The Study of Social Problems

This critically acclaimed book delineates seven sociological perspectives used to examine social problems - social pathology, social disorganization, value conflict, deviant behaviour, labelling, the critical perspective, and, new to the sixth edition, social constructionism. Unlike most introductory texts for courses on social problems 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. Long a standard in its field, "The Study of Social Problems" is an indispensable volume for building a strong theoretical foundation in courses on social problems.