Book Spotlight: The Tipping Point
Friday July 27, 2012
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell is a book about how small actions at the right time, in the right place, and with the right people can create a "tipping ... Read More
Sociological Definition of the Week: Law
Wednesday July 25, 2012
A law is a norm that is written down and enforced by an official law enforcement agency. Driving while drunk, theft, murder, and trespassing are all examples of laws in ... Read More
Biological Explanations for Deviant Behavior
Friday July 20, 2012
There are many different theories on what causes a person to perform deviant behavior, including biological explanations, psychological explanations, and sociological explanations. Biological theories of deviance see crime and deviant ... Read More
Sociological Definition of the Week: Taboo
Wednesday July 18, 2012
A taboo is a norm that society holds so strongly that violating it results in extreme disgust. Often times the violator of the taboo is considered unfit to live in ... Read More
A Sociological Look At Crime
Monday July 16, 2012
A crime is defined as any act that is contrary to legal code or laws. There are many different types of crimes, from crimes against persons to victimless crimes and ... Read More
Psychological Explanations of Deviant Behavior
Friday July 13, 2012
In addition to sociological and biological explanations of deviant behavior, there are also psychological explanations. Three of the major psychological theories of deviance include psychoanalytic theory, cognitive development theory, and ... Read More
Sociological Definition of the Week: More
Wednesday July 11, 2012
Mores (pronounced more-ays) are a type of norm. They are strict norms that control moral and ethical behavior. Mores are norms based on definitions of right and wrong. Unlike folkways, ... Read More
Deviance and Mental Illness
Monday July 9, 2012
Deviance and mental illness often go hand-in-hand. While not all deviants are considered mentally ill, almost all mentally ill persons are considered deviant (since mental illness isn not considered "normal"). ... Read More
Sociological Explanations of Deviant Behavior
Friday July 6, 2012
Deviant behavior is any behavior that is contrary to the dominant norms of society. There are many different theories on what causes a person to perform deviant behavior, including biological ... Read More
Sociological Definition of the Week: Folkway
Wednesday July 4, 2012
Folkways are a type of norm and are often referred to as "customs." They are standards of behavior that are socially approved but not morally significant. They are norms for ... Read More