Crime & Deviance - how can crime and deviance be explained? Flashcards
What is the definition of crime?
Crime is an act that violates the laws of a society and is punishable by the state.
What is deviance?
Deviance refers to behavior that violates social norms or expectations.
True or False: All crime is considered deviant behavior.
True
What theory suggests that crime is a result of social structures and inequalities?
Strain Theory
Fill in the blank: According to _____ Theory, individuals engage in deviant behavior when they feel disconnected from societal norms.
Anomie
What does Labeling Theory suggest about crime?
Labeling Theory suggests that individuals become deviant when they are labeled as such by society.
What are primary and secondary deviance according to Edwin Lemert?
Primary deviance refers to initial acts of rule-breaking, while secondary deviance occurs when a person adopts a deviant identity after being labeled.
What is the main focus of Control Theory?
Control Theory focuses on the factors that prevent individuals from committing deviant acts.
True or False: Social bonds are considered important in Control Theory.
True
What is the primary concern of the Functionalist perspective on crime?
Functionalists view crime as a natural part of society that can promote social cohesion and change.
What did Robert Merton propose in his Strain Theory?
Merton proposed that society sets culturally approved goals and socially acceptable means to achieve them, leading to strain when individuals cannot achieve success.
Fill in the blank: According to Merton, the five modes of individual adaptation to strain are conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and _____ .
rebellion
What is the focus of Marxist criminology?
Marxist criminology focuses on how capitalism creates crime and how laws serve the interests of the ruling class.
True or False: According to Marxists, crime is a result of individual moral failure.
False
What is the concept of ‘white-collar crime’?
White-collar crime refers to non-violent, financially motivated crimes committed by business and government professionals.
What is the difference between formal and informal social control?
Formal social control is enforced by laws and regulations, while informal social control is maintained through social norms and expectations.
What does the term ‘socialization’ refer to in the context of crime?
Socialization refers to the process through which individuals learn and internalize the norms and values of their society.
What role does deviant subculture play in explaining crime?
Deviant subcultures provide alternative norms and values that can encourage criminal behavior among their members.
Fill in the blank: According to Differential Association Theory, criminal behavior is learned through _____ interactions.
social
What is the main idea behind Routine Activity Theory?
Routine Activity Theory posits that crime occurs when there is a motivated offender, a suitable target, and the absence of capable guardians.
True or False: Situational Crime Prevention focuses on reducing opportunities for crime.
True
What does ‘broken windows theory’ suggest?
Broken Windows Theory suggests that visible signs of disorder and neglect cause an increase in crime.
What is a ‘crime wave’?
A crime wave refers to a sudden increase in the rate of crime in a specific area or community.
Fill in the blank: The ‘social construction of crime’ refers to how society defines what is considered _____ .
criminal
What is the ‘moral panic’ concept?
Moral panic is a feeling of fear spread among a large number of people that some evil threatens the well-being of society.
What is the impact of media on public perceptions of crime?
Media can exaggerate the prevalence of crime, leading to heightened fear and misconceptions about safety.
Which sociologist is known for his work on the concept of ‘moral panic’?
Stanley Cohen
True or False: Crime statistics are always an accurate representation of actual crime rates.
False
What is the ‘dark figure of crime’?
The dark figure of crime refers to the amount of unreported or undiscovered crime.
Which theory emphasizes the role of power in defining crime?
Conflict Theory
What does the term ‘deviant career’ refer to?
A deviant career refers to a sequence of roles and experiences that a person engages in as a result of being labeled deviant.
Fill in the blank: The concept of _____ suggests that crime can be a form of resistance against oppression.
subversion
What is a key criticism of labeling theory?
A key criticism is that it may overlook the causes of initial deviant behavior.
What role does age play in crime rates?
Younger individuals tend to commit more crimes than older individuals, often due to factors like peer pressure and lack of responsibilities.
True or False: Gender is a significant factor in understanding crime and deviance.
True
What is the ‘gender gap’ in crime?
The gender gap refers to the consistent finding that men commit more crime than women.
What is the impact of socioeconomic status on crime rates?
Individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds are often associated with higher crime rates due to factors like poverty and lack of opportunity.
Fill in the blank: _____ Theory focuses on the role of societal reactions to deviance.
Labeling
What is the role of the state in defining crime?
The state has the power to create laws and define what constitutes criminal behavior.
What is the purpose of crime prevention strategies?
Crime prevention strategies aim to reduce the risk of crime occurring and improve public safety.
True or False: Crime is solely an individual choice.
False
What does ‘social disorganization theory’ argue?
Social disorganization theory argues that crime is more likely to occur in communities with weak social ties and lack of social control.
What role does peer influence play in crime?
Peer influence can encourage individuals to engage in criminal behavior, especially among adolescents.
