Perspectives on Social Problems

Functionalist approach

• Institutions serve needs of society• Social problems: failure in functioning of

individuals and institutions• Sources of problems– Failure of socialization– Lack of consensus– Mismatch between institutions and current needs

of society

Conflict approach

• Different groups have different values and interests

• Definition and response depends on power of different groups

Implications for policy

• Functionalist: should try to bring institutions, individuals, and values into alignment– Focus on one problem at a time, possibility of

improving conditions for all• Conflict: should try to advance the interest

of oppressed groups– Focus on changing the underlying distribution of

power; problems seen as connected; gain for some groups will be loss for others

Interactionist

Focus on definition of social problems• Role of the media and social movements• What gets media attention

1. Events more than processes 2. Promoted by social movements or organizations

• “Waves” of attention