Crime and Deviance Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to crime and deviance, as outlined in lecture notes.

Crime

An action or behavior that goes against the legislation of a particular country or state.

Deviance

Actions which go against the norms and values of a society but may not necessarily be against the law.

Social construction

A social phenomenon which is created by society, influencing perceptions of crime and deviance.

Boundary maintenance

Durkheim’s concept that crime reinforces societal norms by showing acceptable behavior and consequences for breaking rules.

Status frustration

Cohen’s theory that young people may turn to crime to achieve status when they feel unable to meet social goals.

Strain theory

Merton’s theory that explains how societal pressures can drive individuals to commit crime when they cannot achieve accepted goals.

Focal concerns

Miller’s idea that the working class has a unique set of values that can lead to criminal behavior.

Social bond theory

Hirschi’s theory that suggests strong social bonds prevent individuals from committing crimes.

Criminogenic capitalism

Gordon’s theory that capitalism creates conditions that encourage crime across all social classes.

Labeling theory

A theory stating that being labeled as deviant can lead to further deviant behavior due to the stigma attached.

Chivalry theory

Pollack’s theory that suggests women commit less crime because they are treated more leniently by the criminal justice system.

Liberation thesis

Adler’s theory that women's increased liberation in society leads to an increase in female crime rates.

Green crime

Crimes that harm the environment and violate laws related to environmental protection.

State crime

Illegal or deviant activities perpetrated by state agencies or officials.

Collective response

A communal reaction to feelings of deprivation, often leading to criminal behavior.

Marginalization

A social process where certain groups feel excluded from society, potentially leading to crime.