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Questions and Answers
What is one of the main functions of laws in society?
What is one of the main functions of laws in society?
Which of the following statements is true regarding deviance?
Which of the following statements is true regarding deviance?
Who is implicated in defining what is considered deviant behavior?
Who is implicated in defining what is considered deviant behavior?
What aspect of law does sociology focus on?
What aspect of law does sociology focus on?
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How do classical theories explain crime causation?
How do classical theories explain crime causation?
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Which behavior is categorized as deviant in the given context?
Which behavior is categorized as deviant in the given context?
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What is a characteristic of criminal behavior in the context of social control?
What is a characteristic of criminal behavior in the context of social control?
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What theory attributes criminal behavior to supernatural forces?
What theory attributes criminal behavior to supernatural forces?
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What does the concept of felicific calculus relate to in terms of rational choice?
What does the concept of felicific calculus relate to in terms of rational choice?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of biological determinism?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of biological determinism?
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What does social disorganization theory emphasize as a major cause of crime?
What does social disorganization theory emphasize as a major cause of crime?
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According to social process theories, what is the primary cause of learning criminal behavior?
According to social process theories, what is the primary cause of learning criminal behavior?
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What is a significant criticism of early biological theories of crime?
What is a significant criticism of early biological theories of crime?
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How does conflict theory perceive the criminal justice system?
How does conflict theory perceive the criminal justice system?
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What is a key aspect of labeling theory in the context of crime?
What is a key aspect of labeling theory in the context of crime?
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What distinction is made between street crime and suit crime?
What distinction is made between street crime and suit crime?
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Which theory suggests that societal structure contributes to the frequency of crime?
Which theory suggests that societal structure contributes to the frequency of crime?
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What is a consequence of labeling an individual as deviant in society?
What is a consequence of labeling an individual as deviant in society?
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Study Notes
Deviance and Crime
- Deviance encompasses actions violating social norms, encompassing appearance, relationships, sexuality, lifestyle choices, etc.
- Crime is codified deviant behavior requiring social control and intervention.
- Laws aim to resolve conflicts, maintain order, and provide a sense of quality/fairness.
- Laws address values, interactions, patterns, and ideologies.
- Sociology and law examines norms, social controls, human rights, and power structures.
- Crime involves codified behavior requiring social control.
- Murder, assault, and theft are examples of crimes.
- Not all acts of deviance are considered criminal.
- Deviance includes acts like smoking during pregnancy, relationships between colleagues with age gaps, and possession of weapons.
Defining Deviance
- Howard Becker (1966) argued the act itself isn't deviant, but societal reaction to it makes it deviant.
- Certain individuals, groups, or institutions (e.g., politicians, media, governments) define what is deviant.
Explaining Crime Causation
- Theories of crime causation examine factors influencing criminal behavior, attributing it to factors like supernatural forces, social interactions, or individual differences.
- Classical theories focus on free will and rational choice, suggesting criminals weigh the potential gains and losses of their actions, and crime results from conscious decisions.
- Biological theories attribute criminality to physiological factors, innate predispositions, or genetic influences, but are considered flawed and largely discredited.
- Sociological theories analyze crime from macro perspectives, focusing on group behaviors and social structures as causes of crime, including issues such as social disorganization, labeling, and conflict.
Types of Crime
- Street crime: more likely to go undetected, affect a larger population, and have significant social impact, receiving less harsh sanctions in comparison.
- "Suit crime" or white-collar crime: more likely to go unnoticed and affect a greater number of people, with greater economic and social impact and less harsh sanctions.
Key Theories of Crime
- Social Disorganization Theory explores how neighborhood characteristics contribute to crime rates.
- Social Process Theory examines how socialization and interactions shape criminal behavior.
- Labeling Theory focuses on how societal reactions to deviance influence subsequent behavior.
- Conflict Theory examines how the political and economic systems influence the administration of justice.
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Description
Explore the concepts of deviance and crime as defined in sociology. This quiz covers the social norms, laws, and societal reactions that categorize behaviors as deviant or criminal. Understand how these definitions vary based on societal contexts and power dynamics.
