Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the fundamental principle of symbolic interactionism?
What is the fundamental principle of symbolic interactionism?
- Personality is the sole determinant of deviance
- Socio-biology is the primary factor in deviance
- Our actions are determined by our perception of the world (correct)
- Biology is the primary cause of deviance
According to Differential Association Theory, what influences our attitudes and behaviors towards deviance and conformity?
According to Differential Association Theory, what influences our attitudes and behaviors towards deviance and conformity?
- Our socioeconomic status
- Our genetic makeup
- The groups we associate with (correct)
- Our personality traits
Who is credited with developing the concept of 'differential association'?
Who is credited with developing the concept of 'differential association'?
- Robert Merton
- Edwin Sutherland (correct)
- Karl Marx
- Emile Durkheim
What does the concept of 'differential association' describe?
What does the concept of 'differential association' describe?
What is the main argument against theories that have their roots in socio-biology or psychology?
What is the main argument against theories that have their roots in socio-biology or psychology?
What is the term used by Sutherland to describe the signals we receive about conformity and deviation from the groups we associate with?
What is the term used by Sutherland to describe the signals we receive about conformity and deviation from the groups we associate with?
What is the primary factor that influences whether an individual develops deviance or compliance?
What is the primary factor that influences whether an individual develops deviance or compliance?
What is the term used to describe the process by which people are influenced by the labels they are given?
What is the term used to describe the process by which people are influenced by the labels they are given?
According to control theory, what are the two mechanisms that oppose human desires to deviate?
According to control theory, what are the two mechanisms that oppose human desires to deviate?
What is the term used to describe the bonds formed through attachments, commitments, involvements, and beliefs?
What is the term used to describe the bonds formed through attachments, commitments, involvements, and beliefs?
What is the purpose of a degradation ceremony, according to Harold Garfinkel?
What is the purpose of a degradation ceremony, according to Harold Garfinkel?
What is the result of an imbalance in attitudes, according to the text?
What is the result of an imbalance in attitudes, according to the text?
What is one of the effects of labeling individuals as deviants?
What is one of the effects of labeling individuals as deviants?
What is strain theory?
What is strain theory?
What is one of the assumptions of the functional perspective?
What is one of the assumptions of the functional perspective?
What is anomie, according to Robert Merton?
What is anomie, according to Robert Merton?
What is conformity, according to Merton's strain theory?
What is conformity, according to Merton's strain theory?
What is the main concern of sociologists Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin?
What is the main concern of sociologists Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin?
What is the term used to describe individuals who accept societal ideals but employ unethical methods to achieve them?
What is the term used to describe individuals who accept societal ideals but employ unethical methods to achieve them?
What is the term used to describe individuals who reject both the institutionalized means and the cultural objectives?
What is the term used to describe individuals who reject both the institutionalized means and the cultural objectives?
According to conflict theorists, what is the primary function of the criminal justice system?
According to conflict theorists, what is the primary function of the criminal justice system?
Why does the criminal justice system punish the working poor and the underclass severely?
Why does the criminal justice system punish the working poor and the underclass severely?
What is the primary reason why corporate CEOs are not prosecuted for their crimes?
What is the primary reason why corporate CEOs are not prosecuted for their crimes?
What is the purpose of occasional prosecution of a member of the capitalist class?
What is the purpose of occasional prosecution of a member of the capitalist class?
What do biological theories of crime and deviance suggest?
What do biological theories of crime and deviance suggest?
Which theory proposes that unresolved conflicts in the unconscious mind lead to criminal behavior?
Which theory proposes that unresolved conflicts in the unconscious mind lead to criminal behavior?
What has been linked to a higher likelihood of mental illnesses and criminal behavior in Pakistan?
What has been linked to a higher likelihood of mental illnesses and criminal behavior in Pakistan?
What do proponents of atavism theory believe about criminals?
What do proponents of atavism theory believe about criminals?
What is a key factor in the development of criminal behavior according to the social learning theory?
What is a key factor in the development of criminal behavior according to the social learning theory?
What has been connected to Pakistan's high rate of violent crime?
What has been connected to Pakistan's high rate of violent crime?
Study Notes
Symbolic Interactionism: Differential Association, Control Theory, Labeling Theory
- Differential association theory: our experiences in various groups influence our behavior and attitude towards deviance and conformity.
- Edwin Sutherland's theory: we learn to break or comply with social norms based on the groups we associate with, leading to an imbalance in our attitudes and behaviors.
- Families play a significant role in shaping our attitudes and behaviors, with research showing that half of all prisoners in the US have a family member who has served time in prison.
- Friends, neighborhoods, and subcultures also impact our behavior, with some neighborhoods fostering a violent subculture.
- Control theory: two control mechanisms - internal (conscience, religious beliefs) and external (family, friends, police) - influence our behavior and deter us from deviance.
- Internal controls are more effective when we are close to society, and socialization is essential for developing high levels of self-control.
Labeling Concepts
- Labelling theory: reputations and labels influence our behavior and self-concept, leading us towards deviance or conformity.
- Labels can open or close doors of opportunity, and individuals with deviant labels may be excluded from conforming groups.
- The term "deviant" has an emotional connotation, implying condemnation and social exclusion.
The Functional Perspective: Can Deviance Really be Functional for Society?
- Deviance can be functional for society, promoting change and reinforcing social norms.
- However, deviance can also have negative consequences, such as social inequality and disorder.
- Functionalists believe that crime is a normal part of society and can be a means to achieve social change.
The Functional Perspective: Strain Theory
- Strain theory: mainstream values can produce deviance when individuals are unable to achieve their goals through institutionalized means.
- Robert Merton's theory: four deviant responses - innovation (using illegal means to achieve goals), ritualism (giving up on goals but following rules), retreatism (rejecting both goals and means), and rebellion (rejecting both goals and means and seeking new ones).
The Conflict Perspective: Class Crime and the Criminal Justice System
- Conflict theorists believe that social inequality and power are the main facets of society.
- The law is a tool of oppression, used by the ruling class to maintain its dominance and privilege.
- The criminal justice system punishes the working class and underclass severely, while corporate CEOs are rarely prosecuted for their crimes.
Theories of Crime and Deviance: Biological Theories
- Biological theories suggest that a person's physical or genetic makeup contributes to criminal behavior.
- Cesare Lombroso's atavism theory proposes that criminals are "throwbacks" to earlier periods in human evolution.
Theories of Crime and Deviance: Psychological Theories
- Psychological theories propose that mental, emotional, or personality abnormalities lead to criminal behavior.
- Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory suggests that unresolved conflicts in the unconscious mind lead to criminal behavior.
- Social learning theory proposes that people learn illegal behavior by observing and imitating others.
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