Sociology And Social Policy

Question 0

What did Peter Worsley believe about social problems?

Answer 0

He believed that a social problem was a behaviour that causes public friction and needs collective action to solve it such as poverty

Question 1

What did Peter Worsley research?

Answer 1

Social problems and sociological problems

Question 2

What are sociological problems according to Worsley?

Answer 2

‘Any pattern of relationships that calls for explanation’

Question 3

What factors affect whether or not sociological research succeeds in influencing policy?

Answer 3

Electoral popularity, globalisation, cost, funding sources, interest groups, critical sociology and ideological and policy preferences of governments

Question 4

What are positivist and functionalist perspectives on social policy and sociology?

Answer 4

Sociology is a science and can discover the cause and medicine of all the social problems. The state serves the interests of everybody so policies need to fit everybody

Question 5

How do Marxists criticise Positivist and functionalist perspectives on social policy and sociology?

Answer 5

Marxists argue that educational policies are aimed at equalising opportunity but not at reducing poverty

Question 6

What is the social democratic perspective on social policy and sociology?

Answer 6

They argue for the redistribution of wealth and that sociologists should be involved in researching social problems and then eradicating them

Question 7

How do Marxists and postmodernists criticise the social democratic perspective?

Answer 7

Marxists reject recommendations shown in the Black report and postmodernists say that sociologists shouldn’t influence policy as it is impossible to find an objective truth

Question 8

What are Marxist views on social policy and sociology?

Answer 8

They believe that it provides ideological legitimation, maintain labour force and prevents a revolution

Question 9

What are the two main criticisms of Marxist views on perspectives on social policy and sociology?

Answer 9

That they are unrealistic and impractical

Question 10

What are feminists views of perspectives on social policy and sociology?

Answer 10

They believe that it has influenced policy through learning materials and teacher training for education

Question 11

How do feminists criticise perspectives on social policy and sociology?

Answer 11

Many feminists reject the view that reformist social policies can liberate women

Question 12

What are the views held by the new right on perspectives on social policy and sociology?

Answer 12

The new right believes that the state should only have minimal involvement in society. No welfare state for example

Question 13

What is the social democratic perspective on social policy?

Answer 13

It argues for a major redistribution of wealth and income from the rich to the poor

Question 14

What do social democrats such as Peter Townsend argue that sociologists should be involved in?

Answer 14

Researching social problems and making policy recommendations to eradicate them

Question 15

Give an example of research that aimed to eradicate a social problem?

Answer 15

The Black Report which reduced deep-rooted inequalities between different classes of students in schools

Question 16

What do Marxists see as the role of sociologists?

Answer 16

To criticise capitalist policy by revealing the exploitation that underpins capitalism, and the way in which the ruling class use social policies to mask the exploitation and buy off revolt with minor concessions

Question 17

What does Charles Murray argue about the welfare state?

Answer 17

He argues that generous welfare benefits and council housing for lone parents act as perverse incentives that weakens family’s self-reliance and encourage the growth of a dependency culture