The role perspective focuses on the social bases and processes used by people to define social problems and the social psychology of those affected by social problems. Attention is given to participants' roles, role conflicts, adjustments to others, and self-conceptions. The institutional perspective focuses on the problems of cultural institutions. Some institutions, such as the family, are viewed as having lost important purposes, while others, such as education, are seen as being expected to perform far too many tasks. Institutions that overlap and conflict in their goals and those that fail to keep up with rapid social change are also considered. Finally, the societal perspective focuses on a cross-cultural view of problems, describes the historical evolution of the problem, and provides an overall view of the magnitude and severity of a problem. These perspectives help give order to the discussion of problems and also provide a dominant focus within a chapter. Among the basic topics dealt with are sexual deviance, crime and violence, drug and alcohol abuse, racism, and urban decay. In addition, considerable attention is given to white-collar crime; the medicalization of human life; problems associated with death, ageism, sexism, rape, leisure, and sport; and family violence. Other areas considered include problems of rural areas and political, economic, and resource problems at the international level. Scientific findings are mixed with historical accounts, literary excerpts, and case studies. Among the pedagogical devices are chapter outlines, a running glossary, chapter summaries, suggested readings, and an index. Photographs are also included. (Author abstract modified)