The Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) is an organization founded in 1951 in counterpoint to the American Sociological Association.

History

The Society was founded in 1951 by

Elizabeth Briant Lee Elizabeth or Elisabeth may refer to: People * Elizabeth (given name), a female given name (including people with that name) * Elizabeth (biblical figure), mother of John the Baptist Ships * HMS ''Elizabeth'', several ships * ''Elisabeth'' (sch ...

and

Alfred McClung Lee Alfred McClung Lee (August 23, 1906 – May 19, 1992) was an American sociologist whose research included studies of American journalism, propaganda, and race relations.Daniels, Lee AAlfred McClung Lee Dies at 85; Professor Was Noted Sociologist ' ...

. Professor of Sociology

Julia Catherine Wrigley Julia is usually a feminine given name. It is a Latinate feminine form of the name Julio and Julius. (For further details on etymology, see the Wiktionary entry "Julius".) The given name ''Julia'' had been in use throughout Late Antiquity (e.g ...

writes that the Society's founders were "liberal and left-leaning academics" and that it provided a "meeting ground for those dismayed by the often conservative thrust of the merican Sociological Organization. In the 1950s and 1960s the Society was closely associated with

labelling theory Labeling theory posits that self-identity and the behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. It is associated with the concepts of self-fulfilling prophecy and stereotyping. Labeling th ...

Purpose

The SSSP's stated purpose is to promote and protect sociological research and teaching on significant problems of social life and, particularly, to encourage the work of young sociologists; to stimulate the application of scientific method and theory to the study of vital social problems; to encourage problem-centered social research; to foster cooperative relations among persons and organizations engaged in the application of scientific sociological findings to the formulation of social policies; to foster higher quality of life, social welfare, and positive social relations in society and the global community and to undertake activities to accomplish these goals.

Activities

The SSSP promotes dialogue through presentations at the annual meeting, and through listservs and division newsletters throughout the year; publishes research in the journal ''Social Problems''; presents awards to community groups; supports undergraduate and graduate students, young scholars and activists with professional support, leadership opportunities, and scholarships; passes and acts upon public resolutions; and fosters the generation of new ideas.

Membership

Membership is open to individuals and university and college departments who support the SSSP's goals.

Publications

''Social Problems'', the official quarterly journal of the Society, is published through

Oxford University Press Oxford University Press (OUP) is the university press of the University of Oxford. It is the largest university press in the world, and its printing history dates back to the 1480s. Having been officially granted the legal right to print books ...

. The Society also publishes various newsletters and booklets.

References

External links

* {{authority control 1951 establishments in the United States Learned societies of the United States Organizations based in Knoxville, Tennessee Social issues Sociological organizations