Chapter 7 Deviance

OVERVIEW What is Deviance? Theories on Deviance In-class exercise Theories on Deviance Symbolic Interactionism Labeling Theory Functionalism Conflict Theory Stigma and Deviant Identity Crime and Punishment

Is deviance just the opposite of conformity? Society must have means of social control to establish and maintain social order Conformity to norms Laws, rules, guidelines and expectations Positive and negative sanctions Makes life remarkably predictable Is deviance just the opposite of conformity?

Human history began with an act of disobedience Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden Violation of norms is widespread No one is completely conforming or deviant

Who or what is deviant?

In-Class Exercise: Defining Deviance Rate acts and attributes on scale: 5 = strongly agree; 1 = strongly disagree Which three were “most deviant” and “least deviant”? Students discuss in groups What criteria did you use to determine the extent of deviance?

Embezzling money Having AIDS Protesting against a war Driving while intoxicated Being a victim of date rape Illegally dumping toxic waste Having sex before the age of 18 Being devoutly religious Robbing a bank Selling an unsafe product Being a racist Engaging in sex in public Ignoring a homeless person Drinking under age Using cocaine Cohabitating (living together) Being an atheist Being gay or lesbian Price fixing by a corporation Forcing sex on someone Cheating on a test Dealing drugs Being obese Abusing a child Torturing animals

WHAT IS DEVIANCE? Normative and reactive Deviance is relative A behavior, belief, or other characteristic that violates a norm And causes a negative reaction Deviance is relative Historically Culturally Situationally Interpretations depend upon context Is any act inherently deviant?

Theories on Deviance Psychology Sociology Focuses on the individual and genetic predispositions or personality disorders Sociology Focuses on social conditions and the definition of deviance

Theories on Deviance SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM: Labeling Theory Howard Becker The meaning of deviance is created through the process of interaction Deviant labels are applied to some individuals by others The judgments of others are important determinants of self Cooley’s “Looking-glass self”

Primary deviation An initial act of deviance Temporary, exploratory, easily concealed Do you know anyone who has engaged in: Truancy Underage drinking Reckless driving Shoplifting Vandalism Illegal drug use Pilfering Illicit sexual behavior May lead to being labeled

Secondary deviation Leads to deviant identity or “career” Occurs after someone is “caught” Leads to deviant identity or “career” The result of having been labeled Once labeled, an individual is more likely to continue to be deviant Labels are like reputations, gossip or innuendo Hard to “live down” or shake Label becomes a master status Society is then likely to treat these individuals as generally deviant

SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM: Labeling Theory “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” Thomas Theorem If people define situations as real, they are real in their consequences Robert Merton A prediction that causes itself to come true An inaccurate statement or belief which, by altering the situation, becomes accurate

“On Being Sane in Insane Places” by David Rosenhan Study of labeling in psychiatric hospitals 8 researchers admitted as “patients” Falsified names and occupations Complained of hearing voices Believed they would quickly be exposed as “pseudo-patients” Identified as not mentally ill Tasked with getting themselves discharged from hospital Behaved normally Tried to convince staff of their sanity Staff continued to address them as patients needing treatment Other patients could see that researchers were “sane” Finally discharged after 1-7 weeks Not because staff had seen through deception “Pseudo-patients” released with schizophrenia “in remission”

Theories on Deviance SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM CONFLICT THEORY Differential Association We learn to be deviant through associations with deviant peers CONFLICT THEORY Social inequality reflected in definitions of deviance The less powerful are more likely to be criminalized

Theories on Deviance FUNCTIONALISM Functions of Deviance Clarifies moral boundaries Promotes social cohesion Structural Strain Theory (Robert Merton) Goals-means Gap Theory Tension (strain) between socially desirable goals and socially approved means of achieving them Leads to deviance When goals are rejected (success) When means are rejected (hard work, education)

Stigma and Deviant Identity Erving Goffman “Spoiled identity” An attribute that devalues a person or group Physical (physical or mental impairments) Moral (signs of flawed character) Tribal (membership in a discredited or oppressed group) Managing Stigma Passing How individuals conceal stigmatized identity In-Group Orientation Reject mainstream values and propose new standards that support identity Deviance Avowal Outsiders who embrace deviant identity

Studying Deviance Research has focused on obvious forms of deviance Bias favors norms of the powerful Criminals, mentally handicapped, sexual deviants David Matza: “Naturalism” Set aside preconceptions and understand deviants on their own terms Appreciate diversity of social worlds Not as pathology in need of correction Jack Katz: “Emotional Attraction of Doing Bad Deeds” Seductions of Crime Considers how deviants experience their acts “Sneaky thrills” or “righteous slaughter” The foreground (rather than background) of deviance

Positive Deviance Actions once considered deviant within a given context Later reinterpreted as appropriate or even heroic

Crime and Punishment Crime Types of Crime Violation of norm codified into law Types of Crime Violent crime Violence is either the objective or means to an end Property crime Non-violent White-collar crime Committed by a high status individual

Prison Population Pew Center Study More than 1 in every 100 American is incarcerated 2.3 million+ (Jan. 2008) 1 in 53 adults in their 20s 1 in 30 ages 20-34 U.S. leads in # and % of citizens incarcerated China 1.5 million Russia 890,000

Crime and Punishment Criminal Justice System Approaches to Punishment Legislature, police, courts, and prisons Approaches to Punishment Deterrence Threaten harsh penalties to discourage criminals Incapacitation Protect society by imprisoning or executing criminals Retribution Retaliation or revenge for crimes Rehabilitation Attempts to reform criminals as part of their penalty