Soci2010 Fall 2015 Review Sheet For Exam 3: This Is An Outli

Soci2010 Fall 2015 Review Sheet For Exam 3this Is An Outline So B

This review sheet covers key concepts related to deviance, social control, social class inequality, and crime as outlined in lecture notes and the textbook chapters 6 and 7. The focus is on understanding various theories of deviance, the distinctions between deviance and crime, the social functions of deviance, types of social sanctions, the nature of social inequality, and different forms of crime alongside their associated punishment goals.

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The complex social phenomena of deviance and crime significantly influence societal functioning and social cohesion. The understanding of deviance involves recognizing it as a social construct, where behaviors labeled as deviant are defined by societal norms and reactions rather than inherent qualities. Emile Durkheim’s structural functionalist perspective posits that deviance serves important social functions, such as strengthening social cohesion and clarifying moral boundaries. According to Durkheim, crime and deviance are inevitable in society and contribute to social stability by encouraging collective responses to deviance. Robert Merton extended this view through his Strain Theory, illustrating how societal structures promote deviance when there is a disconnect between culturally prescribed goals and the means available to achieve them, leading to anomie or normlessness.

Symbolic Interactionist (SI) theories provide a micro-level perspective on deviance. Differential Association Theory, formulated by Edwin Sutherland, posits that individuals learn deviant behaviors through their interactions with others who promote deviant norms. Social Control Theory, notably developed by Travis Hirschi, emphasizes the importance of social bonds and attachments in preventing deviance, suggesting that weak social bonds increase the likelihood of deviant behavior. Deterrence theories focus on the role of punishments—if sufficiently severe, certain, and swift—deterring individuals from committing crimes. Labeling Theory explores how societal reaction and labels assigned to deviant individuals can reinforce deviant identity, influencing subsequent behaviors and social interactions.

Conflict theories highlight the role of social inequality in the production of deviance. These perspectives argue that laws and norms reflect the interests of the powerful, and that economic pressures and class conflict shape what behaviors are criminalized. Consequently, marginalized groups often experience over-policing and harsher sanctions. Social control, including formal sanctions like imprisonment and informal sanctions such as social ostracism, serves to discipline behavior and maintain social order. Sanctions can be classified as either positive or negative, formal or informal, with typologies including rewards or punishments, corrective measures, and social disapproval.

Regarding social class inequality, the film "Inequality for All" illustrates how economic disparities impact various aspects of life, including health, housing, education, and mental health. The textbook chapters elaborate on social stratification, detailing the classifications of social classes: upper-middle class, middle class, working class, working poor, and the underclass. Figures 7.6 and 7.7 depict the distribution of these classes and highlight how inequality perpetuates disparities in life chances. The consequences of inequality are multifaceted: lower socioeconomic status is linked to poorer health outcomes, limited access to quality education, inadequate housing, and higher levels of mental health issues.

In terms of criminal justice, definitions provided in the textbook clarify various types of crime, such as violent crime, property crime, public order crime, occupational and corporate crime, organized crime, and political crime. The goals of punishment—retribution, deterrence, incapacitation, and rehabilitation—aim to balance social justice with social order. Retribution seeks revenge for wrongdoing; deterrence aims to prevent future offenses; incapacitation removes offenders from society; and rehabilitation focuses on integrating offenders back into society through treatment and skill development.

Understanding social class differences is crucial for analyzing the social consequences of inequality. The layout of social classes in the US demonstrates a hierarchical structure, with tiers distinguished by income, occupational prestige, and access to resources. The disparities in health, housing, and education derived from these class distinctions create entrenched social inequality, influencing individuals’ opportunities and life trajectories. Recognizing the interconnectedness of social stratification and crime provides insight into how social policies could be designed to reduce inequality and promote social justice.

References

• Durkheim, E. (1895). The Rules of Sociological Method. Free Press.
• Merton, R. K. (1938). Social Structure and Anomie. American Sociological Review, 3(5), 672-682.
• Sutherland, E. H. (1947). Principles of Criminology. J.B. Lippincott.
• Hirschi, T. (1969). Causes of Delinquency. University of California Press.
• Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Free Press.
• Gottfredson, M. R., & Hirschi, T. (1990). A General Theory of Crime. Stanford University Press.
• Wilkinson, R., & Pickett, K. (2009). The Spirit Level: Why Equality Is Better for Everyone. Allen Lane.
• Alexander, M. (2010). The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness. The New Press.
• Addams, J. (1910). Twenty Years at Hull House. Macmillan.
• The Pew Charitable Trusts. (2018). The State of American Wealth. Pew Charitable Trusts.