Conformity, deviance, and crime Flashcards
(15 cards)
Deviance
In sociology, deviance refers to any behavior that violates social norms, while crime is a specific type of deviance that violates formal laws and is punishable by the state.
Norms and sanctions
norms are the shared expectations or rules for behavior within a social group or society, while sanctions are the mechanisms used to enforce these norms. Sanctions can be positive (rewards for following)
All human groups follow norms, which are backed by sanctions, ranging from informal disapproval to physical punishment.
Crime
The result of any action that contravenes the laws established by a political authority
Strain theory (Merton)
Posits that societal pressures and frustrations can lead individuals to engage in deviant or criminal behaviors. This frustration, or “strain,” arises when individuals are unable to achieve socially valued goals through legitimate means, pushing them to explore alternative, often illegal, avenues.
Subcultural theory (Cohen)
Argues that delinquent subcultures emerge among working-class youth due to status frustration and a reaction formation. These youth, unable to achieve status through legitimate means like school, form subcultures where deviant behavior is valued and rewarded, offering a sense of belonging and status.
Differential association theory (Sutherland)
Explains how individuals learn deviant or criminal behavior through social interactions. Unlike biological or psychological explanations, it emphasizes that criminal behavior is learned from others, much like any other behavior. This learning process occurs through interactions with intimate groups, where individuals adopt attitudes, values, and techniques related to crime.
Labeling theory (Becker)
Argues that deviance is not inherent in an act, but rather a consequence of how society labels and reacts to it. Essentially, an act becomes deviant because it’s labeled as such by social groups, leading to consequences like self-perception and limited opportunities
Conflict theory of crime
Argues that crime and deviance are not simply the result of individual failings, but are instead rooted in societal inequalities and conflicts between different groups. It suggests that laws are created and enforced by powerful groups to protect their interests, often at the expense of less powerful groups
Control theory
Suggests that people conform to societal norms and laws because of strong social bonds and internal controls
Assumes that people act rationally and that given the chance, everyone would break the rules
Broken windows theory
Argues that visible signs of disorder, such as broken windows, can encourage more serious crime. The theory suggests that when signs of neglect and disorder are allowed to persist, it signals to potential criminals that a neighborhood is not well-maintained and therefore a likely target for more serious offenses.
Mass incarceration in the U.S.
The US incarcerates more of its population than any other country in the world
It also incarcerates more of its minority populations, especially black and Hispanic men, that any other country in the world
War on drugs
The aggressive and discriminatory campaign to enforce drug prohibition, primarily initiated by Nixon in the United States in the early 1970s,
The War on Drugs has resulted in a massive increase in the number of people incarcerated for drug-related offenses in the US. The number of people convicted of drug-related crimes has risen by over 500% in the last 40 years. The US has the highest incarceration rate globally, and a significant portion of this population is incarcerated for nonviolent drug offenses
Sentencing disparities (crack vs. powder cocaine)
1986 Anti-Drug Abuse Act established a 100:1 sentencing ratio: possession of 5g of crack cocaine triggered the same mandatory minimum sentence as 500g of powder cocaine.
Since crack was more common in low-income Black communities and powder cocaine in wealthier white areas, the laws led to the disproportionate incarceration of Black Americans, reinforcing racial inequality. This contributed to mass incarceration, especially of young Black men, and helped criminalize poverty. It also damaged trust in the justice system and fueled calls for reform, eventually sparking movements to reduce sentencing disparities and address broader injustices in drug policy and law enforcement.
The disparity was reduced to 18:1 by the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, but not eliminated.
Institutional racism in criminal justice
the ways in which laws, policies, and practices—though they may appear neutral—systematically disadvantage racial minorities, particularly Black and Latino communities.
In sociology, this concept highlights how racial inequality is embedded in the structure of institutions rather than just the actions of individuals. Examples include racial profiling, sentencing disparities (like crack vs. powder cocaine laws), unequal access to quality legal defense, and over-policing in communities of color. These patterns lead to higher arrest, conviction, and incarceration rates for people of color, even when crime rates are similar across racial groups.
Media and public perception of crime
News coverage tends to focus on violent crimes, especially those involving Black or Latino suspects, while underreporting white-collar crime or crimes committed by white individuals. This selective portrayal creates a “moral panic”—an exaggerated fear of crime that doesn’t match actual crime rates. As a result, people may believe crime is rising even when it’s declining, and they may support harsher policing or sentencing policies. This can reinforce racial stereotypes, justify over-policing in communities of color, and influence political decisions about criminal justice. Sociologically, media-driven perceptions of crime help maintain existing power structures by directing fear and blame toward marginalized group
