1.2 Social Conrstruction Flashcards
What is deviance based on role or position?
Something that is deviant for many but an occupation/role might make non deviant.
E.g. Drag queens/kings that cross dress or ambulance drivers that run red lights.
What is situational deviance?
Something that is deviant in certain situations.
E.g. Being naked on a nudist beach isn’t deviant but being naked in public is.
What is historical deviance?
Something that is deviant only at a certain period of time.
E.g. Homosexuality, sex before marriage, public hanging and drug use.
What is cross-cultural deviance?
Something that is deviant in some cultures but not all.
E.g. Alcohol use, arranged marriage, eating domestic animals and Trobiand islanders that wore the bones of their deceased fathers.
What depends on whether an act is deviant or not?
Social settings; time, place, context, social situation and culture.
How does time alter our view on a act?
Suicide used to be illegal in the U.K. And was punishable by the death penalty. And in Victorian England rich houses used to cover the ‘ankles’ of table legs to stop them looking too sexy.
How does the place of an act alter our view?
In Switzerland assisting someone to die is not a criminal offence (DIGNITAS)
In the US it is acceptable for police to carry guns but not in the UK
How does context alter our view of an act?
The context in which a behaviour occurs in determines if it is deviant or not. E.g. If someone fights someone in self defence
How does social situation alter our view of an act?
It is seen as acceptable to cry at a funeral, but not to laugh
How does culture alter our view of an act?
Many cultures have different beliefs and views, in many countries the death penalty is still legal and what is appropriate dress for men, women and children differs culture to culture
