Introduction The term ‘conflict theory’ refers to the school of thought that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s. The key proponents were Marxists, who believed that the main driving force in society was conflict. Conflict theory contained two sub-theories, critical theory and rational choice theory. Critical Theory Critical theorists have been most influential in criminology….
Introduction Conflict criminology is a subfield of criminology that studies the relationship between social conflict and criminal behavior. It focuses on how interpersonal conflicts can lead to criminal activities such as robbery or homicide. This field has been studied since at least the late 1800s when it was first noted that crime rates were higher…
Deviance Deviance refers to behavior that is not following the group’s expectations, norms, or rules. Of course, many other definitions of the term abound in sociology. There are two main types of deviance, namely primary deviance and secondary deviance. Primary Deviance Primary deviance is the first real change a person makes, which constitutes deviance. In…
Introduction Psychological crime theory is a sociological theory that explains why criminal and deviant behavior exists. The first criminologists who developed this theory were a group of German sociologists in the late 19th century. The concept of crime is described in Edwin Sutherland’s book (1949), the father of modern criminology. It says, “Without a doubt,…
Introduction Sociology is the scientific study of society – the structures, institutions, and relationships that bind us together as human beings. It is a vast and complex subject. Here are some of the essential terms and vocabulary you should know. They will make you a budding sociology student or enthusiast. Socialization: This term is used…
Introduction Social structure theories explain social relationships through structures- family structure, political structure, and so on. The three branches of social structure theories are: Functionalist Perspective Functionalism is a social-structural perspective that argues society has a well-defined function that is necessary for its survival. Functionalists say that social arrangements are functional to society, and every…
Introduction Social pathologies are the study of certain social conditions existing within a society, which cause harm to members of that community. The conditions may include poverty, social class, sexual orientation, ethnic background, gender identity, and other economic or social disadvantages. It is the study of phenomena in society that are harmful to the members…
Introduction A sick role is a social role that provides certain rights, duties, and behaviors for those suffering from an illness. It is a person’s role in society, which is defined by their health condition. The sick role can be divided into two parts: Sickness behavior is the set of actions and attitudes expected from…
Definition of Ritualism Ritualism is a term coined by Robert Merton (1910-2003), an American sociologist. It refers to routines and practices that follow expected behavior patterns, even when collectivity is not required. Ritualism is a widely used word within sociology and is frequently associated with Max Weber (1864-1920), who first wrote about formalized and rationalized…
Introduction In sociology, Deviance describes actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms. Deviance also goes against the social norms by which a particular society lives. Deviant behavior may be a point of view or a difference in philosophy. It may be as small and insignificant as going against the grain when being told what to…
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