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Understanding Social Problems, 12th Edition

Linda A. Mooney, Ph.D., Molly Clever, Ph.D.

Copyright 2026
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Understanding Social Problems 12th Edition by Linda A. Mooney, Ph.D./Molly Clever, Ph.D.

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Overview

Challenge students to think critically about complex social issues using the latest data and relevant examples in Mooney/Clever/Hipes’ “Understanding Social Problems” 12th Edition. The award-winning authors offer theoretically rich, evidence-based discussions of pressing social issues of our time, including growing political polarization around the world, ongoing global conflicts, the long-term impacts of COVID-19, repercussions of national elections and emerging social movements. This edition's micro- to macro-level of analysis focuses first on problems related to healthcare, drugs and alcohol, families, crime and violence, racial, ethnic and gender inequality and LGBTQ+ status before examining the larger problems of poverty and economic inequality, population growth and aging, environmental issues, science and technology and world conflict. This text is also available in MindTap.

Meet the Authors

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Linda A. Mooney, Ph.D.

Linda A. Mooney, Ph.D., is an emeritus faculty member at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. In addition to social problems, her specialties include sociology of law, criminology and juvenile delinquency. Dr. Mooney has served as senior author for eleven editions of this prominent text. She has also published more than 30 professional articles in such journals as Social Forces, Sociological Inquiry, Sex Roles, Sociological Quarterly and Teaching Sociology. Dr. Mooney has won numerous teaching awards, including the University of North Carolina, Board of Governor's Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award.

Molly Clever, Ph.D.

Molly Clever, Ph.D., is an associate professor of sociology and social justice at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV. She teaches on social conflict, war, social movements, community engagement and issues related to political and economic inequality. She has recently published in Teaching Sociology and has authored numerous articles and book chapters focused on community engagement teaching and learning practices as well as the changing nature of war and military organizations.

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Part I: SOCIOLOGY AND THE STUDY OF SOCIAL PROBLEMS.
1. Thinking about Social Problems.
Part II: PROBLEMS OF WELL-BEING.
2. Physical and Mental Health and Health Care.
3. Alcohol and Other Drugs.
4. Crime and Social Control.
5. Family Problems.
Part III: PROBLEMS OF INEQUALITY.
6. Economic Inequality, Wealth, and Poverty.
7. Work and Unemployment.
8. Problems in Education.
9. Race, Ethnicity, and Immigration.
10. Gender Inequality.
11. Sexual Orientation and the Struggle for Equality.
Part IV: PROBLEMS OF GLOBALIZATION.
12. Population Growth and Aging.
13. Environmental Problems.
14. Science and Technology.
15. Conflict, War, and Terrorism.