Topic 6- The relationship between sociology and social policy

Question 1

Social policy

Answer 1

Packages of plans or actions adopted by national and local government

Question 2

Social problem

Answer 2

Something seen as harmful in some way to society

Question 3

Sociological problem

Answer 3

Any social or theoretical issue that needs explaining

Question 4

Giddens

Answer 4

Suggests a number of ways ‘sociology can help us in our lives’

Question 5

9 ways sociology contributes to social policy

Answer 5

1.Providing an awareness of cultural differences
2.Providing self-awareness and understanding
3.Changing assumptions- McNeil social change can indirectly influence social policy
4.Providing theoretical framework
5.Providing practical professional knowledge- Occupations
6.Identifying social problems
7.Proving evidence
8.Identifying the unintended consequences
9.Assessing the results

Question 6

What are policies driven by

Answer 6

Political ideologies

Question 7

Research institutes

Answer 7

Demos and the institute for public policy research

Question 8

Toynbee (2012)

Answer 8

Little evidence that putting more criminals into prison lowers crime rates

Question 9

McNeil (1986)

Answer 9

What is defined as a social problem will depend on individuals being able to get enough support among those with power

Question 10

Davies (2008)

Answer 10

Debates about social policy don’t occur in a vacuum
The depend on current perceptions

Question 11

Parliamentary science and technology select committee

Answer 11

Government often misused or distorted scientific research

Question 12

Prostitution

Answer 12

Davies found that the governments coordinated prostitution survey was highly selective in its use

Question 13

Cannabis

Answer 13

May 2008- The government reclassified cannabis from class c to a class b drug

Question 14

The 1980 Black report and the Marmot review 2010

Answer 14

Exposed deep social class inequalities in health rooted in wide cultural and structural factors

Question 15

Which data do governments favour

Answer 15

Quantitative positivist research

Question 16

Positivists

Answer 16

Believe their research provides objective data on which the governments can form policies

Question 17

Functionalist, New Right and Feminist perspective

Answer 17

Often see their research as a means of changing society through social policies

Question 18

Conflict theories

Answer 18

Emphasise research that promotes social polices that reduce social inequality and poverty

Question 19

Postmodernist view

Answer 19

Sociology shouldn’t be involved in social policy research as they argue that sociology provides only interpretations of the world

Question 20

Bauman and May 2001

Answer 20

Provides a commentary on social life