Upgrade to remove ads
Only $35.99/year

Exam 2 Soc 100 (6)

Terms in this set (19)

1. What are crime and deviance? Can something be a crime and not be deviant (or vice versa)? Be able to recognize/provide examples of each.
Crime and deviance are recognized violations of cultural or social norms (rules breakings). The are not the same however, crimes are illegal and punishable, but deviance can just be frowned upon. They are not the same thing just very similar. Examples of both of these are
i. Example of something deviant, but not criminal: not shower on a regular basis
ii. Example of something criminal, but common: underage drinking, speeding
2. How do sociologists understand and explain crime and deviance? What do they mean when they say that biological and psychological explanations are "something wrong with the individual"?
There are two views that sociologists take, The Biological View and Psychological View. The Biological view believes that the way we act is based off our body's and The Psychological View believes it is based off our genes. Both views believe that there is something wrong with the person and that is why they are deviating from the norm.
3. How is crime "functional"? What role does it play in society?
Crime is functional because deviance is inevitable
Affirms cultural values and norms
Clarifies moral boundaries
Brings people together
4. What is the strain theory explanation of crime? Be sure to be able to offer examples of each component (innovation, ritual, retreat, rebellion (and conformity)).
Assumes that people want to achieve the same goals but go about different ways doing it.

Conformity: Have the means to do something and do it the normal or expected way (college student)

Innovation: Have means to do something but do it in uncommon means (drug dealer)

Ritualism: Have the means to do something but just don't care enough to do it (lazy people)

Retreatism: Can't get something, so they don't try (Homeless people)

Rebellion: disagree with system (anarchists, religious cults)
5. What is labeling theory, and what are primary and secondary deviance? Be able to distinguish between the two types of deviance.
The idea that the labels society gives us changes the way we act and the way people perceive us. There are two types of deviance that come with the theory primary and secondary. Primary deviance is when one attempts to defy or fight society of the label (transgression). Secondary deviance is when one accepts the label society had given them and views themselves as deviant.
6. Be able to explain what labeling theory is, and how it explains how one becomes deviant.
One is given a label as being deviant, now this person can either conform with the label and become deviant or this person can fight this label and conform with society.
7. What are Sykes and Matza's "Techniques of Neutralization (know all five)?" What are they used for? Be sure to be able to distinguish between examples of each.
Used for...
the strategies that deviants employ to resist society's labels
neutralize potential guilt before acting
justify deviance and crime

The actual techniques on own slides
• Denial of Responsibility
One of Sykes and Matza's "Techniques of Neutralization

"I Didn't Do It!"
• Denial of Injury
One of Sykes and Matza's "Techniques of Neutralization

"Who really got hurt?"
• Denial of a Victim
One of Sykes and Matza's "Techniques of Neutralization

"She deserved it"
• Condemnation of the Condemners
One of Sykes and Matza's "Techniques of Neutralization

"Who Are you to Talk?!"
• Appeal to Higher Loyalty
One of Sykes and Matza's "Techniques of Neutralization

"I had to help my friends!"
8. How do conflict theorists explain crime & deviance (e.g., white collar crime)?
They believe that who or what is deviant is defined or depends on who holds power in society.
9. What is the dark figure of crime? Is it covered in the data presented in the uniform crime reports?
The dark figure of crime are the crimes not reported. I am not sure but I would assume not because if the crime is not reported than how can it be reported on.
10. Where are violent crime and incarceration rates in comparison to twenty years ago (Up? Down?)?
Down for violent crime
Up for incarceration rate
Sets with similar terms