cultural deviance theories

Question 1

elements of subculture

Answer 1

• relatively unique values and norms
• a special slang not shared with society
• separate channels fo communications
  unique styles and fads

Question 2

assumption

Answer 2

people commit criminal behavior as a result of abiding by the values of subculture

Question 3

what is subculture

Answer 3

systems, modes of expression, and lifestyles that differ from cultural norms
- developed by groups in subordinate structural positions in response to dominant or larger systems
- reflects the groups attempt to solve contradictions rising from wider society

Question 4

nesbitt and cohen

Answer 4

• southern and reputation for strength and toughness as a cause of crime, specifically violent crime
• suggests that the south is more tolerant of violence
• honor refers to the ability for men to impose his will on others

Question 5

how did Nesbitt and coehn test their theory

Answer 5

• surveyed people in the south and the north (people in the south more tolerant of violence in situation involving affront, protection of self and home, and the socialization of children to violence)
• sympathetic southern murderer experiment- southern employers found to be more forgiving of an applicant who committed manslaughter in defense of his pride, souther papers more likely to portray him in sympathetic light

Question 6

what did the asshole experiment show

Answer 6

southern men who were called assholes were (a) more likely to think their masculine reputation was threatened, (b) more upset (as shown by a rise in cortisol levels), (c) more physiologically primed for aggression (as shown by a rise in testosterone levels), (d) more cognitively primed for aggression, and (e) more likely to engage in aggressive and dominant behavior.

Question 7

millers focal concerns

Answer 7

attempts to explain the behavior of adolescent street corner groups in lower-class communities as based on six focal concerns: trouble, toughness, smartness, excitement, fate, and autonomy.

Question 8

Andersons code of the street and idea of respect

Answer 8

• the code of the street emerges where the influence of the police ends and where personal responsibility for ones safety is felt to begin
• joblessness, racism, and poor educational opportunities cause inner-city youth to feel alienated from main stream society (also distrust in police to maintain order)
• as a result a new value system develops to help keep order
• status and likelihood of victimization measured by respect
• governs when and for whom violence can be used
• violation of code warrant punishment

Question 9

decent families

Answer 9

• exhibit hard work
• self reliance, are more likely to be in tact than street families
• instill mainstream values in children
• most common

Question 9

street families

Answer 9

• show a lack of consideration for others
• require respect from those around them
• socialize their children to fight for their place in the world

Question 10

code switching

Answer 10

• often learned at school and is necessary for decent families
• a technique that helps individuals decrease their risk of victimization