Question

Discuss how each of the two main approaches to understanding social problems would explain a social problem like recidivism?

Answer 1

Conflict theory suggests that the society is in a perpetual conflict for the limited resources available where social order is maintained not through consensus but through domination. This would mean that when people are discriminated and oppressed without any means for survival, they would engage in crimes. When majority people use most of the resources and leave the minority fighting for their survival, they would engage in crimes.

Symbolic interactionism suggests that people would learn their attitudes and behaviours from others through symbols, signs and language. This would mean that when people observe the behaviours of others, they would also learn the symbolic meaning in their behaviours, the motivation behind them and the consequences of those actions. When the consequences of those actions are positive or more than the negative consequences, people would engage in deviant behaviours.

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