Questions and Answers
What do conflict theorists argue about laws?
Laws are tools used by the powerful to maintain their own privileged positions.
What is Labeling Theory?
An approach suggesting that people become 'deviant' because certain labels are attached to their behavior.
What happens during secondary deviance according to Edwin Lemert?
What percentage of the world's prisoners does the U.S. account for?
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What trend has been observed in support for capital punishment in the U.S.?
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How many people were under the supervision of the U.S. correctional system in 2014?
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What is deviance?
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What is the difference between deviance and crime?
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What are biological views on deviance?
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What are psychological views on deviance?
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What is the sociological view of deviance?
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Who were the functionalists in relation to deviance?
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What theory did Durkheim propose to explain deviance?
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Why did Durkheim see crime and deviance as inevitable?
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Why did Durkheim see deviance as necessary?
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What is Merton's theory related to deviance?
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Which of the following is NOT one of Merton's reactions to social tension?
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How does Merton define conformists?
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How does Merton define innovators?
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What are ritualists according to Merton?
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Who are retreatists according to Merton?
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What defines rebels according to Merton?
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What group is the largest in Merton's typology?
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How do we understand what a norm is?
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What are folkways?
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What are mores?
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What is a sanction?
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Give examples of positive and negative sanctions.
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Give examples of formal and informal sanctions.
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What is the main argument for reinforcement theories?
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What is the differential association theory?
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What does control theory suggest?
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What does conflict theory state about crime?
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Study Notes
Understanding Deviance and Crime
- Deviance refers to actions that do not conform to societal norms, while crime is a subset of deviant behaviors that violate formal laws.
- Certain behaviors may be deemed deviant in one culture but acceptable in another; deviance is subjective and varies with context.
Biological and Psychological Perspectives
- Biological views suggest genetic predispositions may play a role in deviant behavior, but do not claim that body type directly causes such actions.
- Psychological theories highlight that certain personality traits may influence behaviors; however, they cannot generalize across all criminal acts.
- Both viewpoints see deviance as a flaw in the individual rather than reflecting societal issues.
Sociological Views on Deviance
- Deviance arises from environmental and experiential factors, shaped by diverse subcultures and social class disparities.
- Social strain, an idea supported by Durkheim and Merton, suggests deviance results from tensions between societal aspirations and available means to achieve them.
Durkheim's Theories on Deviance
- Anomie describes a state where societal norms lose their influence, often leading to feelings of disorientation and increased deviance.
- Crime is viewed as inevitable and necessary; it helps define acceptable behavior and fosters social cohesion.
Merton's Strain Theory
- Strain theory emphasizes how societal expectations can lead to deviant behaviors due to unachievable aspirations, particularly in economically disadvantaged communities.
- Merton categorizes responses to societal pressures into five types: conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, and rebels, each responding differently to the gap between goals and means.
Norms and Sanctions
- Norms are rules of conduct that govern behavior in various social contexts; violations range from folkways to mores, depending on their societal significance.
- Sanctions are responses to behavior aimed at reinforcing social norms and can be positive or negative, formal or informal.
Reinforcement Theories
- Reinforcement theories assert that deviance is learned behavior shaped by perceived rewards and social interactions.
- Differential Association Theory posits that criminal behavior is learned through relationships with those involved in deviance.
- Control Theory suggests that social bonds and individual attachments help deter deviant behavior.
Conflict Theory
- Conflict theory views crime as a political act that challenges power dynamics and asserts that laws benefit the privileged while suppressing the marginalized.
- Deviance reflects responses to social inequalities rather than innate characteristics, and the structures of power shape who is labeled as deviant.
Labeling Theory and Symbolic Interactionism
- Labeling Theory argues that deviance is not inherent in an act but emerges through societal reactions and labels, often perpetuating a cycle of deviance.
- Those in power apply labels to maintain control and reinforce their status, affecting individuals’ self-perception and behavior.
Key Examples
- Conformity is represented by individuals pursuing traditional paths like education and stable employment, reflecting societal goals.
- Innovators may engage in illegal means to achieve success, while retreatists withdraw from societal expectations entirely.
- Ritualists adhere to societal rules without genuine investment in the goals; rebels seek to replace existing values with new ones altogether.### Primary and Secondary Deviance
- Primary Deviance: Actions leading to labeling as deviant, as defined by Edwin Lemert.
- Secondary Deviance: Occurs when an individual accepts the deviant label and begins to act in accordance with it, also per Lemert.
Crime and Incarceration Trends in the US
- Incarceration Rates: The U.S. holds the highest imprisonment rates globally.
- Global Prisoner Proportion: U.S. contains less than 5% of the world’s population but has over 20% of the world's prisoners.
- Impact on the Black Community: A significant majority of the prison population consists of individuals from the Black community.
- Capital Punishment Sentiment: Support for the death penalty has decreased; in 2015, 56% approved, compared to 78% in 1996.
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Correctional Supervision Figures: Over 6.8 million individuals were under correctional control in 2014, which included:
- More than 1.5 million in state or federal prisons
- 744,600 in local jails
- Approximately 4.7 million on probation or parole.
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Description
This flashcard quiz focuses on the concepts of conformity, deviance, and crime as discussed in Sociology Lecture 15. Explore how deviance is defined, understood, and its societal implications over time. Test your knowledge on the major themes and examples of deviant behavior.