Social Structure Theories Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

What is the sociological theory about?

  • The nature of power relationships between social groups (correct)
  • The economic status of individuals
  • The behaviors of individuals in isolation
  • The history of social movements

What is social structure?

The pattern of social organization and the interrelationships among institutions characteristic of a society.

What does social process refer to?

The interaction between and among social institutions, groups, and individuals.

Define social life.

<p>The ongoing structured interaction between persons in a society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is social structure theory?

<p>A theory that explains crime by reference to the economic and social arrangements in society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does social disorganization theory describe?

<p>A perspective that sees society as an organism and crime as a disease.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is human ecology?

<p>The interrelationship between human beings and their environments.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define social disorganization.

<p>A condition faced by a group experiencing social change and conflict.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of social ecology in criminology?

<p>It links community structure with interactions in the environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is social pathology?

<p>A concept describing criminality as an illness in society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define cultural transmission.

<p>The idea that delinquency is passed through generations via social communication.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does ecological theory emphasize?

<p>Demographics and geographics in relation to crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the Chicago School of Criminology?

<p>An ecological approach examining social disorganization and pathology.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define criminology of place.

<p>A perspective focusing on geographic location in relation to crime.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does environmental criminology emphasize?

<p>The importance of geographic location and architecture in crime prevalence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the broken window thesis?

<p>The idea that physical decay in an area leads to increased crime rates.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define defensible space.

<p>Mechanisms that allow residents to control their environment.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does strain theory propose?

<p>A disjuncture between means and goals causes criminal behavior.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define anomie.

<p>A social condition characterized by normlessness.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What does relative deprivation refer to?

<p>A sense of social or economic inequality experienced by individuals.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is distributive justice?

<p>The equitable distribution of rewards in society.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Define general strain theory (GST).

<p>A perspective suggesting law-breaking is a coping mechanism for socioemotional problems.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Sociological Theory

The systematic study of how power dynamics shape interactions between social groups and how social phenomena influence individual behaviors.

Social Structure

The organized pattern of relationships within a society's institutions, such as family, government, or education.

Social Process

The dynamic interactions between social institutions, groups, and individuals.

Social Life

The sum of all social interactions, socialization, and behaviors within a society, characterized by structured patterns.

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Social Structure Theory

A theoretical perspective explaining crime through societal economic and social arrangements, focusing on group behaviors rather than individual actions.

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Social Disorganization Theory

Views crime as a symptom of social disorder and dysfunction, comparing society to an organism.

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Human Ecology

The study of relationships between humans and their physical and cultural environments, examining how these interactions shape behaviors.

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Social Ecology

Examines how community structure and organization influence social interactions within localized environments.

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Cultural Transmission

Proposes that delinquency is passed through generations via social communication, like language and norms.

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Social Pathology

A conceptual approach that views societal issues like crime as social pathologies requiring treatment.

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Ecological Theory

A theoretical perspective using demographics and geography to understand delinquency patterns in specific areas.

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Chicago School of Criminology

A school of criminology associated with the University of Chicago, investigating how social disorganization contributes to crime.

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Criminology of Place

A criminological perspective highlighting the relationship between geographic location, architectural features, and criminal victimization.

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Environmental Criminology

Similar to the Criminology of Place, this perspective emphasizes how location and building features impact crime prevalence.

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Broken Window Thesis

Theory suggesting that physical deterioration in a neighborhood increases fear among residents, leading to more crime.

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Defensible Space

Refers to strategies used by residents to maintain control over their environment, deterring crime through community engagement.

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Strain Theory

Argues that a gap between culturally valued goals and the legitimate means to achieve them leads to criminal behavior.

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Anomie

A state of normlessness where societal norms are unclear or absent, leading to a breakdown in social order.

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Relative Deprivation

The feeling of inequality experienced by those unable to achieve societal success, creating resentment leading to crime.

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Distributive Justice

Concerned with fair and equitable distribution of societal rewards, including opportunities and resources.

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General Strain Theory (GST)

A broader version of strain theory suggesting that law-breaking behaviors are coping mechanisms for social and emotional challenges caused by negative relationships.

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Study Notes

Sociological Concepts

  • Sociological Theory: Examines power dynamics among social groups and the influence of social phenomena on behaviors.
  • Social Structure: Refers to the organized pattern of relationships within a society's institutions.
  • Social Process: Involves interactions between social institutions, groups, and individuals.
  • Social Life: Characterized by structured interactions, socialization, and behaviors among individuals in society.

Theories of Crime

  • Social Structure Theory: Explains crime through societal economic and social arrangements, focusing on group behaviors rather than individual actions.
  • Social Disorganization Theory: Views crime as a social pathology, comparing society to an organism, often linked to the Chicago School of Criminology.
  • Human Ecology: Studies interrelations between humans and their physical and cultural environments.
  • Social Ecology: Links community structure and organization with interactions in localized environments.

Cultural Aspects of Crime

  • Cultural Transmission: Suggests delinquency is passed through generations via social communication, similar to the transmission of languages and norms.
  • Social Pathology: Concept likening society to an organism, viewing criminality as analogous to illness.

Crime and Environment

  • Ecological Theory: Focuses on demographics and geography to understand social disorganization in delinquency areas.
  • Chicago School of Criminology: Investigates how social disorganization leads to social pathology and crime.
  • Criminology of Place: Emphasizes geographic location and architectural features in relation to criminal victimization.
  • Environmental Criminology: Similar perspective emphasizing location and architecture's link to crime prevalence.

Factors Contributing to Crime

  • Broken Window Thesis: Argues that physical deterioration escalates crime rates through increased fear among residents.
  • Defensible Space: Refers to strategies that residents use to exert control over their environment.

Strain and Social Conditions

  • Strain Theory: Proposes that disconnection between culturally approved means and goals leads to criminal behavior.
  • Anomie: A state of normlessness where societal norms are unclear or absent.
  • Relative Deprivation: The feelings of inequality experienced by those unable to achieve success in society.
  • Distributive Justice: Focuses on fair and equitable distribution of societal rewards.

Advanced Strain Theory

  • General Strain Theory (GST): Suggests law-breaking behaviors are coping mechanisms for socio-emotional challenges arising from negative social relations.

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