Sociology Chapter 8: Deviance Flashcards

Sociology and Deviance

• Deviance represents violations of societal norms, which can range from minor infractions to major crimes.
• Biological and psychological theories often focus on individual abnormalities, attributing deviant behavior to biological instincts or unsuccessful socialization.
• Sociological theories emphasize that deviance and conformity are products of societal definitions and cultural contexts.
• Deviance varies by culture, and social power plays a crucial role in defining what constitutes deviant behavior.

Definitions of Key Terms

• Deviance: Recognized violations of cultural norms.
• Crime: Violations of formally enacted criminal laws.
• Social Control: Society's efforts to regulate individual thoughts and behaviors.
• Criminal Justice System: Comprises organizations like police, courts, and correctional facilities that handle law violations.

Structural-Functional Theories

• Emile Durkheim posited that deviance serves a crucial role in society by affirming cultural norms, clarifying moral boundaries, fostering social cohesion, and promoting social change.
• Merton's strain theory links deviance to the societal goals and available means to achieve them.
• Cloward and Ohlin, Cohen, Miller, and Anderson analyzed deviant subcultures and their impact on societal behavior.

Symbolic-Interaction Theories

• Labeling Theory: Deviance is defined by societal reactions, rather than the act itself; stigmatization can lead to secondary deviance.
• The concept of medicalization frames deviance as a medical condition, shifting labels from moral judgments to health-oriented terms.
• Differential Association Theory: Highlights the influence of social interactions on deviant behavior, emphasizing encouragement or discouragement from peers.
• Control Theory: Suggests that stronger societal integration reduces likelihood of deviance due to awareness of consequences.

Additional Key Concepts

• Stigma: A negative label that alters a person's self-identity and social standing.
• Medicalization of Deviance: Converts moral or legal issues into medical diagnoses, affecting societal perceptions.
• Social-Conflict Theory: Influenced by Karl Marx, posits that laws protect the interests of powerful individuals, particularly in capitalist societies.
• White-Collar Crime: Offenses committed by individuals in high social positions during their professional roles, often resulting in less prosecution and civil adjudication.
• Corporate Crime: Illegal acts performed by corporations or individuals representing them, often going unpunished despite significant harm caused.
• Organized Crime: Refers to illegal enterprises that supply goods or services unlawfully.
• Hate Crimes: Crimes motivated by bias against specific groups, targeting vulnerable populations based on race, gender, or sexual orientation.