Sociology Chapter 3: Crime and Deviance

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Questions and Answers

What is one criticism of Marxist theory in the context of crime and deviance?

It is overly idealistic and difficult to apply to real life.

According to right realists, what motivates criminal activity?

Opportunism rather than a reaction to perceived injustice.

What is the term for a social phenomenon that is created by a society and is not a naturally occurring result of evolution?

Social Construction

Who introduced the concept of the relativity of crime and deviance?

Becker Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a person who commits an act that they know is deviant/criminal but no one else knows, and therefore no label is attached?

Primary Deviance Signup and view all the answers

What is the criticism of Marxist theory from a feminist perspective?

Gender-blind theory, applying the same explanations to both men and women despite different motivations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of labeling according to Lemert?

Loss of confidence in the criminal justice system Signup and view all the answers

What is the consequence of labelling a person as deviant according to the labelling theory of crime and deviance?

They take on the label and begin to act in the way that they have been labelled, leading to greater amounts of deviance. Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of moral entrepreneurs in society?

They decide what is morally acceptable within society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of typificiations, according to Cicourel?

Selective law enforcement and negotiation of justice. Signup and view all the answers

What is the impact of master status on an individual?

It identifies the individual by a particular aspect of themselves, such as being a criminal, and this impacts how they are treated within society. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a historical period where cultural norms of deviance varied?

Historical period of cultural homosexuality, opium drinking, and alcohol consumption in Saudi Arabia and the UK. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between formal and informal agencies of social control?

Formal agencies include the police, CJS, and courts, while informal agencies include peers and society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the concept of self-fulfilling prophecy in the context of labelling theory?

An attempt to control deviance leads to greater amounts of that deviance. Signup and view all the answers

How can labeling an individual as a criminal lead to a deviant or criminal career?

It can prevent them from accessing legitimate means of achieving social goals, thereby perpetuating deviant behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does the labeling theory emphasize in the context of crime and deviance?

The social construction of crime and deviance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a limitation of the labeling theory in explaining crime and deviance?

It can make the deviant individual seem like a victim, absolving them of responsibility for their behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is another limitation of the labeling theory?

It does not explain why people commit the original deviant act. Signup and view all the answers

How do realist approaches to crime and deviance differ from other theoretical perspectives?

They provide practical solutions in addition to examining the causes of crime. Signup and view all the answers

What is a consequence of labeling an individual as deviant or criminal?

It can establish a deviant career, perpetuating deviant behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What does the labeling theory reveal about the role of the powerful in crime and deviance?

It reveals the role of the powerful in shaping our understanding of crime and deviance. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marxism and Crime

Marxism links crime to capitalism and racism, blaming scapegoats (e.g., Caribbean men) for social problems
Marxist theory criticized for being overly idealistic and difficult to apply to real-life situations

Labelling Theory

Social Construction: social phenomena created by society, not naturally occurring
Relativity of Crime and Deviance (Becker): crime is relative and depends on social context
Labelling Process:
- Primary Deviance: person commits a deviant act, but no label is attached
- Labelling: a label is attached to the person committing the act
- Secondary Deviance: person takes on the label and acts accordingly
Consequences of Labelling: amplification of deviance, self-fulfilling prophecy, and deviant careers

Moral Entrepreneurs: people who decide what is morally acceptable in society (e.g., ruling class, governments, law makers)
Agencies of Social Control:
- Formal: police, courts, CJS
- Informal: peers, society
Master Status: individual identified by a particular aspect of themselves (e.g., criminal), impacting their treatment in society

Evaluation of Labelling Theory

Strengths: emphasizes social construction of crime and deviance, reveals role of powerful in crime and deviance, shows how deviant careers are established
Limitations: deviant becomes victim, doesn't explain original deviance, doesn't explain stereotype origins, deterministic

Realist View of Crime and Deviance

Realist approaches differ from other theories by providing practical solutions in addition to explaining causes of crime

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Description

Test your understanding of crime and deviance theories, including the impact of labelling and feminist criticisms. Explore how societal factors contribute to perceptions of crime and the criminal justice system.