Deviance and Social Control

Deviance Behavior that violates significant social norms. Not every social norm is socialized into every individual. Even with rewards and punishments there are still people that break social norms of every kind.

Nature of Deviance All societies have norms Not all violations of norms require a labeling of deviant Stigma: mark of social disgrace that sets the deviant apart from the rest of society. Examples?

Social Functions of Deviance Clarifying Norms Unifying the Group Diffusing Tension Promoting Social Change Providing Jobs

Clarifying Norms Defines social boundaries Punishment serves as a reminder to society that norms keep social control Many people follow social norms because of fear of punishment

Unifying the Group Brings conforming members of society together and often isolates the deviants Reinforces the sense of community Makes people look out for each other

Diffusing Tensions May serve as a relief of frustration with society by participating in a mild display of deviance. Ex: Participating in a large protest against a government or a corporation

Promoting Social Change Prompts social change because problem areas get identified quickly. When large number of people violate a social norm… it may be time to change the norm.

Providing Jobs Judges, lawyers, police officers, prison personnel, parole officers. Criminologists – Social scientist that study criminal behavior.

Functionalist Perspective on Deviance Strain Theory: developed by sociologist Robert Merton. The major functionalist explanation. Views deviance as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structure of society. Anomie: situation that arises when the norms of society are unclear or are no longer applicable.

Merton’s Strain Theory Conformist- most common response Innovator- accepts goals, but not the means Ritualist- Reject goals and means: status quo Retreatist- reject both, drop out of society Rebel- want new goals through new means.

Conflict Perspective on Deviance Believe that competition and social inequality lead to deviant behavior. Comes from the struggle of the ruling class and the lower classes of each society. People with power commit deviant acts to maintain power and people without power commit deviant acts to obtain economic rewards or for power and/or recognition.

Interactionist Perspective on Deviance 3 Major explanations of deviance: Control Theory Cultural Transmission Theory Labeling Theory

Control Theory Deviance is a natural occurrence Conformity comes with acceptance and integration into society by the individual The stronger the bond in a community the lower the amount of deviance

Cultural Transmission Theory Deviance is a learned behavior Learned through interaction with others People learn deviance as their norms Differential Association- the frequency & closeness of associations a person has with deviant or non-deviant individuals. Techniques of Neutralization- Suspension moral beliefs to commit deviant act(s)

Labeling Theory Focuses on how individuals come to be identified as deviant Primary Deviance- nonconformity that goes undetected by those in authority. Not considered deviant by individuals or by society Secondary Deviance- individual being labeled as deviant and accepting that label to be true. Degradation Ceremony- Event leads to labeling of deviant… a trial or life-changing event.