Chapter 1 Flashcards
Describe the subjective/objective dichotomy
a philosophical view of the nature of reality, it posits the objective and subjective views are opposing each other
What is Deviance?
a person, behaviour, or characteristic that is socially typed as deviant and subjected to measures of social control
What are the 3 steps of social typing?
- Description 2. Evaluation 3. Prescription
Explain the description process
It’s a descriptor, it is how you label someone
Explain the evaluation process
These are the adjectives, the position of the subject
Explain the prescription process
This is how we respond to the subject. This is how people behave based on the description and evaluation.
What are formal norms?
These are laws or regulations, they established institutionally
What are the two informal norms?
Mores and Folkways
What are mores based on?
morality Ex. Incest is wrong
What are folkways based on?
politeness
What is social change/ regulation?
attempts to regulate people’s thoughts/behaviour. Social control can either be retroactive or preventative.
What is the objective definition of deviance?
behaviours or characteristics which have that trait
What is the subjective definition of deviance?
behaviours that people in power say are in need of control
What are the 4 qualities of deviance from an objectivist pov?
- Statistical rarity
- Harm
- Normative violation
- Negative social reaction
Who do subjectivists believe create our moral codes?
People in power
Who coined the term “moral entrepreneurs”?
Howard Becker
Who are moral entrepreneurs?
those who devote themselves to protecting society from some perceived threat to its moral order. They are typically part of the upper class. They often have to rely on others to implement their agenda.
Explain Bruce Yandle’s Bootleggers and Baptists
Baptists and Bootleggers both wanted to eradicated alcohol consumption/sales but politicians did not want to appear to be working in the bootleggers interests, but were happy to accept their “donations”. So they would show up to Sunday closings based on “moral grounds”.
Who are moral entrepreneurs today?
People in power
Explain the consensual view
The view that suggest that society’s laws emerge out of consensus.
Explain the conflict view
The view that laws are created by powerful to serve their own interests
Explain the interactionist view
suggests that society’s powerful define the law in response to interest groups that approach them to rectify a perceived social problem
