SOCY 1004 Final from Teacher
Describe how social isolation from mainstream society can result in systemic violence.
Social isolation will result you to want to be deviant (social bond theory). This will result in systemic crime
How can you apply subculture theory to the article, "the code of the streets"?
Easy, those who are members of the streets have their own sets and goals that differ from those in the decent sub culture.
Why does the code of the streets exist in the communities it does, and not elsewhere?
Economic and other social means vary from community to community.
What is the role of popular cultural perspectives in rapists' accounts?
popular culture is that women dress in a certain way with basically no clothes and because of this rapists see this as an excuse
Apply the stigma management techniques observed by Nack to another stigmatizing condition.
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Why are women so private about STDs?
The stigma around women with STDs is really bad
Discuss the hedonistic reasons for why people engage in deviance.
"At least some kinds of prohibited activities are claimed by some parts of the population to be in themselves fun, exciting and adventurous. More than simply deriving pleasant fearfulness from violating the prohibition per se, there can exist claims that the prohibited activity itself produces a pleasant level of excitation" (Lofland, 1971:109).
In many ways, the "self-control" theory of Michael Gottfredson and Travis Hirschi ("a general theory of crime") contradicts the social control theory advocated by the same Travis Hirschi two decades earlier. In what ways are the two theories contradictory? In what ways are they similar or based on the same principles?
"Self-Control" Theory and Social Bond/Control Theory (both proposed, by Hirschi) are contradictory in that they each cite different "factors" as being responsible for deviant behavior. It is thought that because of his social bond theory's inability to fully explain deviance, Hirschi formulated self-control theory with Gottw fredson, which suggests that low levels of self-control within the individual influence criminal behavior and that social experiences early in life shape one's level of self control. This obviously differs from his original social bond theory in that the cause of deviance/delinquency is the individual, not the relationship between the individual and society. How are they similar?? Idk they're not really They are both constraint theories
What is the "social organization" of deviants? What does the loners, colleagues, peers, gangs, and formal organizations spectrum describe?
"The social organization of deviants refers to the structure or patterns of relationships among deviant actors in the context of deviant pursuits. The social organization of deviants varies along a dimension of sophistication. Organizational sophistication involves the elements of complexity, coordination and purposiveness" (Best and Luckenbill 1980). The loners, colleagues, peers, gangs, and formal organizations spectrum describe the characteristics of the different forms of the social organizations of deviants (**see variables in question above**).
What seem to be factors that explain why the self-injurers studied by Adler & Adler remain only marginally involved in committing their deviance over a long period of time? Do you think the internet has changed this for self-injurers since the study was conducted as it has other loner types of deviance such as pedophiles? Why or why not?
"Without the support of fellow deviants, loners often find themselves and their behavior more unstable, unable to be sustained over extended periods of time" (A & A 371). I think that the lack of community definitely plays a role in the fact that self-injury is not something that people engage in long-term, but I think also the age/time period most of these people were experiencing is important to look at, too. Most of the self-injurers Adler & Adler interviewed reported being adolescents or young adults when they first began to self-injure (think, middle school to college). This is a strenuous, confusing time for most people, and as A & A recorded, most of their sample reported feeling alone. Once people leave these stages of life (adolescence, young adulthood) they might outgrow their self-injury as they find themselves no longer experiencing the emotional pain/strain that caused them to begin self-harming in the first place. In regards to what Adler & Adler stated on page 371, I think that the Internet has definitely changed this. The Internet has helped to create a community of self-injurers, especially over social media, in which they can share techniques, testimonials, tips, etc.. I think that the Internet has helped people sustain and continue this behavior and has made self-injury into something it once was not, at least prior to the invention of the Internet (around 1996, according to A & A).
Does a criminal record impact hiring prospects in the same way for white men and black men?
- Totally different, criminal record for white men decreases their call back chance by 50% while black men appear to be already thought of as criminal due to their race and therefore aren't as impacted.
What are the assumptions underlying the use of neutralization techniques?
- Attempting to place blame on something else besides themselves and attempting to maintain positive self image.
Compare and contrast the "constraint theories" to one another and think of an anti-crime (or deviance) intervention informed by each.
- Conflict theory: those in power create criminals in order to control threatening populations. - Control theory: Control prevents us from engaging in deviant actions. - Social Bond Theory: delinquent acts result when an individual's bond to society is weak or broken o Stronger social bond - less delinquency o Weaker social bond - more delinquency - Self control theory o If one possesses high self-control, they will defer immediate gratification. Those with low self control, have the inability to delay immediate gratification.
Identify and discuss three rapists' justifications and three excuses for their acts and compare and contrast them to one another. Why do rapists offer such accounts?
- Denial of responsibility: the girl was wearing a particular type of clothing - Denial of injury: the girl has had sex with 50 other guys, no harm, no foul - Justification: used their biology as justification
What are techniques of neutralization? What is their purpose? What does their use suggest about the beliefs and attitudes of those using them?
- Deviants are at least partially committed to conventional lifestyles - Deviants often exhibit guilt or shame - Accord legitimacy to conforming persons - By rationalizing their actions, deviants can neutralize the effects of their own belief systems.
Have you cheated while you were in school? What type of techniques did you use to neutralize your cheating?
- Everyone was doing it - Need to cheat in order to survive - Etc
What is the difference between excuses and justifications?
- Excuses are where the individual admits the wrongfulness of their actions but distance themselves from the blame. May include appeals to accidents, misinformation, biology, and scapegoating. - Justifications are when individuals accept responsibility for their actions but seek to have their behavior excused.
How do race and a criminal record impact a young man's hiring prospects?
- Having a criminal record will reduce the chance of getting a call back after an interview
What is a "neutralization technique," and what are the most commonly used techniques in this study?
- Neutralization technique is putting the blame on something other than the individual themselves in order to maintain a positive self image. Most commonly used was the denial of responsibility and blamed it on unfair expectations by the university.
Discuss how discreditable people may manage their situation.
- Sometimes they live a double life where one group knows and the other does not.
Discuss the role of deterrence in rational choice theory and the characteristic(s) that make it more effective (or not) in reducing crime (or deviance).
- The role of deterrence in rational choice theory is basically that those who partake in criminal activities and suffer consequences should be enough to make people not partake in that action again due to the fear of those consequences. Deterrence does work for some but not all, if the offender's sole reason is to maximize pleasure and rewards while minimizing pain and costs, it makes sense that the offender, if affected by deterrence would either not commit the crime or commit a less serious crime. - BUT offenders are often not rational because they are committing a crime. They also might be highly impulsive so they won't care about consequences in that moment or may not even be aware of them, offenders may also be pressured into crime.
What are the different tactics women use under the strategies of stigma non acceptance, stigma deflection, and stigma acceptance?
--> Stigma nonacceptance by passing, covering or lying --> Stigma deflection by transferring the stigma to a current or formal sexual partner or blaming others for their infection --> Stigma acceptance by disclosing their STD status for preventative or therapeutic reasons
In what ways can you relate the concepts of "passing" and "covering" to neutralization techniques?
-Passing is when one attempts to conceal their deviance (by choice or naturally such as skin color) and fitting in with normals. Someone could use passing and covering in order to place the blame on something or someone else by using their physical attributes. If an African American can pass as white, they could use this to their advantage and say that a black man attacked them.
Identify the 9 correlative features of corporate crime. Choose one example of corporate crime and examine how well the 9 features fit your example.
1. Nature of the behavior 2. Intermingled with legitimate behavior 3. Victimization tends to be diffuse 4. Monetary sums that are involved are quite large 5. Corporate crime is rarely prosecuted 6. Does not fit stereotype of "real" crime 7. Media coverage of corporate crime is incomplete 8. Corporate criminals do not consider themselves "criminals" 9. The intention to harm victims is generally absent
What are the 7 stages of the deviant identity career? Choose one type of deviant and discuss how the stages might apply.
1. People are caught and publicly exposed as deviant 2. People alter their attitudes towards the deviant ("retrospective interpretation") 3. Development of what Goffman called a "spoiled identity" 4. Exclusion by "normals" or conventional society 5. Inclusion in deviant groups 6. Differential treatment 7. Internalization of deviant label
Discuss how "passing" and "covering" were accomplished by women with STD's.
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What kinds of stigma management were used by women with STDs? If you were in their situation, what strategy would you use in order to manage the stigma?
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Crime As Social Control According to the article, how does "crime" serve as a mechanism of social control?
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Discuss Black's conceptualization of social control and compare it to how we've framed it in class thus far
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Discuss the implications of Pager's study for current crime control policies that have resulted in the growing rate of incarceration in our society—an increase of 600% in the inmate population since 1970.
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Discuss three implications of Pager's study for employment and criminal justice policy. What do you think is the single most important issue raised by her research? Explain.
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Evaluate Goode's response to the question: was the 2008 financial crisis a form of deviance? Do you agree or not and why?
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How does Black's theory of crime, deviance, and social control differ from the previous theories we have studied this semester?
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Scully and Marolla identify a typology of admitters and deniers in their study of convicted rapists. Explain and contrast these two groups of rapists providing examples of their rationales.
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Using Adler and Adler's seven stages of a deviant career, apply 3 stages to the article by Devah Pager.
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What is similar about this process and Adler and Adler's 7 stages?
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Compare and contrast Gourley's analysis of ecstasy users with marijuana users at CU or your high school.
They are both peers but I don't think it is okay to say they are equal.
What is the main point of deviance as fun? What theory (rational choice, strain, social bond, and self-control) would best explain the main argument?
A deviance as fun argument suggests that all persons are deviant at least some of the time. Each of us departs from prevailing normative standards on occasion, weighing the possibility of being publicly designated as deviant and sanctioned accordingly, and choosing a seemingly pleasant diversion from our normative routines. Accordingly, this fun dimension implies a "normal" deviance that exists in society (Durkheim, 1964; Goffman, 1963). I would say that rational choice theory best explains the main argument because RCT is based on the assumption that individuals choose a course of action that is most in line with their personal preferences.
How would a strain theorist explain and understand why people join gangs?
A strain theorist would say that people (usually young males) join gangs because they experience persistent problems in gaining employment and/or status. The people who experience this "strain" attempt to compensate for socioeconomic deprivation and thus join/create gangs.
Explain how accounts are used to either justify or excuse deviant behavior. What is the difference between the two strategies.
Accounts are used when people are at risk of being labeled deviant and they want to maintain a positive self-image, so they avoid negative consequences of being labeled deviant to preserve their identity and status by engaging in a variety of interactional strategies designed to normalize their behavior. → Justifying: denies wrongfulness, accepts responsibility (individuals ACCEPT responsibility for their actions but seek to have their behavior excused) → Excusing: admits wrongfulness, denies responsibility (individuals ADMITS their wrongfulness of their actions but distance themselves from the blame - may include appeals to accidents, misinformation, biology & scapegoating)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest: What are examples of the various types of accounts in the film?
Accounts: trying to normalize or rationalize a behavior, how the main character try's to act insane is the largest example
List the four stages of identity change process. In which stages are both passive and active cues used? Apply drug addicts to the four stages of identity change process.
Active Cues = mediated in social interactions with others For example, telling someone that they are weird Passive Cues = mediated through the environment and not through human interaction Putting up bars on windows in mental institutions due to the expectations that "crazy people" are going to try commit suicide 4 Stages 1. Initial status 2. Recognizing 3. Placing 4. New Status
Discuss why Adler & Adler categorize self-injurers as loners. What sets loners apart from most other forms of deviance? Give two additional examples of loner deviance.
Adler & Adler categorize self-injurers as loners because they 1) acted systematically and repeatedly, 2) figured out what and how to do it on their own, and 3) condemned their own behavior and viewed it as harmful or wrong. Two additional examples of loner deviance are sexual asphyxiates and anorexics/bulimics.
Identify and discuss three cheaters' rationalizations for their acts and compare and contrast them to one another.
Cheating on a wife Cheating on a small homework Cheating in business
What is celebratory disclosure? Give an example.
Claiming a deviant identity, but putting it in a more positive light with stigma symbols, associations, and identity work EX - gay pride parade Marijuana clothes
What are some of the common accounts (neutralization techniques) used for corporate crime? How are they similar or different from common accounts for other types of criminal or deviant behavior?
All legal measures proposed constitute government interference with the free enterprise system Government regulations are unjustified because the additional costs of regulations and bureaucratic procedures cut heavily into profits Regulation is faulty because most government regulations are incomprehensible and too complex Regulation is unnecessary because the matters being regulated are unimportant There is little deliberate intent in corporations violations: many of them are errors of omission rather than commission, and many are mistakes Other concerns in the same line of business are violating the law, and if the government cannot prevent this situation there is no reason why competing corporations should not also benefit from illegal behavior Although it is true, as in price fixing cases, for example, that some corporate violations involve millions of dollars, the damage is so diffused among a large number of consumers that individually there is little loss If there is no increase in corporate profits a violation is not wrong Corporations are actually owned by the average citizen so that the claims that big business can dominate American society and violate the law with impunity are false Violations are caused by economic necessity: they aim to protect the value of stock, to insure an adequate return for stockholders, and to protect the job security of employees by insuring the financial stability of the corporation
In what ways are the positivistic theories of deviance, crime, and delinquency inadequate or incomplete, according to the constructionist approaches? In what ways, do its advocates argue, is the constructionist approach more adequate or complete? In what ways are the positivist approaches stronger than the constructionist approaches?
All positivistically oriented sociologists and criminologists are more likely than constructionists to stress the essential, indwelling, and pre-given characteristics common to all phenomena called "deviance" and "crime." In contrast, constructionists are more likely to stress the process by which certain things come to be regarded and judged as crime and deviance. Positivist approaches are stronger than the constructionist approaches for explaining crime and deviance because positivist approaches can provide solid/tangible evidence or theories for explaining deviance.
What is the contradiction that Merton focused on in Structural Strain Theory and how might in lead to crime or deviance?
Anomie is the disconnection with society while it was previously thought of being connected. (Not sure on second part of question).
Discuss the major theoretical differences between Anomie/Strain Theory and Social Control Theory.
Anomie/Strain Theory: assumes that deviant behavior is caused by a disturbance in the social order (anomie). Some sociologists refer to anomie theory as strain theory because it hypothesizes that a certain kind of strain, or pressure, produces a deviant behavior. EX) It is the lack of congruence between the cultural order (that says we must become materially successful) and the social and economic order (which won't give us what we have been socialized to want and expect) that causes deviant behavior. Social Control Theory: assumes that engaging in deviance is not problematic, that, if left to our own devices, all of us would deviate from the rules of society. Control theorists believe that deviance is inherently attractive. Under most circumstances, we are encouraged to break the rules; deviance-making processes are strong and obvious and commonsensical. Control theory would predict that, to the extent that a person has a stake in conformity, he or she will tend not to break the law and risk losing that stake; to the extent that a person lacks that stake in conformity, he or she will be willing to violate the law. Asks: "Why shouldn't we lie and steal, if they are what gets us what we want?" 3 Types of Social Control: Direct Control - the cop on the corner, the parent hovering over the child, the teacher watching students take an exam, etc.. Stake in Conformity - some examples of "stakes" include plans for college, accomplishments, emotional attachments, etc.. Internal Control - an example of this would be thinking to yourself, "what 2would mom think?" if you are considering engaging in deviance.
What are "auxiliary traits" and how do they relate to the concept of master status?
Auxiliary traits are having the lack of something, master status is what characterized you as a person
Why are recreational ecstasy users considered peers?
Because they do it with other people and learn from those people, some users are colleagues though
Discuss the Bernard Madoff scheme and the details surrounding the crime. What two features stand out about this case and help to define white collar crime?
Bernard Madoff, an investment broker, ran what is called a "Ponzi scheme" and swindled roughly $50-65 billion from about 4,800 clients. A Ponzi scheme is a fraudulent investment operation where the operator generates returns for older investors through revenue paid by new investors, rather than from legitimate business activities or profit of financial trading. The two features that stand out about this case are that 1) Madoff could not have committed the crimes without occupying the position of investor, and 2) he did not commit his crimes by means of violence, the threat of violence, or physical stealth. Additionally, Madoff received a sentence/punishment characteristic of violent offenders, not the usual "slap on the wrist" usually received by white collar criminals.
What are three reasons why individuals disclose their deviance? Can you think of an example for each type of deviance disclosure?
Cathartic - alleviating the burden of secrecy Therapeutic - casting the deviance in a more positive light Preventative - so that others don't find out in a more negative way
Use differential association theory to explain the tiny dopers — that is, "why do they do it?"
They do it because their parents made it socially acceptable within the household.
Give some examples of disclaimers as discussed by Hewitt and Stokes.
Cognitive Disclaimers - try to make sense of, or normalize something that looks like it may not be well understood "This may seem strange to you...but..." Appeals for the Suspension - of judgement aim to deflect the negative consequences of acts or remarks that may be offensive "Hear me out..."
Discuss the similarities and differences between occupational and organizational (or corporate) crime, including their conceptual relationship to "white collar" crime.
Corporate crime is a subset of white collar crime. That is, all corporate crime is white collar crime, but not all white collar crime is corporate crime. Occupational WCC: individual or group of individuals for the purpose of personal gain. Organizational WCC: undertaken with the aid and encouragement of a formal organization that is intended at least partly to advance the goals of that organization. An example of occupational WCC (white collar crime) is embezzlement by an employee whereas organizational WCC (corporate crime) is the stuff we see in the Enron movie.
Drawing on examples provided by Prof. Wadsworth (the Ford Pinto case, 2008 financial collapse, etc.), discuss the legal and social difficulties of prosecuting corporate crime.
Corporate crime is really difficult to prosecute because of many factors. One, it is hard to blame a whole corporation when the illegal behavior/activity is usually perpetrated by those members at the very top (CEOs, CFOs, VPs, etc.). Should the whole corporation be punished? Should hundreds, possibly thousands, of lower-level employees lose their jobs just because the higher-ups put the company at risk? Secondly, our cultural perception of white-collar criminals is extremely mild. We don't imagine the type of people who commit corporate crime as actually being able to commit it—or we don't even consider it "crime." And thus, if WC criminals are punished (sent to jail, have to pay fines, whatever), it tends to be very light due to 1) our preconceived connotations, and 2) their influence/power.
What are the characteristics of decent and street oriented families? How does the code of the street apply to them?
Decent folk are able to meet middle class norms and try to achieve them through legal and otherwise "normal" methods. Street need to use violence and typically work outside the law in order to continue surviving. Street typically are labeled as rebellious to middle class norms or even recession.
A Subcultural Study of Recreational Ecstasy Use Discuss the elements of deviant subcultures using examples from Gourley's study to illustrate the concepts.
Gourley's article is looking at ecstasy use. He talks about how ecstasy users are peers. They do the act together. this relies with subculture theory
Compare and contrast deviant formal organizations with non-deviant ("legitimate") formal organizations and use two specific examples.
Deviant and non-deviant formal organizations bear no difference except for the level of response drawn/respectability from outsiders. Both types involve more people [than crews] and are able to efficiently handle deviant tasks on a routine basis over considerable time and space. Deviant EX) - large scale drug trade, such as Pablo Escobar Non-Deviant EX) - business firms like the one seen in "Wolf of Wall Street"
What are the differences and similarities between the "street" and "decent" orientations?
Differences: street people will most likely more like a gang while decent would be middle class citizens so they can buy real clothes in a sense similarities: In this sense they basically are the same people. They are from the same place
What is the difference between "discreditable" and "discredited" deviants? What could be examples for each type of deviant?
Discreditable - stigma is unknown and can be concealed EX: professional athlete that smokes weed (Michael Phelps) Discredited - stigma is clearly known or visible EX: homeless people, obese people
Identify and discuss a specific instance of deviance and use one (or more) social learning theories to answer the question "why did they do it?"
For the children in Tiny Dopers, the reason why a child would smoke is because their family had been doing it since they grew up. They thought that through the interaction with their family members, smoking marijuana at that age was normal and were not aware of the legal implications. This is a great example of subculture theory and social disorganization.
Who joins gangs, and who does not? Why?
Gangs are composed of individuals with defiant individualist characters who make decisions on the basis of what is good for them; usually young males with undesirable socioeconomic statuses. Those who do not join gangs are individuals who see no personal advantages in participating or those who the gang does not seek/accept membership from.
Think of an anti-crime (or deviance) intervention informed by rational choice theory.
He said: program would be to increase good things so that you don't do it or decrease bad things. An example of this would be after school clubs like the ymca, taking kids off the streets as much as possible. Ex: at any given time this register has 50 dollars in it so you decrease the good things that would come if you robbed them "Average penalty for armed robbery is 15 years in prison" sign in a store changes how you calculate pros and cons of robbing store
What kinds of stigma management were used by homeless people? What are the differences between "ingroup" and "outgroup" stigma management?
Homeless people most commonly use verbal accounts and disclaimers to reduce the salience of their stigma, however they also used props, which act as supportive imagery and deflect attention from their stigmatized status. In-Group Strategies - strategies the homeless use among themselves to attempt to achieve some temporary psychological reprieve from their demeaning situation; EX) drinking, cheap entertainment, "hanging out," and identity work. Out-Group Strategies - ways in which the homeless contend with their stigmatization when they interact with the "domiciled" (a.k.a., regular people). The homeless do this in four ways: 1) "passing," 2) "covering," 3) acts of defiance, and 4) collective action.
The Identity Change Process: A Field Study of Obesity: The researchers of this study were male while most of their subjects were female. Yet the process of identity change which the authors discuss never refers to differences in gender (or other important statuses such as race or age) for a "fat" identity in our culture. Women, for example, seem to be held to a highly problematic definition of "thin." What, if any, impact do you think gender or race or age might have on the data collection or analysis presented in this study? Explain.
I believe that d
What is the main point of Who Joins Gangs and Why? What theory (rational choice, strain, social bond, and self-control) would best explain the main argument?
I think that both strain and social bond theory best explain the argument as to why people join gangs. From my understanding of the article, people join gangs—primarily—because they are in an unfavorable socioeconomic situation which translates into strain on their day-to-day lives (strain theory) and thus results in a weakened bond with the rest of society based on the lack of attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief (social bond theory).
Discuss Max Weber's concept of "ideal types." What are its uses? Compare the ideal type understanding of collegial, peer and crew forms of deviant social organization, and illustrate each with specific, concrete examples.
Ideal Type: a kind, category, class or group of objects things or persons with particular character that seems to be the best example of it. Weber viewed the "ideal type" as a mental construct, like a model, for the scrutiny and systematic characterization of a concrete situation and used it as a methodological tool to understand and analyze social reality. Collegial - relationships with others like themselves; but can accomplish the deviant act on their own; opens up possibility of subcultural socialization; EX) homeless, drug users Peer - associate with other deviants but minimal division of labor and complexity (lateral power, same activities); EX) gangs Crew - associate with each other but higher level of sophistication and organization; division of labor; higher skill set; EX) career bank robbers with specialized roles/jobs in robbery
How does differential reinforcement (operant conditioning) relate to rational choice theory?
Individuals engage in crime because of differential reinforcement - positive or negative - Relates because individuals balance costs and rewards, just like rational choice theory.
Describe and explain the social organization of deviance represented by self-injurers as described by Adler & Adler, including: ideology, social isolation and support, practical problems, normative socialization, and possible strain.
Ideology - AS LONERS... people who self-injured were on their own in formulating the meanings and set of rationalizations legitimating their deviance. AS INDIVIDUAL DEVIANTS... they were assisted in developing their ideology by others (media, friends, etc.). Social Isolation & Support - the stigma that society places on self-injury may thus make people feel afraid to tell others about their behavior, thereby increasing the feelings of shame and isolation, which continues the cycle of self-injury. Practical Problems - without others to advise and socialize them to their deviance, loners are on their own in coping with the practical issues posed by their deviance such as: how and where to self-injure, scar management, etc.. Normative Socialization - AS LONERS... their [the self-injurers] acts represent a contradiction to their normative socialization (social influence leading to conformity). They were socialized by society, not by fellow deviants, yet they chose to engage in deviance. Like other practitioners of other forms of loner deviance such as eating disorders, self-injurers pursued their behavior to enhance their social conformity. Possible Strain - self-injurers face a strain between their desires and their ability to attain those desires. This often leads them into internal juxtapositions. Additionally, self-injury in and of itself causes strain in regards to their [the self-injurers] normative expectations.
Code of the Streets: Since this article was written about and from the East Coast in the 1990s, how are things different where you live, or how have things changed over the past two decades?
In Seattle crime like this is not that prevalent. We do have the south side in a way but I live in the center of the south side now. Deviant people like this have been pushed out
How do the elements of learning theory apply to subcultural theory?
In learning theory, people learn the definitions favorable or unfavorable to crime through interactions with others. It relates to sub cultural theory because the favorable or unfavorable definitions to crime will vary from subculture to subculture as they value and place importance on different things.
Relate One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest to the video we watched in lecture about "being sane in insane places"—what similarities do you notice? What might efforts to reintegrate mentally ill patients into society look like?
In one flew over the cuckoo's nest (i forgot his name), but he gets out of prison by saying he is mentally insane and is not put in a mental hospital. This results in the end of the movie of him actually becoming mentally insane. this is exactly like being sane in insane places, even if you are and you can be for a while if you are in there long enough you will become insane
Compare and contrast the ingroup and outgroup stigma management techniques of the homeless men observed by Anderson, Snow & Cress, paying special attention to the purpose (or function) that each serves.
In-group strategies are strategies used by the homeless to distract and occupy themselves from the internal and external degradation they face due to their deviant identities. These strategies include drinking, cheap entertainment, "hanging out," and identity work, and prevail in interaction with their fellow stigmatized peers. Out-group strategies on the other hand, are used by the homeless in their encounters with domiciled "normals" and include the "sub-strategies" of passing, covering, acts of defiance, and collective action. In order to avoid further stigmatization as well as the avoidance and contempt that usually occur in these interactions, the homeless use these strategies to manage their deviant identities.
What are the internal and external components of the identity change process?
Internal: 1. Recognize that their current status is inappropriate 2. find a new appropriate status External: 1. Hear a status cue and decide to change
How can you compare Jack Nicholson's character to the seven steps of a deviant career?
Jack Nickolson's was put into jail - meaning his actions were caught and he was seen as deviant. His social identity changed and was pushed out of society
What are the four principal assumptions in the process of differential association?
Learning occurs best within small, intimate group Learning includes techniques of committing deviant acts as well as attitudes about criminal behavior Persons become delinquent because of an excess of definitions (norms) favorable to illegal behavior Differential association may vary in terms of frequency, duration, priority, and intensity
What is the difference between "loners" and "individual deviants"? Where do self-injurers fall in this typology?
Loners: people who lack social relations with similar others. Commit their acts without the social support of fellow deviants; do NOT belong to a deviant subculture; move into their norm violations on their own, without the knowledge, help, and support of others. EX) embezzlers, rapists, and physician and pharmacist drug addicts Individual Deviants: those fully able to commit their acts by themselves—they do these for themselves, to themselves, and on themselves. They may associate with subcultural colleagues and may even perform their deviant acts in the company of others, but they must be able to enact their deviance alone, if they so desire, devoid of customers or victims. EX) homeless people, illicit drug users, and the depressed Adler and Adler state that self-injurers fall "...squarely within the bounds of individual deviance and mostly, but not completely, within loner deviance."
How do ecstasy users justify their drug use? Identify three different accounts.
MDMA crystals and ecstasy pills: (i) The effects of MDMA were described as better than ecstasy; (ii) MDMA was regarded as a safer drug; (iii) Users of MDMA crystals were described as more distinct from and less anchored in out-of-fashion rave culture than those using ecstasy.
What is a master status and how does it relate to the concept of auxiliary traits?
Master status is the most visible characteristic of an individual that we associate stigmas with. Auxiliary traits are social preconceptions that people associate with certain statuses. They both highly depend on visible traits and statuses/titles.
How does labeling lead to deviance—"secondary deviance"? What are the different ways through which this might happen?
May produce a self fulfilling prophecy - Label may lead to a change in how the individual perceives themselves - May change the way individuals groups or social institutions interact with the individual o Process of being stigmatized, loss of social bonds, changes in associations, and strain (from unemployment) - The changes may increase the likelihood that the individual will engage in crime or deviance.
Discuss and explain the relationship between micro level (differential association, social learning theory) and macro level (social disorganization, subcultural theory) social learning theories.
Micro: Differential association is that through interactions you will learn criminal behavior. The micro level of this is basically interactions at the small level will teach you criminal behavior. Show conversation, not really seeing criminal behavior anymore. Social learning theory is that you are born with blank slate and you learn to be deviant by other people. social disorganization theory is when your society is disorganized it will result in you being deviant. Subcultural learning theory is that you have a group and through this group you have similar beliefs that often differ from societal norms
What are the five "types" of how groups of deviants relate to mainstream society?
One way of thinking about the relationships between deviant individuals or groups and mainstream society is whether the behavior of the deviants is beneficial, non-intrusive, or detrimental to mainstream society. Parasitic Individuals/Groups - almost always criminal Supply Groups - often, but not always criminal Non-Intrusive Integrated Groups - sometimes, but usually not criminal Non-Intrusive Alienated Groups - sometimes, but usually not criminal (though often blamed for criminal acts) Supportive Groups - usually criminal
In what ways does labeling theory draw on symbolic interactionism?
Our behavior and identity are strongly influenced by our interaction with significant others - Looking glass self - George Herbert Mead: role taking and generalized other
Damaged Goods: Women Managing the Stigma of STDs - What are the two common types of stigma management discussed in the article?
Passing and covering. Instead of it being a health problem it is like a mental health problem to them -Women went through three stages of dealing with their chronic STD --> Stigma nonacceptance by passing, covering or lying --> Stigma deflection by transferring the stigma to a current or formal sexual partner or blaming others for their infection --> Stigma acceptance by disclosing their STD status for preventative or therapeutic reasons
Negotiating the Public Realm: Stigma Management and Collective Action Among the Homeless Discuss the "passing" and "covering" strategies used. Discuss the concepts in the abstract and give specific, illustrative examples of each observed by Anderson, Snow & Cress.
Passing: a techniques used by the homeless in which they present an appearance that masks their homeless status and thus are able to escape being detected as homeless. EX) one homeless man dressed as a college student at UT Austin in order to "watch the girls, and try to get them to talk to me." Passing is difficult for the homeless and even when one can accomplish it, it is more useful for avoiding negative attention than for fostering social opportunities (like in the example above). Covering: a technique in which an individual openly admits their stigmatized status but seeks to minimize its impact; this can be separated into two strategies, 1) verbal strategies, and 2) the use of props. EX of verbal strategy) panhandling - some homeless try to mitigate the stigma attached to panhandling by using excuses ("I broke my hand while working and now I can't work") or justifications (bringing children and saying "Can you spare some change to feed my child?). EX of use of props) having a small animal with you (puppy, kitten, etc.) which in some cases can facilitate interaction with domiciled others.
Discuss the three assumptions of positivism (empiricism, objectivism, determinism).
Positivism is the scientific effort to account for or explain, in a cause-and-effect fashion, why people engage in deviant behavior. Empiricism: the belief that seeing, feeling, hearing, tasting, and smelling convey information that gives the observer sense impressions of the way things actually are. Objectivism: means that phenomena in the material world are objectively real and possess certain objectives or internally consistent characteristics that distinguish them from other phenomena. Objectivism would argue that the social scientist can distinguish deviant behavior from conventional, conforming behavior. Determinism: seeks the naturalistic explanations, that is, it stresses the cause-and-effect relationships that they can discover in the material world; asks the question "What causes the deviant behavior, beliefs or conditions?"
Explain the basis of rational choice theory. What is the assumption this theory makes?
Rational choice theory (also known as opportunity theory, or the routine activity approach) argues that crime can take place to the extent that a motivated offender has access to a "suitable target" (such as money and valuables) that lacks a "capable guardian." [Rational choice] theorists emphasize the factors of proximity, accessibility, and reward. They assume or take for granted a motivated offender—the criminal—as there will always be an abundant supply of them to go round... (Goode 48). Rational choice theory is based on the assumption that individuals choose a course of action that is most in line with their personal preferences.
Nack argues that women with STDs are a uniquely stigmatized group. What is it about STDs that prevents women from accessing social networks and engaging in collective stigma management techniques? What are the effects of being a woman on the choice and efficacy of stigma management techniques? How might it differ for men?
STD's for women result in much more punishment from stigma from men than women. The problem with STD's for women is that they are supposed to be looked at as perfect and clean in a way. Managing a STD is basically impossible because when someone knows about it almost everyone does. It has much less power and is very hard. Men can hide it much easier, also their friends care much less than women
What is a status cue? What is the difference between "active" and "passive" cues? Think about examples for both active and passive cues.
Satus cues are things in society that cue you to that you are doing something wrong or right. Active status cue is when someone tells you something, passive cues are not from someone else but yourself. A shirt is small and you notice
What is the struggle between law and self-help? How does our current society respond to self-help, and how is that explained by conflict theory?
Self-help basically doesn't rely on any government help. government in a way makes laws that would stop you from being able to achieve your goals. Conflict theory is that the government or power socially constructs deviance so that they can stay in power. I would say our current society will praise self-help more than before but it's hard to say how government would respond
What is the relationship between self-help and social power?
Self-help is basically how people use their own recourses and efforts and do not rely on anyone to gain power. This goes one and one to social power. Social power is when you gain power even though people opposed you
Identify a specific example of "self-help" and use Black's "theory of self-help" (p.229) to explain it — again, "why did they do it?"
Self-help is relying on yourself and only yourself to make changes in your life and go up the social ladder. An example of this could be a family getting out of the ghetto by working hard and getting opportunities. Our society right now is not made for this so they would have social power. They did this because of how hard there life is in the ghetto.
Are self-injurers prosocial or antisocial? How so?
Self-injurers are both prosocial (hyper-conformist) and antisocial (nonconformist) because they hold to the shared cultural goals of appearing normal, yet use innovative and extremely non-legitimate, means to attain them.
What are the differences between social bond (social control) and self-control theories?
Social bond (social control) theory states that "delinquent acts result when an individual's bond to society is weak or broken. The "variation of control" in this theory determines delinquency (stronger social bond = less delinquency; weaker social bond = more delinquency) and the social bond is dependent on 1) attachment, 2) commitment, 3) involvement, and 4) belief. Social bond is also focusing on why people are NOT committing crime. Self-control theories (Gottfredson & Hirschi) claim that low levels of self-control within the individual influence criminal behavior and that social experiences early in life shape one's level of self control (which, they claim, does not change throughout life). They assume that if one possesses high self control, they will defer immediate gratification as low self-control is associated with criminality—or the propensity to offend.
What would be some examples of crime as social control in contemporary society?
Social control is that defiance is happening with little attachment to society. Contemporary society is basically large city's that are changing. city's that are changing and evolving. this would result in a lot of people not being attached to society
What does Black mean by "crime as social control"?
Social control is when having low attachment to society will result in deviant behavior. I believe Black meant that crime will result in low social control which will result in more crime
What theories can you relate to Tiny Dopers?
Social disorganization because their environment and those around them tell them that smoking marijuana is okay. Sub culture as well because their parents were a part of a subculture that was pro marijuana before it was legalized so their children get that passed onto them.
What are stigma symbols? Give an example.
Stigma symbols are used to understand others. For instance, being in a wheelchair, skin color, or even a wedding ring. but can also be used a disidentifiers such as if an illiterate person is wearing intellectual glasses, they might be trying to pass as a literate person or a homosexual who is trying to pass as heterosexual by making queer or gay jokes. Wedding ring and
What is the difference between Structural Strain Theory and General Strain Theory?
Structural Strain Theory is focused more on the macro side of things meaning it is focused on whole groups and the structural conditions of society. General Strain Theory is micro and focuses on the individual and the "strains" referring to events or conditions. The difference is also that structural strain theory only focus on the economic factor as the reason to strain, Agnew focused on multiple factors that could develop strain. According to Agnew, strain develops when the individual does not have the ability to achieve positive goals, when the individual experience removal of a positive stimuli and when the individual is facing a negative valued stimuli.
A Subcultural Study of Recreational Ecstasy: What does this article conclude regarding the use of subcultural theory and drug use?
Subculture theory is that a group shares the same values and behaviors that differ from normal society, drug use has become something that is not that deviant and people are starting to do these together.
In Goode: White-Collar and Corporate Crime: Using the reading, explain who the corporate actor is? Who do you think it should be?
Sutherland was fuzzy in his answer as to who the corporate actor is and at least to my understanding, it varies; as Goode says, "just as a single explanation cannot account for all diseases." Usually corporate crime is perpetrated by the higher-ups of the corporation, however it is the corporation that acts as a whole and thus that is why the corporation as a whole is usually fined. Occasionally however, some of the individual corporate actors may be fined or sentenced.
Discuss the early theories of white collar crime and some of the strengths and shortcomings of Edwin Sutherland's conceptualization.
Sutherland's study was based on corporations as the unit of analysis, but his explanation for white collar crimes that took place within them (differential association theory) was fundamentally individualistic, an obvious contradiction. Differential Association Theory: states that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.
Discuss Cooley's theory of the "Looking Glass Self" and how it contributes to Labeling Theory.
The "Looking Glass Self" explains how our interacts with others and their gestures/ reactions to us give us a definition of ourselves because we imagine how we appear to them. We judge how other evaluate us and from these judgements we develop a self-concept. This relates to labeling theory because it explains that our behavior and identity are strongly influenced by our interactions with others.
Self-Injurers as Loners: The Social Organization of Solitary Deviance: Why do the authors argue it is important to understand self-injury from a sociology of deviance perspective? What are the shortcomings of previous medical theorizing?
The authors state that because self-injurers do not harm themselves in attempt to commit suicide, but rather because it "makes them feel good," self-injury is more of a sociological phenomena rather a psychological one.
What is the "code of the streets"? Discuss its key elements in terms of an oppositional culture (e.g. behavioral norms, values, beliefs, presentation of self, material props, etc.)
The code of the streets is what is normal on the streets. it's basically subculture theory
How do parents rationalize their decision to let their children smoke marijuana?
They say that they do it so it's fine. They are basically using denial of injury. it won't effect them they say
What are the parents' attitudes toward marijuana use and how does it affect socializing their children into smoking in Tiny dippers?
The parent's see no trouble with their kids smoking marijuana. They look at it as a normal thing and are fine with their children using marijuana.
The Influence of Situational Ethics on Cheating What do "situational ethics" have to do with these neutralization technique?
The situation you are in can change what neutralization techniques to use
In what ways to do corporate employees perpetuate the culture of white-collar crime? (think cultural)
The vexing paradox of "why good people do dirty work" can be resolved by positing that some organizations turn a blind eye to ethical and legal infractions if it benefits the firm, thereby creating a culture of rule breaking which is learned just as any other business practice is learned. Another theoretical view posits that firms with a tolerant view toward business ethics may attract people with "loose" ethics, which itself leads to corporate and white-collar offending. The second view harmonizes with the notion of "assortative mating"—that people are attracted to those environments with which they are more compatible by disposition.
Discuss is the "vicious circle" that Anderson posits as leading to the code of the streets
The vicious circle is that when two or more things aggravate and intensify each other. In the code of the streets people have codes of the streets that they live by. they have these because of low economic wealth which results from the vicious circle
How did Cloward and Ohlin build on Merton's original ideas?
They suggested there were sub cultures that were geared towards their achievements - Easy, those who are members of the streets have their own sets and goals that differ from those in the decent sub culture. being the toughest etc. Some of these subcultures are also based on drug use. People need opportunities to legitimately reach goals AND illegitimately reach goals.
What is the moral passage described in Tiny Doppers, and what component of the moral passage do they study? Why and how is the reaction different when a "sacred group" begins to engage in a previously deviant activity?
This is a moral passage because marijuana was a previously illicit drug, now due to the common use within certain households, the negative stigmas associated with marijuana disappear because it is socially acceptable to smoke. - The reaction is different when a sacred group is involved because sacred groups are innocent and commonly thought of as pure. "Corrupting" these sacred groups kind of feels like it is going against our morals as a society, so the reaction balloons.
Use Adler & Adler "sequential model of social change" (Table 1, p.526) and apply it to another deviant behavior.
This is that over time this will change. Basically goes one and one with constructionist belief. they mainly look at marijuana/drugs. A deviant behavior like this would be being gay
How is Robert K. Merton's anomie theory of deviance different from Emile Durkheim's, on which it is based?
To Durkheim, anomie was "...a disruption of the social order. It was characterized by a state or normlessness, where norms no longer grip the populace or hold them in check." "The norms keep deviance in check, and an absence of the norms—anomie—results in deviance. Merton's reformulation retains Durkheim's notion of being "insatiable desires," but, rather than being located in human nature, they were the products of culture and socialization. According to Merton, anomie was the "disjunction between culturally defined goals and structurally available opportunities" (Goode 39).
See how many of the concepts from lecture and the readings you can apply to the film.
What happened with the Enron Corporation constitutes corporate crime, perpetrated by individual corporate actors (Jeffrey Skilling, Kenneth Lay, Andrew Fastow, and Arthur Andersen), however carried out by the entire corporation. Obviously, after its illegal activity was revealed, the corporation as a whole ceased to exist and a few of the individuals mentioned above were sent to prison or ordered to pay massive fines.
What makes being homeless such a difficult stigma to escape?
What makes being homeless such a difficult stigma to escape is that it is such a physically obvious one. One's outward appearance can usually clue you into their identity and as the homeless don't have easy access to showers, clean clothes, etc. their homelessness is exceedingly more noticeable. Hiding homelessness is not an easy task to do, let alone maintain, and after the homeless have exhausted their out-group strategies (covering, passing), the in-group strategies only seem to further stigmatize them.
Discuss why obtaining a "new status" takes a period of transition to complete.
When are are stigmatized as deviant let's say but you are working to change your status it is really hard. this is one of the reason's it is so hard for women to get STDS
Discuss an instance when you used an excuse or justification to account for deviant behavior.
When cheating on a homework. Justification
What are the four variables defining different types of social organization of deviance?
Whether the deviants associate with one another Whether they participate in deviance together Whether their deviance requires an elaborate division of labor Whether their organization's activities extend over time and space
Discuss the reason(s) that Jankowski's Who Joins Gangs and Why? was assigned in conjunction with Goode's chapter Explaining Deviant Behavior?
Who Joins Gangs and Why? was probably assigned in conjunction with Goode's chapter "Explaining Deviant Behavior" because gangs are a prime example of individuals who (most of the time) voluntarily choose to engage in deviant behavior, thus giving us the opportunity to ask "why?" and apply the theories presented in Goode's chapter.
Why is violence prevalent in the inner city Black neighborhood? Explain it in relation to "self help"
With this neighborhood, many lack the ability and means to achieve middle class norms. They also are more lawless areas, so they must take matters into their own hands and help themselves, typically through violence and establishment of respect.
In Who Joins Gangs and Why? The article emphasizes the importance of economic advancement for explaining why people join gangs. Does this make sense? Are there other reasons aside from financial security for joining gangs?
Yes, I think that the material/monetary incentives are a large part of why people join gangs, however there are definitely other reasons, which the author explains. The article cites recreation (entertainment), a place of refuge and camouflage (protective group identity), physical protection (personal protection from violence associated with low-income areas), a time to resist (not "living" like their parents), and commitment to community (participation = serving/helping their community) as all being reasons why people join gangs.
Create a sign for panhandling and identify the strategies or accounts that you are using.
homeless person sign
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest : What are examples of Master Status in the film?
the main character basically has to change his master status