Reference no: EM133874447

Assignment:

Sociologist define deviance as behavior that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms. Deviance is more than simple nonconformity--most of us may "break the rules" now and again. Behavior that departs significantly from social expectations is deviant. In sociological perspective on deviance, there are four main identifying characteristics: Deviance can change overtime, or from one setting to another; Groups judge deviance differently Established rules and norms are socially created, not just morally decided or individually imposed. Deviance lies not just in behavior itself but also in the social responses to behavior and people engaged in the behavior. Please answer the following questions:

1. Labeling theories in the area of criminology suggest that labeling particular groups as deviant can set in motion a self-fulfilling prophecy. That is, people may become that which is expected of them-including becoming deviant or even criminally deviant. Can you think of other social settings where labeling theory might be applied?

2. Why, according to sociologists, are the "crimes of the powerful" (politicians, businesspeople, and other elites) less likely to be severely punished than those of the poor, even when those crimes have mortal consequences?