Ch. 3 - Explaining Deviance (Interpretive Theories) Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Ch. 3 - Explaining Deviance (Interpretive Theories) Deck (40)
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1
Q

What do interpretive theories focus on?

A

How people develop understandings of the world around themselves and others.

2
Q

What are the 3 types of theories within the interpretive class?

A

Symbolic interactionism, labelling theories, and the theory of the deviant career.

3
Q

What is the main assumption of symbolic interactionism?

A

We develop understanding and attribute meaning to the world around us and to ourselves on the basis of interactions we have had with other people in our lives.

4
Q

[Symbolic Interactionism] How is society created?

A

By social interactions occurring via the use of symbols.

5
Q

What are the four key concepts in symbolic interactionism?

A

Role-taking, the looking-glass self, significant others, and generalized others.

6
Q

[Symbolic Interactionism] What is role-taking?

A

We take other people’s roles and imagine what their perspective would be in order to decide how to act.

7
Q

[Symbolic Interactionism] What is the looking-glass self?

A

We imagine how other people see us and change our actions accordingly.

8
Q

[Symbolic Interactionism] Who are significant others? What role do they play?

A

They are important people in our lives, their opinions of us are important to us.

9
Q

[Symbolic Interactionism] Who are generalized others?

A

People with no special value to us, we still care what they think though.

10
Q

What is the assumption of labelling theories?

A

If you call someone something for long enough, they eventually become that thing.

11
Q

Who are the four thinkers that influenced labelling theory?

A

Tannenbaum, Lemert, Becker, and Goffman.

12
Q

Who is known as the grandfather of labelling theory?

A

Tannenbaum.

13
Q

[Labelling] What are the two processes described by Tannenbaum?

A

Tagging and the dramatization of evil.

14
Q

[Labelling] What is tagging?

A

A deviant label is attached to someone’s act.

15
Q

[Labelling] What is the dramatization of evil?

A

The deviant label becomes applied to the person instead of just the act.

16
Q

[Labelling] What does the dramatization of evil result in?

A

Changes in identity and subsequent behaviour; internalization of the deviant label.

17
Q

[Labelling] What did Lemert contribute to labelling theory?

A

A distinction between primary and secondary deviance.

18
Q

[Labelling] What is the difference between primary and secondary deviance?

A

Primary deviance involves occasional rule-breaking. Secondary deviance is a deviant lifestyle and identity.

19
Q

[Labelling] What results in the transition from primary to secondary deviance?

A

Being caught. People label the person as deviant, then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

20
Q

[Labelling] What did Becker contribute to labelling theory?

A

The concept of master status.

21
Q

[Labelling] What is a master status?

A

A status/label that is the main identifier to others.

22
Q

[Labelling] How does a deviant master status affect someone?

A

It causes the conforming world to reject them, resulting in changes to identity and lifestyle.

23
Q

[Labelling] What did Goffman contribute to labelling theory?

A

The dramaturgical approach and the idea of discredited and discreditable stigmas.

24
Q

[Labelling] What is the dramaturgical approach?

A

We play different roles. There are front-stage selves and back-stage selves.

25
Q

[Labelling] What are front-stage selves?

A

The selves we present to others and impression manage.

26
Q

[Labelling] What are back-stage selves?

A

Our internal monologue and self.

27
Q

[Labelling] What makes impression management difficult?

A

Stigmatization as deviant or spoiled identities.

28
Q

[Labelling] What does it mean for a stigma to be discredited?

A

The stigma is well-known by people.

29
Q

[Labelling] What does it mean for a stigma to be discreditable?

A

Stigmas that are unknown or can be hidden. There is a possibility for the stigma to become discredited.

30
Q

[Labelling] What are the two types of shaming?

A

Disintegrated and reintegrative.

31
Q

[Labelling] What is disintegrated shaming?

A

A situation in which the deviant is completely rejected and cast out.

32
Q

[Labelling] What is reintegrative shaming?

A

A temporary stigma. Someone is held accountable and their behaviour condemned, but as long as they take responsibility, the stigma is lifted.

33
Q

[Labelling] What is tertiary deviance?

A

Deviance that challenges or resists the deviant label. E.g., arguing for the legalization of marijuana.

34
Q

Who proposed the idea of the deviant career?

A

Becker.

35
Q

What is the idea of the deviant career?

A

To illustrate how people who are engaged in deviance progress through a series of stages.

36
Q

[Deviant Career] What are career contingencies?

A

The various turning points that influence the directions people take.

37
Q

[Deviant Career] What are the 3 types of deviants?

A

The pure deviant, the falsely accused deviant, and the secret deviant.

38
Q

[Deviant Career] What is a pure deviant?

A

Someone who engages in deviance and someone who is responded to as if they are deviant.

39
Q

What are the 2 most significant criticisms of interpretive theories?

A

The lack of attention to the social structure and their failure to explain the initial acts of deviance.

40
Q

What has Lemert’s labelling theory been criticized for? (4)

A

For focusing on adolescents, failing to address the long-term effects of labelling, only looking at formal labels, and not addressing the processes involved in the transition from primary to secondary deviance.