SOCIOLOGY CH.6

hate crimes

criminals specifically target victims based on demographic characteristics

Emile Durkheim functionalism

deviance is a positive social function by clarifying moral boundaries and promoting social cohesion

labeling theory (Howard Becker)

deviance is caused by labels that change someone's self-concept & the way that others respond to them; labeling can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy

conflict theory

deviance is result of social conflict; for powerful to maintain that, they marginalize and criminalize those who threaten it; inequality is reproduced in the way that deviance is defined

functionalism

deviance serves as a function in our society

symbolic interactionism

interpersonal relationships & everyday interactions influence meanings & understandings of deviance

stigma (Erving Goffman)

any physical/social attribute that devalues a person/group's identity; may exclude people who are devalued from normal social interaction

passing

attempts by stigmatized individuals to present themselves as a member of a group other than stigmatized group they belong to

deviance

behavior, trait, or belief that violates a norm and generates negative reactions in a particular group

corporal punishment

physical punishment

self-fulfilling prophecy

prediction that causes itself to become true

deterrence

preventing crime with the threat of harsh penalties

structural strain theory (Robert Merton)

there are goals in our society that people want to achieve, but can't always reach; creating stress (strain)

crime

violation of a norm that's been codified into law

incapacitation

removing criminals from society by imprisoning them

positive deviance

an act that's outside the norm but may actually be heroic rather than negative

rehabilitation

reforming criminals so that they may reenter society

retribution

retaliating/taking revenge for a crime that's been committed

stereotype threat

self-fulfilling prophecy that the fear of performing poorly and confirming stereotypes about one's social group causes them to perform poorly

stereotype promise

self-fulfilling prophecy where positive stereotypes lead to positive performance outcomes

social control theory (Travis Hirschi)

strong social bonds increase conformity and decrease deviance

differential association theory (Edwin Sutherland)

symbolic interactionist perspective that states we learn deviance from interacting with deviant peers