Chapter 6 Sociology

Norms

Rules of conduct that specify appropriate behavior in a given range of social situations.

Mores

Norms that are widely adhered to and have great social and moral significance.

Folkways

Norms that guide casual or everyday interactions, often sanctioned subtly or not at all.

Deviance

Modes of action that do not conform to the norms held and enforced by members of a group or society.

Deviant Subculture

A subculture whose members hold values that differ substantially from those of the majority.

Sanction

A mode of reward or punishment that reinforces socially expected forms of behavior.

Anomie

A situation in which social norms lose their hold over individual behavior, leading to feelings of aimlessness or despair.

Primary Deviance

Actions that cause others to label one deviant.

Secondary Deviance

Occurs when an individual accepts the label of 'deviant' and acts accordingly.

Labeling Theory

An approach that suggests people become 'deviant' because certain labels are attached to their behavior by others.

Control Theory

The theory that crime results from a lack of social and physical control that deters it.

White-Collar Crime

Criminal activities carried out by those in white-collar or professional jobs.

Organized Crime

Criminal activities carried out by organizations established as businesses.

Cyber Crime

Criminal activities using electronic networks or information technologies.

Hate Crime

A criminal act motivated by bias against a particular group.

Differential Association

The theory that criminal behavior is learned through association with others who regularly engage in crime.

Relative Deprivation

A perceived disadvantage arising from comparing oneself to others, leading to feelings of discontent and inequality.

Community Policing

An approach that emphasizes crime prevention rather than law enforcement to reintegrate policing within the community.

Broken Windows Theory

A theory proposing that small acts of crime can threaten a neighborhood and render it unsafe.

Corporate Crime

Offenses committed by large corporations in society, including pollution and violations of health regulations.

Crimes of the Powerful

Criminal activities carried out by those in positions of power and wealth that may have more severe consequences.

formal sanctions

Penalties imposed by official authorities for violating laws or regulations, often including fines, imprisonment, or other legal repercussions.

informal sanctions

Unwritten rules and social norms that lead to disapproval or social exclusion, such as gossip

psychopaths

are individuals with a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy, and remorse, often leading to manipulative or harmful actions.

conformists

are individuals who comply with societal norms and expectations, often to fit in or gain acceptance within a group.

Innovators

are individuals who accept societal goals but reject the means to achieve them, often creating new methods or pathways to success.

• Criminals who acquire wealth through illegal activities exemplify this type 

Ritualists

are individuals who strictly adhere to the rules and routines of society but may not necessarily achieve the societal goals associated with those norms.

• someone staying at a boring job that provides few rewards

Retreatists

are individuals who withdraw from societal goals and expectations, often opting for a life of isolation or disengagement from mainstream society.

• members of a self-supporting community

Rebels

are individuals who reject both the established societal goals and means, seeking to create an alternative set of values and goals.

• The Heavens Gate cult

Uniform Crime Reports (UCR)

documents that contain official data on crime that is reported to law enforcement agencies that then provide the data to the FBI

Gender contract

refers to the implicit agreement in society that outlines the roles and expectations associated with gender. It shapes behavior and social norms regarding masculinity and femininity.

Gendered Scripts

are the societal expectations and norms that dictate how individuals should behave based on their gender. These scripts influence personal identity and interpersonal interactions.

capital punishment

the death penalty

Siege Mentality

is a psychological state where individuals or groups perceive themselves as being under constant threat or attack, often leading to defensiveness and distrust towards others.