Chapter 4 + Lecture 4 Flashcards
(34 cards)
Many sociological theories are derived from…
studies of deviance and criminology
Control theories
Natural state of humans is to pursue pleasure and avoid pain
What prevents “normal” people from engaging in risky behaviour to pursue pleasure and avoid pain?
- because of their relationships with others and society (i.e., stake in conformity)
Control theories: social bonding theory
Focus on social or external controls and bonds
If social bonds are strong = less likely to engage in substance use (do not want to compromise conventional relationships or future ambitions)
If social bonds are weak = more likely to engage in substance use (nothing controlling individual’s behaviour)
What are the 4 elements of the social bonding theory?
- Attachment
- Nature of bond - Commitment
- Weighing of pros and cons for relationships and future ambitions - Involvement
- Deterred from deviance (less time for it) if participating in more conventional activities - Belief
- If one subscribes to the dominant belief system they are less likely to engage in substance use
Control theories: self-control theory
Self-control is a protective factor
Self-control is instilled through adequate parenting
Strain theories
Substance use is a normal response to stress
Strain theories: anomie theory
People share goals and values to pursue material success and wealth
BUT not everyone has access to the conventional means to achieve such goals
- they either adapt and use alternate means
- or they pursue different goals
5 adaptions to anomie
- Conformity
- Share goal + access to means - Innovation
- Share goal + no access to means
- New ways to achieve goal
- Most likely to engage in criminality (i.e., drug trade) - Ritualism
- No share goal + access to means
- Still engages in traditional means - Retreatism
- No share goal + no access to means
- When realize no access to means they withdraw
- High substance use - Rebellion
- Replace dominant cultural goals with own and new ways of achieving own goals
Strain theories: general strain theory
Strain can be induced through the loss of or threat of removal of positively valued stimuli OR the presentation of or threat of negative stimuli
Strain does not lead directly to negative adaptions like substance use
- First followed by negative emotional state that then influences coping strategies
According to the general strain theory what are 3 potential sources of strain that can lead to a negative emotional state?
- Failure to achieve goals
- aspirations and achievements are disconnected
- expected achievements and actual achievements are disconnected
- just or fair outcomes and actual outcomes not the same - Removal of positive stimuli
- loss of parent
- break-up - Presentation of negative stimuli
- abuse
Subcultural theories
Focus on social influences and situations
Subcultures are deviant NOT the individual
- & subcultures are only deviant to the extent that they have been defined as such
Subcultural theories: labelling theory
Nothing deviant or problematic about substance use or users, it is just that we have labelled it as such
Stigma affects a person’s view of themselves and subsequently their behaviour will reflect this
- if an individual is labelled as a pot head, then their behaviour will reflect this belief
Subcultural theories: differential association theory
The individual and the situation influence one another
What are 3 important elements of differential association theory?
- The influence of others
- The learning of definitions or attitudes about conventional and unconventional behaviour
- The frequency, duration, and intensity of one’s interaction with others in situations conducive of deviance
Subcultural theories: social learning theory aka…
differential association-reinforcement theory
Subcultural theories: social learning theory
Adds to differential association theory by explaining the learning process
What are the 4 core concepts that social learning theory is founded upon
- Differential association
- groups and individuals one associates with (the influence of others) - Definitions
- learning of definitions/attitudes about conventional or unconventional behaviours - Differential reinforcement
- positive or negative reinforcement - Imitation
- copying behaviour of role models
Social learning appears to be more influential in explaining _____ rather than ________
use; abuse
Integrated theories of substance use
Combine theories to explain drug use and dependence
Integrated theories: differential opportunity theory
Includes elements of strain and subcultural theories
If an individual lives in disadvantaged circumstances and lacks legitimate opportunities they may turn to unlawful means of succeeding
These individuals can choose to affiliate themselves with one of three subcultures:
1. Criminal
2. Conflict
3. Retreatist
Integrated theories: drift theory
Combines elements of strain, social control, culture, and situation
Youth are not totally committed to either conventional or unconventional behaviour
Shared experiences and beliefs among youth explain unconventional behaviour NOT peer pressure
According to drift theory what are “subterranean values”
Attitudes towards drugs that are in conflict with the dominant social order
According to drift theory what is “neutralization”
When released from social controls of school and family youth neutralize conventional beliefs to justify their participation in nonconventional activities
Integrated theories: routine activities and lifestyle choices
Certain activities/situations are more conducive to deviant behaviours than others
3 components explain the frequency of deviant behaviour:
1. Situation with opportunity to engage in risky behaviour
2. Absence of guardian
3. Motivated offender
i.e., unstructured, unsupervised, peer-dominated activities are conducive to a range of deviant behaviours
