "causes of social problems"). This literature is improved upon by examining usage of three components of a social problem approach (definition, cause and solution of a social problem) across and within three problem arenas: environment, education and poverty. It was hypothesized that usage of the approaches varies by structural position, specifically looking at the effects of social class, political leadership and age on approach usage. Data for the empirical analysis were derived from interviews conducted with both the general public and political leaders in Tippecanoe County, Indiana, in the summer of 1978 as part of an interdisciplinary project funded by the Department of the Interior. Analysis of the data shows that (1) most people use the individualistic approach to comprehend social problems; few use either the technological or structural approaches and (2) social structural position as measured by social class, political leadership and age is unrelated to choice of social problem approach. Suggested reasons for why most people use the individualistic approach no matter what their structural position focus on the shape of the productive and cultural apparatus which fosters competitive individualism, isolation and a positive belief in the overall social structure.
Degree
Ph.D.
Subject Area
Welfare
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