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.

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

What is social structure theory?

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

What does social disorganization theory describe?

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

What is human ecology?

The interrelationship between human beings and their environments. Signup and view all the answers

Define social disorganization.

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

What is the role of social ecology in criminology?

It links community structure with interactions in the environment. Signup and view all the answers

What is social pathology?

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

Define cultural transmission.

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

What does ecological theory emphasize?

Demographics and geographics in relation to crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is the Chicago School of Criminology?

An ecological approach examining social disorganization and pathology. Signup and view all the answers

Define criminology of place.

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

What does environmental criminology emphasize?

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

What is the broken window thesis?

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

Define defensible space.

Mechanisms that allow residents to control their environment. Signup and view all the answers

What does strain theory propose?

A disjuncture between means and goals causes criminal behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Define anomie.

A social condition characterized by normlessness. Signup and view all the answers

What does relative deprivation refer to?

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

What is distributive justice?

The equitable distribution of rewards in society. Signup and view all the answers

Define general strain theory (GST).

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

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 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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Description

Enhance your understanding of sociological theories with these flashcards focusing on social structures and their impacts. Each card provides definitions and insights into essential terms in sociology. Ideal for students and enthusiasts of social sciences.