Sociology: Deviance and Crime

Deviance
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Terms in this set (27)
Deviance
is a behavior that violates social norms
Stigma
a mark of social disgrace that sets the deviant apart from the rest of society
Functionalist Perspective = Strain Theory
Views deviance as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms and structure of society (caused by a strain of goals and means
Anomie
People who fall due to incompatible strains (goals)
Conflict Perspective = Comp and Inequality
... theorists believe that competition and social inequality lead to deviance (upper class having power over lower class)
Conflict
Both sides commit deviant acts
Interactionist Perspective = Control Theory
Explains deviance as a natural occurrence.
Focuses on why people conform instead of the causes of deviance
Cultural Transmission Theory
Explains deviant behavior as a learned behavior through interactions an individual has with others
Socialization
interactive process through which individuals learn basic skills, values, beliefs and behavior patterns of society
Labeling Theory
focuses on how individuals come to be identified as deviant
Primary Deviancedo not consider themselves deviant nor does society but they commit deviant actsSecondary DevianceIndividual is labeled as deviant and accepts it to be true EX: Joker from the Dark Knight or Whitey BulgerCrimeAny act that is labeled such by those in authority, Prohibited by law, Punished by government.FelonySerious crime, one year-life in prisonMisdemeanor"minor" crime, less than 1 yearDeviance VS CrimeDeviance is a behavior that violates norms and crime is a deviance act serious enough to warrant the gov.Violent CrimePurposely causes serious bodily injury.Crime Against Prop.Stealing, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arsonOrganized CrimeBusiness supply legal goods, services for profit, drug trafVictimless CrimeOnly causing harm to the person committing the crime EX: Heroin addictedWhite-Collar Crime (WC)People of high social status in course of their professional lives EX: Fraud, tax, tradingUCRUniform Crime Report: published by FBI, reports index crimes4 Main Components of Justice System1. Police 2. Courts 3. Corrections 4. Juvenile CourtsPolice Discretionpower to decide who is arrestedPlea BargainLegal negotiation of pleading guilty to a lesser charge in order to receive a lighter sentence.Recidivismrepeated criminal behaviorDegration CeremonyPeople being labeled as deviant, in public EX: Trial