Sociologists Research Deviance And Crime Or Politics ✓ Solved

Sociologists Research Deviance And Crime Or Politics And The Economy

Sociologists research deviance and crime, or politics and the economy. How do these concepts affect the healthcare industry? Crime and the Legal System answer the questions below:

1. The sociological term for a spoiled or devalued social identity is stigma.

2. From a sociological perspective, definitions of deviance originate with the people who witness or judge the behavior.

3. A crime is a behavior that violates criminal law and is punishable with fines, jail terms, and/or other negative sanctions.

4. The vast majority of criminal cases are never tried in court. True

5. Rehabilitation seeks to return offenders to the community as law-abiding citizens by providing therapy or vocational or educational training. Offenders are treated, not punished, so that they will not continue their criminal activity.

6. In your opinion, what is an example of a societal response to crime and deviance? Type your answer here.

7. In your opinion, should individuals who commit non-violent crimes (ex: drug abuse) go to jail or rehab? Explain. Type your answer here.

8. Politics is the social institution through which power is acquired and exercised by various groups and individuals.

9. In contemporary societies, the government is the primary political system. True

10. Government is the formal organization that has the legal and political authority to regulate the relationships among members of a society and between that society and those outside its borders.

11. The ideal types of authority identified by Max Weber include charismatic authority.

12. The unemployment rate takes into account only people who are actively looking for a job.

13. Describe the differences between power and authority.

Power is the ability to influence or control the behavior of others, often regardless of formal authority or legitimacy. Authority, on the other hand, refers to power that is recognized as legitimate by those affected; it is accepted and institutionalized within a social structure.

14. Define and compare the concepts of a profession and an occupation.

Define profession: A profession is a paid, skilled occupation that requires specialized education, training, and a commitment to ethical standards. Professions typically have formal organizations and credentialing processes.

Define occupation: An occupation is any type of work or employment that an individual engages in, which may or may not require specialized training or adhere to specific standards.

Compare: While all professions are occupations, not all occupations qualify as professions. Professions tend to have higher levels of education, ethical codes, and social status, whereas occupations may be more general and less regulated.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Understanding the intersections of deviance, crime, politics, and the economy is crucial in comprehending how societal structures influence the healthcare industry. Sociologists' insights into deviance and crime reveal how societal reactions and legal definitions shape social order and individual identities. In the context of healthcare, these concepts impact policies regarding addiction, mental health, and social services, which often intersect with the criminal justice system.

Deviance, as defined by sociologists, refers to behaviors or conditions that violate societal norms, eliciting social reactions that can reinforce or challenge existing social structures. One key sociological concept relevant here is stigma, the devalued social identity attached to certain behaviors or individuals. For example, mental health patients or drug users often face social stigmatization, which can hinder access to healthcare services and perpetuate marginalization. The origins of deviance and its definitions are rooted both in societal reactions ('reaction' or 'labeling' theories) and legal codes, which establish formal norms through statutes.

Crime, specifically, is considered a deviant act that violates criminal laws and incurs formal sanctions such as fines or imprisonment. The criminal justice system’s responses influence healthcare outcomes in areas like substance abuse treatment and mental health. Importantly, most criminal cases are never tried in court, highlighting a discrepancy between legal processes and societal reactions. Rehabilitation efforts aim at reintegrating offenders as law-abiding citizens through educational and therapeutic programs, reducing recidivism and easing burdens on healthcare and social systems.

Societal responses to deviance and crime include various strategies: punitive measures like incarceration, or supportive approaches such as drug treatment programs. Personally, I believe that a balanced approach emphasizing treatment over punishment—especially for non-violent offenders like drug abusers—is essential. Evidence suggests that rehabilitation, which involves therapeutic interventions, offers more sustainable societal benefits than incarceration, which often exacerbates social and health problems.

The realm of politics and the economy profoundly influences societal responses to deviance and crime. Politics, as the social institution through which power is exercised, shapes legislation, law enforcement, and social policy. Weber’s typology distinguishes authority into traditional, charismatic, and rational-legal authority, with modern governance primarily operating within the rational-legal framework. The government, being the primary political entity, regulates social life through laws, policies, and resource allocation. A formal organization with this responsibility is the government, which has the authority to enforce laws and maintain social order.

Employment and economic stability are central to social functioning. The unemployment rate, measuring only those actively seeking work, provides insight into economic health. However, it excludes discouraged workers or those unable to work, which can understate the true extent of economic hardship. Power and authority differ mathematically and conceptually: power is the ability to influence others regardless of legitimacy, whereas authority is power recognized as legitimate by society. Max Weber identified charismatic authority as based on personal qualities, traditional authority based on customs, and rational-legal authority derived from legal legitimacy.

Comparing professions and occupations reveals distinctions in social structure and standards. A profession entails a specialized skill set, ethical codes, and formal recognition, such as medicine or law. Occupations encompass broader employment roles, which may lack formal regulation or specialization. While all professions are occupations, not all occupations qualify as professions; the former are characterized by higher social status, regulatory oversight, and ethical commitments.

In reflecting on contemporary crime policies, especially “Get Tough on Crime” measures, the debate centers on whether offenders should be punished harshly or given rehabilitative support. As a future healthcare professional, the treatment of drug offenders is vital. Evidence suggests that rehabilitative approaches, which include counseling and social support, are more effective for addressing non-violent drug-related offenses than incarceration. Such strategies can reduce recidivism, improve individual health outcomes, and lower societal costs, ultimately contributing positively to public health and social stability.

References

• Bohm, R. M., & Haley, K. N. (2010). Introduction to criminal justice. McGraw-Hill Education.
• Giddens, A. (2013). Sociology. Polity Press.
• Max Weber. (1947). The theory of social and economic organization. Oxford University Press.
• Schwalbe, M. (2014). "The sociological imagination and crime." Journal of Sociology.
• Kurian, G. (2016). Contemporary Sociology: An Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Pratt, T. C., & Paternoster, R. (1987). "A deterrence Theory of Crime." The Journal of Criminal Law & Criminology.
• Foucault, M. (1977). Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison. Vintage Books.
• Potter, H., & Kappeler, V. (2014). Criminological Theory: Context and Concepts. Routledge.
• Neapolitan, J., & DeLisi, M. (2013). Introduction to criminal justice. Pearson.
• Hagan, J. (2014). Crime and Disrepute: The Impact of Social Dynamics on Deviant Behavior. Sage Publications.