Deviance and Crime

What is the Broken Windows Theory?

"Consider a building with a few broken windows. If the windows are not repaired, the tendency is for vandals to break a few more windows. Eventually, they may even break into the building, and if it's unoccupied, perhaps become squatters or light fires inside." -Offenders commit crimes in certain areas because they think no one cares and there is a low chance of getting caught. -Minor acts of deviance (such as breaking a window), can spiral into severe crime and social decay

According to Merton's Strain Theory, what are the five "most of individual adaptation"?

-Conformity: people accept cultural goals (wealth) and the legitimate means to achieve them (hard work) -Innovation: accept goals of society; reject the legitimate ways of achieving goal (mostly associated with criminal behavior) -Ritualism: Reject wealth as a cultural goal; Accept a lifestyle of hard work -Retreatism: Reject cultural goal of wealth/success; Reject hardworking lifestyle (withdraw from society, may become drug addict, alcoholic) -Rebellion: Reject both culturally defined goals and how to achieve it, but replaces goal and means to achieve it. ex/ Rebels may use political activism to achieve a goal of equality.

According to Erving Goffman, what are the 3 strategies to neutralize a stigma?

-Minstrelization -Normification -Militant Chauvinism

What are two cues for high supply?

-Physical disorder: sign with police with be slower to respond -Social disorder (loitering, public drinking): signs of high unemployment, thus potential street level workers

What is Militant Chauvinism?

...

What is Minstrelization?

...

What is Normification?

...

Who says whether or not an action/behavior is defiant?

A particular group. Thus what is considered to be deviant depends on the expectations of the group. (ex/ being late to soccer practice= defiant because of expectations of coach, while being late to a college class is no big deal).

What is social control?

A set of mechanisms that encourage people to conform.

What is Crime?

Actions that society strictly prohibits and that are sanctioned through official means -Some crimes perceived as deviant/wrong in and of themselves (murder) -Some behaviors are criminal, but not seen as deviant, bad because they are prohibited (speeding)

What is external social control?

Attempts by others to control one's behavior Informal: gossip Formal: police tickets, arrests

What is Deviance?

Behaviors that violate social norms and/or group expectations -These expectations don't have to be a law -Social expectations vary between societies and period in time

What is Obedience?

Compliance with higher authorities in an hierarchical structure.... Accepting instructions or orders from an authority figure. -Form of social influence

What is internal social control?

Control over ones behavior that is based on internalized standards; self-control -One learns these standards through socialization

What does control theory say about deviance (as a part of symbolic interaction)?

Decisions about behavior are made through a "cost-benefit analysis"... Thinks about the potential reward, punishments, and risk of behavior. -That ones connection to others is the major influence on the decision they make to conform or be defiant.

According to the functionalist perspective, what is the purpose of deviance?

Deviance is a natural and functional for society. -It affirms cultural norms and values -Clarifies moral boundaries -Increases group solidarity (or unity) In some cases, deviance can lead to social change (ex/ Rosa Parks not going to the back of the bus).

What is conformity?

Going along with peers who have no special right (or power) to direct behavior... changing your behavior to fit in -A form of social influence ex/ A 20-year-old college student drinks at a sorority party because all her friends are doing it and she does not want to be the odd one out.

There are two kinds of social control, what are they?

Internal and External

How does Merton's Strain (Anomie) Theory explain crime?

It views crime as a consequence of the inconsistency between societal goals and the culturally approved means to achieve these goals. ex/ dominant cultural goal= be wealthy. socially acceptable way to become wealthy= hard work and education. Problems arise because not everyone can access same education and levels of work as others, so some people try to find other ways (commit crimes) to become wealthy.

What is a social stigma?

Labels that society uses to devalue members of certain social groups -stigma can result from the perception (right or wrong) of mental illness, disabilites, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, education, religion, criminality, etc.

Crime Hotspot.

Look at chart in powerpoint

What does differential association theory say about deviance (as a part of symbolic interaction)?

People learn deviance just like they learn other behaviors-- associate with people who are deviants, rewarded for deviant behavior

According to conflict theory, what is the purpose of deviance?

People with power protect their own interests and define deviance to suit their needs. -For those with power, write the rules which are viewed as 'natural' and good. Then these rules are internalized by others. -Labeling people/groups and their behaviors as deviant helps justify inequalities within society

Ecological Disadvantage and Criminal Point of View: How do drug dealers go about selecting location to conduct business?

Requires intimate knowledge of neighborhood; look for run down spots because the reaction time of police is likely to be slower; look for other businesses that attract people who pay with cash.

What is anomie?

Situation of uncertainty over norms or being "normlessness" (Anomie is Durkeim's term) -Greater anomie leads to greater deviance

What does the labeling theory have to say about deviance (as a part of symbolic interaction)?

That other people's response to an act, not the act itself, determines if it's deviant. -Primary Deviance: rule-breaking behavior by people who see themselves and by others as trying to conform -Secondary deviance: when a negative label is applied powerfully and publicly, it becomes a part of a person's identity (ex. Felon)

What are some cues for high exchange opportunity?

The best opportunities are in areas that offer ecological advantage to dealers.... -secure transactions -deniability -presence of enablers