The Study of Social Problems: Seven Perspectives

This critically acclaimed volume delineates seven sociological perspectives used to examine social problems--social pathology, social disorganization, value conflict, deviant behavior, labeling, the critical perspective, and social constructionism. Unlike most introductory texts, which are organized topically around issues such as drug abuse, racial violence, and juvenile delinquency, this anthology focuses on the major theoretical perspectives used to examine social problems. Each section begins with an overview of the main contributors to the perspective, its history, and an outline of its major characteristics, and closes with a critique of the perspective and questions for discussion. For this edition, the editors have significantly updated the text, the readings, and the annotated references. New selections cover such topics as the decline of a Black community, white-collar crime, the devaluation of women, the universalization of social problems, how to successfully construct a social problem, and child sexual abuse. Long a standard in its field, The Study of Social Problems, 6/e, is an indispensable volume for building a strong theoretical foundation in courses on social problems.

Earl Rubington is at Northwestern University (Emeritus). Martin S. Weinberg is at Indiana University.