Social Policy

Question 1

Social policy

Answer 1

Packages of plans and actions adopted national and local government or various voluntary agencies to solve problems or achieve goals

Question 2

Social problem

Answer 2

Something that is seen as being harmful to society in some way and needs something doing to sort it out

Question 3

Sociological problem

Answer 3

Any social or theoretical issue that needs explaining

Question 4

9 ways sociology contributes to social policy

Answer 4

1. Providing awareness of cultural differences
2. Providing self-awareness and understanding
3. Changing assumptions
4. Providing theoretical framework
5. Providing practical professional knowledge
6. Identifying social problems
7. Providing evidence
8. Identifying unintended consequences of policies
9. Assessing results

Question 5

Examples of where expert advice based on research evidence has been ignored by government

Answer 5

Davis- prostitution

Cannabis

Question 6

What research is generally more favoured by governments?

Answer 6

Quantatitive positivist research- objective data on which governments form policies

Question 7

New right perspective

Answer 7

Charles murray- sees aim of social policy as reducing involvement of the state in people’s lives and encouraging self-help e.g. cutting back welfare state, eliminating dependacy culture

Question 8

Liberal feminist view

Answer 8

Regard many existing social policies as supporting patriarchy and disctiminiation against women- seek to change them through their research evidence

Question 9

Study about society can take 2 forms:

Answer 9

1. Factual

2. Theoretical

Question 10

Giddens 4 reasons for studying sociology

Answer 10

1. Understanding society
2. Awareness of cultural difference
3. Increase in self-knowledge
4. Assessment of Government policies

Question 11

Criticisms of Giddens

Answer 11

Governments don’t simply respond to sociological research in this way.

Question 12

The black report

Answer 12

1980- research on class inequalities and health
Came up with 37 key recommendations e.g free school meals, improved working conditions
Published it on a bank holiday as new conservative government were reluctant

Question 13

What does Stuart Hall say?

Answer 13

Political agenda to maintain ruling class hegemony

Question 14

Positivists

Answer 14

Saw as science that would discover cause of social problems and provide solutions

Question 15

Functionalism

Answer 15

Gradual reformation, piece meal approach

Question 16

Social democratic perspective

Answer 16

Favours redistribution of wealth. Believe sociologists should be involved in research and making policy recommendations to eradicate them e.g free school meals

Question 17

Social policy and family

Answer 17

Direct and indirect impact on family.
Direct- aimed specifically at family life
Indirect- general social policy compulsory schooling