dievence

control theory

a theory that states social control is directly affected by the strength of social bonds and that deviance results from a feeling of disconnection from society

cultural deviance theory

a theory that suggests conformity to the prevailing cultural norms of lower-class society causes crime

social order

an arrangement of practices and behaviors on which society's members base their daily lives

criminal justice system

an organization that exists to enforce a legal code

deviance

a violation of contextual, cultural, or social norms fosters social change Rosa Parks violated social norms when she refused to move to the "black section" of the bus, and the Little Rock Nine broke customs of segregation to attend an Arkansas public school.

primary deviance

a violation of norms that does not result in any long-term effects on the individual's self-image or interactions with others

victimless crime

activities against the law, but that do not result in injury to any individual other than the person who engages in them

positive sanctions

rewards given for conforming to norms EX) A promotion at work is a positive sanction for working hard

formal sanctions

sanctions that are officially recognized and enforced . If a student violates her college's code of conduct

informal sanctions

sanctions that occur in face-to-face interactions Negative opera or swearing loudly in church may draw disapproving looks or even verbal reprimands Postive such as helping an old man carry grocery bags across the stree

differential association theory

a theory that states individuals learn deviant behavior from those close to them who provide models of and opportunities for deviance

Functionlism Robert Mertons

Robert Merton: Strain Theory Sociologist Robert Merton agreed that deviance is an inherent part of a functioning society, but he expanded on Durkheim's ideas by developing strain theory, which notes that access to socially acceptable goals plays a part in determining whether a person conforms or deviates. From birth, we're encouraged to achieve the "American Dream" of financial success. A woman who attends business school, receives her MBA, and goes on to make a million-dollar income as CEO of a company is said to be a success. However, not everyone in our society stands on equal footing. A person may have the socially acceptable goal of financial success but lack a socially acceptable way to reach that goal. According to Merton's theory, an entrepreneur who can't afford to launch his own company may be tempted to embezzle from his employer for start-up funds.

conflict theory

a theory that examines social and economic factors as the causes of criminal deviance

Functionalism

They view deviance as a key component of a functioning society. Strain theory, social disorganization theory, and cultural deviance theory represent three functionalist perspectives on deviance in society.

crime

a behavior that violates official law and is punishable through formal sanctions

police

a civil force in charge of regulating laws and public order at a federal, state, or community level

self-report study

a collection of data acquired using voluntary response methods, such as questionnaires or telephone interviews

master status

a label that describes the chief characteristic of an individual

power elite

a small group of wealthy and influential people at the top of society who hold the power and resources

court

a system that has the authority to make decisions based on law

strain theory

a theory that addresses the relationship between having socially acceptable goals and having socially acceptable means to reach those goals

social disorganization theory

a theory that asserts crime occurs in communities with weak social ties and the absence of social control

hate crimes

attacks based on a person's race, religion, or other characteristics

legal codes

codes that maintain formal social control through laws

street crime

crime committed by average people against other people or organizations, usually in public spaces

corporate crime

crime committed by white-collar workers in a business environment

violent crimes

crimes based on the use of force or the threat of force

nonviolent crimes

crimes that involve the destruction or theft of property, but do not use force or the threat of force

secondary deviance

deviance that occurs when a person's self-concept and behavior begin to change after his or her actions are labeled as deviant by members of society

What people agree is deviant

people agree is deviant differs in various societies and subcultures, and it may change over time.

negative sanctions

punishments for violating norms Being arrested is a punishment for shoplifting

labeling theory

the ascribing of a deviant behavior to another person by members of society

sanctions

the means of enforcing rules made up of postive and negative sanctions

social control

the regulation and enforcement of norms

corrections system

the system tasked with supervising individuals who have been arrested for, convicted of, or sentenced for criminal offenses

Functionlism : Emile Durkheim

Émile Durkheim: The Essential Nature of Deviance Émile Durkheim believed that deviance is a necessary part of a successful society. One way deviance is functional, he argued, is that it challenges people's present views (1893). For instance, when black students across the United States participated in sit-ins during the civil rights movement, they challenged society's notions of segregation. Moreover, Durkheim noted, when deviance is punished, it reaffirms currently held social norms, which also contributes to society (1893). Seeing a student given detention for skipping class reminds other high schoolers that playing hooky isn't allowed and that they, too, could get detention.