Understanding Social Problems

The 12th Edition of Understanding Social Problems by Linda A. Mooney, Molly Clever, and Crosby Hipes is an introductory sociology textbook that examines contemporary societal issues. Published by Cengage Learning, this edition provides undergraduate students with structured conceptual tools to analyze social institutions and human behavior through core sociological concepts and theories.

The text directly addresses widespread misconceptions in sociology while presenting established theoretical perspectives. Integrated coursework includes dedicated exercises created to assist students in identifying implicit biases and building a sociological imagination across diverse topical areas.

Spanning 736 pages with a 2026 copyright year, this textbook offers foundational academic material suitable for semester-length introductory sociology courses.