Basic Terms
Term that refers to behavior that violates social norms
deviance
Robert Merton argued that when there is a gap between culturally desirable goals (money, prestige) and a legitimate way of obtaining them, deviance occurs.
What is this theory called (not the subheadings)
strain theory
What is the difference between 'primary' and 'secondary' deviance?
Primary = engages in isolated acts of deviance // does not attach to identity
Secondary = deviance as a lifestyle and personal identity
Conflict theory believes that deviance is determined by conflict between two social classes, often the _____ and _____
rich, poor
would accept powerful/less powerful
What is the difference between "deterrence" and "retribution" punishment theory
deterrence --> meant to discourage crime
retribution --> meant to 'pay back' for wrong doing
______ is behavior that underconforms to social expectation. ______ is behavior that overconforms to societal expectation
negative deviance, positive deviance
Travis Hirschi's control theory believes that conformity to social norms depends on what?
strong bonds between individuals and society
Name the three components of 'Differential Association Theory'
1. Ratio / Number
2. Significant Others
3. Age of Exposure
victim discounting
If a person is incarcerated, the likely leave the prison system with a 'stigma'. What is that?
an undesirable trait or label that is used to characterize an individual
Social Sanctions are rewards and punishments designed to encourage desired behavior. Are these sanctions an example of internal or external social control?
External
Emile Durkheim coined the phrase "anomie". This describes a social condition - to which strain theory and control theory are built off of.
What does anomie mean?
a social condition in which norms are weak, conflicting or absent
Describe 'Labeling Theory'
theory that society creates deviance by identify particular members (labeling them) as deviant
individuals with deviant labels then feel compelled to continue to act deviant-ly
Define white collar crime
any crime committed by respectable and high-status people in the course of their occupations --> not violent or drug related
Briefly describe recidivism --> what factors can influence high rates of recidivism? low rates?
Recidivism = a repetition of or return to criminal behavior/incarceration
Factors:
- lack of community/family support
- education or lack thereof
- drug or substance abuse
- social stigmas
- employment/housing issues