Ch 12 - Sociological Approaches Flashcards
(19 cards)
Chicago School
The first school of sociology in the US. Contributed to social disorganization theory, cultural transmission theory, differential association theory, subcultural theory, the sociology of deviance, + symbolic interactionism.
Anomie
A term used to describe periods of lawlessness, normlessness, + unrestrained choice, or a breakdown in social solidarity.
Functionalism
In sociology, the idea that society is comparable to a functioning organism, w/ interrelated parts + structures to ensure that the parts work together; functionalists believe that society is based on consensus (shared values, beliefs), not conflict.
Social Disorganization Theory
The theory that a breakdown of networks, norms, + trust that facilitate coordination + cooperation among residents of neighbourhoods can lead to greater crime + violence.
Differential Association Theory
Theory that criminal behaviour is learned through the process of social interaction, + that the process includes the learning of criminal skills, motivations, attitudes, + rationalizations.
Symbolic Interactionism
The notion that meaning + reality are socially constructed through the use/sharing of gestures, symbols, or words, which are themselves socially created symbols that convey socially agreed-upon meanings.
Neutralization
The notion that criminals learn motivations + rationalizations to justify their criminal behaviour.(extension of Sutherland’s differential association theory)
Sociology of Deviance
Blends Chicago School symbolic interactionism w/ views on how crime + deviance are used to maintain social boundaries +/ social control; it examines how certain groups or behaviours come to be viewed as social problems.
Labelling Theory
The theory that the stigma affixed through the criminalization process may lead individuals to develop a deviant self-image, + feel separate from the “normal” community, + thus continue w/ deviant behaviour.
Moral Panic
Phenomena, socially constructed by the media, politicians, + moral entrepreneurs, in which certain people or groups are labelled/stigmatized as the cause of a perceived social problem, resulting in widespread public alarm.
Anomie-Strain Theory
Merton’s theory describing the state of anomie in American society caused by the dysfunction b/w the cultural goals of the “American Dream” + the institutional means to achieve those goals.
Cultural Transmission Theory
The Chicago School notion that criminal subcultures develop their own subcultural values/ norms, which are then transmitted from gang member to gang member, + from generation to generation.
General Strain Theory
Explains delinquent acts by teens from relatively affluent families; teens have more immediate strains than adults, such as physical appearance, popularity, parental discipline, academic performance, + peer pressure to join gangs + participate in delinquent behaviour.
Institutional-Anomie Theory
Theory that institutional imbalance (anomie) is caused by the cultural goals of capitalist society, + the failure of social institutions to properly integrate + regulate the pursuit of those goals.
Social Learning Theory
Definitions (values about acceptable + unacceptable behaviour) favourable to criminal behaviour are learned through differential reinforcement. Criminal behaviour depends on reward/punishment for past behaviour + anticipated consequences of persistence.
Social Control Theory
Holds that social bonds + informal social controls act as restraints on teen delinquency.
Social Bond Theory
The four elements of the social bond include attachment, commitment, involvement, + belief.
Interactional Theory
Theory that both social bond theory + social learning theory are needed to explain criminal behaviour, b/c weakening of the social bond + the social learning of criminal values is interactional/reciprocal (not unidirectional).
Life-Course-Development Theory
Theory that individuals can be deflected off of the trajectory toward a criminal career by life events (“turning points”) that can lead them to transition out of criminal behaviour.
