Understanding Social Deviance and Labeling Theory

Primary deviance

The first act of rule breaking that may incur a label of 'deviant' and thus influence how people think about and act toward you.

Secondary deviance

Subsequent acts of rule breaking that occur after primary deviance and as a result of your new deviant label and people's expectations of you.

Stigma

A negative social label that not only changes others' behavior toward a person but also alters that person's own self-concept and social identity.

Labeling theory

The belief that individuals subconsciously notice how others see or label them, and their reactions to those labels over time form the basis of their self-identity.

Social control

The set of mechanisms that create normative compliance, the act of abiding by society's norms or simply following the rules of group life.

Anomie

A sense of aimlessness or despair that arises when we can no longer reasonably expect life to be predictable; too little social regulation; normlessness.

Conformist

An individual who accepts both the goals and the strategies that are considered socially acceptable to achieve those goals.

Formal deviance

The violation of laws enacted by society.

Primary groups

Groups we are closely associated with, such as family and friends.

Secondary groups

Groups that are means to an end, joined to fulfill some external purpose (get educated, make money, learn a skill, etc).

Dyad

The smallest possible social group: very intimate and unstable.

Triad

A group with three people.

Reference group

A group that provides a standard of comparison against which we evaluate ourselves.

Group dynamics

How groups arise, fall apart, and influence members.

In-group

People who identify with each other based on a variety of factors including gender, race, religion, or geography.

De-stigmatized

Regarded as non-worthy of disgrace or great disapproval.

Deviance

A social construction; its definitions vary across times and space.

Impression management

The practices of self-presentation; projecting ourselves in a manner that we would like to be perceived.

Front stage

The area where we emphasize some things and hold something back.

Social deviance

Any transgression of socially established norms.

Total institution

'A place of residence and work where a large number of like-situated individuals, cut off from the wider society for an appreciable period of time, together lead an enclosed, formerly administered round of life.'

Role conflict

Occurs when the roles associated with one status clash with the roles associated with a different status.

Role strain

Occurs when roles associated with a single status clash.

Status set

All of the statuses you hold.

Role embrace

Accepting a role as important to one's identity; emphasizing it.

Role distance

Refusing to let a role define you; resisting it.

Peer Pressure

Influence from peers affecting individual decisions.

Asch Experiment

Study demonstrating conformity through group pressure.

Actors and Non-Actors

Participants in the Asch experiment influencing responses.

Correct Answer Rate

23% of participants consistently answered correctly.

Conformity Rate

72% of participants conformed to group answers.

Peer Influence Threshold

Three peers can significantly sway opinions.

Gang Leader for a Day

Venkatesh's study of gang life dynamics.

Community Dependency

Reliance on gangs for services in impoverished areas.

Venkatesh's Research Duration

7-8 years studying gang interactions.

Gang Size

JT's gang consisted of 250 members.

Social Construction of Reality

Perceptions shaped by societal norms and values.

Stigmatization

Labeling individuals negatively affects their identity.

Impression Management

Presenting an idealized self in social interactions.

Socialization Agents

Influences shaping individual behaviors and beliefs.

Total Institution

Setting where individuals are isolated from society.

Master Status

Most important social status influencing identity.

Role

Expected behavior associated with a social status.

Degradation Ceremony

Process of lowering an individual's social status.

Nurture

Environmental influences on individual development.

Nature

Innate characteristics influencing behavior and traits.

Passing

Concealing stigmatizing information about oneself.

Broken Windows Theory

Social context influences deviant behavior perceptions.

Electoral College

Process for electing the president in the U.S.

Social Isolation

Lack of social engagement and belonging.

Loneliness

Discrepancy between desired and actual relationships.