Deviant Behavior? Explain the Role of Norms

¶ … deviant behavior? Explain the role of norms and societal reactions. *According to Stark, what is wrong with defining crime as "actions that violate the law?" Deviant behavior is any sort of conduct that goes against the norms of a specific community / culture. Norms serve to create and regulate a certain order in society; societal reactions keep these norms in check and modify them when appropriate (when the powerful functionaries of the society so decide).

What is differential association theory? According to the text, what are some aspects of deviance that are not consistent with differential association theory? This is a theory developed by Edwin Sutherland that states that offenders learn attitudes, values, strategies, modes of behavior, and motives for criminal behavior through interaction with peers and others in their community. It does not explain though why some individuals, growing up in a poor and violent-ridden community are resilient to criminal behavior, whilst individuals growing up in a wealthy, protected society engage in criminal conduct. 3.

Control theorists (also called social control theory, or social bonding theory), especially Travis Hirschi, begin with the question, "Why don't they do it?" So, according to control theory, why do most people conform most of the time (4 bonds)? It is only those who have weak social bonds or who have small to negligible social connections that turn to the deviant behavior that is more comfortable and appears to be more attractive. Others engage in rational behavior due to their social ties that rein them in and their willingness to belong. 4.

What is labeling theory? In what three ways might deviant labels essentially "push" people into a career of secondary deviance? Labeling theory: The self-identity and behavior of individual is formed by the terms that others use to describe them. Secondary deviance is behavior that takes places after the person has been institutionally labeled and in reaction to the label (whilst primary deviance is the act of deviance itself). I tis therefore (1) reaction (ii) self-reinforcement prophecy iii) resentment towards community who stigmatizes him; offender cannot escape this stigmatization. 5.

Both social control / bonding theory (Hirschi) and deterrence theory are "control" theories. One focuses primarily on informal social control, the other formal social control. Explain. Deterrence theory focuses son the whole legal and police network that it is place -- formal to prevent and punish crimes as well as to formally regulate and monitor offending behavior. Social control theory, on the other hand, discusses the informal community / social support structure that individuals have that deter them from committing crimes / from deviating and that keep them in place. 6.

Both Cambridge-Somerville and TARP are cited by Stark as experimental failures. Explain.