This critically acclaimed book delineates seven sociological perspectives used to examine social problems--social pathology, social disorganization, value conflict, deviant behavior, labeling, the critical perspective, and, new to the fifth edition, social constructionism. Unlike mostintroductory texts for courses on social problems which are organized topically around issues such as drug abuse, racial violence, and juvenile delinquency, this anthology focuses on the major theoretical perspectives used to examine social problems. Each section begins with an overview of the maincontributors to the perspective, its history, and an outline of its major characteristics, and closes with a critique of the perspective and questions for discussion. Long a standard in its field, The Study of Social Problems is an indispensable volume for building a strong theoretical foundation incourses on social problems.