1. Be familiar with Eric Goode's view of drugs and drug use. Of concern here would be a knowledge of the factors that influence the effects of drugs. Also of concern here would be a knowledge of the various premises that Goode's position on drugs involves, and how they can serve as a guide to valid observations and conclusions.
2. Understand why it is difficult (if not impossible) to provide a straightforward answer to the question "What is a drug?" Be aware of how Goode handles this problem.
3. Develop an understanding of what is meant by "The social construction of reality." Of concern here would be a knowledge of how the process of social construction relates to social problems and the criminalization process.
4. Understand how any theory is necessarily partial in terms of both it's scope and it's built-in bias. What image does Goode present of the theories used to explain the range of phenomena surrounding drugs.
Drugs and Drug use
1. Review the key factors upon which drug effects are dependent.
2. Be familiar with how drug effects are divided for purposes of analysis.
3. Review the drug classification scheme in Goode's book. Understand the basis of it's construction and why it is useful. What types of phenomena does it help to explain?
4. Be familiar with the various definitions of addiction and dependence offered in the readings and class. Understand in what ways these two concepts are similar, different, parallel, or relate to each other.
The sociological perspective
1. Know the criteria upon which Goode relies when qualifying a substance as a drug.
2. Review the various definitions of drug abuse and know whether or not it is a useful concept.
3. Understand the differences between objectivism and constructionism in regard to drug use, social problems and deviance.
4. What role does public opinion play in the decision of whether or not a condition or a behavior is classified as deviant?
5. Be familiar with the motives that underlie the criminalization process.
Theories of drug use
1. Be familiar with the various theories of drug use and their respective postulates.
2. Review the specific theories within the broader Biological, Psychological, and Sociological perspectives.
3. Know how concepts such as addiction and dependence are viewed from the different theoretical perspectives.
4. Understand the controversy between the positive and negative reinforcement theorist concerning addiction.
5. Be aware of the ways in which the socialization and subcultural perspectives are different and in what ways they overlap.
P.S. Keep in mind that this is just a study guide, and answering questions on a study guide is always easier than answering questions on a test. So don't neglect a complete review of your notes or a careful read of all the pages you skipped in the book.
URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/180/studgd1.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel rok@umsl.edu
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Last Updated:
Wednesday, October 5, 2005 12:51 PM