Sociology Chapter 7 Review Sheet: Deviance & Social Control Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing key vocabulary terms from Sociology Chapter 7 on Deviance and Social Control.

Internalization

Process by which a norm becomes a part of an individual's personality, therefore conforming to society's expectations.

Sanctions

Rewards or punishments used to enforce conformity to norms.

Social Control

Enforcing norms through internal or external means.

Deviance

Behavior that violates significant social norms.

Stigma

A mark of social disgrace in society.

Anomie

The norms of society are unclear and no longer applicable.

Differential Association

The frequency and closeness with deviant and non-deviant individuals relating to patterns of behavior.

Primary Deviance

Occasional violation of norms.

Secondary Deviance

Labeled deviant and accepts that as true.

Crime

An act labeled as those in authority, prohibited by law, and punishable by the government.

Crime Syndicate

Large-scale organizations involved in criminal activities.

Front for Criminal Activities

Indicates that a crime is carried on through what looks like legitimate organization, but illegal activities are going on behind the scenes.

Criminal Justice System

Network of agencies designed to enforce laws, maintain order, and ensure fairness in the handling of criminals.

Police Discretion

Decision on who is actually arrested.

Plea Bargaining

Process of legal negotiation that allows an accused person to plead guilty to a lesser charge in return for a lighter sentence.

Recidivism

Repeated criminal behavior.

Positive Sanctions

An action that rewards a specific kind of behavior.

Negative Sanctions

A punishment or threat of a punishment used to enforce conformity.

Formal Sanctions

Reward or punishment given by a formal organization.

Informal Sanctions

A spontaneous expression of approval/disapproval given by an individual or group.

Strain Theory

Views deviance as the natural growth of norms, values, and societies structures.

Control Theory

Sees deviance as a natural occurrence and conformity as a result of social control.

Cultural-Transmission Theory

Learning deviant behavior through interactions with others.

Labeling Theory

Focus on how people become identified as deviant.

Conformity

Accept and adhere to societal goals and means to achieving them.

Innovation

Accept societal goals but choose creative ways to achieve them.

Ritualism

Give up on the goals but continuing to follow the rules of behavior.

Retreatism

Reject goals and the means to achieve them.

Rebellion

Rejecting both goals and means, seeking to replace them.

Violent Crimes

Murder, rape, robbery, assault.

Crime Against Property

Burglary, theft, and arson.

Victimless Crimes

Prostitution, gambling, and illegal drug use.

White-Collar Crimes

Fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, and political corruption.

Organized Crime

Large scale organizations of professional criminals that control a business or vice through violence or a threat.

Police

Law enforcement officials who decide who gets arrested and for what offense.

Courts

Individuals that determine guilt or innocence via trial and if convicted they decide the punishment.

Corrections

Carry out sanctions handed down by court such as imprisonment, parole, or probation.

Retribution

Seen as an act of revenge for the victim and society.

Deterrence

Discourages offenders for committing future crimes and the rest of society for trying to as well.

Rehabilitation

Reforming criminals to return to society as law-abiding.

Social Protection

Limiting the freedom of offenders and preventing them from committing additional crimes.