Sociological Explanations of Deviance and Social Sanctions Free Online FlashCards

What distinguishes deviance from crime?

Deviance is behavior, belief, or appearance that violates a social norm. Crime specifically violates law, so not all deviance is criminal or harmful.

Why can the same behavior be judged differently in different settings?

What counts as deviant depends on the situation, culture, historical period, and how other people respond.

What social functions can deviance serve, according to Durkheim?

Durkheim argued that deviance exists in every society. Public responses to violations can clarify shared expectations and strengthen group solidarity.

How can deviance contribute to social change?

Durkheim’s account also allows that deviance can expose unjust or outdated norms and help bring about social change.

What does differential association theory say people learn through interaction?

Differential association theory proposes that people learn practices and definitions supportive of deviance through interaction with others.

What does labeling theory examine?

Labeling theory examines how reactions and labels can shape a person’s identity and later interactions. A label can affect future opportunities, but does not determine future behavior.

What does the conflict perspective ask about rules and sanctions?

Conflict theorists examine how unequal power and resources shape rules, their enforcement, and their consequences, including who is more exposed to surveillance or punishment.

What four bonds make up Hirschi’s social-bond theory?

Hirschi identified four bonds: attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief. Stronger ties to conventional society can discourage rule-breaking.

What is a social sanction?

A sanction is a response that rewards conformity or discourages norm violations. Sanctions may be formal or informal, and positive or negative.

How do formal and informal sanctions differ?

Formal sanctions are imposed under explicit rules by an organization or authority; informal sanctions arise in ordinary social interaction.

How can sanctions reinforce social norms?

Sanctions communicate which behaviors a group accepts. Praise or penalties can encourage conformity, reinforce norms, and make consequences visible to deter violations.

How can sanctions undermine or help transform norms?

Unequal or excessive punishment can weaken trust in authorities and make rules seem illegitimate. Sanctions against norm challengers may also change if public opinion and official rules shift.