Sociology Chapter 7 Flashcards

Differential Association Theory

• Describes how individuals learn deviant behavior from close relationships, reflected in Ally's family background with drug-related arrests.
• Ally's experiences illustrate the cycle of deviance, emphasizing social influences on criminal behavior.

Deviance

• Defined as a violation of established social norms—encompassing cultural and contextual expectations.
• Can include breaches of folkways, mores, and codified laws.

Violent Crime vs. Hate Crime

• Distinction lies in motivation: hate crimes target individuals based on race, religion, or characteristics, unlike general violent crimes, which may not have such specific intentions.

Sanctions

• Jake's promotion serves as a positive formal sanction, rewarding compliance with professional standards.
• Positive formal sanctions are official rewards for conformity, while negative informal sanctions punish deviance through social disapproval.

Power Elite

• C. Wright Mills examined the concept of the power elite, focusing on their societal influence.
• Emphasizes the connection between elite decision-makers and societal structures.

Definition of Crime

• Crime is identified as behavior that breaches officially established laws and carries formal punishments.
• Highlights the legal repercussions accompanying criminal acts.

Functionalism and Deviance

• Émile Durkheim viewed some deviance as necessary, arguing it challenges societal norms and helps promote social progress.
• Recognizes the role of deviance in fostering societal re-evaluation and change.

U.S. Criminal Justice System

• The jury is uniquely not considered a branch of the system, which comprises police, courts, and corrections.
• Each branch plays a distinct role in the enforcement and adjudication of laws.

Secondary Deviance

• Defined as the transformation of one’s self-concept and behavior after being labeled as deviant by society.
• Illustrates the impact of societal labels on individual identity and future actions.

Negative Informal Sanctions

• Example demonstrated by Beatrix being booed off stage, illustrating how social disapproval acts as a sanction for deviant behavior.
• Negative informal sanctions highlight the social consequences individuals may face in response to their actions.

Social Control

• Refers to societal practices regulating behavior through norms, ensuring adherence to cultural standards.
• Functions as a mechanism for maintaining order and conformity within society.

Strain Theory

• Explores the disconnect between socially accepted goals and the means available to achieve them, leading to deviant behavior.
• Addresses the societal pressures that can push individuals toward crime when legitimate paths are inaccessible.