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Deviance

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Deviance: traits or behaviors that violate expected rules or norms Usually has a negative connotation in everyday society

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Social Stigma

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Deviance can be a trait, belief, or behavior Accompanied by social stigma: a negative label that devalues a person and changes her or his self-concept and social identity Varies across and within societies

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Deviance varies

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Varies across situations Can be formal or informal—against the law or merely inappropriate Perceptions change over time—What was deviant in the past is not longer, while other actions are now considered deviant. Situations: What is deviant in church may not be at a ballgame.

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What are some examples of behaviors or conditions that were considered deviant in the past but no longer are?

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Premarital sex, unmarried single mothers, divorce, gay, lesbian, etc., women wearing pants, women working

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What are some example of behaviors or conditions that were not considered deviant in the past but are now?

answer

...

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Positive deviance

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overconforms.

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Negative deviance

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falls below social expectations.

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Characteristics of Deviance

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It can be a condition, belief, or behavior. It is accompanied by social stigmas. It varies across and within societies. It can be formal or informal. Perceptions change over time.

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WHAT IS CRIME?

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Crime is a violation of societal norms and rules written into public laws that is subject to punishment.

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Sources of Crime Statistics

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Official Data—Uniform Crime Reports Victim Surveys—National Crime Victimization Survey

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Prevalence of Crime

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All crime statistics are estimates. There are more arrests for property crimes and drug abuse violations than for violent crimes. Victimless crimes are least likely to be reported.

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Victims and Offenders

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Most crime victims are men, African Americans, people under age 25, poor, and live in urban areas. Offenders are likely to be under age 30, male, white, and live in poor, inner-city areas.

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CONTROLLING DEVIANCE AND CRIME

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Social control—techniques and strategies that regulate behavior Social control can be informal or formal. It includes positive (rewards) and negative (punishments) sanctions.

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Is it formal or informal, negative or positive?

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Capital punishment: formal A smile: positive Employee of the month designation: informal Mother spanking a child: negative

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FUNCTIONALIST PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE AND CRIME

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Crime and deviance can be both functional and dysfunctional.

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Dysfunctions

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Dysfunctions of crime and deviance: Create tension and insecurity Erode trust in relationships Damage confidence in institutions Are costly

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Functions

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Functions of crime and deviance: Affirm cultural norms and values Provide temporary safety values Create social unity Improve the economy Trigger social change

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Anomie Theory

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Anomie theory suggests that people become deviant when they are unsure of how to behave because of absent, conflicting, or confusing social norms. Periods of rapid social change produce anomie.

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Strain Theory

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Strain theory suggests that people engage in deviance when there is a conflict between goals and means.

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Merton's strain theory of deviance

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Accept: conformity and innovation Reject: Ritualism and retreatism New goals, new means: rebellion

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5 Modes of Adaptation to strain

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Conformity—accept goals and means Innovation—accept goals but reject means Ritualism—reject goals but accept means Retreatism—reject goals and means Rebellion—replace goals and means

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What form of adaptation is it?

answer

A man uses employer's equipment and supplies when starting his own business. - rebellion - replace goals and means? A woman becomes an alcoholic trying to forget an abusive childhood. - retreatism (reject goals and means) A student continues to go class after giving up on career plans. ritualism (reject goals but accept means)

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CONFLICT PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE AND CRIME

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Why are some acts defined as criminal while others are not? Powerful groups control the law and its application. Behaviors that injure the economic interests or challenge the political power of the dominant class are punished.

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Types of Crime

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White collar crime—illegal activities committed by high-status people in the course of their occupation Occupational crimes—illegal activities committed by individuals in the course of their work Corporate crimes—illegal acts committed by executives to benefit themselves and their companies Cybercrime—illegal activities conducted online Organized crime—activities of individuals and groups that supply illegal goods and services for profit

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What kind of crime is it?

answer

Amanda overcharges customers and keeps the extra money: occupational crime Ken obtains and uses others' credit card numbers.: cybercrime A manufacturing firm knowingly installs dangerous equipment in order to save money.: corporate crimes

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FEMINIST PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE AND CRIME

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Women and girls are commonly the victims of sexual assault, rape, intimate partner violence, and other crimes that degrade women.

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Feminist Theories

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Explanations for women's victimization: Men have historically dominated the government, judiciary, and the law. Women have been socialized to be weaker.

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Men vs Women and arrest rates

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Men are still more likely to be offenders, but female arrest rates are rising.

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SYMBOLIC INTERACTION PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE AND CRIME

answer

Differential association theory suggests that people learn deviance through interaction. People are most likely to engage in crime if they are exposed to deviant values early in life, frequently, over a long period of time, and from important people.

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Labeling

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Labeling theory holds that deviance depends on how others react. Primary deviance is the initial violation of a norm or law. Secondary deviance occurs when individuals have been labeled deviant.

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The criminal justice system

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The criminal justice system refers to government agencies that are charged with enforcing laws, passing judgment, and correcting behavior. It includes police, courts, and prisons.

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Crime Control Model

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The crime control model emphasizes protecting society and a get tough attitude. Approximately 70 percent of Americans support the death penalty. There is no evidence that executions deter crime.

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Rehabilitation

answer

Rehabilitation is a view that appropriate treatment can change offenders into productive, law-abiding citizens. Rehabilitation programs are particularly successful when they provide employment after release.

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The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS)

answer

The National Criminal Justice Reference Service (NCJRS) is a federally funded resource "offering justice and substance abuse information to support research, policy, and program development worldwide." They have an ambitious mission and their sponsors include the Office on Violence Against Women, the National Institute of Corrections, and the Office of Community Oriented Policy Services. The NCJRS homepage is chock-full of helpful resources, including the Community Policing Newsletter, reports on improving responses in mental health court, and special thematic reports from the Bureau of Justice Statistics.

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Comparative criminology

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Comparative criminology is a branch of sociology in which cross-national analysis has increasingly become a major focus. At the Global Criminology Website, Crime and Society: A Comparative Criminology Tour of the World, sociology professors and students can research subjects in global criminology by accessing Interpol and United Nations datasets, as well as text information for all countries of the world. Published papers, works-in-progress, and articles pertaining to global criminology are all available on the site.

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Crime

answer

Crime: a violation of societal norms and rules written into public laws that is subject to punishment

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Criminologists

answer

Criminologists: researchers who use scientific methods to study the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior

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Crime statistics

answer

Crime Statistics Official Data—Uniform Crime Report Includes crimes reported to the police and arrests Does not include federal offenses or unreported crimes

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Victim surveys

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Victim Surveys—National Crime Victimization Surveys Based on interviewing people about their experiences Does include some unreported crimes

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Crime facts

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All crime statistics are estimates. 88% of crimes are property crimes. Victimless crimes: illicit drug use, prostitution, drunkenness, illegal gambling Victimless crimes are the least likely to be reported.

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Serious crime in the US by volume and rate, 2010

answer

Violent crimes, 1.3m, 404 per 100,000 inhabitants Murder: 14,748, 5 per 100,000 Rape: 84,767, 28 per 100,000 Robbery: 367,832 per 119 Aggravated assault: 778,901 per 252 Property crime: 10.3m per 3,514 Burglary: 2.1m per 730 Larceny, theft: 6.9m per 2,362 Motor vehicle theft: 1.2 million per 422

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Victims and offenders

answer

Most victims are men, African American, people under age 25, and poor. Offenders are likely to be aged 15-29, male, white, with low levels of education.

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Social control

answer

Social control: techniques and strategies that regulate behavior Can be formal or informal Includes positive (rewards) and negative (punishments) sanctions.

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Is the sanction formal or informal, negative or positive?

answer

A suspension from school: formal, negative Serving time in jail: formal, negative A smile: positive Employee of the month designation: postive A slap in the face : negative

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Functionalism

answer

Deviance and crime are normal parts of the social structure. Crime and deviance can be both functional and dysfunctional.

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Dysfunctions of Crime and Deviance

answer

Dysfunctions of Crime and Deviance Create tension and insecurity Erode trust in relationships Damage confidence in institutions Are costly

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Functions of Crime and Deviance

answer

Functions of Crime and Deviance Affirm cultural norms and values Provide temporary safety valves Create social unity Improve the economy Trigger social change

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Anomie

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Anomie: the condition in which people are unsure of how to behave because of absent, conflicting, or confusing social norms

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Merton's Social Strain Theory

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American society has culturally approved goals and institutionalized means Strain theory suggests that people engage in deviance when there is a strain or conflict between goals and means.

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Modes of adaptation to strain

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Modes of Adaptation to Strain: Conformity (not deviant)—accept goals and means Innovation—accept goals but reject means Ritualism—reject goals but accept means Retreatism—reject goals and means Rebellion—replace goals and means

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conflict theories

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Conflict theorists focus on why some acts are defined as deviant while others are not. Powerful groups control the law and its application. Behaviors that injure the economic interests or challenge the political power of the dominant class are punished.

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White collar / corporate crime

answer

White collar crime: illegal activities committed by high-status people in the course of their occupation Corporate crime: illegal acts committed by executives to benefit themselves and their companies

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cyber / organized crime

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Cybercrime: illegal activities conducted online Organized crime: activities of individuals and groups that supply illegal goods and services for profit

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patriarchy

answer

Patriarchy: hierarchical system in a society in which cultural, political, and economic structures are controlled by men.

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Women and girls

answer

Women and girls are commonly the victims of sexual assault, rape, intimate partner violence, and other crimes that degrade women. Men historically dominated the government, judiciary, and the law. Women have been socialized to be weaker.

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male/female arrests

answer

Men are still more likely to be offenders but female arrest rates are rising. Female arrest rates have risen for robbery, burglary, larceny, and drunk driving. Explanations vary from mistreatment in childhood to limited economic opportunities.

question

Differential associations theory

answer

Differential associations theory suggests that people learn deviance through interaction. People are most likely to engage in crime if they are exposed to deviant values early in life, frequently, over a long period of time, and from important people.

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labeling theory

answer

Labeling theory holds that deviance depends on how others react. Primary deviance is the initial violation of a norm or law. Secondary deviance occurs when individuals have been labeled deviant.

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criminal justice

answer

The criminal justice system refers to government agencies that are charged with enforcing laws, passing judgment, and correcting behavior. Includes police, courts, and prisons Relies on prevention and intervention, punishment, and rehabilitation

question

prevention

answer

Social service agencies and community outreach programs try to prevent crime. Treatment for drug and alcohol abuse seems to have a positive effect. Surveillance by police or technology reduces crime rates.

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crime control model

answer

The crime control model emphasizes protecting society and a get tough attitude. The U.S. leads the world in inmates per capita. In 2008, one in every 100 Americans was in prison.

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death penalty

answer

Approximately 61% of Americans support the death penalty. There is little evidence that executions or harsh penalties deter crime.

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rehab

answer

Rehabilitation is a view that appropriate treatment can change offenders into productive, law-abiding citizens. Rehabilitation programs are particularly successful when they provide employment after release.

question

How does crime differ from deviance? a. Crime violates rules about behavior that is seen as sinful or immoral. b. Crime is always more serious than deviance. c. Crime involves a larger share of the population. d. Crimes violates written laws. e. Crime is always less serious than deviance.

answer

d. Crimes violates written laws.

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The country with the highest rate of incarceration per capita is __________. a. Lithuania b. Russia c. Vietnam d. United States e. China

answer

d. United States

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For __________ theorists, those with more power control the law and define what is deviant and who will be punished. a. structuralist b. functionalist c. conflict d. strain

answer

c. conflict

question

Rape is considered a crime almost everywhere in the world. a. True b. False

answer

False

question

Deviance, as the term is used by sociologists, is defined as a. behavior that violates social institutions. b. the breaking of laws. c. behavior that violates expected rules or norms. d. behavior that conforms to social rules and norms. e. behavior that has a negative social impact.

answer

c. behavior that violates expected rules or norms. Deviance is defined by sociologists as behavior that violates expected rules or norms.

question

Which of these is not a valid statement about deviance from a sociological perspective? a. Social stigma is generally attached to acts of deviance. b. Definitions of deviance do not change over time in any society. c. Behaviors considered deviant may be formal or informal. d. Deviance can be a condition or belief rather than a behavior. e. Deviance varies across and within societies.

answer

b. Definitions of deviance do not change over time in any society.

question

The term __________ refers to a negative label that devalues a person and changes his or her self-concept or social identity. a. innovator b. retreatist c. status inconsistency d. stigma e. deviant

answer

stigma

question

The violation of social norms or rules for which the punishment is defined by public law is termed __________. a. stigma b. mores c. legal deviance d. deviance e. crime

answer

crime

question

How does crime differ from deviance? a. Crime involves a larger share of the population. b. Crimes violates written laws. c. Crime violates rules about behavior that is seen as sinful or immoral. d. Crime is always more serious than deviance. e. Crime is always less serious than deviance.

answer

b. Crimes violates written laws.

question

Which of these statements does not contribute to the explanation for why measuring crime is difficult? a. People are unlikely to report their own illegal behavior if they fear incrimination. b. Some types of crime are more likely to be reported than others. c. Victims have poor memories when it comes to their victimization. d. Women tend to feel more guilt and over-report their own criminal behavior. e. Crime victims are often unwilling to answer surveys about their experience.

answer

Crime is difficult to measure primarily because underreporting is likely for a variety of reasons. b. Some types of crime are more likely to be reported than others.

question

Victimless crimes are also referred to as __________. a. deviant crimes b. criminal-less crimes c. status offenses d. property crimes e. public order crimes

answer

e. public order crimes

question

Which of these statements about the likelihood of being a crime victim is correct? a. Young people are more likely to be victimized than older people. b. Higher income people are more likely to be victimized than lower-income people. c. Whites are more likely to be victimized than African Americans. d. Across all types of crime, women are more likely to be victimized than men.

answer

d. Across all types of crime, women are more likely to be victimized than men.

question

In which of these age groups is a person must likely to be arrested? a. ages 22 to 29 b. ages 30 to 45 c. ages 50 and over d. ages 12-15

answer

d. ages 12-15

question

Which of following racial groups has the largest number of persons arrested annually? a. American Indians b. Asian Americans c. Latinos d. whites e. African Americans

answer

d. whites

question

Most of us adhere to social norms and limit our deviance because of the __________ we learn and internalize during childhood. a. positive sanction fears b. informal social controls c. laws d. fear of the law e. formal social controls

answer

Most people conform because of the informal social controls they internalize during childhood socialization. b. informal social controls

question

A teacher smiles at a student who is participating in class. This is an example of a __________. a. informal positive sanction b. informal negative sanction c. nonsanction gesture d. formal positive sanction

answer

a. informal positive sanction

question

__________ believe that deviance and crime are normal parts of the social structure. a. Feminist theorists b. Symbolic interactionists c. Criminologists d. Functionalists e. Conflict theorists

answer

d. Functionalists

question

__________ refers to a situation in which people are unsure of how to behave because of absent, conflicting, or confusing social norms. a. Social control b. Deviance c. Strain d. Sanction e. Anomie

answer

e. Anomie

question

__________ elaborated on Durkheim's concept of Anomie to explain how social structure can create deviance. a. Merton b. Becker c. Lembert d. Sutherland e. Bogel

answer

a. Merton

question

According to __________, people turn to deviant behavior (such as cheating) when they experience a conflict between goals (like good grades) and limited means of success (time conflicts or limited study time). a. anomic theory b. symbolic interactionists c. functionalist theory d. conflict theory e. strain theory

answer

e. strain theory

question

Within Merton's types of deviance explained by strain theory, __________ refers to those who "go along to get along." a. retreatism b. rebellion c. conformity d. innovation

answer

c.conformity

question

For __________ theorists, those with more power control the law and define what is deviant and who will be punished. a. conflict b. strain c. structuralist d. functionalist e. symbolic interactionist

answer

a. conflict

question

Which of these is not one of the reasons that white-collar crime thrives in the U.S.? a. Law enforcement has limited resources for fighting white collar crime. b. White collar crime has a negligible or limited cost to society. c. There are few penalties for white collar crime. d. White-collar criminals are seldom criminalized. e. White collar criminals tend to come from backgrounds of privilege.

answer

a. Law enforcement has limited resources for fighting white collar crime.

question

Nearly 47 percent of state prisoners have a parent or close relative who has been incarcerated. Such data provide support the __________ of deviance and crime. a. differential association theory b. labeling theory c. feminist theory d. functionalist theory e. conflict theory

answer

a. differential association theory

question

If one has been labeled stupid and dishonest, they are more likely to cheat on an exam. The cheating would be considered an act of __________. a. secondary deviance b. tertiary deviance c. reflective deviance d. primary deviance

answer

a. secondary deviance

question

Which of these is not one of the strategies that the criminal justice system uses to control crime? a. intervention b. punishment c. rehabilitation d. tolerance e. prevention

answer

d. tolerance

question

hich of these statements about capital punishment is true? a. All states in the U.S. have legalized capital punishment. b. Capital punishment has been a proven deterrent to recidivism. c. Globally, electrocution is the only legal form of capital punishment. d. The highest rates of capital punishment are found in the Northeast. e. American support of capital punishment has been stable over the last 50 years.

answer

e. American support of capital punishment has been stable over the last 50 years.

question

Policing efforts concentrated in particular areas of high criminal activity a. have an even broader impact on reducing crime. b. has no impact on crime rates. c. actually lead to increased crime activity. d. reduce crime only temporarily. e. reduce crime in the long term

answer

d. reduce crime only temporarily.

question

From a sociological perspective, deviance is not a derogatory term. a. True b. False

answer

True

question

Deviance is not universal; it is only common in complex societies. a. True b. False

answer

False

question

Deviance may be a trait or belief as well as behavior. a. True b. False

answer

true

question

What is deviant in one time and place may not be considered deviant in another time or place. a. True b. False

answer

true

question

Most of the time it is very easy to study the extent, cause and control of crime. a. True b. False

answer

false

question

The FBI's Uniform Crime Report (UCR) is a complete accounting of the number of crimes committed in the U.S. a. True b. False

answer

false

question

Most criminal offenders are not caught or brought to trial. a. True b. False

answer

true

question

The National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) is a more accurate about many types of crime than the FBI's Uniform Crime Reports. a. True b. False

answer

true

question

The incidence of violent crime in the U.S. has been steadily increasing since 1990. a. True b. False

answer

false

question

The older Americans get the less likely they are to commit a crime. a. True b. False

answer

true

question

All sociological perspectives view deviance as a normal and desirable part of the social structure. a. True b. False

answer

false

question

Deviance may be functional for society. a. True b. False

answer

true

question

A consistent criticism of functionalist theories of deviance is that they focus on deviance among the higher-income elite. a. True b. False

answer

false

question

Rape is considered a crime almost everywhere in the world. a. True b. False

answer

false

question

Crime prevention is less costly than punishing crime. a. True b. False

answer

true

question

anomie

answer

the condition in which people are unsure of how to behave because of absent, conflicting, or confusing social norms.

question

corporate crimes

answer

illegal acts committed by executives to benefit themselves and their companies.

question

crime

answer

a violation of societal norms and rules for which punishment is specified by law.

question

crime control model

answer

an approach that believes that crime rates increase when offenders don't fear apprehension or punishment.

question

criminal justice system

answer

government agencies—including the police, courts, and prisons—that are charged with enforcing laws, passing judgment on offenders, and changing criminal behavior.

question

criminologists

answer

researchers who use scientific methods to study the nature, extent, cause, and control of criminal behavior.

question

cybercrime

answer

(also called computer crime) illegal activities that are conducted online.

question

deviance

answer

traits or behavior or trait that violates expected rules or norms.

question

differential association theory

answer

a perspective that asserts that people learn deviance through interaction, especially with significant others.

question

labeling theory

answer

a perspective that holds that society's reaction to behavior is a major factor in defining oneself or others as deviant.

question

organized crime

answer

activities of individuals and groups that supply illegal goods and services for profit.

question

patriarchy

answer

a hierarchical system in a society in which cultural, political, and economic structures are controlled by men

question

primary deviance

answer

the initial act of breaking a rule.

question

rehabilitation

answer

a social control approach that holds that appropriate treatment can change offenders into productive, law-abiding citizens.

question

sanctions

answer

rewards or punishments for obeying or violating a norm.

question

secondary deviance

answer

rule-breaking behavior that people adopt in response to the reactions of others.

question

social control

answer

the techniques and strategies that regulate people's behavior in society.

question

stigma

answer

a negative label that devalues a person and changes her or his self-concept and social identity.

question

strain theory

answer

the idea that people may engage in deviant behavior when they experience a conflict between goals and the means available to obtain the goals.

question

victimization survey

answer

interviewing people about their experiences as crime victims.

question

victimless crimes

answer

acts that violate laws but involve individuals who don't consider themselves victims.

question

white-collar crime

answer

illegal activities committed by high-status individuals in the course of their occupation.

question

Deviance and sanctions reaffirm what is acceptable in a society. Deviance of outsiders enhances in-group solidarity. Deviance is often a source of innovation. Deviance occurs when people find legitimate pathways to success are

answer

Functionalist

question

Powerful groups determine deviant behavior based on their own norms in order to maintain power. People with power are able to avoid punishment more often than the poor and working class.

answer

conflict

question

Deviance is a learned behavior. Deviance is socially constructed. Powerful groups label subordinate group activities as not conforming to dominant norms.

answer

symbolic interactionalist

question

Women may engage in deviant behavior, such as exotic dancing, in order to earn money or independence within a society that subordinates them.

answer

feminist

question

Gangs establish norms and decrease the members' sense of anomie. The poor often experience subpar educational systems, and then have few legitimate opportunities for jobs, which push them toward deviance in gangs

answer

functionalist

question

The stereotypical gang's illegal actions are not socially acceptable. By comparison, a stereotypical college fraternity may also break the law, but it is often overlooked as part of college life. This shows social preference based on class and prestige

answer

conflict

question

Young people join gangs because of their association with other gang members. Police typically monitor suspected gang activity, and thus gangs' illegal behavior is more likely to be discovered.

answer

symbolic interactionalist

question

Female roles in gangs mirror their subordinate status in outside society. Female gangs are a rational response to violence from men toward women.

answer

feminist

Sociology Unit 7 Deviance, Crime, and the Criminal Justice System – Flashcards

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