Chapter 1 - Determining Deviance

Question 1

What is Deviance?

Answer 1

Deviance is a highly contested definition, reflecting the “problem of definition”

Question 2

What is a dichotomy?

Answer 2

It’s characterized by 2 oppositional and mutually exclusive categories

Question 3

What does the objective approach of the dichotomy focus on?

Answer 3

Focuses on the ACT of deviance.

Question 4

What does the subjective approach of the dichotomy focus on?

Answer 4

The perception of and reactions to deviance.

Question 5

Objectivists define deviance in terms of what?

Answer 5

A specific quality

Question 6

What are the 4 characteristics of objectivism?

Answer 6

1. Statistical Rarity
2. Harm
3. Societal Reaction
4. Normative Violation

Question 7

What is statistical Rarity?

Answer 7

Something is deviant if it is rare.

Question 8

Harm

Answer 8

Something is deviant if it causes harm

Question 9

Societal Reaction

Answer 9

Something is deviant if society reacts negatively

Question 10

Normative violation

Answer 10

Something is deviant if it violates a norm

Question 11

What is a Folkway?

Answer 11

Standards or expectations of behaviour, can refer to informal, everyday behaviours such as rules of etiquette, choice of clothing.

Question 12

What are Mores?

Answer 12

Standards that are often seen as the foundation of morality in a culture, such as prohibitions against certain sexual practices.

Question 13

A consensus view in Normative Violation

Answer 13

Views the law as arising out of social consensus and then equally applied to all.

Question 14

A conflict View of Normative Violation

Answer 14

Perceive the law of as a tool used but the ruling class to serve its own interests.

Question 15

A Interactionist View

Answer 15

Society’s powerful define the law at the behest of interest groups who appeal to those with power to rectify a perceived social ill

Question 16

What is a Criminologist?

Answer 16

Deviance scholars who focus their studies on criminal activity.

Question 17

Subjectivism is about ….

Answer 17

a process, defining and responding to deviance and where power comes to play.

Question 18

What are Dominant moral codes?

Answer 18

Serve as the foundation for determining who or what is deviant in society.

Question 19

Dominant moral codes emerge from processes of ______ ___________

Answer 19

Social Constructionism

Question 20

Social Constructions

Answer 20

Something is deviant only because it has been defined as such

Question 21

Moral Entrepreneurs

Answer 21

Those who speak to define something or someone as deviant and dictate the appropriate response.

Question 22

Examples of Moral Entrepreneurs

Answer 22

Politicians, scientists, religious institutions, media, commercial enterprise.

Question 23

Social Typing Process

Answer 23

Refers to the process bu which some people come to be seen as deviant and others come to be seen as normal.

Question 24

What are the three components of The “Social Typing Process”

Answer 24

Descriptions, Evaluation, Prescription

Question 25

What is the first component of The Social Typing Process and what occurs?

Answer 25

Description; a label is placed on an individual because of an observed or presumed behaviour or characteristic.

Question 26

What is the second component of The Social Typing Process and what occurs?

Answer 26

Evaluation; judgment is attached to the individual by virtue of the label that was previously given.

Question 27

What is the third component of The Social Typing Process and what occurs?

Answer 27

Prescription; The processes of social control or regulation emerge.

Question 28

What is the “Deviance Dance”?

Answer 28

The interactions, negotiations, and debates among groups with different perceptions of whether a behaviour or characteristic is deviant and needs to be socially controlled and, if so, how.