SOC final Flashcards
deviance
violation of norms, any act where people react negatively
crime
violation of rules that have been written into law
stigma
characteristics that discredit people
ex. violations of norms of appearance: big ears
involuntary membership can become someone’s master status, defining them as deviant
ex. pedophile, AIDS victim
social order
norms bring about social order
a group’s customary social arrangements
deviance undermines predictability
social control
formal and informal means of enforcing norms
at the center of social control are sanctions
negative sanctions
expressions of disapproval for deviance
ex. frowns
positive sanctions
reward people for conforming to norms ex. smiles
differential associations by Sutherland
from the different groups we associate with, we learn to deviate from or conform to society’s norms
ex. joining street gang vs boy scouts
control theory by Walter Reckless
two control systems work against our motivations to deviate: inner and outer
- inner: internalized morality: conscience, religion, fear
- outer: people who influence us not to deviate
the stronger our bonds are with society, the more effective our INNER controls are
bonds are based off
- attachments: affection and respect for people who conform
- commitments: having a stake at society that you dont want to risk ex. job or place in family
- involvements: participate in approved activities
- beliefs: convictions that some things are wrong
self control by Travis Hirschi
key to learning strong self control is socialization especially in childhood
labeling theory
significance of reputations and how they help set us on paths that propel us into deviance or divert us from it
strain theory by robert merton
strain: frustrations people feel
if mainstream rules feel illegitimate, you experience gap called anomie: sense of normalness
conformity
using socially acceptable means t reach cultural goals
