Sociology and Social Policy Flashcards
(40 cards)
What are social problems?
Worsley: ‘Some pieces of social behaviour that cause friction and/or private misery and calls for collective action to solve it’
What are 4 examples of social problems?
Poverty
Domestic violence
Institutional racism
Divorce
What are sociologists interested in?
They are also interested in sociological problems which can be any pattern of relationship that calls for relationship.
This could involve areas of social life which may not regarded as a problem like family, life, media etc.
Why are sociological problems important to sociologists?
They help to understand how society regulates aspects of social life like family life. Governments may be called upon to create policies to tackle them.
E.G: Responses to covic, social distancing, funerals and weddings restricted.
How might feminists view divorce differently to the New Right?
New Right see divorce as breaking down the nuclear family.
For Feminists it is liberating and it’s not always seen as a social problem.
How might Right Realists view high rates of imprisonment differently to Marxists?
Right Realists see it as keeping criminals off the street and deters others from crimes.
Marxists see prison as part of RSA which prevents people from revolutionising.
What factors affect whether sociologists can influence policy making? (6)
Globalisation: Government has to consider wider global issues.
Cost: Governments may not be able to afford the implementation of suggested policies.
Electorial popularity: Policies that are less popular won’t be adopted.
Economic factors: If economy is doing bad things will be put in place. (austerity)
Governments may choose to ignore, modify or misues research evidence to implement policies.
Inequalities in power: In society the final decision is decided by the powerful.
What did Giddens argue?
He identified ways in which sociology has contributed to policy making. He identifies 9 ways sociology can ‘improve our lives’.
What are the 9 ways that sociology can ‘improve our lives’?
Providing awareness of cultural differences and of others.
Providing self-awareness and understanding.
Challenging assumptions.
Providing a theoretical framework
Providing practical, professional knowledge
Identifying social problems
Providing the evidence
Identifying the unintended consequences of policies
Addressing the results.
How has sociology improved our lives in regards to the family? (1)
Family diversity an different laws to promote it. (same sex marriages and families)
How has sociology improved our lives in regards to education? (3)
Free school meal vouchers
Teacher assessed grades - they pulled the grades down but then they went back up.
Multi-cultural education and British values.
How has sociology improved our lives in regards to crime and deviance? (3)
Anti-discrimination laws
Left realists: deal with MRS
Right realists: Zero tolerance, rational choice.
What are three reasons why sociology is NOT influencing social policy?
Ideology: Sociological research might not be considered by government for policy due to a clash of ideologies between the researcher and the government.
Electoral system: Governments rely upon the consent of the electorate in order to maintain power.
Think Tanks: Often set up to inform governments of possible solutions to issues. These think tanks are often closely associated with government ideologies.
How do Functionalists view social policies? (2)
Social policies serve the interests of society as a whole.
This enables social institutions to perform their functions effectively and it aims to encourage social integration
How do Marxists view social policies? (2)
They serve the interest of the ruling class.
The ruling class will introduce policies which seem to favour everyone but this is just an illusion wgich gives a ‘caring face’ to maintain false class consciousness.
How do Feminists view social policies?
Liberal feminists see policies as a means to tackle men’s ignorance and sexists attitudes. This would help to reduce gender inequalities.
How do the New Right view social policies? (2)
The state should have minimal involvement in society.
But, the ‘nanny state’ produced policies which undermines the stability of society and leads to greater social problems.
For Functionalists, how could sociologists influence social policy?
They could influence social policy by showing objective scientific collected facts in society and using social policy to better them.
Comte: sociologists could act a ‘priesthood’ guiding the government on how to make society better.
How do Functionalists work with social policy?
They favour tackling one social problem at a time which is called piecemeal social engineering.
This aims to reinforce social solidarity.
How can teaching British History help social policies? (2)
It represents cultural values that are central to society which can be seen in the formal curriculum like teaching RE or history.
There is also the hidden curriculum like school assemblies and events which leads to social solidarity.
What did the Beveridge Report identify and what are they?
The 5 Giant Evils.
Idleness
Ignorance
Disease
Squalor
Want
How do Marxists criticise the piecemeal aprroach?
The problems are due to wider structure so the basic structure of society needs to change.
What is a strength of Functionalism?
They are going back to basics now like going bakc to seperate gendered toilets.
What fthree functions do policies serve according to Marxists?
Policies provide ideological legitimation to mask exploitation
They maintain the lavour force for further exploitation
They are a means of preventing revolution when class conflict intensifies and threatens the stability of capitalism.
