Questions and Answers
How do sociologists define deviance?
Deviance is behavior that violates norms and rules of society, defined in a social context.
What does sociological theory contribute to the study of deviance? (Select all that apply)
What is the importance of labeling in the study of deviance?
Labeling theory argues that societal reactions to behavior produce deviance.
What are deviant careers and communities?
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How is the criminal justice system shaped by social factors?
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What is deviance?
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Which are the four characteristics of identifying deviance? (Select all that apply)
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What is formal deviance?
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What is informal deviance?
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What is labeling theory?
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What are social movements?
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What is medicalization of deviance?
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Who is Emile Durkheim?
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What is anomie?
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What is anomic suicide?
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Study Notes
Definition of Deviance
- Deviance refers to behavior that breaks societal norms and rules.
- It is defined in a social context, making it socially constructed and influenced by social movements.
Sociological Theories on Deviance
- Functionalist Theory: Views deviance and crime as functional, affirming societal norms by clearly defining unacceptable behavior.
- Structural Strain Theory: Suggests societal inequalities compel individuals towards deviant and criminal actions.
- Conflict Theory: Describes deviance as resulting from unequal power dynamics and societal inequality.
- Symbolic Interaction Theory: Emphasizes that deviance stems from the meanings individuals assign to behaviors.
- Differential Association Theory: Posits that deviance is learned through social interactions with others who are deviant.
Importance of Labeling
- Labeling theory highlights that societal reactions to behavior can lead to deviance.
- Some groups hold more power to label deviant actions, leading to stigmas that can define individuals as deviant.
Deviant Careers and Communities
- Deviant careers involve sequences through specific subcultures of deviance.
- Deviant communities consist of groups organized around forms of social deviance.
Social Factors in Criminal Justice
- Class disparities exist in arrest and victimization rates; middle- and upper-class individuals face lower crime risks.
- Minorities and disadvantaged groups are often more likely to be both offenders and victims.
- Gender disparities exist throughout the criminal justice system, affecting experiences from profiling to sentencing for Black Americans and Hispanics.
Characteristics of Deviance
- Deviance occurs in social contexts and can vary over time or between settings.
- Different groups assess behaviors uniquely, with what is deviant to one group possibly normative to another.
- Established rules and norms are socially created and not merely individually imposed.
- Social responses to behavior play a significant role in understanding deviance.
Types of Deviance
- Formal Deviance: Involves breaking laws or official regulations.
- Informal Deviance: Involves violating customary social norms.
Labeling Theory
- Deviance encompasses not just the violation of norms but also societal reactions to such behaviors.
- It focuses on how societal responses contribute to the creation and persistence of deviant behavior.
Social Movements
- Comprise networks of groups that organize to promote or resist societal changes.
Medicalization of Deviance
- Interprets deviant behavior as indicative of a "sick" state of mind, advocating for psychological treatment as a solution.
Emile Durkheim and Deviance
- Emphasized the importance of societal coherence and how it relates to deviance.
- Identified social factors as the primary causes of suicide, leading to the classification of four types: anomic, altruistic, egotistical, and anomic.
Anomie
- Represents a breakdown in societal regulations leading to normlessness.
- Refers to collective societal conditions rather than individual emotions.
Anomic Suicide
- Occurs when societal disintegration results in individuals feeling disconnected and alienated.
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Description
Explore the fundamental concepts of deviance in sociology. This quiz covers theories such as Functionalist, Structural Strain, and Conflict Theory, including the importance of labeling. Test your understanding of how society shapes deviant behavior.
