Week 2 Flashcards
1
Q
Theory is Practical
A
- Theory guides our practical actions
- Theories are the central means of explaining and understanding deviance
2
Q
Deviance specialists use a wide range of theories…
A
- Core sociological theories (e.g. conflict theory)
- Theories specific to criminal and non-criminal deviance (e.g. strain theory)
- Interdisciplinary theories (e.g. feminist theories)
3
Q
positivist explanation
A
- Cause-effect relationships… Seek to explain why ppl act in certain ways from rules governing social environment
- objectivists
- Explain deviance in relation to social control
- Theories are: functionalist, learning and control theories
4
Q
functionalist theories
A
- Social structure creates deviance
- Society made up of various structures and each has a necessary function for the smooth rolling of society
- Manifest + latent
- Smooth running of society threatened if one structure stops doing its function… Maintain social order or else deviance happens… The rules of society are functional
5
Q
Durkheim Anomie theory (functionalist)
A
- Problem of too much social change
- He says (1) a certain level of deviance is function for society and (2) deviance happens when dysfunctional levels of deviance that occur when society changes too quickly
- A certain level of deviance enhances social order and increases social solidarity
- Serves as a way of reducing social tension in 2 ways…
1. Societal tensions can be reduced when there’s a scapegoat to blame
2. When individuals engage in small acts of minor deviance that act as a safety valve and let off some steam - Deviance functional only up to a point tho
- Urbanization and industrialization caused more deviance (less social integration and lower levels of moral regulation)
- Mechanical solidarity before urbanization, now we have organic solidarity
- When social change occurs at a too rapid pace, individualism gets out of control and bonds between people become weaker than is necessary for the well-being of society
- Traditional norms deteriorate, processes of social control decline and institutions become dysfunctional… a situation of anomie emerges
6
Q
Merton strain theory (functionalist)
A
- Deviance originates from the macro level (social structure) and the micro level (individual)
- Institutionalized goals + legitimate means
▪ Attaining the institutionalized goals has become more important than how you attain them - Not all ppl have equal access to legitimate opportunities which causes a gap and they must find ways to adapt
- Ppl can adapt to the gap in 5 different ways…
1. Conformity
□ Accepts institutionalized goals and legitimate means
2. Innovation
□ Accepts institutionalized goals but rejects legitimate means and finds alternates
3. Ritualism
□ Given up on the institutionalized goals but engage in legitimate means ( going thru motions)
4. Retreatism
□ Reject both institutionalized goals and legitimate means, isolate themselves
5. Rebellion
Reject both institutionalized goals and legitimate means, substitute new goals and means (vision for different world)
7
Q
Differential opportunity theory (functionalist)
A
- Social structure results in differential access to illegitimate opportunities
- Cuz of this, ppl in lower class communities may be a part of
1. Criminal gangs (criminal behaviour like small business)
2. Retreatist gangs (groups of ppl who retreat into drug/alc use)
3. Conflict gangs (competitive gangs)
Being a part of this makes certain illegitimate means more easily available
8
Q
General strain theory (functionalist)
A
- Strain creates negative affect and ppl don’t like this so try to get rid of negative feelings with the following coping strategies…
1. Cognitive coping strategies (reinterpret experiences)
2. Emotional coping strategies (can be deviant or conforming like health vs drugs)
3. Behavioural coping strategies (attempt to eliminate the strain itself) - These can sometimes cause deviance and sometimes not
9
Q
Status-frustration theory (functionalist)
A
- Classroom theory, lower class boys get treated poorly and then have status frustration then joining together (mutual conversation) and develop an oppositional standard to succeed
10
Q
Limitations of functionalist theories
A
- Logic…
Teleological (related to goals)
Tautological (circular) - Ideology
Ignore social and historical circumstances and has conservative bias in favour of the status quo - Bias
Social class and overemphasis on criminal behaviour, lack of attention to gender
11
Q
Learning theories
A
- Deviant behaviour as a result of learning processes
12
Q
Differential association theory (learning) small intimate groups
A
- Sutherland proposes deviant behaviour learned thru same process normal behaviour is learned
- Small intimate group interactions, depend on… Frequency
Duration
Priority
intensity - Individuals learn techniques and motives for certain behaviours
13
Q
Neutralization theory (learning)
A
- Motives (reasons)
- Techniques of neutralization rationalize peoples deviance
Denial of responsibility (shift blame)
Denial of injury (‘hurts no one’)
Denial of the victim (deserved it)
Condemnation of the condemners (person who caught them deviant) - Appealing to higher loyalties (serving higher purpose)
14
Q
Social learning theory (learning)
A
- Behaviour is the result of, definitions, differential association, imitation and differential reinforcements
- More likely to engage in behaviours we have been rewarded for not punished + what we see others getting rewarded and punished for
15
Q
Limitations of learning theories
A
- Can’t really know the amount of deviant and non-deviant associations in a persons life
- So difficult to test
16
Q
Control theories
A
- Direct their attention to why not all people become deviant cuz it is inherently appealing
17
Q
Social bonds theory (control)
A
- 4 types of social bonds restrain most of us from deviance
1. Attachment (to teachers parents etc.)
2. Commitment (to conformity)
3. Involvement (in conventional activities)
4. Belief ( in norms, values and assumptions)
