Sociology Ch.6 Deviance and Social Control

Deviance

violation of norms

Stigma

“blemishes" that discredit a person’s claim to a “normal” identity

Genetic presdisposition

inborn tendencies (e.g. a tendency to commit deviant acts)

Differential Association

Edwin Sutherland’s term to indicate that people who associate with some groups learn an “excess of definitions” of deviance, increasing the likelihood that they will become deviant.

Control Theory

the idea that two control systems— inner controls and outer controls—work against our tendencies to deviate.

Inner control: our morals

Outer Controls: how our family, or close friends will think of us if we do deviant acts.

Labelling theory

the view that the labels people are given affect their own and others’ perceptions of them, thus channeling their behavior into either deviance or conformity.

Cultural Goals

the objectives held out as legitimate or desirable for the members of a society to achieve.

institutionalized means

approved ways of reaching cultural goals

Strain Theory

Robert Merton’s term for the strain engendered when a society socialized large numbers of people to desire a cultural goal (like success), but withholds from some the approved means of reaching that goal; one adaption to the straiin is crime.

Illegitimate Opportunity Structure

opportunities for crimes that are woven into the texture of life