Sociology and Social Policy

• What are social problems according to Worsley (1978)?

  Harmful issues causing public friction
• How are sociological problems different from social problems?

  All social problems are sociological, but not vice versa
• Why is the improvement in girls' educational achievement not considered a social problem?

  It is a sociological issue, not a social problem
• What did Simmel (1950) study in sociology?

  Universal characteristics of social relationships
• What is the main debate regarding sociologists and social policy?

  Should sociologists be involved in policy creation?
• How has sociological research influenced government policy?

  It provides insights into poverty, health, and education
• What is one factor that affects whether research influences policy?

  Electoral popularity of research findings
• How did Bowlby’s (1965) idea influence policy?

  It highlighted the importance of mother-child relationships
• What do ideological preferences refer to in the context of research and policy?

  Shared perspectives between government and research
• What role do interest groups play in influencing social policy?

  They seek to further their own interests
• What is one concern sociologists have regarding globalization?

  International policies may harm developing countries
• How do critical sociologists view their influence on policy?

  They believe their perspectives are often ignored
• What is one criticism of critical sociology?

  It is seen as too extreme for policy influence
• What do sociologists provide to improve lives according to Giddens (2006)?

  Awareness of cultural differences and self-awareness
• What are the 9 ways sociology can improve lives according to Giddens (2006)?

  1. Awareness of cultural differences
  2. Self-awareness and understanding
  3. Challenging assumptions
  4. Providing a theoretical framework
  5. Practical, professional knowledge
  6. Identifying social problems
  7. Providing evidence for policy
  8. Identifying unintended consequences
  9. Addressing research results
• How do feminists view society?

  As based on gender conflict and patriarchy
• What role do feminists believe the state plays in society?

  It perpetuates women's subordination through policies
• What impact do feminists believe their research has had on education?

  Changes in the portrayal of females in materials
• What are some criticisms of the feminist perspective on social policy?

  Marxists and radical feminists argue for deeper changes
• How do Marxists view society?

  Divided by conflict between classes
• What role do Marxists believe the state plays?

  It serves the interests of the ruling class
• What is one function of social policy according to Marxists?

  To mask capitalism's exploitation
• How do Marxists view the impact of sociology on social policy?

  Reports are often ignored by capitalism
• What do positivists believe about sociology?

  It can discover problems and solutions scientifically
• What is the functionalist view on social policy?

  Policies should benefit society as a whole
• What is a criticism of the functionalist approach?

  It ignores broader societal issues
• How do New Right theorists view state involvement?

  They advocate for minimal state involvement
• What do New Right theorists argue about welfare state incentives?

  They create dependency and weaken self-reliance
• What do social democrats believe about society?

  It is based on inequality and conflict
• What did Peter Townsend recommend regarding poverty?

  Higher benefits for the poorest individuals
• What is a criticism of the social democratic perspective?

  It does not address capitalism as the core issue
• What are the theoretical perspectives on social policy?

  1. Feminism: Focus on patriarchy and gender inequality
  2. Marxism: Policies serve ruling class interests
  3. Functionalism: Policies benefit society as a whole
  4. New Right: Minimal state involvement and personal responsibility
  5. Social Democratic: Aim to reduce inequality
• What are the two views on the relationship between social policy and sociology?

  Strong and weak relationships
• What are some factors that indicate a strong relationship between social policy and sociology?

  Heightened awareness of needs and identifying social problems
• What are some factors that indicate a weak relationship between social policy and sociology?

  Electoral popularity and ideological preferences
• What is one example of a report that aimed to address health inequalities?

  The Black report (1980)
• Why were the recommendations of the Black report not implemented?

  Change in government before publication
• What is one criticism of the New Right perspective?

  Quality of data used in studies is questioned
• How do postmodernists criticize sociologists' influence on policy?

  All knowledge is seen as a version of truth
• What is one way sociology can improve lives according to Giddens (2006)?

  Providing practical, professional knowledge