Sociology Chapter on Deviance
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is generally considered a factor in determining deviance?

  • Economic status
  • Individual beliefs
  • Personal preferences
  • Time, place, and public consensus (correct)

    • Deviance is always a negative behavior.

    False (B)

    What is the formal term for the violation of a society's formally enacted criminal law?

    crime

    Social control refers to attempts by society to regulate people's thought and ________.

    <p>behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which is a potential negative aspect of deviant behavior?

    <p>Intolerance from those who adhere to social norms (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a potential positive aspect of deviant behavior?

    <p>Promotion of free-thinking (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following concepts with their descriptions:

    <p>Deviance = An act that violates a social norm Crime = Violation of a society's formally enacted criminal law Social Control = Attempts by society to regulate thought and behavior</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The concept of deviance is narrow and easily defined.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is an example of informal social control?

    <p>Shunning (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Formal social control is always the first approach used to manage deviant behavior in societies.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Durkheim, what is one of the social functions of deviance?

    <p>Affirming cultural values and norms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Formal social control is implemented by authorized agents such as police officers, employers and ______.

    <p>military officers</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what type of social settings is informal social control most effective?

    <p>Small group settings (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Deviance, according to Durkheim, always leads to the breakdown of social order.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one way that formal social control is practiced?

    <p>Through laws and regulations</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following best describes internal social control?

    <p>The process of internalizing the norms of society and accepting them as valid (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A prison sentence is an example of an informal negative sanction.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism through which internal social control operates?

    <p>socialization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A speeding ticket is a ______ negative sanction.

    <p>formal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of these is an example of a positive informal sanction?

    <p>A smile (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of social control with their definitions:

    <p>Internal Social Control = Process of internalizing society's norms External Social Control = Society's effort to correct deviant behavior Positive Sanction = A reward for following norms Negative Sanction = A punishment for violating norms</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of external social control?

    <p>Feeling guilty (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Social control that is expressed through norms and customs is considered ______ social control.

    <p>informal</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Merton's strain theory, what occurs when individuals are socialized to desire cultural goals but are denied the institutionalized means to achieve them?

    <p>Innovation (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Ritualism involves accepting cultural goals and rejecting the means to achieve them.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key difference between retreatism and rebellion, according to Merton's strain theory?

    <p>Retreatists reject both the goals and means, while rebels also seek to replace them.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Merton, individuals who accept cultural goals but use illegitimate means to achieve them are engaging in ________.

    <p>Innovation</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to labeling theory, what primarily determines whether an action is considered deviant?

    <p>How others respond to the action (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Labeling theory suggests that behavior is inherently deviant.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Labeling theory stresses the ________ of deviance, meaning that the same behavior can be defined in many different ways.

    <p>relativity</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of deviance with its corresponding definition according to Merton's Strain theory:

    <p>Conformity = Accepting cultural goals and means Retreatism = Rejecting both cultural goals and means Rebellion = Rejecting cultural goals and means, and seeking to replace them Innovation = Rejecting means but accepting goals</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What was the primary reason Mohamad faced difficulties in getting married?

    <p>His status as a child born out of wedlock. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Lemert, primary deviance is integrated into an individual's self-concept.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Goffman, what is the term for a powerfully negative label that fundamentally changes a person's self-concept and social identity?

    <p>stigma</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to conflict theory, deviance is a result of ______.

    <p>social inequality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why did Mohamad choose to be open about his background?

    <p>To avoid potential issues and accusations of deceit later on. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Lemert, secondary deviance is when a person does not internalize their deviant acts into their self concept.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one example of a master status provided as an example of where a stigma operates?

    <p>convict</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Who does the state's machinery of social control primarily represent?

    <p>The wealthy and powerful (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All crimes have a clearly identifiable victim.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main defining characteristic of a 'white-collar' crime according to Edwin H. Sutherland?

    <p>It is committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of their occupation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Crimes against ________ involve the theft of property or certain forms of damage against the property of another.

    <p>property</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following types of crimes with a description

    <p>Crimes against the person = Acts of violence that are threatened or perpetrated against an individual Crimes against property = Theft or property damage Victimless crimes = Violations of the law where there is no identifiable victim Corporate Crime = Illegal actions of a corporation or people acting on its behalf</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of laws, according to the text?

    <p>To maintain the powerful in privileged positions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    According to Sutherland, criminal behavior is inherited genetically.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is organized crime primarily concerned with, according to the provided text?

    <p>The business supplying illegal goods or services.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Flashcards

    Internal Social Control

    The process of internalizing and accepting social norms as valid.

    External Social Control

    The efforts of society to bring individuals who deviate from norms back into line.

    Positive Sanction

    A socially constructed expression of approval given to individuals for following social norms.

    Negative Sanction

    A socially constructed expression of disapproval given to individuals for violating social norms.

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    Informal Social Control

    Social control exercised by society without stating any rules or laws explicitly.

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    Sanctions

    Formal and informal mechanisms used by society to reward people for conforming to social norms. They can be positive or negative.

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    Socialization

    The learning and adoption of social norms through various channels, such as family, education, and media.

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    Agents of Social Control

    A group or entity that enforces social control, such as police, courts, or families.

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    Deviance

    Any act that goes against accepted social norms or rules, often leading to judgment or disapproval.

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    Social Norms

    The rules and expectations that guide behavior in a society, shaping what is considered acceptable or unacceptable.

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    Time and Place Influence on Deviance

    The context of a situation can influence whether an action is seen as deviant. Over time, what was once considered deviant might become acceptable (e.g., women wearing pants).

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    Public Consensus and Power in Deviance

    Whether a behavior is considered deviant depends on whether a significant portion of society agrees it's unacceptable, and who holds power.

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    Criminal Deviance

    The violation of formal laws, like murder, theft, or assault, which are punishable by the legal system.

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    Deviance as 'Outsider' Status

    Actions or attitudes that differ from what's generally accepted, making a person seem 'different' or outside the usual group.

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    Social Control

    Social control refers to society's attempts to influence and regulate people's thoughts and behavior.

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    Social Control Mechanisms

    Methods used by society to enforce social control, including formal institutions like laws and punishment, and informal sanctions like social disapproval.

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    Durkheim on Deviance

    Deviance, including crime, is beneficial because it strengthens the social order by clarifying norms and values.

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    Deviance as a Reinforcer of Norms

    Deviance helps reaffirm cultural values and norms by highlighting what is considered right and wrong.

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    Deviance Clarifying Moral Boundaries

    Deviance clarifies the boundary between acceptable and unacceptable behavior by establishing clear moral limits.

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    Deviance Promoting Social Unity

    Deviance promotes social unity by bringing people together against those who violate norms.

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    Deviance Promoting Social Change

    Deviance can lead to positive social change by promoting new and more acceptable behaviors over time.

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    Merton's Strain Theory

    Merton's theory explaining how deviance arises when individuals are socialized to desire cultural goals but lack the means to achieve them.

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    Conformity

    Individuals who conform to social norms and use legitimate means to achieve cultural goals.

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    Innovation

    Individuals who accept societal goals but use illegitimate means to achieve them.

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    Ritualism

    Individuals who reject societal goals but adhere to conventional means.

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    Retreatism

    Individuals who reject both societal goals and means, withdrawing from society.

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    Rebellion

    Individuals who reject both societal goals and means and actively attempt to replace them with new ones.

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    Labeling Theory

    The theory that deviance and conformity are determined by how others label individuals' actions.

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    Relativity of Deviance

    The idea that deviance is relative, meaning its definition varies across cultures and time periods.

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    Primary Deviance

    Behavior that violates social norms and expectations, but is not deeply ingrained in a person's identity.

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    Secondary Deviance

    Deviant behavior that becomes a part of an individual's self-concept, often a result of societal reactions.

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    Stigma

    A powerful negative label that significantly impacts someone's self-image and social standing, usually connected to deviant behavior.

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    Conflict Approach to Deviance

    A perspective that views deviance as a result of power imbalances and inequality in society. Powerful groups often decide what is deviant and who is labeled as such.

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    Labeling

    A social interaction where one person gives another a negative label or a socially unfavorable reputation, often based on deviant acts.

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    State's Machinery of Social Control

    A system of laws and practices designed to maintain power and order in society. This system benefits those with power and disadvantages those without.

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    Crime

    A violation of written laws, categorized into crimes against the person, property, and victimless crimes.

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    White-Collar Crime

    Criminal activity committed by individuals in positions of authority, often involving financial crimes and fraud.

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    Corporate Crime

    Illegal actions carried out by corporations or individuals acting on their behalf.

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    Organized Crime

    A criminal organization that provides illegal goods and services, often involving drugs, gambling, or sex work.

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    Power and Deviance

    The idea that who is labeled deviant depends on the power dynamics in society. Those with power decide what is considered deviant and who gets punished.

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    Sutherland's Differential Association Theory

    A theory stating that criminal behavior is learned through interactions with others.

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    Capitalist Justice

    The argument that the legal system favors the interests of the wealthy and powerful, while punishing those with less power.

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    Study Notes

    Introduction to Anthropology and Sociology - Deviance & Social Control

    • Deviance is defined as any act violating a social norm or cultural norm.
    • Norms guide almost all human activities, making the concept of deviance broad.
    • Determining deviance involves time, place, and public consensus or power.
    • The definition of deviance varies across time and location.
    • Criminal deviance violates formally enacted criminal laws, including homicide, robbery, and rape.
    • Deviant acts, regardless of nature, often involve a difference that makes others view them as "outsiders."

    Negative Aspects of Deviant Behavior

    • Intolerance: individuals adhering to societal norms might harm those who do not.
    • Lack of education/resources: limited societal understanding of what is "normal" can lead to depression or suicide.
    • Stagnation of society: although society is dynamic, a reluctance to change can cause ripples with any new or different ideas.

    Positive Aspects of Deviant Behavior

    • Free-thinking: allows individuals to act according to personal values, disregarding societal norms when necessary.
    • Open-mind/education: challenges societal norms by accepting and promoting the presence of differences.

    Strategies for Success (Diagram)

    • Positive goals
    • Personal values
    • Meaning
    • Time and workload management
    • Decisions & boundaries
    • Habits

    Organizational & Interpersonal Deviance (Matrix)

    • Production Deviance: Leaving early, taking excessive breaks, intentionally working slow, wasting resources.
    • Property Deviance: Sabotaging equipment, accepting kickbacks, lying about hours worked, stealing from company.
    • Political Deviance: Showing favoritism, gossiping about co-workers, blaming co-workers, competing non-beneficially.
    • Personal Aggression: Sexual harassment, verbal abuse, stealing from co-workers, endangering co-workers.

    Social Control

    • Social control is society's attempts to regulate thoughts and behavior.
    • It can be informal (e.g., parents scolding children) or formal (e.g., criminal justice system).
    • Two forms of social control exist: internal and external.

    Internal Social Control

    • Internal control involves internalizing societal norms, leading to self-regulation.
    • This process is through socialization—learning and adapting to social norms.
    • Acceptance of societal norms leads to feelings of guilt if one engages in "wrong" behaviors.

    External Social Control

    • External control is society's efforts to bring those who deviate back into line.
    • This involves rewards and punishments (sanctions).
    • Positive sanctions: rewards.
    • Negative sanctions: punishments (e.g., fines, imprisonment).

    Formal & Informal Social Control

    • Informal social control: exerted without written laws, through norms and customs (e.g., frowning, smiling, criticizing).
    • Formal social control: implemented by authorized agents like police, employers, military, and others when informal control is ineffective; uses legal means for enforcing conformity (e.g., fines, imprisonment.)

    Strain Theory (Robert K. Merton)

    • Robert K. Merton's strain theory analyzes what happens when societal goals are desired but the means to achieve them are limited or unavailable.
    • Conformity: accepts societal goals and means to reach them.
    • Innovation: accepts societal goals but rejects means; uses illegitimate means.
    • Ritualism: rejects societal goals but accepts means.
    • Retreatism: rejects both societal goals and means; withdraws from society.
    • Rebellion: rejects both societal goals and means; seeks to create new goals and means.

    Labeling Theory (Howard Becker)

    • Deviance is not inherent to an action but is determined by how others perceive and label it.
    • The labels given to individuals influence their self-perception and the perceptions of others.

    Stigma

    • Stigma is a powerful, negative label affecting a person's self-concept and social identity.
    • It often leads to stronger commitments to deviant behavior and isolation.

    Conflict Approach to Deviance

    • Deviance stems from social inequality.
    • Laws reflect the interests of powerful groups.
    • People with less power are at a higher risk of being labeled as deviant.
    • The state's social control machinery serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful.

    Crime

    • Crime is a specific kind of deviance, violating written laws.
    • Three general categories of crime:
      • Crimes against the person (e.g., violence).
      • Crimes against property (e.g., theft, arson).
      • Victimless crimes (e.g., prostitution).

    White-Collar Crime & Corporate Crime

    • White-collar crime: committed by people of high social status in their occupation.
    • Corporate crime: illegal actions of a corporation or individuals acting on its behalf.

    Organized Crime

    • A business supplying illegal goods or services, often involving sex, drugs, and gambling.

    Alternative Forms of Punishment

    • Retribution: An act of moral revenge allowing the offender to suffer as much as the victim.
    • Deterrence: Attempts to discourage criminality through punishment.
    • Rehabilitation: Programs aimed at reforming offenders to prevent future offenses.
    • Societal protection: rendering an offender incapable of future offenses (temporarily or permanently) through imprisonment or execution.

    Primary & Secondary Deviance (Edwin Lemert)

    • Primary deviance: fleeting acts not absorbed into an individual's self-concept.
    • Secondary deviance: deviant acts where the individual internalizes the deviant behavior and acts defensively or in adjustment to societal reaction.

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    Test your understanding of the concepts related to deviance in society. This quiz covers definitions, theories, social control mechanisms, and the functions of deviant behavior as discussed in sociology. Dive into how society defines and regulates deviance, as well as its potential impacts.

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