unit 11 - lecture notes

Question 1

Social control is not an institution it is a what?

Answer 1

It is a process often performed through institutions.

Question 2

What are some examples of agents of social control? Institutions of social control?

Answer 2

Agents - parents, teachers, employers, religious leaders etc
Institutions - mental hospitals, military, judicial systems etc

Question 3

What is the ultimate form of social control?

Answer 3

Regulating thoughts that therefore regulate behaviors.

Question 4

Why do people often, but not always, comply to social control?

Answer 4

The rules have been internalized.

Question 5

How is deviance different from nonconformity?

Answer 5

Deviants requires a negative social reaction, if there is no reaction, it is merely nonconformity.

Question 6

The amount of disfavor attached to someone’s deviance depends on what?

Answer 6

1. how harmful or dangerous the behavior was
2. whether the behavior was intended
3. if the deviant persist in being a deviant
4. what the competence of the person who engaged in the behavior is
5. the degree to which the group agrees that it’s a violation of a norm

Question 7

Why is deviance relative?

Answer 7

It is a social construction and it’s relative to the norms of any particular people, group, society, or culture.

Question 8

In a sociological sense, deviance is seen how?

Answer 8

It is seen as ethically neutral as it may serve a useful purpose.

Question 9

How do structural functionalist perceive the structure of social control?

Answer 9

1. Societal values and norms
2. Internalization of values and norms
3. Positive and negative sanctions to achieve social control
4. Sanctions are both formal and informal as ways of creating social control

Question 10

What is a powerful and effective way of achieving social control?

Answer 10

The use of sanctions; either formal or informal or positive or negative.

Question 11

Formal sanctions are designed to what?

Answer 11

They are designed to prevent, deter, as well as reform and re socialize deviance.

Question 12

What are four positive functions of deviance? Briefly explain as needed.

Answer 12

1. The cutting of red tape- Productivity may actually be facilitated when an individual does not follow all the details of a procedure
2. Acting as a safety valve- A certain amount of deviance condemned but not firmly repressed may take strain off the legitimate order
3. Works to clarify the rules
4. Can function to unite a group

Question 13

How can social solidarity be increased by deviance?

Answer 13

1. Opposing the deviant- results in greater social cohesion among the group itself
2. Trying to convert the deviant
3. Protecting the deviant
4. Reinforcing conformity- through criticizing the deviant, group members praise and reward each other for their conformity
5. Can act as a warning signal that something is wrong with the system

Question 14

What is the conflict theory perspective on deviance?

Answer 14

Conflict theory is worried about social control itself being the problem because it’s those with unfair amounts of power that control who will be labeled as a deviant.

Question 15

What are two concerns conflict theorists may have regarding deviancy?

Answer 15

1. Selective application of norms and labels- the difference in labeling because of a difference in socioeconomic status
2. Selective enforcement of the law- treatment by police and if the law is different in effect these groups in significant ways.

Question 16

In understanding a theoretical explanation of social control, what is the main question?

Answer 16

In this mini theory, the question is why don’t more people deviate more often?

Question 17

What are four causes of conformity?

Answer 17

1. Attachments- deviancy occurs more frequently if and when individuals are alone
2. Investments- why risk or compromise the life a person has built for themselves to engage in deviant behavior
3. Involvements- too busy to be deviant
4. Beliefs- having a moral issue with deviant behavior

Question 18

How are crime rates often thought to be recorded? What are four alternative measures of crime?

Answer 18

Crime rates are often thought about as “numbers of offences recorded by police.”

1. Data from non official agencies- insurance companies, hospitals etc
2. Anonymous self-report surveys
3. Victimization surveys
4. Participant observation

Question 19

What are six types of crime? Briefly explain if needed.

Answer 19

1. Street crime- violent offences are crimes against the person
2. Organized crime-ex. mafia
3. Corporate/Suite crime
4. Corporate/White collar crime
5. Cybercrime
6. Government crime

Question 20

What are some examples of corporate or suite crime?

Answer 20

Some examples are backdoor deals, administrative, environmental, financial, labour, unfair trade practices, manufacturing etc

Question 21

When understanding government crime, what are three aspects?

Answer 21

1. Criminal activity of governments
2. Political corruption
3. Criminal activity of police

Question 22

What are four rationales for punishment within the criminal justice system?

Answer 22

1. Penal function- retribution; an eye for an eye
2. Deterrence function deterrence; the assumption that if someone is punished for a crime, they will not commit it again
3. Corrections function - rehabilitation; Focused on the needs of the offender for them to develop in a way that they will not reoffend
4. Incapacitation- rendering the offender incapable of further offence

Question 23

what is the purpose of restorative justice?

Answer 23

Attempts to create a dialogue between the harm doer and the one harmed; but it is victim centred.

Question 24

What are three questions asked in a punitive justice system?

Answer 24

1. What laws have been broken?
2. Who did it?
3. What did they deserve?

Question 25

What are three questions asked by a restorative justice system?

Answer 25

1. Who has been hurt?
2. What are their needs?
3. Whose obligations are those needs?