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journal article Social Problems and the MoresAmerican Sociological Review Vol. 1, No. 6 (Dec., 1936) , pp. 922-933 (12 pages) Published By: American Sociological Association https://doi.org/10.2307/2084617 https://www.jstor.org/stable/2084617 Read and download Log in through your school or library Alternate access options For independent researchers Read Online Read 100 articles/month free Subscribe to JPASS Unlimited reading + 10 downloads Purchase article $14.00 - Download now and later Journal Information The official flagship journal of the American Sociological Association (ASA), American Sociological Review (ASR) publishes works of interest to the discipline in general, new theoretical developments, results of research that advance our understanding of fundamental social processes, and important methodological innovations. All areas of sociology are welcome. Emphasis is on exceptional quality and general interest. Published bi-monthly in February, April, June, August, October, and December. Information about subscriptions, article submissions, and advertising rates: http://www.asanet.org/journals/asr/ Publisher Information American Sociological Association Mission Statement: Serving Sociologists in Their Work Advancing Sociology as a Science and Profession Promoting the Contributions and Use of Sociology to Society The American Sociological Association (ASA), founded in 1905, is a non-profit membership association dedicated to advancing sociology as a scientific discipline and profession serving the public good. With over 13,200 members, ASA encompasses sociologists who are faculty members at colleges and universities, researchers, practitioners, and students. About 20 percent of the members work in government, business, or non-profit organizations. As the national organization for sociologists, the American Sociological Association, through its Executive Office, is well positioned to provide a unique set of services to its members and to promote the vitality, visibility, and diversity of the discipline. Working at the national and international levels, the Association aims to articulate policy and impleme nt programs likely to have the broadest possible impact for sociology now and in the future. Rights & Usage This item is part of a JSTOR Collection. Social problem-solving might also be called ‘problem-solving in real life’. In other words, it is a rather academic way of describing the systems and processes that we use to solve the problems that we encounter in our everyday lives. The word ‘social’ does not mean that it only applies to problems that we solve with other people, or, indeed, those that we feel are caused by others. The word is simply used to indicate the ‘real life’ nature of the problems, and the way that we approach them. Social problem-solving is generally considered to apply to four different types of problems:
A Model of Social Problem-SolvingOne of the main models used in academic studies of social problem-solving was put forward by a group led by Thomas D’Zurilla. This model includes three basic concepts or elements:
Once a solution has been identified, it must then be implemented. D’Zurilla’s model distinguishes between problem-solving (the process that identifies a solution) and solution implementation (the process of putting that solution into practice), and notes that the skills required for the two are not necessarily the same. It also distinguishes between two parts of the problem-solving process: problem orientation and actual problem-solving. Problem OrientationProblem orientation is the way that people approach problems, and how they set them into the context of their existing knowledge and ways of looking at the world. Each of us will see problems in a different way, depending on our experience and skills, and this orientation is key to working out which skills we will need to use to solve the problem. An Example of Orientation Most people, on seeing a spout of water coming from a loose joint between a tap and a pipe, will probably reach first for a cloth to put round the joint to catch the water, and then a phone, employing their research skills to find a plumber. A plumber, however, or someone with some experience of plumbing, is more likely to reach for tools to mend the joint and fix the leak. It’s all a question of orientation. Problem-SolvingProblem-solving includes four key skills:
Based on this split between orientation and problem-solving, D’Zurilla and colleagues defined two scales to measure both abilities. They defined two orientation dimensions, positive and negative, and three problem-solving styles, rational, impulsive/careless and avoidance. They noted that people who were good at orientation were not necessarily good at problem-solving and vice versa, although the two might also go together. It will probably be obvious from these descriptions that the researchers viewed positive orientation and rational problem-solving as functional behaviours, and defined all the others as dysfunctional, leading to psychological distress. The skills required for positive problem orientation are:
Those who find it harder to develop positive problem orientation tend to view problems as insurmountable obstacles, or a threat to their well-being, doubt their own abilities to solve problems, and become frustrated or upset when they encounter problems. The skills required for rational problem-solving include:
There is more about the rational problem-solving process on our page on Problem-Solving. Potential DifficultiesThose who struggle to manage rational problem-solving tend to either:
This ‘avoidance’ is not the same as actively and appropriately delegating to someone with the necessary skills (see our page on Delegation Skills for more). Instead, it is simple ‘buck-passing’, usually characterised by a lack of selection of anyone with the appropriate skills, and/or an attempt to avoid responsibility for the problem. An Academic Term for a Human Process?You may be thinking that social problem-solving, and the model described here, sounds like an academic attempt to define very normal human processes. This is probably not an unreasonable summary. However, breaking a complex process down in this way not only helps academics to study it, but also helps us to develop our skills in a more targeted way. By considering each element of the process separately, we can focus on those that we find most difficult: maximum ‘bang for your buck’, as it were. What factors are necessary to solve the social problems?Here, population growth is also a responsible factor for social problems.. Poverty-By providing education, skill training and job opportunities in a society. ... . Unemployment-Providing job-oriented education, training to the people by Government to solve the problem of unemployment.. What are the solution to solve social problems?How to Solve a Social Problem. Focus on the Outliers.. Set measurable goals with a scary deadline.. Focus on the obvious thing.. Build the broadest team possible.. Experiment in short cycles.. What are the 4 elements of a social problem?Four Elements of a Social Problem: 1) They cause physical or mental damage to individuals or society. 2) They offend the values or standards of some powerful segment of society. 3) They persist for an extended period of time.
What method does sociology use in solving social problems?Three theoretical perspectives guide sociological thinking on social problems: functionalist theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionist theory. These perspectives look at the same social problems, but they do so in different ways.
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