Sociology chapter 7 vocab

Deviance: Behavior that violates societal norms or expectations, which can be either positive

(overconforming) or negative (under conforming).

Negative Deviance: Behavior that conforms to social norms, often leading to disapproval or

punishment (e.g., criminal activity, cheating).

Positive Deviance: Behavior that over conforms to social norms in a way that is viewed as

exceptional or admirable (e.g., whistleblowing, extreme generosity).

Deviant: A person who engages in deviant behavior, meaning their actions differ from societal

Norms.

Anomie: A state of normlessness or social instability caused by the breakdown of societal

norms, often linked to rapid change or lack of moral guidance.

Primary Deviance : Initial acts of deviance that do not result in a person being labeled as

deviant by society (e.g., minor rule-breaking).

Secondary Deviance : Deviant behavior that occurs after an individual has been labeled as

deviant and begins to accept this label as part of their identity.

Stigma: A negative label that affects a person’s social identity, often leading to discrimination or

Exclusion.

Victim Discounting : The tendency to view crimes against certain groups (e.g., minorities or the

poor) as less serious, leading to weaker punishments for offenders.

White-Collar Crime : Non-violent crimes committed by individuals in professional or business

settings, usually involving financial fraud (e.g., embezzlement, insider trading).

Crime : Any behavior that violates laws and is punishable by the government.

Criminal Justice System : The system of law enforcement, courts, and corrections that deals

with crime and its consequences.

Deterrence : A strategy to prevent crime by using the threat of punishment to discourage

criminal behavior.

Retribution : A form of punishment based on the idea of justice, ensuring criminals suffer

consequences proportionate to their crimes ("eye for an eye").

Recidivism : The tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend after being released from prison.

Restitution : A form of punishment in which offenders compensate victims for their losses (e.g.,

paying for stolen or damaged property).