Chapters 7-9 SOC
Chapter 7: Social Control Theory
Q: Who influenced Social Control Theory?
A: Beccaria, a classical criminology theorist.
Q: What is the main assumption of Social Control Theory?
A: People are rational actors who weigh the costs and benefits of their decisions, and are naturally antisocial.
Q: What is the focus of Social Control Theory?
A: Understanding compliance rather than deviance.
Q: What are internal and external controls?
A:
Internal Control: Rules from our conscience.
External Control: Rules placed by society to prevent deviance.
Q: What are the four clusters in Nye’s development of Social Control Theory?
A:
Internalized control: Rules and norms internalized during childhood.
Indirect control: Disapproval from someone whose opinion matters.
Direct control: Punishment or ostracizing.
"Stakes in conformity": Motivation to comply due to goals or investments in society.
Hirschi’s Social Bonding Theory
Q: What does Hirschi’s theory assume about people?
A: Everyone is naturally deviant, and social bonds explain conformity.
Q: What are the four components of social bonds?
A:
Attachment: Emotional ties, especially to parents, friends, and teachers.
Commitment: Investments in conventional society.
Involvement: Time spent on pro-social activities.
Belief: Moral alignment with rules and norms.
Gottfredson and Hirschi’s Self-Control Theory
Q: What determines behavior in Self-Control Theory?
A: Maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain, guided by levels of self-control.
Q: What is the long-term impact of self-control?
A: High self-control in youth leads to high self-control in adulthood.
Life Course Theory
Q: What are key transitions in Life Course Theory that promote social bonds?
A: Career, marriage, and parenting.
Q: How is family a controlling agent of deviance?
A: Through discipline, attachment, and supervision.
Chapter 8: Symbolic Interactionism
Q: What does symbolic interactionism focus on?
A: Micro-contexts and meanings given to interactions, people, and objects.
Q: What is the "looking-glass self"?
A: The concept that we are shaped by others' perceptions of us.
Development of Labeling Theory
Q: What did Franklin Tannenbaum believe about reactions to behavior?
A: Reactions can change the nature of behavior, turning juvenile acts into a "dramatization of evil."
Q: What are primary and secondary deviance?
A:
Primary Deviance: The initial act.
Secondary Deviance: Behavior resulting from being labeled.
Q: What is the "deviant master status"?
A: A label that overshadows all other identities (e.g., sex offender).
Applications of Labeling Theory
Q: What is reintegrative shaming?
A: Separating the act from the person: "Hate the sin, not the sinner."
Q: What is restorative justice?
A: Taking responsibility, acknowledging harm, and making amends.
Chapter 9: Marxist and Conflict Theories of Deviance
Q: What is the focus of Marxist Theory?
A: The role of capitalism in creating conflict and inequality.
Q: What is dialectical materialism?
A: Focusing on material conditions and resolving contradictions to shape new realities.
Q: What are Bonger’s and Spitzer’s views on deviance?
A:
Bonger: Economic crime is expected in capitalism; solution is redistributing wealth.
Spitzer: Advanced capitalism creates "problem populations" like social junk (useless workers) and social dynamite (critical workers).
Conflict Theory
Q: What does the instrumental function of law do?
A: Tells us what is and isn’t illegal.
Q: What does the symbolic function of law do?
A: Sends messages about right and wrong behaviors or people.
Q: How does Vold explain group conflict?
A: Groups seek acceptance and power, leading to inevitable conflict.
Q: What is Turk’s view on law enforcement?
A: Law enforcement often targets less powerful groups.