Sociology Chapter 6 DEVIANCE EXTRA CONTINUED

❓ Q: Where does deviance start?

starts with society—society sets the norms and expectations, and when people struggle to meet them, deviance occurs.

What is Strain Theory, and who created it?

Robert Merton developed Strain Theory, which explains how people feel strain when they can’t meet societal expectations using approved methods.

What does Strain Theory say about goals and methods?

Society creates goals (like the American Dream) and tells people the "right" way to achieve them (like education and hard work).

❓ How does Strain Theory relate to the American Dream?

A: Society teaches: “Work hard, get educated, and you’ll succeed.” But if people follow the rules and still fail, they may feel frustrated and turn to deviance.

Q: What is a Conformist in Strain Theory?

accepts the goal (success) and accepts the method (education, hard work).

🔹 Example: A student who studies, goes to college, and works hard to succeed.

What is an Innovator in Strain Theory?

accepts the goal (success) but rejects the approved method, finding illegal or unconventional ways to succeed.

🔹 Example: A drug dealer or scam artist who wants wealth but doesn’t follow the legal path.

What is a Ritualist in Strain Theory?

rejects the goal (success) but continues following the method just to appear “normal.”

🔹 Example: Someone stuck in a dead-end job who no longer cares about success but still follows the routine.

What is a Retreatist in Strain Theory?

rejects both the goal and the method, completely withdrawing from society.

🔹 Example: A non-functioning drug addict or alcoholic who doesn’t try to succeed or participate in society.

What is a Rebel in Strain Theory?

rejects society’s goals and methods and creates their own system—they want to change the way society works.

🔹 Example: A revolutionary leader or someone involved in counterculture movements.

Q: How does the cost of living affect conformity?

When things become more expensive, fewer people conform because it’s harder to succeed using approved methods.

Q: What is Stigma, according to Goffman?.

A: A very negative label that changes how people see you and how you see yourself.

🔹 Example: Someone with a criminal record struggles to get jobs because of the stigma

❓ Q: What is Labeling Theory?

When people are given a label, they start to believe it and act accordingly.

🔹 Example: If a teenager is labeled a troublemaker, teachers and peers may treat them differently, leading them to act out even more.

❓ Q: How does someone develop a Deviant Identity?

Over time, if people treat you like a deviant, you start to believe you are one and act accordingly.

What happens when deviance becomes a Master Status?

The deviant label becomes the main thing people associate you with, overshadowing everything else about you.

🔹 Example: A person labeled a criminal might struggle to be seen as anything else, even after changing their behavior.

What are Primary and Secondary Deviance?

• Primary Deviance: A small act of rule-breaking that doesn’t define a person.

• Labeling: Society labels the person as deviant.

• Secondary Deviance: After being labeled, the person accepts the deviant identity and continues the behavior.

Example: A teenager shoplifts once (Primary Deviance) → gets caught and labeled a thief → starts shoplifting regularly (Secondary Deviance).

Q: What is Retrospective Deviance?

When someone is labeled as deviant, people start reinterpreting their past actions to fit the label.

🔹 Example: If a teacher is arrested for fraud, people might look back and say, “I always thought they were suspicious.”

❓ Q: What does Edwin Sutherland say about deviance in Differential Association THEORY

Deviance is learned—people pick up deviant behaviors from their surroundings.

🔹 Example: If you grow up in a neighborhood with high crime, you are more likely to engage in crime because it becomes normalized.

What does the Broken Windows Experiment show?.

Deviance attracts deviance—if small crimes go unpunished, bigger crimes follow.

🔹 Example: If a neighborhood has graffiti, broken windows, and litter, people are more likely to commit crimes because they think no one cares