DEVIANCE AND CRIME Flashcards
what is deviance
Behaviors and beliefs that violate social expectations and that typically attract negative sanctions/reactions
what is crime
The violation of a law enacted by the federal, state, or local government
what is social control
The formal and informal mechanisms used to elicit conformity to values and norms and thus promote social cohesion
4 approaches when conceptualising deviance
- statistical approach
- Social norms approach
- Legalistic approach
- Normative approach
what is the statistical approach when conceptualising deviance
treats deviance as something that has a LOW PROBABILITY of occurring, statistically unusual (rare)
- deviance from what is usual or common
what is the Social norms approach when conceptualising deviance
treats deviance as something that VIOLATES SOCIAL NORMS of a given society or culture
- Deviance from rules of behavior of what is acceptable in a given culture
what are the 3 components of the social norms approach
- folkways : The rules that guide everyday behavior; response to violations of them are mild e.g. walking out before class it is over
- mores : More serious rules that carry moral weight and, when violated evoke harsher responses e.g. engaging in behavior that’s disruptive to class
- laws : Rules confines in law by the state
what is the legalistic approach when conceptualising deviance
treats deviance as something that VIOLATES A LAW
- SINS: Deviant acts, conditions, or beliefs that violate religious or moral prohibitions - many of these are not subject to legal regulation, such as promiscuity
what is the normative approach when conceptualising deviance
treats deviance as behavior that is viewed in poor taste by the group or collective - elicits a disapproving response or reaction from the group
what is poor taste
Behaviors, conditions, or beliefs in that are violations of customs or etiquette - Folkways indicate what is and is not in poor taste in a given culture
