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CJ 272
Criminology - Test 2
82
Criminal Justice
Undergraduate 3
04/07/2014

Additional Criminal Justice Flashcards

 


 

Cards

Term

Labeling Theory



Describe labeling theory in short

Definition
Term

Labeling Theory



What is the status of its emperical validity?

Definition
Never emperically validated
Term

Labeling Theory



Explain power holders and who might these people be?

Definition

Power holders are people who have power over us in society. 

these people are people in government and people with money.

Term

Labeling Theory



Explain "looking glass self" and how does this apply to criminality and labeling theory?

Definition

Looking glass self is how you see yourself as how others see you and tell you how you are. others tell us about ourselves, we accept.

If people keep telling me I am a criminal then i begin to accept that I am.

Term

Labeling Theory

 

"labels" = ?

Definition
"Stigma"
Term

Labeling Theory

 

What is primary deviance?

Definition
Acts of deviance that tend to be of a lesser nature, less severe, infrequent, and random
Term

Labeling Theory

 

What is secondary deviance?

Definition
More serious
Term

Labeling Theory

 

Explain the path from primary to secondary deviance including thought process?

Definition
Some begins by committing acts of primary deviance → before you are labeled a criminal, yuo do not think of yourself as a criminal → once caught and convicted then you carry around the stigma → now you start acting as a criminal because power holders say you are a criminal(labeled) → secondary deviance aka societal reaction perspective.
Term

Labeling Theory

 

Within labeling theory where is the blame placed and why?

Definition
The blame is placed on the government and the criminal justice system. Because of the time and what was going on at the time (vietnam and rebellious generation)
Term

Labeling Theory

 

What policies came out of this theory?

Definition

1) diversion programs - programs that divert you from the CJ system

     - community service

2) Deinstitutionalization

     - expungement

3)Radical non-intervention - idea that we should tolerate certain offenses

Term

"Shaming" Theory

 

 

Explain the idea of this theory

Definition
The idea that social disapproval to produce remorse .
Term

"Shaming" Theory

 

What are the two types of shaming?

Definition

1) Disintegrative shaming

2) Reintegrated shaming

Term

"Shaming" Theory

 

What is disintegrative shaming and an example?

Definition

the idea of bringing shame upon a person and that will deter them from committing crime

- sex offender registry

Term

"Shaming" Theory

 

What is reintegrated shaming and an example?

Definition

the idea that the offender goes through a process that decriminalizes them

- victim offender meetings

Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

Describe this theory in short and who is the author?

Definition
This theory says that a disorganized community fosters an environment that cause more deviance compared to an organized community. Shaw and Mckay
Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What is the status of its emperical validity?

Definition
Emperically validated
Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What are some attributes of an organized community?

Definition

- less crime

- agreement on norms and values

- cohesiveness in the community

- social interaction seems to be more orderly and courteous 

 - ex. Edwardsville = good place to raise a family

Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What are some of the attributes of a disorganized community?

Definition

- breakdown in social control

- not widespread concensus

- low cohesion

Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What was the name of the study that used geography to figure out deviance?

Definition
The Chicago Studies
Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What idea came out of the "Chicago Studies"?

Definition
Zone of transition
Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

Where does the zone of transition begin?

Definition
wherever the highest consectration of deliquency is, primarily the "inner city"
Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What comes out/ are the attributes of the inner zone of transition?

Definition

- Physical decay

- broken families

- births out of wedlock

- bad jobs

- poor education

- high rate of adult criminality

- higher rates of intoxication

Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What did Shaw and Mckay prove in this study?

Definition
They proved that if you put anyone, doesn't matter on race or ethnicity, in these circumstances/situation they will deviate/ be delinquent
Term

Social Disorganization Theory

 

What are some policies that were born out of this theory?

Definition

- Public houseing movement 

- busing

- after school programs

Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Who is the father of Anomie theory?

Definition
Emile Durkheim
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

What does "Anomie" mean from Durkheim

Definition
a state of "normlessness" or a lack of social regulation
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

How does Merton explain "Anomie"?

Definition
A disconnect between "valued cultural ends"(the American dream) and legitimate (legal) means to achieve those ends
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

What are the two reasons why "Anomie" occurs?

Definition

1)American Culture

2)American dream

Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Why does American culture and the American dream lead to strain? 

Definition
Because as Americans we are socialized into high ambition with an emphesis on winning/being competitive. We will do anything to win or take the top spot, this may condition us to cheat/ break the law. Not everyone is on an even playing field and have different blocked opportunities.
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Define strain under this theory

Definition
The pressure to attain goals through legitimate or illigitimate means
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

What are the modes of adaptation to strain? (5)

Definition

1)Conformity

2) Innovation

3) Rebellion

4) Retreatism

5) Ritualism

Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Explain conformity

Definition
Conformity is the most common response to strain. The idea of accepting your life for what it is using conventional ways to achieve goals.
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Explain innovation

Definition
Innovation is the most common deviant response. This is the idea that someone wants the traditional American dream but use illigitimate means and commit income producing crime. ex. selling drugs
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Explain rebellion

Definition
Total rejection of the system. wants to tear the system down often through violence. ex. occupy wall street movement.
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Explain retreatism

Definition
This is an escapist response. this type of person will engage in intoxication to deal with strain.
Term

Merton's Anomie Theory

 

Explain ritualism

Definition
this is where the person gives up the struggle to get ahead and instead continues to do the same thing everyday so they don't fall or rise
Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

Explain what this theory is in short and who is the author?

Definition
this theory deals with meeting middle class expectations and why the lower class doesnt meet these expectations and what happens if someone cant meet them, this is theory explains juvenile deliquency. Albert Cohen
Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

define stain under this theory

Definition
The inability to gain status and acceptance in society
Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

What do you have to do to gain status under this theory?

Definition
Meet middle class expectations
Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

What are some middle class expectation and which is most important?

Definition

- Academic success (important)

- financial stability

- behaving yourself

- proper speech

- appearence 

- demener 

- positive activities

- delayed gratification (important)

Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

Why is it that lower class groups do not buy into middle class expectations?

Definition
they are not socialized into meeting these expectations, different culture.
Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

What occurs if someone can not meet middle class expectations?

Definition

Status deprivation

Status frustration

Reaction formation

Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

Define reaction formation

Definition
when some intentionally acts the opposite way of middle class expectations to achieve status in their own sub group
Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

According to cohen, what will happen if you put a lower class kid into a public school with middle class expectations?

Definition
the child is bound to fail because that child is socialized to these expectations
Term

Middle Class Measuring Rod Theory

 

What is a policy that came from this theory?

Definition
No child left behind, a policy trying to help lower class kids
Term

Differential Opportuity Theory

 

Explain in short what this theory is and who are the authors?

Definition
Not all deviance is the same, legitimate and illigitimate opportunites are blocked depending on where you live and what type of people shape you good or bad. Cloward and Ohlin
Term

Differential Opportuity Theory

 

What are the three subcultures?

Definition

1) Criminal subculture

2) Conflict subculture

3) Retreatism subculture

Term

Differential Opportuity Theory

 

Explain Criminal subculture

Definition
There are adult stable criminal role models present that recruit, train in criminal techniques, and are mostly involved in income producing crime to gain status.
Term

Differential Opportuity Theory

 

Explain conflict subculture

Definition
There are no adult role models or there arent many adults at all. this fosters a dislike for adults, gang activity and fighting. status is gained through being a fearless fighter.
Term

Differential Opportuity Theory

 

Explain Retreatist subculture

Definition
This group is not good at income producing crime or fighting. status is gained through intoxication or who has the best drugs/drug connections.
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Explain in short what this theory is about and who is the Author?

Definition
The idea that there are certain cultural ideas that are important to people of the lower class that shape that person. Walter Miller
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Define focal concerns

Definition
Focal concerns are values that are dominant in the lower class
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

What are the six focal concerns?

Definition

1) Trouble

2) Smartness

3) Excitement

4) Fatalism

5) Autonomy

6) Toughness

Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Explain trouble

Definition
The idea that people in the lower class are encouraged to commit deviance/crime and get away with it to gain status
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Explain smartness

Definition
Smartness is the ability to con someone out of their money to gain status. Street smarts
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Explain excitement

Definition
The idea that if you perform thrill seeking/risk taking activities you gain status
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Explain fatalism

Definition
Is the thought that one does not care if they die, this is very dangerous for young people.
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Explain autonomy

Definition
The idea that someone wants to be free from authority and does not respect authority to gain status
Term

Focal Concerns of the Lower Class

 

Explain toughness

Definition
The idea that not backing down and beinging fear gains you status
Term

General Strain Theory

 

What question is this theory trying to answer and who is the author?

Definition
Why do people commit crime? Agnew.
Term

General Strain Theory

 

Agnew defines strain as

Definition
Strain = stress that leads to deviance
Term

General Strain Theory

 

What are the three situations that lead to strain that leads to deviance?

Definition

1) Failure to achieve positivley valued goals

2) Removal of a positivley valued stimuli

3) A confrontation with a negative stimuli

Term

General Strain Theory

 

Explain: A failure to achieve positivley valued goals

Definition
This is a disconnect between aspirations and are expectations. Circumstances seem unfair and if you put in the work you expect to get the desired results and when this doesnt happen this leads to anger and possible deviance.
Term

General Strain Theory

 

Whats the difference between aspirations and expectations?

Definition
Aspirations are what we hope to achieve and Expectations are what we realistically hope to achieve.
Term

General Strain Theory

 

Explain and provide an example of: removal of a positivley valued stimuli

Definition
This is the idea that you lose something you care about. ex. a death or break up.
Term

General Strain Theory

 

Explain: A confronation with a negative stimuli

Definition
Known as a "noxious stimuli". The idea that if a kid is abused or subject to some kind of victimization then that will trigger a negative response and cause anger, this may lead the child to be deviant
Term

Conflict Theory

 

Explain in short what this theory does

Definition
This theory explain how law is made as well as who makes/influences the law/policies
Term

Conflict Theory

 

What are the two competing groups?

Definition

The "haves" - the powerful

vs.

The "have nots" - the powerless

Term

Conflict Theory

 

What is the main attribute that makes the "haves" powerful?

Definition
Money
Term

Conflict Theory

 

Explain how the powerful can influence how law and policy is made

Definition
The powerful have the money to back people running for office in politics that way those politians that the powerful back have to listen to their concerns on law/policy.
Term

Concensus Theory

 

Who is the author of this Theory?

Definition
E.A. Sumner
Term

Concensus Theory

 

Explain what this theory was saying

Definition
This theory was saying that we as Americans think alike and that law is really an agreement/concensus about values.
Term

Concensus Theory

 

This theory is also known as

Definition
Functionalist theory
Term

Concensus Theory

 

Functionalist theory says what about society?

Definition
That society is not homogeneous (same) rather it is heterogeneous. What is normal for one group of people is not for another.
Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory

 

Explain what this theory is saying and how does it differ from conflict theory?

Definition
Conflict theory says that there are only two groups the powerful and the powerless. A more realistic version is the pluralistic conflict theory which say that there is disagreement among the powerful and there are multiple powerful competing groups that clash on issues.
Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory

 

What three factors influence how law is made under this theory?

Definition

1) Myth's about criminal justice

2) Fear of victimization

3) Immediate events

Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory

 

Explain: myths about criminal justice

Definition
the idea that minorities are more dangerous or the poor hurt the economy
Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory

 

Explain: Fear of victimization

Definition
When people become more of crime we demand more law to protect us.
Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory

 

Explain: Immediate events

Definition
When things happen that affects how law is made and enforced. Example is the Patriot act, which gave the government power in our personal lives because of the threat of terrorism
Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory


What is Mala Prohibita

Definition
the idea that something should be illegal because certian groups think it should be based on their morality(powerful peoples). ex. prostitution.
Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory

 

What is Mala in Se

Definition
something that a great majority believe is wrong in and of themselves. ex. child preditors.
Term

Pluralistic Conflict Theory

 

Explain the difference between legal variables and extra legal variables

Definition

Legal variables are things that affect the process of that are on the books such as criminal record, was there a weapon present.

Where as extra legal variables are not on the books but still effect and impact the process of law such as race, gender, and class. 

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