Sociology Lecture 15: Deviance and Crime

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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?

None of the above.

Communities label individuals.

Individual accepts the label of deviant and acts accordingly. (correct)

Illegal actions are committed.

What percentage of the world's prisoners does the U.S. account for?

More than 20 percent. Signup and view all the answers

What trend has been observed in support for capital punishment in the U.S.?

Support has been declining. Signup and view all the answers

How many people were under the supervision of the U.S. correctional system in 2014?

More than 6.8 million. Signup and view all the answers

What is deviance?

Modes of action that do not conform to the norms or values held by most members of a group or society. Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between deviance and crime?

Deviance violates societal norms, while crime specifically violates formal criminal law. Signup and view all the answers

What are biological views on deviance?

Genetic predispositions and body types associated with delinquency. Signup and view all the answers

What are psychological views on deviance?

Certain personality traits may be associated with deviant behavior. Signup and view all the answers

What is the sociological view of deviance?

Focuses on environment and experiences. Signup and view all the answers

Who were the functionalists in relation to deviance?

Durkheim and Merton. Signup and view all the answers

What theory did Durkheim propose to explain deviance?

The concept of anomie. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Durkheim see crime and deviance as inevitable?

He believed they are social facts and necessary elements of modern societies. Signup and view all the answers

Why did Durkheim see deviance as necessary?

Deviance introduces new ideas and helps clarify social norms. Signup and view all the answers

What is Merton's theory related to deviance?

Strain theory. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT one of Merton's reactions to social tension?

Comformists Signup and view all the answers

How does Merton define conformists?

Accepting cultural goals while using institutionalized means. Signup and view all the answers

How does Merton define innovators?

They accept cultural goals but reject institutionalized means. Signup and view all the answers

What are ritualists according to Merton?

Reject cultural goals but accept institutionalized means. Signup and view all the answers

Who are retreatists according to Merton?

Reject both cultural goals and institutionalized means. Signup and view all the answers

What defines rebels according to Merton?

They pursue new goals and new means. Signup and view all the answers

What group is the largest in Merton's typology?

Conformists. Signup and view all the answers

How do we understand what a norm is?

Rules of conduct that specify appropriate behavior in given social situations. Signup and view all the answers

What are folkways?

Norms that guide casual or everyday interactions. Signup and view all the answers

What are mores?

Norms that are widely adhered to and have great moral or social significance. Signup and view all the answers

What is a sanction?

A mode of reward or punishment that reinforces socially expected forms of behavior. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of positive and negative sanctions.

Positive: Salary increase for good work; Negative: Legal punishment for breach of law. Signup and view all the answers

Give examples of formal and informal sanctions.

Formal: School expulsion for cheating; Informal: Teasing a friend for studying instead of partying. Signup and view all the answers

What is the main argument for reinforcement theories?

Deviance is seen as learned behavior based on perceived rewards and costs. Signup and view all the answers

What is the differential association theory?

Criminal behavior is learned through associations with others who engage in crime. Signup and view all the answers

What does control theory suggest?

Deviant behavior results from a risk-reward analysis influenced by social controls. Signup and view all the answers

What does conflict theory state about crime?

Crime is a response to social inequalities and power structures. Signup and view all the answers

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.
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.