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Social Problems and the Quality of Life

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ISBN-10: 0073380121

ISBN-13: 9780073380124

Edition: 11th 2008

Authors: Robert H. Lauer, Jeanette Lauer

List price: $133.33
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Description:

Focusing on quality of life, this text defines what a social problem is and then addresses specific issues—for example, how can one gain a sociological understanding of social problems? What kinds of critical thinking should one engage in and what kinds should one avoid in attempting to understand social problems? How is the quality of one's life affected by particular problems? What causes these problems and how can we resolve them? Part One establishes key approaches to social problems; the remaining parts discuss the social problems that most acutely impact the quality of our lives.
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Book details

List price: $133.33
Edition: 11th
Copyright year: 2008
Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies, The
Publication date: 9/26/2007
Binding: Paperback
Pages: 576
Size: 8.00" wide x 9.75" long x 1.00" tall
Weight: 2.2
Language: English

Robert H. Lauer holds a Ph.D. and B.S. from Washington University in St. Louis; he also has a degree from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has three children and five grandchildren.

Foundations
Understanding Social Problems
Objectives
"Why Is It My Fault?"
Introduction
Personal versus Social Problems
The Causes of Problems
The Consequences of Problems
A Model For Understanding
A Theory-Based Model
Quality of Life
Multiple Levels of Social Problems
Social Action for Resolution
The Changing Nature of Social Problems
Analyzing Social Problems
Critical Thinking: Recognizing Fallacies
Fallacy of the Dramatic Instance
Fallacy of Retrospective Determinism
Fallacy of Misplaced Concreteness
Fallacy of Personal Attack
Fallacy of Appeal to Prejudice
Fallacy of Circular Reasoning
Fallacy of Authority
Fallacy of Composition
Fallacy of Non Sequitur
Involvement--How, and How Not, To Think
Fallacies and the Mass Media
The Sources of Data: Social Research
Survey Research
Statistical Analysis of Official Records
Experiments
Participant Observation
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Excercises
For Further Reading
Problems of Behavioral Deviance
Sexual Deviance
Objectives
"My Husband Is a Porn Addict"
Introduction
Examples of Sexual Deviance
Prostitution
Prostitution and the Quality of Life
Global Comparison: Child Prostitutes
Contributing Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Pornography, Erotica, and Obscenity
Nature and Extent of the Problem
Pornography, Erotica, Obscenity and the Quality of Life
Involvement--Sexy or Disgusting?
Contributing Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Alcohol and Other Drugs
Objectives
Despair and Hope
Introduction
Alcohol
Effects
Patterns of Use
Alcohol and the Quality of Life
Global Comparison: Alcoholism in Eastern Europe
Involvement-"I'd Kill before I'd Drink"
Contributing Factors
Public Policy & Private Action
Other Drugs
Types and Effects
Patterns of Use
Drugs and the Quality of Life
Contributing Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Crime and Delinquency
Objectives
A Victim Recovers
Introduction
The Varieties of Crime
Predatory Crime
Illegal Service Crimes
Public Disorder Crimes
Crimes of Negligence
Computer Crime
White-Collar Crime
Organized Crime
Juvenile Delinquency
Juvenile Violence and Juvenile Gangs
The Extent of Crime and Delinquency
Sources of Data
Problems with Official Records
The Amount of Crime and Delinquency
The Distribution of Crime
The Criminal Justice Process
Crime, Delinquency, and the Quality of Life
Physical and Psychological Costs of Crime
Economic Costs of Crime
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Global Comparison: Alternatives to Imprisonment: Germany and Israel
Involvement--Coddling Criminals
Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Violence
Objectives
"I Felt Guilty"
Introduction
What Is Violence?
How Much Violence Is There?
Interpersonal Violence
Intergroup Violence
Violence and the Quality of Life
Human Injury and Destruction
Psychological Disruption and Dehumanization
Violence as Seductive Self Destruction
Economic Costs
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Involvement: Violently Opposed to Violence
Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
The Violence of Rape
Rape and the Quality of Life
Emotional and Physical Trauma
Physical Abuse
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Social Psychological Factors
Global Comparison: Attitudes of Turkish Students toward Rape
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Problems of Inequality
Poverty
Objectives
"We Feel Like Deadbeats"
Introduction
What Is Poverty?
Extent of Poverty
Who Are the Poor?
The Changing Nature of Poverty
Poverty and the Quality of Life
The Right to Life and Happiness
Global Comparison: Poverty in the World System
The Right to Dignity as a Human Being
Poverty and Health
Involvement: From Riches to Rags
Dilemmas of Poverty
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Gender and Sexual Orientation
Objectives
"I Didn't Need the Extra Hassles"
Introduction
Gender Inequality
Biology or Society?
Gender Inequality and the Quality of Life
Global Comparison: Occupational Sex Segregation in Developing Countries
Contributing Factors
Involvement: You Are What You Read
Public Policy and Private Action
Homosexuality and Homophobia
Homosexuality: Definitions and Numbers
Why Are Some People Homosexual?
Homosexuality and the Quality of Life
Contributing Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism
Objectives
Will It Ever End?
Introduction
The Meaning of Race, Ethnic Groups, and Racism
Extent and Origin of Races and Racism in America
Racism in American History
Race, Ethnicity and the Quality of Life
The Rights of Citizenship
The Right to Equal Economic Opportunities
The Right to Life and Happiness
The Right to Dignity as a Human Being
Contributing Factors
Involvement: Becoming Color Blind
Social Structural Factors
Social Psychological Factors
Global Comparison: Prejudice in Europe
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Problems of Social Institutions
Government and Politics
Objectives
"Why Isn't There Help for People Like Me?"
Introduction
Why Government?
Protect the Citizenry
Secure Order
Distribute Power Equitably
Provide a Safety Net
Problems of Government and Politics
Inequalities in Power
The Failure of Trust
Involvement: Why Don't People Trust the Government?
Waste, Corruption, and Scandals
Gridlock
Government, Politics, and the Quality of Life
Unequal Opportunities for a High Quality of Life
Inadequate Protection of Individual Rights
Lack of Responsiveness to Needs
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Global Comparison: Bureaucracy in Indonesia
Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Work and the Economy
Objectives
"I'm Not a Worrier, But..."
The Economy, Work, and the Workforce in America
The Changing Economy
The Changing Workforce
The Changing Composition of the Labor Force
The Changing Meaning of Work
Work as a Social Problem
Unemployment and Underemployment
Dissatisfaction and Alienation
Work Hazards and Stress
Global Comparison: Unemployment Rates in Industrial Nations
Work and the Quality of Life
Work, Unemployment, and Health
Interpersonal Relationships
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Involvement: Fun and Games at Work
Social Psychological Factors
The Ideology and Reality of Work
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Endnotes
Education
Objectives
"I Kept My Mouth Shut"
Introduction
Why Education?
Educational Attainment and Payoff
Levels of Attainment
Attainment and Payoff
Global Comparison: Educational Attainment, by Country
Education and the Quality of Life
Inequality of Opportunity and Attainment
The Atmosphere: Learning or Surviving?
The Payoff: A Great Training Robbery?
American Education: A Tide of Mediocrity?
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Involvement: What is the Purpose of Education?
Social Psychological Factors
A Concluding Note on the Inequality in Education
Public Policy and Private Action
Use of Vouchers
Quality Enhancement Measures
Reducing Racial and Ethinc Inequality
Compensatory and Other Innovative Programs
The Deschooling Movement
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Family Problems
Objectives
"I Survived the Abuse"
Introduction
Is the Family Doomed?
Alternative Forms of the Family
The Changing American Family
Functions of the Family
The Extent of Family Problems
Disrupted and Reconstituted Families
Family Violence
Global Comparison: Marital Quality and Well-Being of Children
Family Problems and the Quality of Life
Physical and Emotional Difficulties
Poverty
Deviant Behavior
Maladjustment
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Social Psychological Factors
Involvement: One Big Happy Family
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Health Care and Illness: Physical and Mental
Objectives
"If You Want to Live a Long Life"
Introduction
Nature of the Problem: Health Care and Illness
Physical Illness
Global Comparison: The Worldwide Challenge of Infectious Diseases
Mental Illness
Involvement: Except Me and Thee?
Health Care, Illness, and the Quality of Life
Stress and Suffering
Interpersonal Relationships
Inadequate Care
Deinstitutionalization
Individual Freedom
Economic Costs
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
Innovations in the Delivery of Health Care
Innovations in Treatment
Prevention
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Global Social Problems
War and Terrorism
Objectives
"I Didn't Want to See It"
War, Civil War, and Terrorism
The New Face of War
Extent of the Problem
War, Terrorism and the Quality of Life
Human Destruction and Injury
Psychological Disruption and Dehumanization
Environmental Destruction
The Economic Costs
War, Terrorism, and Civil Liberties
Global Comparison: Militarism: "A World Gone Insane"
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Social Psychological Factors
Involvement: "What a Great War That Was"
Public Policy and Private Action
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Endnotes
The Environment
Objectives
"We're Not Safe Here Anymore"
Introduction
The Ecosystem
Types of Environmental Problems
Environmental Pollution
Environmental Depletion
How Big Are Our Environmental Problems?
Environmental Pollution
Environmental Depletion
Global Comparison: World Energy Consumption and Production
Environmental Problems and the Quality of Life
The Environmental Threat to Life and Health
Threat to the Ecological Balance
The Economic Costs
Threat to World Peace
Contributing Factors
Social Structural Factors
Involvement: Nature Bats Last
Social Psychological Factors
Public Policy and Private Action
What Can Individiuals Do?
What Can Business and Industry Do?
What Can the Government Do?
Summary
Key Terms
Study Questions
Internet Resources/Exercises
For Further Reading
Glossary
References
Credits
Name Index
Subject Index
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