Discuss all of the theoretical perspectives used to study social problems and apply them to real...

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Psychology

Discuss all of the theoretical perspectives used to study socialproblems and apply them to real situations;note their strengths andweaknesses of each as well as the theorists associated with eachperspective.

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Three theoretical perspectives guide sociological thinking on social problems functionalist theory conflict theory and symbolic interactionist theory These perspectives look at the same social problems but they do so in different ways FunctionalismSocial stability is necessary for a strong society and adequate socialization and social integration are necessary for social stability Societys social institutions perform important functions to help ensure social stability Slow social change is desirable but rapid social change threatens social orderEmile Durkheim developed theories of social structure that included functionalism the division of labor and anomie These theories were founded on the concept of social facts or societal norms values and structures Social problems weaken a societys stability but do not reflect fundamental faults in how the society is structured Solutions to social problems should take the form of gradual social reform rather than sudden and farreaching change Despite their negative effects social problems often also serve important functions for society For example crime is a major social problem but it is also good for the economy because it creates hundreds of thousands of jobs in law enforcement courts and corrections home security and other sectors of the economy whose major role is to deal with crime If crime disappeared many people would be out of work Similarly poverty is also a major social problem but one function that poverty serves is that poor people do jobs that otherwise might not get done because other people would not want to do themLike crime poverty also provides employment for people across the nation such as those who work in social service agencies that help poor people Conflict theorySociety is characterized by pervasive inequality based on social class race gender and other factors Farreaching social change is needed to reduce or eliminate social inequality and to create an egalitarian societyThe conflict theory suggested by Karl Marx claims society is in a state of perpetual conflict    See Answer
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