1. CHAPTER 8 Deviance and Social Control
Sociology
4/12/2017
CHAPTER 8 Deviance and Social Control
Section 1: Deviance
Section 2: Crime
Chapter 8

2. Objectives: Section 1: Deviance
Explain the nature and social functions of deviance.
Compare the theories that have been proposed to explain deviance.

3. Nature of Deviance Section 1: Deviance
Because there are so many norms governing behavior, occasional violations are unavoidable
What is considered deviant varies from society to society

4. Social Functions of Deviance
Section 1: Deviance
Social Functions of Deviance
Clarifying Norms – defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior
Unifying the Group – serves to draw the line between conforming members of society and “outsiders” – the nonconforming members
Diffusing Tension – acts that allow individuals to relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society

5. Social Functions of Deviance
Section 1: Deviance
Social Functions of Deviance
(continued)
Promoting Social Change – can help prompt social change by identifying problem areas
Providing Jobs – provides legitimate jobs for a wide range of people

6. Theories of Deviance Section 1: Deviance
Functionalists – as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structures of society
Conflict Theorists – as a result of competition and social inequality
Interactionists – as either natural in people with weak ties to the community (control theory), as a learned behavior (cultural transmission theory), or as a label (labeling theory)

7. Objectives: Section 2: Crime
Identify the principal types of crime in the United States.
Explain the characteristics of the American criminal-justice system.

8. Principal Types of Crime in the U.S.
Section 2: Crime
Principal Types of Crime in the U.S.
Violent Crime – includes murder, robbery; most victims are African Americans
Crime Against Property – includes burglary, larceny, vehicle theft; more common than violent crimes
Victimless Crime – includes prostitution, gambling, illegal drug use; offender is the only victim

9. Principal Types of Crime in the U.S.
Section 2: Crime
Principal Types of Crime in the U.S.
(continued)
White Collar Crime – committed by high-status individuals in the course of their professions; includes fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement
Organized Crime – the pursuit of crime as a big business

10. American Criminal-Justice System
Section 2: Crime
American Criminal-Justice System
Police – have most immediate control over who is arrested for a criminal act
Courts – determine the guilt or innocence of an accused person by means of a trial and assigns some form of punishment if there is a guilty finding
Corrections – sanctions used to punish those found guilty of crimes
Juvenile-Justice System – used to punish offenders younger than age 18