11 Flashcards
(28 cards)
According to Emile Durkheim, why is crime considered a normal social fact?
Durkheim believed crime is normal because it exists in all societies. He argued that crime is not inherently bad but rather serves to define moral boundaries and reinforce collective values.
Explain how deviance can contribute to social cohesion, using an example.
Deviance can unify non-deviant members by creating a common enemy or scapegoat. For example, the ‘war on drugs’ can unite people against a perceived threat and strengthen social bonds.
How can deviance serve as an ‘early warning system’ for societal problems?
Deviance can highlight flaws in the social system by exposing injustices or inconsistencies. The murder of George Floyd, for example, brought attention to systemic racism and police brutality.
Briefly describe Robert Merton’s concept of ‘innovation’ in his Anomie/Strain Theory.
Innovation, in Merton’s theory, occurs when individuals accept cultural goals (like financial success) but reject legitimate means of achieving them. They resort to innovative, often criminal, means to achieve those goals.
What does Merton’s ‘Retreatism’ mode of adaptation entail?
Retreatism involves rejecting both the cultural goals and the legitimate means of achieving them. Individuals in this category withdraw from society, often through substance abuse or other forms of escape.
How do conflict theories view the concept of deviance differently from functionalist perspectives?
Conflict theories argue that deviance is a result of power imbalances and social inequality. They emphasize how dominant groups define and control what is considered deviant to maintain their power.
Who are ‘moral entrepreneurs’ according to Howard Becker, and what role do they play in defining deviance?
Moral entrepreneurs are individuals or groups who actively seek to define certain behaviors as deviant and impose their moral views on others. They often play a crucial role in shaping public opinion and influencing the creation of laws and policies.
Provide an example of how deviance can lead to social change.
The Civil Rights Movement, led by figures like Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr., is an example of how deviant behavior (at the time) challenged segregation laws and led to significant social change.
How can minor forms of deviance function as ‘safety valves’ within a society?
Minor forms of deviance, like drinking or engaging in recreational drug use, can act as safety valves by allowing individuals to release stress and frustration in controlled environments, potentially preventing more serious forms of deviance.
Using Merton’s typology, analyze a social phenomenon like drug dealing.
Drug dealing can be seen as an example of ‘innovation’ in Merton’s typology. Individuals involved in drug dealing often accept the cultural goal of financial success but reject legitimate means of achieving it, resorting to illegal activities to attain wealth.
Deviance:
Behavior that violates social norms and expectations.
Social Norms
Rules and guidelines that govern acceptable behavior within a society.
Moral Order:
The shared set of values and beliefs that underpin a society’s sense of right and wrong.
Social Cohesion:
The bonds that unite members of a society.
Anomie:
A state of normlessness or social disorganization, often associated with rapid social change.
Strain Theory:
A theory that suggests deviance arises from the strain individuals experience when they are unable to achieve socially valued goals through legitimate means.
Conflict Theory:
A sociological perspective that emphasizes how power differentials and social inequality contribute to social problems, including deviance.
Moral Entrepreneurs:
Individuals or groups who actively campaign to define certain behaviors as deviant and impose their moral views on others.
Safety Valve:
A mechanism that allows individuals to release pressure or frustration in a controlled manner, potentially preventing more serious forms of deviance.
Scapegoating:
Deviants can serve as targets for societal frustrations, uniting non-deviants against a common enemy.
Social Stratification:
The presence of deviants creates a visible “bottom layer” in society, allowing others to feel superior and reinforcing social hierarchies.
Early Warning System:
Deviant behavior can expose flaws or weaknesses in the social system, prompting necessary changes.
Innovation and Change:
Deviants can challenge existing norms and introduce new ideas, sometimes leading to significant social progress.
Conformity:
Accepting both goals and means.
