Theories of Deviance
What is differential association theory?
proposes that individuals learn deviant or criminal behavior through interactions with others who provide definitions, techniques, and motives for such behavior, influencing the likelihood of engaging in deviance.
What is strain theory?
that individuals may turn to deviant behavior when they experience a disjunction between societal goals and the legitimate means available to achieve them, creating a sense of strain or pressure
Explain how crime is different than deviance.
Crime specifically refers to behaviors or actions that violate formal laws and regulations established by a society's legal system while deviance is a broader term that refers to any behavior, belief, or condition that violates cultural norms or societal expectations
Define Deviance
refers to any behavior, belief, or condition that violates cultural norms or societal expectations
Give an example of civil disobedience
(pipeline protests, sit ins, riots)
What is labeling theory?
it asserts that individuals become deviant when society labels them as such, and the labeled individuals internalize and act according to the expectations and stereotypes associated with the deviant label
What is social control theory/social bonding theory?
suggests that individuals conform to societal norms because of their attachment to others, commitment to shared values, involvement in conventional activities, and belief in the legitimacy of social institutions, which collectively serve as social controls against deviant behavior.
Define white collar crime
White-collar crimes refer to non-violent, financially motivated offenses typically committed by individuals, businesses, or government officials in positions of trust and authority
Define stigma
a social process through which individuals or groups are labeled, devalued, and discredited based on particular attributes, behaviors, or characteristics that are considered socially undesirable or deviant
Give an example of formal social control and informal.
formal: laws, police, courts, and prisons, to enforce conformity to societal norms
Informal: operates through family, peers, social norms
What are cultural goals, in regard to strain theory?
refer to the societal aspirations and objectives that are widely valued and pursued within a given culture. These goals often include financial success, social status, and material achievement, which are considered culturally desirable and indicative of success
What are institutionalized means in strain theory?
institutionalized means refer to the socially accepted and approved methods or pathways provided by societal institutions to achieve cultural goals. These means typically include education, employment, and other conventional avenues for success
What are hate crimes?
is a criminal act committed against an individual, group, or property that is intentionally targeted because of the victim's perceived race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability, reflecting a bias or prejudice against the targeted characteristic
What is social control?
refers to the mechanisms, strategies, and institutions that societies use to regulate and manage individual behavior
Define recidivism rate
the rates at which individuals reoffend and return to criminal behavior after being released from incarceration
What is conflict theory of deviance and give an example
that deviance and crime arise as a result of social, economic, and political inequalities and power struggles within society, with laws and norms reflecting the interests of the ruling class while often criminalizing behaviors associated with lower social classes.
What are the 5 responses to strain theory?
Conformity: Individuals who conform accept both the cultural goals and the approved means for achieving them. They pursue success through socially accepted channels.
Innovation: Innovators accept the cultural goals but reject or adapt the approved means. They find alternative, sometimes deviant, ways to achieve success, such as engaging in criminal activities.
Ritualism: Ritualists abandon the pursuit of cultural goals but rigidly adhere to the institutionalized means. They may go through the motions of societal expectations without aiming for the conventional goals.
Retreatism: Retreatists reject both the cultural goals and the approved means. They withdraw from societal expectations and may turn to alternative lifestyles, such as substance abuse or homelessness.
Rebellion: Rebels reject both the established cultural goals and means but replace them with new, often radical, goals and means. They seek to create alternative social structures and may engage in protest or revolutionary activities.
what is the medicalization of deviance
refers to a process in which behaviors or conditions that were once considered moral or social issues are redefined and treated as medical problems
What are negative and positive sanctions
negative: refers to a penalty or punishment imposed on individuals or groups who engage in behavior deemed undesirable or deviant according to societal norms
positive: involves the reward or approval given to individuals or groups for conforming to societal norms or exhibiting desirable behavior
List all techniques of neutralization
denial of responsibility, denial of injury, denial of the victim, condemnation of the condemners, and an appeal to higher loyalties.
Create a scenario that could be explained by differential association
ex: A teenager, Sam, who has grown up in a neighborhood with a high prevalence of gang activity, begins associating with gang members. Over time, Sam becomes increasingly involved in delinquent behaviors, such as vandalism and theft, as these actions are normalized and reinforced within the social context of the gang. The influence of the gang members, their values, and the exposure to criminal techniques contribute to Sam's learning of deviant behavior
Create a scenario that could be explained by strain theory
ex: Mia, a high school student, faces immense academic pressure from her parents to excel and secure a scholarship for a prestigious college. However, Mia struggles with learning disabilities that make it challenging for her to meet the academic expectations. Feeling the strain between societal expectations for educational achievement and her limited institutionalized means, Mia decides to cheat on her exams to maintain the appearance of success and avoid disappointing her parents
what are violent crimes and how are they similar/different to hate crimes?
Differences:
What is illegitimate opportunity structure?
individuals may face blocked or limited access to legitimate opportunities, such as education and employment, and as a result, they may turn to illegitimate or deviant means to attain their goals, closely tied to the idea of strain theory
Explain this theory through all theories of deviance:
In a low-income neighborhood, a teenager named Alex faces strain as they grapple with the limited institutionalized means to achieve success. Alex's family struggles financially, and despite performing well academically, they perceive barriers to pursuing higher education due to lack of resources so Alex drops out of school.
answers will vary