6 Questions
According to the structural-functional perspective, which of the following is NOT a function of deviance in society?
Undermining social cohesion
Robert Merton's strain theory explains deviance in terms of:
Societal goals and means to achieve them
According to symbolic interactionism, which of the following is NOT a factor that influences deviant behavior?
Cultural values
Which sociological perspective links deviance to social power dynamics and the interests of the powerful?
Conflict theory
According to conflict theory, what is true about the powerful and deviant labels?
The powerful are less likely to face severe reactions to deviant actions
Which statement best represents the conflict theory perspective on norms?
Norms have a political nature and often mask power dynamics
Study Notes
- Armed robbers and pacifists are both considered social deviants, but for different reasons.
- Various sociological paradigms like structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theories provide different perspectives on deviance.
- Emile Durkheim's structural-functional approach to deviance highlights how deviance serves functions like defining cultural values, clarifying moral boundaries, bringing society together, and encouraging social change.
- Robert Merton's strain theory explains how societal goals and means influence the prevalence of deviance, with concepts like conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
- Labeling theory from a symbolic interactionist perspective emphasizes how labels impact deviant behavior and self-concept, leading to stigmatization and societal responses.
- Different symbolic interactionist approaches like differential association and control theory focus on factors like social associations and self-control in understanding deviance.
- Conflict theory links deviance to social power dynamics, highlighting how norms and laws can reflect the interests of the powerful and how deviant labels can protect existing power structures.- Conflict theory explains how the powerful can avoid being labeled as deviant, leading to less severe reactions to deviant actions.
- Norms are described as having a political nature by conflict theory, often masked by the belief that if something is normative, it is right and good.
- Conflict theorists observe inequalities in social power across gender, race, and socioeconomic status, influencing reactions to deviance.
- Structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory provide valuable insights into understanding deviance in society.
- The text discusses how each sociological paradigm (structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, conflict theory) approaches deviance and its connection to power and inequality.
Explore how various sociological paradigms such as structural functionalism, symbolic interactionism, and conflict theory offer distinct insights into deviance, social norms, and power dynamics in society.
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