Deviance and Social Control

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to deviance and social control, including definitions, theories, and perspectives from sociology.

Deviance

The violation of norms, rules, or expectations in society.

Relativity of Deviance

The concept that what is considered deviant varies among different groups and cultures.

Stigma

Characteristics that discredit individuals from claiming a 'normal' identity, including physical appearance and abilities. “Blemishes” that discredit a person's claim to a “normal” identity

Social Control

The means by which society enforces norms and expectations, including both formal and informal methods.

Negative Sanctions

Expressions of disapproval for breaking a norm, ranging from mild reactions to severe penalties. (ranging from frown to prison sentence)

Positive Sanctions

Expressions of approval for following a norm, such as rewards or compliments.

Control Theory

Walter Reckless's idea, two systems- inner and outer controls influence our tendency to deviate from norms.

Labeling Theory

A theory that focuses on how reputations or labels influence individuals' paths toward deviance or conformity.

Strain Theory

Robert Merton's (functionalist) theory is that sociey socializes large numbers of people to desire a cultural goal (success), but witholds from some institutionalized means; one adaptation of strain is crime. the choice of an innovative means to attain the cultural goal.

White-Collar Crime

Edwin Sutherland’s terms for crimes committed by persons of high social status during their occupations include embezzlement or bribery

Illegitimate Opportunity Structures

Social circumstances that facilitate crime as a means of achieving socioeconomic goals.

Conflict Perspective

The view that power and social inequality are central to societal structure and that the criminal justice system serves to maintain the status quo/poor. Law is impartial and is promoted by the ruling class to secure the cooperation of the poor.

Differential Association Theory

A theory suggesting that individuals learn deviance through interactions and associations with others.

Crime

The violation of rules that have been written into law

Social Order

A groups usual and customary social arrangements on which its members depend and on which they base their lives

Sociobiology Explanation of Deviance

Assumes that biological factors, such as genetic predispositions, influence social behaviors and deviant acts.

Psychologicl Explaination of Deviance

It focuses on individual mental processes/abnormalities within the individual, such as personality traits, as factors in deviant behavior.

Sociological Explanation of Deviance

Search for factors outside the individual. Neighborhood, peer group, social class

Symbol Interactionist Perspective

Differential Association- focus on group membership

Control Theory- how people balance pressure to conform/deviate

Labeling Theory- significance of reputations

Inner Controls

internalized morality (conscience, ideas of right and wrong, religious principles)

Differential Association

Edwin Sutherland’s term to indication that people who associate with some groups learn an “excessof defintions” of deviance, increasing the likelihood that they will become deviant. From different groups we associate with, we learn to deviate from or conform to society’s norms

Outer Controls

people (family, friends, police , and other significant others) that influence an individual's behavior and conformity to societal norms.

Self Control (Control Theory)

Travis Hirschi's concept is that the stronger our bonds are with society, the more effective our inner controls are. Bonds are based on
Attachment: affection and respect for people who conform to norms

Commitments: stake in society that you don’t want to risk

Involvements: Participating in approved activities

Beliefs: conviction of right and wrong

technique of neutraliztion

a way to rationalize deviant behavior by using justifications that allow individuals to assert their actions are acceptable.

5 techniques of neutralztion

Denial of responsibilities- accident or victim

Denial of injury- no one got hurt

denial of victim- deserved what they got/avenge

condemnation of the condemners- no right to judge me

appeal to higher loyalties- I had to help my friends

Street Crime

Socializing the poor into wanting own things. Bombarded with messages (buy iphones) that promote consumerism, leading to the desire for material possessions and potential criminal activities to obtain them.

Illegitimate Opportunity Structure

A concept that suggests that access to legitimate means of achieving success is often limited for certain groups, leading individuals to seek alternative, often illegal, routes to achieve their goals.

Medicalization

The transformation of a human condition into a medical issue must be treated as such, often requiring medical intervention. Thomas Szas argued that this process can broaden definitions of normality, leading to increased societal control over behaviors.