SOC 111: Chapter 7

conflict theory

a theory that examines social and economic factors as the causes of criminal deviance

control theory

a theory that states social control is directly affected by the strength of social bonds and that deviance results from a feeling of disconnection from society

corporate crime

crime committed by white-collar workers in a business environment

corrections system

the system tasked with supervising individuals who have been arrested for, convicted of, or sentenced for criminal offenses

court

a system that has the authority to make decisions based on law

crime

a behavior that violates official law and is punishable through formal sanctions

criminal justice system

an organization that exists to enforce a legal code

deviance

a violation of contextual, cultural, or social norms

differential association theory

a theory that states individuals learn deviant behavior from those close to them who provide models of and opportunities for deviance

formal sanctions

sanctions that are officially recognized and enforced

hate crimes

attacks based on a person’s race, religion, or other characteristics

informal sanctions

sanctions that occur in face-to-face interactions

labeling theory

the ascribing of a deviant behavior to another person by members of society

legal codes

codes that maintain formal social control through laws

master status

a label that describes the chief characteristic of an individual

negative sanctions

punishments for violating norms

nonviolent crimes

crimes that involve the destruction or theft of property, but do not use force or the threat of force

police

a civil force in charge of regulating laws and public order at a federal, state, or community level

positive sanctions

rewards given for conforming to norms

power elite

a small group of wealthy and influential people at the top of society who hold the power and resources

primary deviance

a violation of norms that does not result in any long-term effects on the individual’s self-image or interactions with others

sanctions

the means of enforcing rules

secondary deviance

deviance that occurs when a person’s self-concept and behavior begin to change after his or her actions are labeled as deviant by members of society

self-report study

a collection of data acquired using voluntary response methods, such as questionnaires or telephone interviews

social control

the regulation and enforcement of norms

social disorganization theory

a theory that asserts crime occurs in communities with weak social ties and the absence of social control

social order

an arrangement of practices and behaviors on which society’s members base their daily lives

strain theory

a theory that addresses the relationship between having socially acceptable goals and having socially acceptable means to reach those goals

street crime

crime committed by average people against other people or organizations, usually in public spaces

victimless crime

activities against the law, but that do not result in injury to any individual other than the person who engages in them

violent crimes

crimes based on the use of force or the threat of force