Sociology Quiz

Emile Durkheim

Father of functionalism

well functioning societies require

shared values, norms, and solidarity (sense of community)

Premodern societies (mechanical solidarity) division of labor

simple, and similar tasks

Modern and beyond (organic solidarity) division of labor

complex and specialized tasks

Premodern societies (mechanical solidarity) relationship basis

sentimentality

Modern and beyond (organic solidarity) relationship basis

instrumentality

Premodern societies (mechanical solidarity) cohesion results

common beliefs, repressive laws, little room for conformity

Modern and beyond (organic solidarity) cohesion results

empathy/tolerance, interdependence, people need each others products.

Premodern societies (mechanical solidarity) punishment

public punishment; collective vengeance that reinforces boundaries of acceptable behavior and unites community in righteous indignation.

Modern and beyond (organic solidarity) punishment

social sanctions focus on individual - tailored to specific conditions, circumstances, and motivations of individual.

crisis of modern society was brought by

individualism - collapse of values - anomie

Conflict Theory on Deviance

• Social order comes from domination, not solidarity.

• The ruling class defines deviance and controls norms.

• Laws focus on protecting private property.

• Enforced through exclusion and policing.

Crime

violation of written laws

Crime and Punishment

• Penal codes may also define punishments.

• Jurisdictions with their own penal codes:

  • Federal (10% of crimes)

  • State (90% of crimes)

  • Local (smaller %, infractions)

Violent Crimes

("crimes against a person") → Use or threat of force.

• Examples: Rape, murder, armed robbery.

Nonviolent Crimes

("property crimes") → No force, involves theft or destruction.

• Examples: Larceny, car theft, vandalism.

Felonies

Serious crimes (theft, violence); 1+ year in prison

Misdemeanors

Less serious ; Less than 1 year in prison

Wobblers

Can be charged as either felony or misdemeanor

Infractions

Minor offenses → Fines or public service

Street Crime

Committed in public, often involving violence, gangs, and poverty.

White-Collar Crime

Committed by professionals against businesses or organizations; Committed by high-status individuals in their occupations.

Corporate Crime

A type of white-collar crime committed by company officers or executives.

white collar Crimes Against Consumers

Fraud, false advertising, price fixing, unsafe products, quackery.

white collar Environmental Crimes

Water & air pollution, safety violations.

white collar Fiduciary Fraud

Banking fraud, pension fraud, financial scams, insurance fraud.

white collar Institutional Corruption

Media, insider trading, religious fraud.

white collar Corporate Crime

Executives commit crimes to benefit their company.

Why White-Collar Crime Isn’t Taken as Seriously

• Hard to prove criminal intent

• Difficult to identify who is responsible

• Perpetrators are part of the power structure

• Victims often don’t realize they were harmed

• Research and study are restricted

• Costs 40-50x more than street crime

Reasons for Crime Rate Drop Since the 1990s

• Tough-on-crime laws

• Legalized abortion (fewer unwanted births)

• Less lead exposure (Clean Air Act)

• Aging population (fewer young offenders)

• Stabilization of crack epidemic (fewer turf wars)

• More surveillance cameras

• Digital economy (less opportunity for street crime)

• Shift toward rehabilitation