Questions and Answers
Which of the following characteristics of deviance state that deviance is socially constructed?
What are the main theories explaining why individuals may turn to deviance?
Biological theories, psychological theories, and sociological theories.
What does conflict theory suggest about deviance?
Certain behaviors are defined as deviant by powerful economic interest groups.
What do order theorists believe about deviants?
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Define deviance.
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What is meant by the culture of poverty?
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Cultural deprivation implies that the culture of another group is ______________.
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What is recidivism?
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What does social Darwinism apply to?
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What is labeling theory?
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Define racial profiling.
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What is primary deviance?
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What is secondary deviance?
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What is radical nonintervention?
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Define corporate crime.
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What is political crime according to the conflict model?
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What does cultural transmission imply?
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Explain differential association.
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Deviance
- Deviance is defined through social constructs influenced by cultural norms.
- It is relative; behavior deemed deviant varies across societies and contexts.
- The majority's perspective shapes the understanding of what is considered deviant.
- All societies contain deviance as a fundamental element of social structure.
- Individuals violating crucial norms often endure stigmatization.
The Individual as the Source of Deviance
- Various theories explain deviance: biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives emphasize different origins of deviant behavior.
Conflict Theory
- Conflict theorists argue that behaviors labeled as deviant are often established by powerful interest groups to protect their economic positions through laws and regulations.
Deviance from Order and Conflict Perspectives
- Order theorists believe deviance arises from a failure to internalize societal norms, often due to conflicting values or deviant subcultures. They accept existing societal norms as standards for labeling.
- Conflict theorists view individual deviance as symptomatic of societal failures, addressing broader issues like crime, poverty, addiction, and systemic inequality linked to wealth distribution, education, and governance.
Deviance
- Any behavior that diverges from societal expectations is classified as deviant.
Culture of Poverty
- This concept posits that the poor possess distinct values and lifestyles, which contribute to the perpetuation of poverty.
Cultural Deprivation
- Implies an ethnocentric viewpoint that regards another group's culture as not just deficient but inferior.
Recidivism
- Refers to the tendency of individuals to relapse into criminal behavior after having previously been incarcerated.
Social Darwinism
- Applies the survival of the fittest principle to human societies, particularly regarding societal hierarchies and stratification.
Labeling Theory
- Focuses on how society's definitions of legality and deviance shape individual identities and behaviors, often leading to an entrenched deviant status.
Racial Profiling
- Describes the disproportionate targeting of racial and ethnic minorities by law enforcement for traffic stops and searches.
Primary Deviance
- Refers to the initial act of rule-breaking before a deviant label is imposed.
Secondary Deviance
- Occurs when the application of a deviant label leads to further deviant behavior.
Radical Nonintervention
- A strategy suggested by Schur that advocates minimal interference with juvenile delinquents to avoid labeling them as criminals.
Corporate Crime
- Encompasses unlawful or harmful actions taken by corporate leaders that align with corporate objectives.
Political Crime
- Can signify either crimes directed against the state or criminal actions perpetrated by state authorities.
Cultural Transmission (Sutherland)
- Posits that any individual can be conditioned to engage in criminal behaviors through societal influences.
Differential Association (Sutherland)
- Suggests unequal resource access among subcultures leads to deviant behavior as marginalized individuals seek to obtain what they lack.
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Description
Dive into key concepts from Chapter 7 of Sociology with these flashcards. Explore the characteristics of deviance and the various theories that explain individual deviance. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding of social norms and stigmatization.