Sociology of Deviance

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the sociology of deviance, including definitions, theories, and classifications of deviant behavior.

Deviance

Actions or behaviors that violate social norms, which can be formal (e.g., crime) or informal (e.g., rejecting folkways).

Mala in se

Acts that are considered inherently evil or wrong (e.g., murder).

Mala prohibita

Acts that are considered wrong because they are prohibited by law (e.g., drug offenses).

Formal deviance

Actions that violate laws and result in legal penalties (e.g., crime).

Informal deviance

Minor violations of unwritten social norms (e.g., dress code violations).

Mores

Norms that have great moral significance and are strictly enforced in society.

Taboo

A strong social prohibition against certain behaviors or discussions, often due to cultural norms.

Labeling theory

The theory that deviance is a result of societal labels rather than an inherent quality of the act.

Primary deviance

Initial acts of deviance that occur before a person is labeled as such.

Secondary deviance

Deviant acts that occur as a result of the individual internalizing a label of deviance.

Social norms

Rules and expectations by which a society guides the behavior of its members.

Anomie

A state of normlessness that occurs when social norms are unclear or no longer applicable.

Control theory

The theory suggesting that weak social bonds and attachments make it easier for individuals to deviate from societal norms.

Conflict theory

The theory that emphasizes the role of social inequality in the definition and enforcement of deviance.

Symbolic interactionism

A theoretical framework focusing on the meanings and interpretations that individuals place on their social interactions.

Self-Control Theory

The theory suggesting that deviant behavior arises from a lack of self-control.