Deviance and Social Control Chapter 8 Introduction to Sociology

What is “deviance” ? Broad range of behaviors that violate social and cultural norms Deviance is non - conformity Non – conformity causes society to view certain individuals as an “outsider”

Focus Questions : Is deviance a constructive element of society ? What theories explain deviant behaviors ? How do social controls affect deviance ?

The Nature of Deviance ~ Social norms govern behavior Hierarchy to social norms Norms and deviance vary from culture to culture Norms and deviance vary from profession to profession Norms and deviance vary from generation to generation

High or low level of deviance ? Why ?

Durkheim : Social Functions of Deviance High levels of deviance can disrupt the natural flow of society ~ ~ ~ however, there are positive aspects of deviant behaviors : Affirms cultural values & norms Promotes social unity Relieves tension Creates social change Provides jobs

Affirms cultural values & norms ~ As moral creatures, people must prefer some attitudes & behaviors to others. There can be no good without evil ~ there can be no justice without crime. Deviance is needed to define and sustain morality

Promotes social unity ~ People typically react to serious deviance with collective outrage. People reaffirm the moral ties that unite them …. Examples ?

Relieves tension ~ Low levels of deviant behavior can release tension and help avoid a build-up of more serious levels of deviance later ….. Examples ?

Creates social change ~ Deviant people push society’s moral boundaries, suggesting alternatives to the status quo and encouraging change ….. Examples ?

Deviant behavior has created careers …. Examples ? Provides jobs ~ Deviant behavior has created careers …. Examples ?

Theories to explain Deviance : Cultural – Transmission Theory Structural – Strain Theory Control Theory Conflict Theory

Cultural – Transmission Theory : This theory views deviance as a “learned” behavior – people learn deviance through interaction with other deviant individuals The learning of deviant behavior occurs in primary groups ( significant others )

Structural – Strain Theory : Society places high value on certain things ( education, large homes, wealth, prestige, power ) Does society provide the means to achieve societies goals ? When people cannot conform to reach societies goals, they may turn to deviance Relative Opportunity Structure ? - - Crime results from limited legitimate or legal opportunities to achieve goals - - _______________________

Certain individuals may not be able to attain these goals : - CONFORMITY ( accept culturally approved goals & seek them through culturally approved means ) - INNOVATION ( using unconventional means to achieve a culturally approved goal ) - RITUALISM ( reject the goals but accept the traditional means ) - RETREATISM ( rejection of both cultural goals and means, essentially “dropping out” - REBELLION ( reject both the cultural definition of success and the normative means of achieving it . . . Form a counterculture and advocate alternatives to the existing social structure

Control Theory : View deviance as a natural occurrence in human behavior Social control depends on imagining the consequences of one’s behavior …. reaction of your family, friends, risk of ruining career, reputation, deters most people from committing deviant acts People who feel they have nothing to lose are likely to commit deviant acts A person’s social privilege, moral character, family relationships, involvement in community give the individual a stake in conforming to conventional norms

Conflict Theory : View competition and social inequality as the reason for deviant behavior

What is “Crime” ? Crime is any act that is labeled as such by those in authority, is prohibited by law, and is punishable by the government Gambling South Padre Island = bans wearing ties Mt Prospect, IL illegal to have a pigeon as a pet LA bans the use of gas-powered leaf blowers

True or False ? Not all of the complaints that citizens make to the police find their way into the official statistics. The responding officer to the scene of a crime decides whether or not to file a formal report. Officers are more likely to file a report in the case of serious offenses

True or False ? Individuals are less likely to report a crime if family or friends are involved

True or False ? The police are more likely to file formal reports on serious crimes when the injured parties are from the higher social classes

True or False ? Whether an officer files a formal complaint is influenced by the attitude of the individual making the complaint. An officer is more likely to file a formal complaint when the person making the complaint shows courtesy and respect toward the officer

Types of Crime : Violent Crime Crime against Property Victimless Crime White – Collar Crime Organized Crime

In the United States statistics show that : Violent Crime Refers to murder, rape, robbery and assault In the United States statistics show that : a murder is committed every 21 minutes a robbery is commited every 46 seconds an assault occurs every 29 seconds a rape is committed every 5 minutes

Crime Against Property : Crimes against property are called burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson Crimes against property are more common than violent crimes It is estimated that a crime against property is committed every 2 seconds in the US

Victimless Crime : Crimes such as prostitution, gambling, illegal drug use They are called victimless crimes because they do not harm anyone except the person committing the crime True ?

White – Collar Crime A crime that is committed by individuals with high social status in the course of their profession Examples are embezzlement, fraud, tax evasion, stock manipulation, toxic pollution / dumping, voter fraud, computer crime, insider – trading, etc.

Organized Crime : A large scale organization of professional criminals who perform criminal acts as a big money making business Examples are loan-sharking, illegal gambling, drug trafficking, cheating on income tax returns, professional hits

Social Control = Criminal Justice System Police – enforce the laws Courts – determines the guilt and punishment Corrections – enforce the punishment - retribution to society - deterrence to discourage others - rehabilitation to correct deviant behavior - social protection – prevents further crime Juvenile Justice System – under 18