Chapter 5 - Crime and Deviance

Question 1

What is deviance?

Answer 1

Deviance is a recognized violation of cultural norms.
Deviant acts receive a negative reaction, as an attempt to change the behaviour or punish the person.
Not all deviance is criminal, but criminal acts are deviant.

Question 2

What is crime?

Answer 2

Crime is a form of deviance that is a violation of formally enacted criminal law.

Question 3

What are 3 forms of crime?

Answer 3

Violent crimes, property crimes, and “victimless crimes”

Question 4

What is a functionalist approach to deviance?

Answer 4

Merton’s Strain Theory

Question 5

What is Merton’s Strain Theory?

Answer 5

When access to approved means of reaching culturally approved goals is blocked.
Strain leads to innovation (alternatives, but illegitimate way to attain cultural goals).

Limits: How do impulsive crimes (e.g. crimes of passion) fit into this framework?