Sociology SAC checklist (Unit2 AOS1)

Question 1

Define deviance

Answer 1

Actions or identities that go against the social norms

Question 2

Why is deviance considered a relative concept?

Answer 2

Because acts in their time period can be considered deviant but can be acceptable many years later

Question 3

What is Durkheim’s Functionalist theory of deviance?

Answer 3

A theory that suggests deviance is a basis for change and innovation and can also be a way to define/clarify important social norms

Question 4

What are the main 4 functions of deviance according to the functionalist theory?

Answer 4

1. Affirmation of society’s cultural norms & values (Suggesting the purpose of deviance is to affirm social norms & values)
2. Clarification of society’s moral boundaries (Observing deviance helps people understand the limits of socially acceptable and unacceptable behaviors)
3. Unification of others in society ( emphasizing the shared norms between people in response to a distressing event, examples can be 9/11, Sports fans, political support etc.)
4. Promoting social change ( Challenging social norms)

Question 5

A real world example of Functionalist theory of deviance

Answer 5

Climate change actvitists

Question 6

What are the strengths of Functionalist theory of deviance

Answer 6

The theory is very general and covers lots of deviant behavior, it also allows for deviance to shape society

Question 7

What are the limitations of Functionalist theory of deviance

Answer 7

The theory specifies that all deviant behavior is beneficial to society (This includes sexual assault, murder, etc.) and does not consider possible power differences and how crime can benefit people more than others

Question 8

What is Hirschi’s social control theory?

Answer 8

The theory suggests that if a person fails to develop attachemt/stong bonds (Can be parents, peers, school teachers etc), commitment, involvement and belief in social values, they are more likely to be deviant.
& focuses on how to prevent deviant behavior

Question 9

What are the 4 Principles of Hirschi’s theory

Answer 9

1. Attachment, The bond between people that encourages conformity in shared society norms (According to this theory affection a child receives from a parent is a risk factor to deviance.
2. Commitment, an individuals investment of time and energy in convectional behavior (Do what is considered acceptable, or what everyone else is doing - Theory suggests individuals who want to act deviant will consider costs and benefits of crimes)
3. Involvement, The fact that someone who is involved in socially approved activities has less time to deviate (Theory suggests that socially approved activities helps reduce opportunities to engage in deviance. Making friends during activities can help improve social bonds, decreasing risk of youth breaking social norms.
4. Believe in social values, holding shared values about what is important (Results in agreement and reduction of deviance)

Question 10

What are the strengths of Control theory?

Answer 10

Empirical evidence to support the theory, and surveyed 1300 high school male students in California to compare to self-reported acts of deviance.

Question 11

What are the limits of the control theory?

Answer 11

Empirical evidence excludes females & there may be different/additional explanations for deviance, it also excludes the significant influence of peers on deviance, nor did it address all types of crime.

Question 12

What is Becker’s labelling theory?

Answer 12

When an individual has been labeled (negatively or positively) they will act deviantly/in accordance to that label

Question 13

What is the process of labelling?

Answer 13

the behaviour of human beings is influenced significantly by the way other members in society label them.
Two things influence this.
1. Identification of person (the label)
2. Specific behavior society considers deviant

Question 14

How is the theory involved in the idea of self-fulfilling prophecy?

Answer 14

When someone is labeled, they might act according to what label they have been given, therefore they have fulfilled their self-fulfilled prophecy.

Question 15

What is positive deviance?

Answer 15

A behavior that allows for benefitable results to society/community/group or promotes social change, or when a person goes above social norms in a positive way.

Question 16

How is positive deviance different from negative deviance?

Answer 16

Positive deviance is when a person goes above social norms in a positive way, whereas negative deviance goes bellow or does not meet social norms.

Question 17

What are moral panics?

Answer 17

A widespread fear that a evil person or thing is threatening the wellbeing, values, interest or safety of society/community

Question 18

What are the 5 characteristics of moral panics?

Answer 18

1. Concern, the heightened level of concern about a certain group or category
2. Hostility, One can observe a increase in hostility towards ‘deviants’ of ‘respectful society’
3. consensus, a consensus about the reality and seriousness of the threat can be identified
4. Disproportionality, Public concern is an excess of what it ‘should be’
5. Volatility, the panic is fleeting and thought to reoccur, panic is not long lasting.

Question 19

What are the stages of moral panic?

Answer 19

1. Something or someone is defined as a threat to values or interest
2. The threat is depicted in an easily recognizable form by media (making the threat extreme)
3. Rapid increase/build-up of public concern
4. A response from authorities or opinion makers.
5. Panic lessens or results in social change

Question 20

Primary deviance

Answer 20

Initial, often minor acts of deviance that do not result in a deviant identity

Question 21

Social controls

Answer 21

Forms of informal or formal sanctions that intend to control and regulate individual behavior (Security cameras, religion, etc.)