Explanatory theories
deviance are concerned with trying to explain why deviance occurs; scientific perspective
Constructionist theories
are concerned with achieving a greater understanding of the process by which people define and classify some behaviors as normal and or deviant
Interactionist Theories
Focus is placed on the ways in which people "do" deviance.
symbols
the labels created by those in power to identify deviants
interaction
a person or group doing the labeling and the person or groups receiving the label
Labeling theory
defines a deviant as someone who has successfully received a label. focuses on the way the person labeled as deviant is affected by the label.
social control agents
those who label a person as deviant
primary deviance
refers to initial deviant acts that are strange or out of the ordinary. This is an isolated event and not worthy of the deviant label
secondary deviance
refers to persistent deviant acts that becomes a part of a person's normal repertoire. This behavior is worthy of the deviant label.
conflict/critical theories
explain why those in power do not experience the same harsh sanctions for deviant behavior as those with less power. the type of crimes committed are based on power
social control theory
control theory focuses on the reasons why people do not commit deviant acts
strain theory
said to occur when the culturally prescribed goals of a society are unattainable through legitimate means
5 adaptions of strain
Conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, rebels
Conformists
accept both cultural goals and the traditional means of achieving those goals
Innovators
accept the cultural goals, but reject the conventional means of achieving them
Ritualists
realize they will not be able to achieve cultural goals, but continue to engage in the conventional means to achieve them
Retreatists
reject both cultural goals and the traditional means to achieve them
Rebels
reject both cultural goals and the traditional means to achieve them; but they substitute non-traditional goals and means to achieve those goals
Hate crimes
are those based on race, religion, sexual orientation, gender, national origin, and or disability
Criminalization
is a process that revolves around how behavior is defined as criminal. This process is based on morals and rules of behavior
Deviance and crime are "________" because it defines and clarifies collective beliefs; their norms and values
functional
stigma
a term coined by Erving Goffman used to refer to a characteristic \
that defined or labeled as unusual, unpleasant, or deviant
Discredited stigma
differences readily visible or evident
Discreditable stigma
differences not immediately recognizable or unknown to the public
moral panics
to widespread, disproportionate, exaggerated reactions to questionable deviant behavior
Differential Association Theory
a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland proposing that through interaction with others, individuals learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.