Sociology Midterm 2

Health and Society (Chapter 22)

  1. Four Major Ways Society Shapes Health:

    • Cultural Patterns: Health is shaped by societal norms (e.g., cigarette smoking, seat belts).

    • Changing Standards: Over time, societal definitions of health evolve.

    • Technology's Impact: Industrialization has improved health but introduced new issues (e.g., pollution).

    • Social Inequality: Uneven medical resources affect health outcomes.

  2. Health by Socioeconomic Status:

    • Low-Income Countries: Poor sanitation and malnutrition reduce life expectancy.

    • High-Income Countries: Health issues are primarily chronic diseases (e.g., cancer, heart disease).

  3. Health in Canada:

    • Social epidemiology studies health disparities across populations.

    • Age & Gender: Men have higher death rates; socioeconomic factors impact health for both genders differently.

    • Social Class & Race: Indigenous populations have higher health risks, including shorter lifespans.

  4. Mental Health:

    • Severe mental illnesses (e.g., schizophrenia) require significant support.

    • ADHD, autism, and dementia are common among youth and the elderly.

  5. Cigarette Smoking:

    • Decline in smoking due to legislation; smoking rates are still high in lower-income countries.

  6. Obesity & Eating Disorders:

    • Rising obesity rates; more common in affluent backgrounds.

  7. STDs & AIDS:

    • HIV/AIDS is widespread globally; STD rates are generally declining except for some exceptions.

  8. Ethical Issues Surrounding Death:

    • MAiD (Medical Assistance in Dying): Legal for terminal illnesses but has ethical debates (e.g., euthanasia).

  9. Medicine Models by Society Type:

    • Socialist Nations: Government-provided healthcare (e.g., China, Cuba).

    • Capitalist Nations: Private healthcare, with some government assistance (e.g., Sweden, UK).

  10. Canada’s Health System:

    • Universal medical insurance system based on universality, portability, comprehensive coverage, and administration.

Deviance and Crime (Chapter 10)

  1. Definition of Deviance:

    • Relative Nature: Deviance is context-dependent; defined by societal norms and varies across cultures.

    • Howard Becker: Deviance depends on social reaction.

  2. Crime Types:

    • Street Crimes: Crimes involving violence or property.

    • White-Collar & Corporate Crime: Higher financial costs compared to street crimes.

    • Victimless Crimes: No direct victims (e.g., gambling).

  3. Theories of Deviance:

    • Labeling Theory (Symbolic Interactionism): The response to an action defines deviance; involves primary and secondary deviance.

    • Differential Association Theory (Edwin Sutherland): Deviance is learned from close contacts (e.g., family, friends).

    • Functionalist Perspective: Deviance is functional, clarifies norms, and promotes social change.

    • Conflict Theory: Power dynamics influence laws and norms; emphasizes oppression and class conflict.

  4. Strain Theory (Robert Merton):

    • Individuals respond to societal pressures in different ways:

      • Conformity: Following norms.

      • Innovation: Using unconventional means.

      • Ritualism: Following norms without value alignment.

      • Retreatism: Rejecting norms and means.

      • Rebellion: Creating new norms.

  5. Techniques of Neutralization (Sykes and Matza):

    • Strategies individuals use to justify deviant behavior (e.g., denial of responsibility).

  6. Racialization and Criminalization:

    • DWB (Driving While Black): Targeting based on race.

    • Toronto Star Study: Black individuals disproportionately stopped by police.

    • Carding: Arbitrary stopping and questioning, affecting racial minorities more frequently.

  7. Criminal Justice System Components:

    • Police: First point of contact, exercise discretion.

    • Courts: Resolve cases, often through plea bargaining.