Crime, Deviance, Social Stratification, and Race & Ethnicity

A collection of flashcards covering key concepts from chapters on crime, deviance, social stratification, and race & ethnicity.

Crime

An act that violates laws against theft and violence, such as robbing a bank.

Deviance

Behavior that violates social norms, such as a student wearing unconventional clothing to a formal event.

Class Dominant Theory

The perspective that laws disproportionately punish blue-collar offenses more than white-collar crimes, reflecting the interests of the powerful.

Differential Association Theory

The theory stating that deviant behavior is learned through interactions with others, as shown by a teen learning to shoplift from friends.

Egoistic Suicide

Suicide occurring due to an individual feeling isolated from their family and community.

Altruistic Suicide

Suicide committed for the sake of others, exemplified by a soldier sacrificing themselves to save comrades.

Anomic Suicide

Suicide resulting from a breakdown of social norms, often seen after economic turmoil.

Fatalistic Suicide

Suicide in oppressive environments where individuals feel they have no control over their lives.

Imprisonment of People of Color

The disproportionate representation of racial minorities in the incarcerated population, with Blacks at 37% and Hispanics at 23%.

Primary Deviance

Initial acts of deviance not labeled as such, like a teenager occasionally smoking marijuana.

Secondary Deviance

Continued deviance after being labeled negatively, such as a labeled teenager gravitating towards more involved drug users.

Saints and Roughnecks

A comparison of how similar behavior is differently perceived based on social class, with Saints being excused while Roughnecks are punished.

Organized Crime

Criminal activities conducted by structured groups, exemplified by mafia operations.

Property Crime

Crimes that involve the theft of property, such as burglary.

Strain Theory

Merton's theory that explains social structures behind crime, including conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.

School to Prison Pipeline

The trend of students facing harsh disciplinary measures leading them to the juvenile justice system.

Formal Social Control

Methods of regulating behavior through formal means, like arrest by police.

Informal Social Control

Regulation through social norms and expectations, such as family disapproval of dishonesty.

Social Control Theory

The theory suggesting that strong ties to family and community decrease the likelihood of delinquency.

Structural Contradiction Theory

The theory analyzing crime arising from societal inequalities, where access to legitimate means is limited.

Inequality Trend

The observed widening income gap between the wealthy and the median income, indicating growing inequality.

Caste System

A social hierarchy where one's position is determined by birth, as seen in the traditional Hindu caste system.

Conflict View of Inequality

The perspective that emphasizes how dominant groups maintain advantages through economic and political means.

Meritocracy

A system where advancement is based solely on individual talent and effort.

Social Mobility

The ability to move up or down the social hierarchy, as illustrated by upward or downward mobility.

Wealth Definition

The total value of a person's assets, minus debts, such as a mortgage.

Food Deserts

Areas with limited access to fresh food, resulting primarily from socio-economic factors.

Prejudice

An irrational negative judgment about a group, such as assuming all members of a racial group are unintelligent.

Institutional Discrimination

Discrimination embedded in policies that disadvantage particular groups, like hiring practices favoring certain universities.

Model Minority

A stereotype suggesting that a particular racial group, like Asian Americans, uniformly achieves higher success.

Assimilation

The process of adopting the cultural norms of another group, often seen in immigrants adapting to American culture.