SOC101Y1 Lecture Notes - Paul Bernardo, Coal Dust, Arson
Document Summary
What makes an act a criminal/ deviant act means there is a departure form the norms. Even the killing of other people is defined as okay but in other context seen as a horrible crime. Have you heard of paul bernardo and karla holmolka. Early 90s, convicted of committed murder in the toronto area. Have you ever heard of the westray mine disaster. In 1992, nova scotia, 26 people killed, 4 government commissions were established. Coal dust, supervisors who were hired were inexperienced, (safety issues) No one went to jail or convicted of anything although all 4 govt commissioners found negligence. Peole with more power have more say in what constitutes a norm or a law. Norms and laws are created for the benefit of people with a lot of power. Power: is the probability that one actor within a social relationship will be in a position to carry out his or her own will despite resistance.