SOC 2210: Deviance, Chapters 1-8 Key Terms

Absolutism

Absolutism

Deviance is absolutely or intrinsically real. (Part of Positivism)

Crime

A violation of law.

Determinism

The notion that there is little or no human agency. Our actions are pre-determined. (Part of Positivism)

Deviance

Any behavior considered deviant by public consensus, which may range from the maximum to the minimum.

Deviant behavior

Norm breaking or rule breaking.

Genocide

The deliberate and systematic destruction of a racial, political, or cultural group.

Hactivism

Accessing computer systems and files by illegal means, for various political and socially conscientious purposes.

Labels

Characteristics assigned to an individual or a group.

Law

An explicit norm.

Objectivism

A perspective stressing deviance as empirical truth. It is an observable object. (Part of Positivism)

Positivism

Assumes that deviance is absolute or intrinsically real. Key principles: absolutism, objectivism, and determinism.

Relativism

Deviant behavior has no intrinsic characteristics. (Part of Constructionism)

Sexting

Using a cell phone to send and receive sexually explicit material.

Social Constructionism

A view seeing deviant behavior as subjective. Key parts: relativism, subjectivism, and voluntarism.

Sook Ching

A rampant mass killing of hostile Chinese elements.

Subjectivism

A perspective stressing individual meaning-making. (Part of Constructionism)

Voluntarism

Deviance is an expression of free will. (Part of Constructionism)

Anomie

Normlessness. (from Durkheim; part of Merton's Anomie-Strain Theory)

Deterrence Doctrine

Focuses on formal social control. // Punishment can be severe, certain, and swift. // A Positivist theory.

Differential Association Theory by Sutherland

Deviance is learned through associations. // More associations w ppl holding deviant ideas than non-deviant associations = likelihood to become deviant. // A Positivist theory.

Differential Identification Theory by Glaser

Associating with deviants is harmless unless the individual identifies with them. // Builds off Dif. Assoc. theory, requiring that ppl identify w deviants. // A Positivist theory.

Differential Illegitimate Opportunity, by Cloward and Ohlin

Some members of the lower classes have less opportunity to commit deviance than others. // They have high goals, but lack legitimate means (or opportunity) AND may lack access to illegitimate means, too. // 3 types of illegitimate opp: 1) Criminal, 2) Conflict, 3) Retreatist. // a Positivist theory

Differential Reinforcement Theory, by Burgess and Akers

Individuals will choose deviance over conventionality if they find deviance more satisfying then conventionality. // There is a learning process involved in deviance, referred to in psychology as "behaviorist theory", w rewards and punishments teaching us. // a Positivist theory

Drift

Most youth are not dedicated to a life of crime, but rather could move in and out easily. // Sykes and Matza say these youth know right or wrong but use neutralization to reduce effects. // a Positivist theory

Neutralization

Youth adopt rationalizations that neutralize the general effects of the stigma associated with violating these norms, without arguing the norms are wrong. // From Sykes and Matza // a Positivist theory

Reintegrative Shaming Theory, by Braithwaite

Shows understanding to those labeled deviant. // Society controls us by shaming, this should encourage us to rejoin society, works in Japan. // Oppositive of disintegrative shaming // Positivist theory

Social Control

An agent meant to curb deviance. // part of Positivism

Social Control Theories

1) Ask what causes conformity, assuming the opposite is what causes deviance.
2) Follow Freud in believing that humans are naturally inclined toward deviance, requiring social control to not deviate. // Include:
1) Social bond, self-control, and control balance.
2) Reintegrative Shaming
3) Deterrence Doctrine //
POSITIVIST THEORIES

Social Learning Theories

Deviance is learned through interaction. // Includes:
1) Diff. Association, Sutherland
2) Diff. Identification, Glaser
3) Diff. Reinforcement, Burgess & Akers //
POSITIVISM.

Social Strain Theories

Lack of access to power causes deviance. // Includes:
1) Anomie-strain theory
2) Goal-means gap, Merton
3) Status Frustration, Cohen
4) Diff. Illegitimate Opportunity, Cloward and Ohlin
5) American Dream theory //
POSITIVIST THEORIES

Status Frustration Theory, by Cohen

Emphasizes the difficulty of lower-class youth in achieving status in legitimate ways. // Like Merton's Goal-means gap, but focuses on status not success. // Frustrated youth create delinquent subculture. // POSITIVIST theory

Critical Theory

A new theory that emerged in the 1980s from conflict theory, centered on the claim that crime has its roots in unequal classes, race/ethnic, and gender relations // CONSTRUCTIONIST theory.

Cultural Conflict

Arises from needs of diverse groups. // CONSTRUCTIONIST

Dramaturgy by Goffman

The elements of human interactions are dependent upon time, place, and audience. // We act to avoid stigma, engaging in impression management, face-work, passing, and covering. // CONSTRUCTIONIST

Feminist Theory

Theories of deviance that are inapplicable to women. // State that most theories on deviance focused on men and don't apply to women, bc women are socialized differently by patriarchy. // CONSTRUCTIONIST

Legal Reality Theory, by Chambliss

Law enforcement favors the rich and powerful. // 2 kinds of law: A) the law on the books, B) the law in action. // CONSTRUCTIONIST

Linguistic Domination

Acceptable language is defined by those in power. // CONSTRUCTIONIST

Marginal Surplus Population

Unemployed laborers who are useless to the economy. Organizational imperative: The desire held by most law enforcement officials to win favor with the public. // from CONFLICT THEORY, part of CONSTRUCTIONISM

Phenomenological Theory

Analyzes subjective views on deviance. // New version of symbolic interactionism. // CONSTRUCTIONIST

Postmodernist Theory

Privileged language dominates the "marginalized." (linguistic domination) // CONSTRUCTIONIST