Skip to main content

ETHNOS_APP

Home • Search • Journals • List 0

Toward a Sociology of Social Problems

Social Conditions, Value-Judgments, and Social Problems

Bibliographic Data

ID2483752
AuthorsJohn I Kitsuse (Northwestern University, corresponding author), Malcolm Spector (McGill University)
Year1973
Volume20
Issue4
Pages407-419
Publication date1973-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueSocial Problems (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0037-7791 • E-ISSN: 1533-8533
PublisherOxford University Press (OUP) (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.2307/799704
OpenAlexW2138840972
LanguageEN
Citations received159
References cited23

Two major approaches to the study of social problems are examined: the functionalist statement by Merton, and the value-conflict view of Waller, and Fuller and Myers. The ambiguities of the relationship between the concepts "objective conditions" and "social problem" contained in the statements of these writers are identified and analyzed. Some preliminary suggestions are made to define the subject matter of the sociology of social problems as a specialized area of study

Social science · Sociology · Statistics · Value (mathematics · Computer Science · Contemporary Sociological Theory and Practice · Mathematics · Psychology · Social Psychology

  • “Tero science”

    Open Access•Ezequiel Sosiuk•Tapuya Latin American Science…•2026

  • Promises that Don’t Work? COP26 and the Problems of Climate Change

    Open Access•Juan Layna, Leandro Altamirano•Engaging Science Technology and…•2022

  • Society on the Edge

    Open Access•Philippe Fontaine, Jefferson D Pooley•Society on the Edge•2020

  • Constructive Social Work

    Nigel Parton, Patrick O’byrne•Constructive Social Work•2000

  • Political consumerism between individual choice and collective action

    Open Access•Boris Holzer•International Journal of Consumer…•2006

  • Sociologie des problèmes sociaux

    Open Access•Malcolm Spector, John I Kitsuse et al.•L’expérience des problèmes publics•2012

  • Framing Environmental Problems

    Magalie Bourblanc•Journal of Environmental Policy &…•2014

  • Cadres et institution des problèmes publics

    Open Access•Danny Trom, B Zimmermann•Les formes de l’action collective•2001

  • Vorüberlegungen zu einer „Theorie sozialer Probleme“

    Gunter Albrecht•Soziologie und Sozialpolitik•1977

  • Kitsuse, John I. (1923–2003)

    Open Access•Axel Groenemeyer•The Blackwell Encyclopedia of…•2007

  • Kitsuse, John I. (1923–2003)

    Open Access•Axel Groenemeyer•The Blackwell Encyclopedia of…•2017

  • Beliefs on Refugees as a Terrorist Threat. The Social Determinants of Refugee-related Stereotypes

    Open Access•Bartłomiej Walczak, Nikolaos Lampas•Studia Migracyjne – Przegląd…•2020

  • El carácter múltiple de la racionalidad estatal

    Open Access•Manel Gené, Mariana Gené et al.•Sociohistórica•2021

  • Sosyal Problemler Sosyoloji̇si̇ Perspekti̇fi̇nden Türki̇ye’de Beyi̇n Göçü

    Open Access•Cansu Taşcı•Hacettepe Üniversitesi Türkiyat…•2024

  • The sociologist and the sirens

    Paul Atkinson, Silvia Cataldi•SOCIOLOGIA E RICERCA SOCIALE•2026

  • Queer Tales of Morality

    Open Access•Carol M Liebler, Joseph Schwartz et al.•Journal of Communication•2009

  • Sucht in wissenssoziologischer Perspektive

    Michael Schetsche•Sozialwissenschaftliche…•2008

  • Methodische Probleme der Erforschung sozialer Probleme

    Gunter Albrecht•Handbuch soziale Probleme•1999

  • What is a Social Problem? A History of its Definition

    Sylvain Mary, Peter R Senn•Jahrbuch Für Soziologiegeschichte…•1995

  • Soziale Probleme, soziologische Theorie und moderne Gesellschaften

    Axel Groenemeyer•Handbuch soziale Probleme•1999

  • Soziologie sozialer Probleme – Fragestellungen, Konzepte und theoretische Perspektiven

    Axel Groenemeyer•Handbuch Soziale Probleme•2012

  • Sociologie des problèmes sociaux

    Open Access•Daniel Cefaï•L’expérience des problèmes publics•2012

  • Soziale Probleme und soziale Bewegungen

    Susanne Karstedt•Handbuch soziale Probleme•1999

  • Local media roles in defining hazardous waste as a social problem

    Charles E Faupel, C Bailey et al.•Sociological Spectrum•1991

  • The Lens of Victim Contests and Youth Crime Stat Wars

    Open Access•Michael Adorjan•Symbolic Interaction•2011

  • Lived Realities and the Construction of Social Problems

    Open Access•Donileen R Loseke•Symbolic Interaction•1987

  • Framing the Fat Body

    Open Access•Samantha Kwan•Sociological Inquiry•2009

  • Cults and Communities

    Charles L Harper•Journal for the Scientific Study…•1982

  • Alien Attack

    Ryoko Yamamoto•Japanstudien•2005

  • Models of Relevance

    James B Rule•American Journal of Sociology•1978

  • Un réajustement sous contrainte

    Séverine Marguin•Pôle Sud•2014

  • From Secrecy to Public Containment

    Open Access•Valerie Arnhold•Social Forces•2023

  • Symbolic Interactionism, Mass Panics and Urban Legends

    Open Access•Ivan Kovačević•Etnoantropološki problemi /…•2010

  • Présentation. Entre paniques et croisades

    Open Access•Jean-Michel Chaumont•Recherches Sociologiques•2012

  • Making Political Consumers

    Philip Balsiger•Social movement studies•2010

  • Power, Discursive Space and Institutional Practices in the Construction of Housing Problems

    Keith Jacobs, Jim Kemeny et al.•Housing Studies•2003

  • Domestic Violence Legislation and the Police

    Patricia Mutpfay•Women & Politics•1997

  • Self-Interest, Social Welfare Policy and Social Problems

    John P Flynn•The Journal of Sociology & Social…•1974

  • Dossier Building as a Social Problem Topic

    Philip L Reichel•Teaching Sociology•1977

  • The Discovery of War as a Social Problem

    Michael R Nusbaumer, Daryl Kelley et al.•Teaching Sociology•1989

  • Constructions of Reality

    Open Access•Carroll L Estes•Journal of Social Issues•1980

  • The OxyContin crisis

    Open Access•Emma Whelan, Mark Asbridge•International Journal of Drug…•2013

  • The double force of European categories

    Open Access•Nikola Tietze•Culture Practice & Europeanization•2018

  • Social Problems and the Contextual Compromise

    Open Access•Sean P Hier•Qualitative Sociology Review•2019

  • Resinicization and Digital Citizenship in Hong Kong

    Open Access•Michael Adorjan, Ho Lun Yau•Qualitative Sociology Review•2015

  • Towards a Theory of Interest Claims in Constructing Social Problems

    Open Access•Patrick Archer•Qualitative Sociology Review•2015

  • Consensus in Diversity

    Reginald W Bibby•Comparative Sociology•1979

  • Imaged and imagined threat to the nation

    Hsiao‐Chuan Hsia•Inter-Asia Cultural Studies•2007

  • The problem with ‘social problems’ as domain of social work

    Silvia Staub‐bernasconi, Silvia Staub-Bernasconi•European Journal of Social Work•2017

  • Access, Ethics and the (Re)construction of Gender

    Jonathan Scourfield, Amanda Coffey•International Journal of Social…•2006

  • Penetrating the Shields of Institutional Immunity

    Gideon Doron, U Lebel•Mediterranean Politics•2004

  • Israel is too expensive for us? Political consumerism, public policy and entrepreneurship

    Ofir Shamir, Omri Shamir•Israel Affairs•2017

  • Social Issue Emergence on the Web

    Open Access•L E Young, Paul M Leonardi•Journal of Computer-Mediated…•2012

  • The Definitional Process of Domestic Violence in Japan

    Open Access•Mieko Yoshihama•Violence Against Women•2002

  • Getting in Trouble

    Open Access•Darryl A Pifer, Darryl Pifer•Qualitative Report•2000

  • The Life Cycle of Moral Conflicts

    Open Access•Raymond Tatalovich•Journal of Policy History•2017

  • Law Enforcement Versus Battered Women

    Open Access•Madelaine Adelman, Phoebe Morgan•Affilia•2006

  • Gute Arbeit“ und „qualité de vie au travail“

    Open Access•Léa Renard, B Zimmermann•Berliner Journal für Soziologie•2020

  • Cocaine Use in the Era of Social Reform

    Open Access•Glenn F Murray•Canadian Journal of Law and…•1987

  • Factors affecting willingness to contribute goods and services on social media

    Open Access•Eyal Eckhaus, Zachary Sheaffer•The Social Science Journal•2018

  • Some implications of failed issues of social reform

    Open Access•John Pointing, J E Pointing et al.•International Journal of Urban…•1984

  • New Labour and the `problem of men

    Open Access•Jonathan Scourfield, Mark Drakeford•Critical Social Policy•2002

  • The Emergence of a Social Problem

    Open Access•Margaret L Usdansky•Sociological Inquiry•2008

  • The Energy-Environment Crisis

    Charles E Bond•Sociological Focus•1979

  • International Scientific Cooperation between Central and Peripheral Countries

    Open Access•Ezequiel Sosiuk, Ezequiel Daniel Sosiuk•Minerva•2025

  • Child perpetrators of sexual abuse”

    Paul Okami•The Journal of Sex Research•1992

  • Media Construction of Crime Revisited

    Open Access•A J Baranauskas, K Drakulich•Criminology•2018

  • Defining Deviance

    Open Access•James A Holstein•The American Sociologist•2009

  • Constructing Social Problems Forty Years Later

    Open Access•Malcolm Spector•The American Sociologist•2019

  • Gefährliche Gruppen. Zur Personifizierung sozialer Probleme

    Open Access•Dörte Negnal•Soziale Probleme•2020

  • Social Constructivism

    Open Access•Jiří Kabele•Czech Sociological Review•1996

  • Chiropractors as Folk Devils

    Yvonne Villanueva-Russell•Deviant Behavior•2009

  • Watching Over the Watchdogs

    Edson C Tandoc•Journalism Studies•2016

  • Re-theorizing news’ construction of reality

    Open Access•Raymond W K Lau, Raymond Wk Lau•Journalism•2012

  • Language, Interaction, and Social Problems

    D W Maynard•Social Problems•1988

  • Making up 'national trauma' in Israel

    Open Access•Galia Plotkin-Amrami, José Joaquín Brunner Ried et al.•Social Studies of Science•2015

  • The Social Construction of Christian Persecution Through Quantification in International Religious Freedom Advocacy

    Open Access•Miray Philips•Sociology of Religion•2025

  • L'au-delà de l'exclusion

    Marcel Drulhe, Serge Clément et al.•Sociologie et sociétés•2001

  • C’est comme mourir pendant que nous sommes en vie ». Le problème des pesticides dans le quotidien des agriculteurs au Cambodge

    Open Access•Eve Bureau-Point•Emulations - Revue de sciences…•2024

  • The American Print News Media 'Construction' of Five Natural Disasters

    Open Access•Penelope Ploughman•Disasters•1995

  • Social tolerance for crime and deviance

    Thomas J Durant, Thomas J S Durant et al.•Deviant Behavior•1980

  • Heavy users of emergency services

    Open Access•Ruth E Malone•Social Science & Medicine•1995

  • The Social Construction of Social Problems

    Malcolm Spector•Teaching Sociology•1976

  • Igniting Constructionist Imaginations

    Open Access•Michael C Adorjan, Michael Adorjan•The American Sociologist•2012

  • From “Junkies” to “Soccer Moms

    Open Access•Katherine Mclean•Critical Criminology•2017

  • Controversy over genetically modified crops in India

    Open Access•Tomiko Yamaguchi•Discourse Studies•2007

  • Culture and the Politics of Signification

    Katherine Beckett•Social Problems•1996

  • Compulsive Gambling and the Medicalization of Deviance

    John Rosecrance•Social Problems•1985

  • Social Construction of Social Problems Over Time

    Helena Znaniecka Lopata•Social Problems•1984

  • Rape as a Social Problem

    Vicki Mcnickle Rose•Social Problems•1977

  • Client Control and Organizational Dominance

    Monika Wittig•Social Problems•1976

  • Defining Social Problems

    Robert H Lauer•Social Problems•1976

  • Trends and Topics in 'Social Problems' 1953-1975

    James M Henslin, Paul M Roesti•Social Problems•1976

  • Doing Good or Worse

    Richard A Berk, Peter H Rossi•Social Problems•1976

  • Mass Media Influences on Public Conceptions of Social Problems

    Jeffrey C Hubbard, Melvin L Defleur et al.•Social Problems•1975

  • Social Problems and Deviance

    John I Kitsuse, Malcolm Spector•Social Problems•1975

  • Social Problems

    Malcolm Spector, John I Kitsuse•Social Problems•1973

  • La vida social del cannabis. Disputas públicas y colectivas por derechos

    Open Access•Andrés Fernando Rodríguez Mera•Política y Sociedad•2022

  • Le « fléau des motos-taxis

    Open Access•Joseph Keutcheu•Cahiers d études africaines•2015

  • La construction sociale de médias dangereux pour la jeunesse. Des paniques morales aux quasi-théories

    Open Access•Anne-Laure Wibrin•Recherches Sociologiques•2012

  • Social problems

    Howard Saul Becker•Social problems•1966

  • Crisis in American institutions

    Elliott Currie, Jerome H Skolnick•Crisis in American institutions•1988

  • Morals and the Criminal Law

    Richard C Fuller•Journal of Criminal Law and…•1942

  • Canadian Narcotics Legislation, 1908–1923

    Open Access•Shirley J Cook•Canadian Review of Sociology/Revue…•1969

  • Recent Social Problems Texts

    Edwin M Schur•Social Problems•1963

  • Handbook on the Study of Social Problems

    Edwin M Lemert, Edwin O Smigel•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1973

  • The Study of Social Problems

    James D Orcutt, Earl Rubington et al.•Contemporary Sociology A Journal…•1977

  • The Process of Government

    Open Access•Charles A Beard•Political Science Quarterly•1908

  • The Natural History of a Social Problem

    Richard C Fuller, Richard R Myers•American Sociological Review•1941

  • Social Problems

    William J Chambli, William J Chambliss et al.•American Sociological Review•1967

  • Some Aspects of a Theory of Social Problems

    Richard C Fuller, Richard R Myers•American Sociological Review•1941

  • Social Problems and the Mores

    Willard Waller•American Sociological Review•1936

  • Handbook on the Study of Social Problems

    Fred R Crawford, Erwin O Smigel•Social Forces•1972

  • Sociological Theory and Social Problems

    Rebecca C Fuller•Social Forces•1937

  • Social Problems as Collective Behavior

    Herbert Blumer•Social Problems•1971

  • Bureaucracy and Morality

    Donald T Dickson•Social Problems•1968

  • Social Deviance and Political Marginality

    Irving Louis Horowitz, Martin Liebowitz•Social Problems•1968

Unique citing works113
Citations per year3
Citation span1973 - 2026 (54)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedYes
Citation typesNeutral: 157
Ethnos_APP • Open Source Project • MIT License • Frontend v2.0.0 • Privacy and Cookies • API Documentation: api.ethnos.app/docs • API Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17049435 • Frontend Source Code: GitHub • DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17050053 • cruz.rio.br • Expectantes Misericordiae