Sociology Exam 4 Study Guide

Study Notes

Defining Deviance

Deviance is behavior that violates expected rules and norms in society.
What is considered deviant varies by social context; it can be seen as a positive adaptation (e.g., Andes survivors) or a rational choice (e.g., gang membership).

Characteristics of Deviance

Emergence of deviance is contextual, impacted by societal norms.
Behaviors can be judged differently across various groups.
Norms and rules are socially constructed rather than universally accepted.
The social response to certain behaviors also defines deviance.

Types of Deviance

Formal deviance: Behavior that breaks laws or official regulations.
Informal deviance: Behavior that violates customary social norms.

Functionalism and Deviance

Emile Durkheim believed deviance contributes positively to social cohesion and solidarity.
The definition of deviance can evolve over time and can hinge on the identity of the perpetrator and the context.

Durkheim's Types of Suicide

Anomic suicide: Results from societal breakdown or disintegration, exemplified by rising teenage suicide rates.
Altruistic suicide: Results from excessive social regulation, seen in individuals sacrificing themselves for a cause.
Egoistic suicide: Arises from social isolation, explaining high suicide rates among the elderly.

Merton's Structural Strain Theory

Strain theory posits that lack of access to societal goals leads to negative emotional states.
Four adaptations to strain:
- Innovation: Accepting social goals but rejecting conventional means (e.g., criminal activity).
- Ritualism: Rejecting societal goals but adhering to accepted means (e.g., strict adherence to routines without ambition).
- Retreatism: Rejecting both societal goals and means (e.g., substance abuse).
- Rebellion: Rejecting both existing goals and means while advocating for alternative ones.

Developed by Travis Hirschi, this theory asserts that deviance arises when an individual's social bonds are weakened.
Emphasizes the importance of shared values within society.

Conflict Theory and Deviance

Conflict theory analyzes how deviance is linked to power dynamics and social inequality.
Laws are constructed by the elite to preserve their interests and enforce social conformity.

Differential Association Theory

Created by Edwin Sutherland, this theory explains deviant behavior as learned primarily through interaction with influential primary groups.
Highlights that deviance can be more prevalent in certain social groups due to shared norms.

Labeling Theory

Labeling theory explores how powerful individuals and institutions can define others as deviant, thus shaping individual identities and careers.
Labels can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, influencing behavior and social status.

Goffman's Concept of Stigma

Erving Goffman noted that stigma can become a master status, overshadowing all other aspects of a person's identity.
Individuals with physical disabilities may be judged primarily based on their disability, affecting their societal interactions and self-perception.

Description

Prepare for your Sociology Exam 4 with this comprehensive study guide focusing on the sociological definition of deviance. Understand the social norms and contexts that define deviance and its variations through real-world examples. This guide will help reinforce your knowledge and readiness for the exam.