deviance, labelling, normative and relativistic theory Flashcards
what is becker’s defintion of deviance
deviance isn’t a quality of an act the person commits but a consequence of application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender. A deviant person breaks social norms and rules of the society it is judged by. No action is deviant. It must excite some social reaction from others. It depends upon who commits it, who sees it and what action is taken about it
explain Becker’s labelling theory
people in power decide what conduct is deviant or criminal in order to control others. Labelling someone a criminal, makes that person a criminal- not the person’s conduct itself.
what are formal sanctions for deviance
they’re imposed by official bodies e.g. police, courts, schools or other institutions. They’re punishments for breaking formal written rules or laws. E.g. courts may fine an offender for theft or a school may exclude pupils for bullying.
what are informal sanctions for deviance
they’re used when the rules aren’t formally written down and are perhaps ‘unspoken’ when someone breaks the rules other show their disapproving in informal ways such as refusing to speak to them, telling them off, a slap on the wrists etc.
explain the social control theory of Walter Reckless
2 types of control: external (law, police, police, family, religious leaders) and internal (religion, society, morals, conscience)
what are the 2 stages of labelling according to Lemert
primary deviance-the first crime someone commits. Secondary deviance- the crimes one chooses to commit after (and often because) society labels that person a criminal
what does Cohen say about the education system
The education system sets cultural goals of exam success for all members, only a minority can achieve those goals and the working class can’t achieve these, so the cultural goals of the education system are measures on a middle-class measuring rod. those who don’t achieve the cultural goals are failures.
what are the 2 possible functions of deviance from Cohen
1) a safety valve- deviance provides a relatively harmless expression of discontent 2) certain deviant acts are also warning devices to indicate an aspect of society is malfunctioning.
what is Durkheim’s normative definition of crime and deviance
t is an action which consists of a violation of social norms. It presents an image of society in which exists shared norms and values and the deviant is the person who breaks these. Society is under pinned by consensus. Boundaries of acceptable behaviour are made known by the arrest of these who break the rules. Social bonds are strengthened between people and reaffirms values when they are drawn together by horrific crimes.
what is the classic marxist opinion
capitalism is a crime, capitalism causes crime. Crime happens as a result of inequality and poverty, ruling classes define working classes as deviants, parallels with learning theory.
what does Merton say about crime and deviance
crime and deviance is caused by the inter-relationship between the cultural goals set by society (e.g. acquisition of money, wealth, status, power in western/ capitalist society) and the chances and means of achieving such goals.
what are the five types of deviance according to Merton
Conformity, Innovation, Ritualism, retreatism and rebellion
what is the definition of conformity
most conform to society
what is the definition of innovation
commitment to cultural goals may remain strong but some reject conventional means of acquiring wealth and turn to illegal methods,
what is the definition of ritualism
some people have lost sight of material goals but derive satisfaction from fairly meaningless jobs
