Quiz 6 - deviance Flashcards

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1
Q

tough on crime policies

A

not tough on crime enough -> leading to harsher sentences, reduced parole, & increased prison construction

growing prison populations (200,000 in 1970 to 2.1 mil todau)

US has highest incarceration rate

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2
Q

the 3 things deviance requires:

A

a behavioral expectation or norm
a perceived violation of that norm
a societal reaction ranging from criticism to punishment

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3
Q

absolutist definition of deviance

A

categorizes behavior as inherently “good” or “bad”, independent of social norms of subjective judgment
strong emotional reactions and stereotyping
stereotypes skew societal responses and enforcement priorities

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4
Q

media’s role in shaping deviance

A

influence on crime perception (emphasizing violent over non-violent crimes)

selective crime portrayal
(television influencing public understanding of the crime problem)

focus on street crimes
(street crimes over corporate or government crimes)

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5
Q

evolving deviance

A

deviance is not fixed; laws and societal norms evolve through time
relativist definition highlights that deviance depends on situational factors such as time, place, and the individual involved

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6
Q

relativist definition of deviance

A

views deviance as socially constructed rather than inherent in any act, belief, or condition

emphasizes what is considered deviant varies across cultures, as deviance is shaped by collective human judgments

who commits it, who labels it, and when it occurs

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7
Q

deviance and power: conflict perspective

A

argues that definitions of deviance often reflect the influence of powerful groups imposing control over less powerful groups, shaping societal norms

capitalism’s encouraging of consumption while keeping wages low created a contradiction that leads to criminal behavior among those who cannot afford luxury

Marxian conflict theory suggests these contradictions are inherent in capitalism
conflict theorists believe the analysis of deviance tend to focus on the less powerful

the legal and criminal justice system benefit dominant societal groups

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8
Q

medicalization of deviance

A

behavior categorized as medical conditions requiring treatment

behaviors once seen as mischeif or life stresses are now labeled as psychiatric diseases

drug companies influence criteria for diagnosis

replaces moral scrutiny with therapeutic treatment and reducing stigma

this depoliticalizes social issues by framing them as individual defects

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9
Q

strain theory

A

deviance arises when individuals face a conflict between societal success goals and limited access to legitimate means (G & M)

conformity (GM)
innovation (Gx)
ritualism (xM)
retreatism (xx)
rebellion

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10
Q

police bias

A

poor urban & disproportionately black individuals are often seen asthe “typical criminal”, fueling racial profiling and excessive use of force

systemic bias in law enforcement is driven by preconcieved notions of threat rather than objective danger

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11
Q

labeling theory

A

explains how being labeled “deviant” alters how others perceive and interact with an individual
“ex-convict”
societies use formal (registries) and informal (social media) methods to condemn deviance

this reinforces deviance identities

deviant labels stick

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12
Q

symbolic interactionism

A

deviance is learned through interactions with close associates (friends and family) who influence behavior by transmitting techniques and attitudes for committing deviant acts

society -> symbols -> establish meaning -> develop views -> communicate with each other -> society

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13
Q

deterrence theory

A

shifts focus from exploring why individuals violate norms to examining the factors that discourage most people from engaging in deviant behavior

cost and benefit analysis!

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14
Q

white collar deviance

A

wealthy people & corporations often face more lenient consequences for criminal behavior compared to marginalized groups

public perception underestimates the dangers of corporate white-collar crimes

corporations often avoid significant repercussions through money

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15
Q

disadvantaged groups and deviance

A

poor people and people of color are disproportionately targeted and defined as deviant

this begins with financial vulnerabilities: those unable to pay fines or afford bail face jail time

economic status directly impacts justice outcomes

legal representation exacerbates these disparities

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