Chapter 8: Crime and Deviance Flashcards
19/11/24-21/11/24
What is deviance?
Actions that violate social norms, which may or may not be against the law.
How is crime different from deviance?
Crime refers to behaviors codified in law that require social control and intervention, whereas deviance is not always criminal.
What functions do laws serve in society?
- Promote social order
- Prevent anarchy
- Promote fairness and democracy
- Protect people through retribution and deterrence
What was the focus of demonology in explaining crime before 1700?
Criminal behavior was attributed to supernatural forces, such as witchcraft or demonic possession.
What is classical criminology?
A theory suggesting that crime is a result of free will and rational choice, and individuals weigh pleasure versus pain in their actions.
What is biological determinism in the context of crime?
The idea that criminality is physiologically based or inherited, with theories like phrenology and somatotypes.
What are somatotypes, and how were they linked to criminality?
Endomorph: Relaxed and introverted
Mesomorph: Aggressive and risk-taking (more likely to commit crimes)
Ectomorph: Shy and intelligent
What does the social structure theory of crime focus on?
The structure of society and neighborhood dynamics as contributors to crime, such as socioeconomic class and community disorganization.
What is labelling theory in the context of crime?
A theory by Lemert (1951) suggesting that deviance is influenced by the application of social labels:
Primary deviance: Minor violations with little social impact
Secondary deviance: Labels internalized, influencing identity and behaviour
How does social conflict theory explain crime?
Crime definitions and enforcement favor those in control of the political and economic system, leading to skewed justice outcomes.
How do laws reflect social control?
They reflect societal priorities and power imbalances, such as male interests in historical rape laws before Bill C-127 replaced the term with sexual assault.
What is the difference between street crime and suit crime?
Street crime often faces harsher penalties but has less economic and social impact.
Suit crime, such as white-collar crime, affects more people and goes undetected or lightly punished.
Why are Indigenous people overrepresented in the justice system?
They are more likely to be stopped, arrested, and incarcerated, reflecting systemic bias and the dominance of Western institutions.
According to Howard Becker, what makes an act deviant?
It is not the act itself but society’s reaction to it that defines deviance.
