Deviance and Crime

Deviance

Behavior that strays from societal norms.

Social Construction

Deviance varies among cultures and contexts.

Relative Deviance

Deviance is relative to social norms.

Deviant

Different from the norm, not inherently negative.

Statistical Definition of Deviance

Inadequate as it excludes social judgments.

Social Control Mechanisms

Formal systems like police and institutions.

Crime

Deviance that violates legal statutes.

Law

Government-enforced norms defining crime.

Sanctions

Actions indicating disapproval of deviance.

Informal Punishment

Mild disapproval like gossip or ostracism.

Formal Punishment

Penalties imposed by the justice system.

Severity of Response

Varies from mild disapproval to capital punishment.

Perceived Harmfulness

How harmful an act is perceived socially.

Public Agreement

Degree of consensus on deviant acts.

Victimless Crimes

Crimes without direct victims, often unreported.

Canadian Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)

Main source of crime statistics in Canada.

Self-Report Surveys

Individuals report their own criminal activities.

Police Reporting Factors

Influenced by public pressure and police resources.

Types of Crime

Includes white-collar and violent offenses.

Cannabis Legislation

Varies significantly by country and context.

Stigmatization

Negative portrayal affecting social perception of deviance.

Serious Crime Rate

Reported crime rate aligns with official statistics.

Less Serious Crimes

Reported rate is two to three times higher.

Police Presence

Growing police numbers contribute to crime reduction.

Population Changes

Demographic shifts impact crime rates in Canada.

Unemployment Rate

Crime rates decline as unemployment decreases.

Abortion Legalization

Legalization linked to lower crime rates.

Tough on Crime Policies

Increased incarceration and penalties reduce crime.

Opioid Crisis

Increase in crime associated with opioid addiction.

Violent Crime Decline

Multiple factors contribute to reduced violent crime.

Three-Strikes Law

Increased prison population due to repeat offenders.

Youth Crime Age Cohort

15-24 age group shows highest criminal behavior.

Mass Shooters Profile

Predominantly white males with anger issues.

Hyper Masculinity

Cultural traits linked to aggressive male behavior.

Indigenous Representation

Indigenous Canadians make up 2% of population.

Custody Sentencing

Indigenous account for 15-19% of custody sentences.

Racial Disparities

Black and Indigenous face unfair justice treatment.

Victimization Rates

Aboriginal and Black people more likely victims.

Youth Crime Participation

Black youth show varied crime involvement.

Police Contact Rates

Black youth face double police stops compared to white.

Symbolic Interactionism

Deviance learned through social interactions and responses.

Social Forces in Crime

Poverty, discrimination, and community disruption affect crime.

White-Collar Crime

More detectable crimes include fraud and embezzlement.

Symbolic Interactionism

Deviance defined by societal labels.

Labelling Theory

Behaviours labeled deviant by society.

Deviance

Not inherent; results from societal labels.

Structural Functionalism

Deviance clarifies values and boundaries.

Social Solidarity

Unity among members reinforced by deviance.

Social Change

Deviance allows adaptation to societal shifts.

Strain Theory

Discrepancy between goals and means causes deviance.

Robert Merton

Proposed strain theory and modes of adaptation.

Anomie

State of normlessness due to social disintegration.

Cultural Goals

Societal ideals like material success.

Conflict Theories

Power dynamics shape definitions of deviance.

White Collar Crimes

Crimes committed by the affluent, often unpunished.

Social Control Theory

Weak social constraints lead to deviance.

Delinquency-prone Adolescents

Lack social attachments and legitimate opportunities.

Positive Role Models

Influential figures promoting adherence to norms.

Legitimate Opportunities

Access to education and good jobs.

Civil Rights Activists

Example of deviance challenging societal norms.

Mal-integration

Mismatch between cultural goals and available means.

Modes of Adaptation

Responses to strain: conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism.

Social Controls

Mechanisms preventing norm violations.

Pamela George Case

Example illustrating societal perceptions of deviance.

Deviance

Behavior that violates societal norms or expectations.

Feminism

Movement addressing gender power imbalances in society.

Gender-based power differences

Influence crime definitions and prosecution rates.

Marital exemption

Legal allowance for husbands to rape wives pre-1983.

Social control

Methods societies use to regulate behavior.

Surveillance Society

Increased monitoring through technology for safety.

Medicalization of deviance

Defining deviant behavior as mental illness.

DSM IV

Diagnostic manual listing 297 mental disorders.

Moral entrepreneur

Individual/group promoting a defined social problem.

Moral Panic

Public fear over perceived threats from deviance.

Bill C-10

Legislation enforcing mandatory minimum sentences in Canada.

Recidivism rate

Rate at which former offenders reoffend.

Restorative justice

Focus on rehabilitation through victim-offender reconciliation.

Incarceration goals

Rehabilitation, deterrence, revenge, incapacitation.

Dangerous offender status

Designation for individuals posing severe public risk.

Pharmaceuticalization

Influence of drug industry on mental health definitions.

Social definitions of crime

Evolving perceptions of criminal behavior over time.

Opportunity for rehabilitation

Possibility of reforming offenders during incarceration.

Institutions of revenge

Punishment aimed at retribution for crimes.

Diversion procedures

Alternatives to incarceration for offenders.

Higher victim satisfaction ratings

Positive feedback from victims in restorative justice.