Key Theorists in Sociology of Crime and Deviance

Which of the following best describes Ritualism?

Middle class follows norms but rejects goals.

Who is considered a major proponent of structural functionalism in sociology?

Robert Merton.

What does Anomie Theory explain?

Explains crime as a symptom of social dysfunction.

What is meant by Social Structure?

Framework of society influencing crime and deviance.

Which of the following is NOT an adaptation to Anomie?

Conformity, innovation, ritualism, rebellion.

What does Conformity entail in terms of societal values?

Upper class accepts societal norms and values.

What is the definition of Innovation in the context of societal goals?

Lower class accepts goals but rejects norms.

How is Rebellion characterized?

Working class rejects norms but accepts new ones.

Who developed labeling theory emphasizing societal reactions?

Edwin Lemert.

What is Cultural Malintegration?

Overemphasis on goals or norms in society.

What does Labeling Theory assert?

Society's reaction shapes deviant identities.

What are the three forms of Criminal Differentiation?

Individual, situational, systematic criminality.

What is meant by Societal Reaction?

Responses to crime influence criminal identity formation.

What describes Primary Deviance?

Sporadic crimes with minimal identity impact.

How would Secondary Deviance be characterized?

Persistent crimes significantly affect identity.

What is the Progressive Reciprocal Process?

Nine stages leading to secondary criminal identity.

Who popularized labeling theory through his works?

Howard Becker.

What is 'Outsiders' in the context of deviance?

A book by Becker on sociology of deviance.

What does the Edwin Sutherland Award recognize?

Significant contributions to criminology.

What does the Causal Direction of Retreatism imply?

Substance abuse may cause anomie in some cases.

What is Class Bias in Merton's theory?

Merton's theory overestimates lower class crime.

What does Delayed Societal Reaction refer to?

Some offenders evade societal responses entirely.

What is a Self-Fulfilling Prophecy in criminal behavior?

Accepting a criminal identity leads to persistent crime.

What describes Malintegration of Culture?

Normative behaviors are overshadowed by expediency.

How is Deviance defined?

Behavior violating societal norms, defined by social groups.

What does Deviant Labeling involve?

Labeling individuals based on perceived deviant behavior.

What is meant by Contingent Causation?

Choices made under constrained conditions, not absolute free will.

What are the Stages of Becoming a Marijuana User?

Three stages: learning, recognizing effects, finding enjoyment.

What is the purpose of Social Control?

Mechanisms to regulate individual behavior in society.

What is Secrecy in Drug Use?

Strategies to conceal marijuana use from non-users.

How is Morality in Deviance rationalized?

Rationalizing deviant behavior against societal norms.

What are Neutralization Techniques?

Rationalizations that justify deviant acts under certain conditions.

What is a True Deviant defined as?

Individual labeled deviant after breaking societal rules.

What does Secret Deviant refer to?

Individual who breaks rules but remains undiscovered.

What is Public Labeling?

Impact of being labeled as deviant on identity.

What does Deviant Group Membership imply?

Joining groups reinforces identity as an outsider.

What are Crimes of Domination?

Crimes committed by the ruling class for power.

What is meant by Crimes of Control?

Excessive force or surveillance by law enforcement.

What are Crimes of Government characterized as?

Political crimes maintaining power, e.g., Watergate.

What are Crimes of Economic Domination?

Corporate crimes, including environmental pollution.

What defines Crimes of Discrimination?

Socially harmful acts like racism, not legally classified.

What are Predatory Crimes?

Economic crimes like robbery and drug dealing.

What are Personal Crimes?

Acts of violence reflecting capitalist pressures.

Who is Elijah Anderson?

Urban ethnographer focused on inner-city Black communities.

Who is Richard Quinney?

Marxist criminologist linking crime to class struggle.

What are Basic Assumptions of Becker regarding deviance?

Deviance develops gradually through social processes.

What does Becker's Marijuana Study explore?

Social learning in marijuana use stages.

What are Moral Restraints?

Internal controls preventing deviant impulses from acting.

What is Identity Transformation in the context of labeling?

Change in self-perception after being labeled deviant.

What does Group Solidarity refer to?

Strengthening identity through membership in deviant groups.

What is a critique of Becker's Theory?

Focuses on secondary deviance, neglecting initial impulses.

What are the key themes of Elijah Anderson's work on inner-city crime?

Elijah Anderson's work examines socio-economic factors driving criminal behavior among urban Black communities, focusing on cultural practices and societal expectations.

What notable achievements are associated with Elijah Anderson?

He won the Robert E. Park Prize in 1991 for Streetwise and served as a Distinguished Professor of Sociology at Yale.

How does Anderson categorize families in inner-city communities?

Anderson categorizes families into 'decent' families, which strive to instill mainstream values, and 'street' families, which often adopt the street code as a survival mechanism.

What is the 'code of the street' according to Anderson?

The 'code of the street' is a set of informal rules governing interpersonal behavior in urban environments, where self-reliance and a readiness for violence are essential for survival.

How do 'decent' families teach their children in contrast to 'street' families?

'Decent' families teach children to 'code-switch' between street behavior and civil behavior, while 'street' families often adhere to the street code in all contexts.

What is one critique of Anderson's theoretical framework?

Critics argue that Anderson's framework lacks sophistication and could benefit from concepts that distinguish between different socio-economic communities.

What is implied by Anderson's socio-economic determinism?

Anderson's socio-economic determinism implies that individuals from 'street families' may lack self-agency, raising questions about their culpability for criminal behavior.

How does the code of the street affect police-community relations according to critiques of Anderson's work?

Critics point out that the street code discourages community cooperation with law enforcement, complicating police investigations.

Why is there criticism about the universality of Anderson's theory?

Anderson's focus on Black inner-city crime and lack of comparative study with other racial groups leads to questions about the broader applicability of his conclusions.

What might strengthen Anderson's analysis of crime in urban Black communities?

A broader framework comparing behaviors across racial groups and exploring self-agency and socio-economic impacts in diverse urban contexts.

What influenced Elijah Anderson's interest in urban sociology?

Experiences growing up in South Bend, Indiana, including witnessing his mother's grocery store operations, influenced his interest in urban sociology.

What are some key works authored by Elijah Anderson?

Key works include Streetwise (1990), Code of the Street (1999), A Place on the Corner (1978), and The Cosmopolitan Canopy (2011).

What are 'decent' families striving to instill in their children, according to Anderson?

'Decent' families strive to instill mainstream values and encourage resilience among their children.

What does the term 'code-switching' mean in the context of Anderson's work?

'Code-switching' refers to the ability of children from decent families to alternate between street behavior and more accepted civil behavior in different contexts.

What role does respect play in the code of the street?

Respect is earned through personal conflict resolution and demonstrations of fearlessness, with violence seen as a way to establish status.