Chapter 7 Flashcards
(24 cards)
define norms
accepted/expected ways of doing things.
define deviance
when someone departs
from a norm and evokes a negative reaction from others. If you violate a norm, you have committed deviance, by definition.
define a law
special kind of a norm stipulated and enforced by government bodies.
define crime
special type of deviance that breaks the law
explain “beauty is the eye of the beholder”
beauty is subjective; people will find different things beautiful
describe the concept of labelling
the process by which individuals are categorized or identified based on certain characteristics, behaviors, or social roles.
(remember 2 9-10 year old boys who drove the neighbour’s car, 1st boy was white and was no arrested whereas the second boy was)
informal punishment
A minor penalty applied during direct personal interaction, rather than through the judicial system.
ex: A friend giving you the silent treatment because you broke a promise, or a parent scolding their child.
formal punishment
Takes place when the judicial
system penalizes someone for breaking a law.
how do deviance and crime differ?
differ through 3 ways:
1. Severity of the social response
2. Perceived harmfulness
3. Degree of public agreement
what are the four types of devience and crime?
- Social Diversions – Minor acts of deviance that are seen as harmless, evoking mild reactions like amusement or disdain.
- Social Deviations – Noncriminal actions that break societal norms, subject to formal regulation, with differing public opinions on their potential harm. ex: protests
- Conflict Crimes – Illegal acts considered harmful by some but not by others, and punishable by the state.
ex: theft - Consensus Crimes – Illegal acts widely recognized as harmful to society, with severe punishment enforced by the state.
street crime
Typically visible and includes theft, assault, murder, etc. It is what people commonly associate with crime and often receives more media attention, leading to harsher criminal labels.
white-collar crime
Associated with “rich people crimes” like fraud, tax evasion, and identity theft. These crimes are harder to detect, prove, and punish, and those caught are less likely to be labeled criminals.
Despite being less visible, white-collar crime causes more financial damage to society than street crime.
How do gender-based power differences influence crime and law?
Gender power differences shape laws and how crimes are recognized and punished, often leading to women’s victimization being ignored.
How was sexual harassment viewed in the past?
Sexual harassment was once seen as normal behavior for men toward women, and still is in some places.
What needs to happen for change in gender-based issues?
Women need more power, like voting rights and education, to make changes in the law.
What are the two main shortcomings of police-reported crime statistics?
- Much crime, especially victimless crimes, is not reported to the police. ex: gambling
- Authorities and the public decide which crimes to report and which to ignore.
What are some explanations for declining crime rates?
- Larger, better-trained law enforcement and correctional officers.
- Decline in the number of young people in Canada due to aging population.
- Improved economic conditions reduce crime, as strained personal circumstances often lead to crime.
- Legalization of abortion reduces the number of unwanted children, who may be more prone to neglect and crime.
- Decline in lead exposure, which lowers risks of learning disabilities, impulse control issues, and violent crime.
What is moral panic?
Moral panic is an extreme overreaction where people believe a form of deviance or crime threatens society’s well-being. It is fueled by media distortion of crime, making it seem more widespread than it is.
ex: video game panic due to people thinking it was increasing violence
How does moral panic affect people’s perception of crime?
It leads people to incorrectly believe they are more at risk from violent and predatory criminals due to exaggerated media coverage.
What is social control?
Social control is the way a society regulates people’s thoughts, feelings, appearance, and behavior.
What is internal social control?
Internal social control involves socialization that shapes individuals to see deviant actions as undesirable, such as not committing murder because it’s morally wrong.
What is external social control?
External social control regulates behavior through punishments and rewards.
define panopticon
prison design that allows constant observation of inmates without their knowledge
What are the main purposes of punishment in the justice system?
- Rehabilitation – To help criminals learn their lesson and get a second chance.
- Deterrence – To warn non-criminals of the consequences of crime.
- Revenge – To make criminals “pay” for their actions (“an eye for an eye”).
- Incapacitation – To remove criminals from society and prevent further crimes.
