Binalonan, Pangasinan

1st Semester | A.Y. 2020-2021

Module 3
Social Problems

Course Title: Moral Issues and Concerns in Contemporary Living

Course Code: INSTI 2

Name: ___________________________________
Course and Year: __________________________
Date and Time Allotment: ____________________

Introduction:
This module entitled Social Problems is about to discuss the broad scope of Sociology that seeks
to study the different approaches in sociology in dealing with the sociological problems. In the analysis of
social problems, both theory and research are presented in this module, as well as the significance of
social work in attempting to alleviate social problems.

I. Objectives:
In this module, you will:
1. Be able to define and understand the meaning of sociology;
2. Be able to learn about the nature of social problems; and
3. Be able to know and distinguish the different approaches in sociology.

II. Lecture and Discussions of the lesson/s

Introduction
All societies have social problems. Social Problems as a subject is one of the broad subdivisions of
Sociology. It seeks to diagnose and deal in a particular way with current sociological problems that afflict
contemporary society. As constituent members of the human community, the interests and expectations of
social scientists are that the results of research on the numerous maladjustments and crucial problems
challenging their best powers will be applied to the benefit of society.

Sociology and Social Problems

What is Sociology?
Sociologists have defined Sociology in many ways.

1. It is the scientific study of human social relationships with special emphasis upon groups and
institutions.
2. It is the scientific study of social problems like race relations, juvenile delinquency, crime, divorce, etc.
3. Sociology is also defined as “the study of the origin, growth, structure, and characteristics of group life
and of associated environmental, biological, and psychological factors”

Sociology as a scientific discipline is sometimes considered the youngest of the social studies but
social problems have been observed and discussed since the dawn of history. In the study of group
behavior, sociology considers how the group does its work, how it governs itself, and how it uses standards
and rules of conduct. Social problems are studied by practically all of the Social Sciences. Thus,
economists, psychiatrists, and psychologist are interested, as sociologists are, in phases of unemployment,
mental abnormality, dissatisfaction in marriage, and the like.

The Nature of Social Problems

What is Social Problem?
• Reab and Selznick (1961) define a social problem as “a problem in human relationships which
seriously threatens society or impedes the important aspirations of many people.”
• Mckee and Robertson (1975) state that a social problem exists when a significant number of
people, or a number of significant people, perceive an undesirable difference between social ideals
and social realities, and believe that this difference can be eliminated by collective action.

Elements of Social Problems According to Mckee and Robertson

1. Social problems involve the subjective perception of an objective condition.
For a social problem to exist, there must be a real, objective condition, such as crime, drug abuse,
or poverty. But the mere existence of such a condition is not enough to make it a social problem. According
to him, there must be subjective response in people’s minds; they must perceive the condition as presenting
a problem.
2. Social problems involve a gap between social ideals and social reality.
All social problems involve a widespread perception of the difference between the real – what is –
and the ideal – what ought to be. The ideas of any society are based on the values and attitudes of its
people. Values are shared ideas about what is desirable, such as a belief in the sanctity of marriage, equal
opportunity, etc. Attitudes are predispositions to respond favorably toward particular people, events, or
situations – such as a feeling of prejudice against an ethnic group. Because social values and attitudes are
continually changing, the gap between particular social ideas and particular social realities also changes.
Sometimes closing, sometimes widening – it results in the emergence of new social problems and the
disappearance of old ones.

Example: The environmental pollution provides an example of how changing values and attitudes contribute
to the emergence of a new social problem. This is a subject that did not appear as a social problem a few
years ago, is now regarded as a critical problem.

3. Social problems must be perceived as problems by a significant number of significant people.

No matter how undesirable a social condition may seem to a few people, it cannot be regarded as
a social problem until it is subjectively perceived as such either by a significant proportion of the population
or by a number of people who occupy positions of power and influence in society.

Example: The problem of juvenile delinquency reveals the importance both significant numbers of people
and of numbers of significant people in leading public opinion to perceive a social condition as a social
problem and then to confront that problem by collective action. Mckee and Robertson entertain the view that
a few highly significant individuals – a President or a Pope – can place a “new” social problem before a
population in a single speech.

4. Social problems must be regarded as capable of solution through collective action.

Collective action may take many forms. In the extreme case, it can involve public demonstration,
violence or even revolution, but more commonly it involves the efforts of interest group to inform the
public of the issues at stake and to persuade those in positions of authority to make the necessary changes.
Sometimes those in authority take the initiative themselves; usually, however, pressure of public opinion is
necessary to provoke specific changes. Solutions to social problems are rarely based on any one
strategy or approach, but legislative action is often a vital element in the process.

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The Sociological Approach
Social problems are looked at in many different ways depending upon the person’s orientation or
profession. The problems being social, however, it is the sociologist who can look at it with a more
comprehensive analysis. Since sociology is the scientific study of human society, it is the task of the
sociologist to make a systematic analysis of social behavior. In the process, he utilizes information from
other disciplines like historical facts, psychological theories or economic data to obtain a clear picture
of a particular problem. There are two elements the sociologist employs in the analysis of social problems:
1. Theory – is a formulation of relationships or underlying principles of certain observed phenomena. It
implies considerable evidence in support of a formulated general principle explaining the operation of
certain phenomena.
2. Research – is a careful, systematic investigation in some field of knowledge, undertaken to discover
facts.

Relationship between Theory and Research

Theory and research complement each other. Selltiz et al. (1959) express the view that theory can
point to areas in which research is likely to be fruitful and can provide a basis for explanation and prediction.
Research findings, on the other hand, can test theories which have been worked out, can clarify
theoretical concepts, and can suggest new theoretical formulations or extend old ones. To conduct
research without theoretical interpretation or to theorize without research is to ignore the essential function
of theory as a tool for achieving economy of thought.

Research on Social Problems

The sociologist uses research both in gathering of facts and testing of hypothesis to determine
whether they fit the facts. There are three research methods that can be applied to the same problem
namely:
1. The Case Study
• A case study sometimes called the case history technique, involves a comprehensive and intensive
examination of a particular individual, group or situation over a period of time.
• The researcher, often as a participant-observer, observes actions and facts and maintains careful
records of significant events and observations, conduct long, probing interviews with selected
individuals whose attitudes, values, and experiences might throw light on the problem.
• The researcher then analyzes the data and draws certain conclusions, which are intended to
apply to other similar cases as well. The quantity of data usually determines the reliability of any
generalization which may be drawn.

2. The Sample Survey

• This a type of investigation wherein only a representative group of people is chosen from a
particular “population” which may be a school, an occupational group, ethnic group or even the
whole nation.
• Examines a small part of the group called a sample instead of examining the entire group called
population or universe.
• The subject in the survey may be given relatively brief interviews, or they may be asked to
complete questionnaires about a particular topic.
• The information from these surveys may then be fed into a computer and various correlations be
established between particular items (educational background, sex, socioeconomic status, etc.)
• It is not useful as the case study for the penetrating analysis of social problems, and it can be
relatively expensive to conduct, but it is an indispensable source of information and data on social
behavior, values, and attitudes.

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3. The Experiment Method
• The most precise and relative way of obtaining data according to experts.
• All the conditions in a situation are carefully controlled, or at least known.
• The essence of this procedure is that the one factor of situation being studied can be isolated and
varied at will while the others remain constant.
• The act of cause-effect relationship may be established.
• It has two groups of subjects:
a. experimental group – subjected to the experiment
b. control group – not subjected to experiment but is otherwise similar to the experimental group
in all significant respects.
Example: We might show a film on Family Planning to the experimented group but not to the
control group and then give both questionnaires to establish their family planning attitudes. If the attitude of
the group that has seen the film differ significantly from the attitudes of the group that has not seen the film,
we are then justified in concluding that the film was responsible for the change of attitude.

Perspective in Social Problems

A sociologist attempting to analyze and interpret a social problem will use one or more of the
following perspectives:

a. Social Disorganization
• Social disorganization starts due to the development of vast resources and the expansion of
productivity brought about by technological progress for a better life. These changes in perspective
have, for better or for worse, made possible and perhaps inevitable many of the changes that
characterize the times. Philippines is an example to this. Its people are surrounded with forces that
influence their attitudes and values. Consensus among people seems possible only among those
people in comparable positions or socioeconomic status.
• Social problems arise due to change in some areas accompanied by failure to change in others.
Thus, the disruption or breakdown of a social system called social disorganization.

1. Value-Conflict
• A society which is rapidly changing because of modern technology is expected to be composed of
many groups having different values and attitudes.
• There is a continual conflict with one another.
• Social problems result from the basic incompatibility of interests of the various social groups.
2. Deviance
• Is a product of both organization and disorganization; it reveals the weakness of social structure
and at the same time shows how alternative patterns are created and sustained.
• Broom and Selznick (1977) define deviance as “any conduct that violates social expectations.”

Interrelatedness of Social Problems

• The interrelatedness of social problems is apparent in the slums of great cities particularly in Metro
Manila. Slums are characterized by overcrowded housing, poverty, high delinquency and
criminality rates, prostitution, broken homes, and the like.
• A number of sociologists are specialists in applied sociology. They are called social workers.
Other specialties in this field include social disorganization, social satisfaction, intergroup
relationships, family group, social psychology and social disorganization.
Social Work
• Stresses the individual (case work) and the (group work) approaches to social problems, with some
increasing emphasis upon the institutional or social organizational approach.

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 • It shares its area with medicine, psychiatry, public health, public administration and a number of
others that are not very clearly distinguishable efforts at social amelioration.
• Regarded as one of the arts of the application of sociological principles, derives principles from
other arts and sciences.
Summary
Social Problems which is one of the broad subdivisions of Sociology seeks to diagnose and deal in
a practical way the sociological problems that beset contemporary society. Social problems are studied by
practically all of the Social Sciences. A social problem exists when a significant number of people perceive
an undesirable difference between social ideas and social realities, and believe that this difference can be
eliminated by collective action. Social problems are looked at in many different ways depending upon the
person’s orientation or profession.

Study Questions
1. What is Sociology? How do you understand meaning?
2. What is a Social Problem according to Reab and Selznick?
3. What is a Social Problem according to Mckee and Robertson?
4. What is Theory?
5. What is Research?

III. Application/Activity
Activity 3. Directions:
You need to observe the following directions in answering your activity as herein attached in your
module:
a) Please go over the questions carefully. You may have a draft first before you answer the questions
on the worksheet provided for you.
b) There is no specific number of words but answer the questions completely and concisely. Go
straight to the point.
c) Your answers will be evaluated in terms of: a) responsiveness; b) clarity and conciseness; c)
organization; and d) HONESTY.
d) Timely submission of your activity is deemed imperative to avoid deduction of your score.
e) Date of submission: On or before September 25, 2020

Questions:
1. Give the relationship between theory and research. (10 points)
2. Discuss the case study method of research. (10 points)

IV. Assessment
Quiz 2. Directions:
a) Please go over the questions carefully. You may have a draft first before you answer the question
on the answer sheet provided for you.
b) There is no specific number of words but answer the questions completely and concisely. Go
straight to the point.
c) Your answers will be evaluated in terms of: a) responsiveness; b) clarity and conciseness; c)
organization; and d) HONESTY.
d) Timely submission of your activity is deemed imperative to avoid deduction of your score.
e) Date of submission: On or before September 25, 2020

Question:
1. Enumerate the three Perspectives in Social Problems and discuss each perspective briefly. (20
points)

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V. Other References
1. Pasco M. O., Suàrez V. F., Rodriguez A. G., “Ethics” C&E Publishing, Inc., 2018
2. Hinman, L. M,, “Contemporary Moral Issues: Diversity and Consensus”, 2016 by Routledge
3. Bulaong O., Calano M., Lagliva A., Mariano M., Principe J., “Ethics: Foundation of Moral Valuation”, 1 st
edition, REX Book Store, 2018
4. Palma-Angeles, Antonette, “Cultural Drivers of Corruption in Business and Governance.” In Business
Ethics in Asia: Issues and Cases, edited by Oscar G. Bulaong, Jr., Ike Danita Dewey, and J. Sedfrey
Santiago, 20-36. Quezon City: Ateneo de Manila University Press, 2014.

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Name: ______________________________ Course/Year/Block: ___________________

WORKSHEET 1.3

1. Give the relationship between theory and research. (10 points)

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2. Discuss the case study method of research. (10 points)

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Name: ______________________________ Course/Year/Block: ___________________

QUIZ 2

1. Enumerate the three Perspectives in Social Problems and discuss each perspective briefly. (20 points)
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