1. Deviance and Crime
OBJECTIVES To develop an understanding of the nature and social functions of crime and deviance.
Use different theories to propose different rationales as to why people deviate from the norm.

2. Essential Questions
How do societies balance the need for order with individuals desire for freedom?
To what extent do groups pressure individuals to adapt to the needs of the collective group and why?
To what extent do members of society influence each others behavior?

3. What is Deviance?
In sociology, deviance is simply any violation of society’s norms.
Odd, different or unacceptable behavior
Deviance can range from something minor, such as a traffic violation, to something major, such as murder.
Deviance can be positive like helping an elderly person across the street.

4. Nature of Deviance
Every society has countless norms which govern behavior.
Because there are so many norms, violations are inevitable and unavoidable.
NOT all norm violations are considered deviant.

5. Nature of Deviance
What is considered deviant can vary from society to society.
Divorce is legal in the US
Divorce is illegal in the Philippines
Typically repeating an offense can label you as deviant.
Two components required to label you as deviant.
You must be committing a deviant act.
You must be stigmatized by society.

6. Stigma
The mark of social disgrace that sets the deviant apart from the rest of society.
Stigmas have been used as a form of social control throughout history.
Example: Ancient Greeks would burn symbols into the bodies of criminals to warn others.
Example: Prison inmates wear uniformed clothing and are assigned a number. (Visual Stigma)

7. Stigma
When sociologists talk about stigmas they are usually referring to the negative social reactions that result from being labeled deviant.
That person is no longer seen as being normal or whole by society.

8. The Social Functions of Deviance
Emile Durkheim observed that deviance has some uses in social life.
Deviance helps to clarify norms, unify the group, diffuse tension, and promote social change.
Deviance also helps to create jobs, such as law enforcement.

9. The Social Functions of Deviance: Diffusing Tension
When people are unhappy with their lives or social conditions, they may want to strike out against society.
Minor acts of deviance serve as a safety valve.
These acts relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society.

10. The Social Functions of Deviance: Promoting Social Change
Deviance can help prompt social change by identifying problem areas.
When large numbers of people violate a particular norm it is often an indication that something in society needs to be changed.

11. Functionalist Perspective
The major functionalist explanation, strain theory was developed by sociologist Robert K. Merton.
Strain Theory – views deviance as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structure of society.
For example, individuals may be prevented from finding a job b/c of social conditions or b/c of lack of education.
They are expected, however, to meet the goal of finding a job-society judges them according to how well they do so.

12. Anomie
Under the strain of incompatible goals and means, these individuals fall victim to anomie.
Anomie – the situation that arises when the norms of society are unclear and no longer applicable.

13. Conflict Perspective
Competition and social inequality lead to deviance.
There are those with power (Ruling Class) and those without. (Lower Classes)
Ruling Class commits acts of deviance to maintain their power.
Lower Class commits acts of deviance to gain economic means or b/c of feelings of powerlessness.

14. Interactionist Perspective
Interactionists offer three major explanations of deviance:
Control Theory
Cultural Transmission Theory
Labeling Theory
Remember Interactionists are more interested in the individual and the thoughts and feelings of that individual.

15. Control Theory
Control Theorists are more interested in why the person conforms rather than the causes of deviance.
Looks at the social ties that are integrated into a community.
Strong Communities have less acts of deviance.
Weaker Communities have more acts of deviance.

16. Cultural Transmission Theory
This theory explains that deviance is a learned behavior through socialization.
The interaction of deviant individuals and others is more likely to cause deviant behavior.
The norms being taught are deviant.

17. Labeling Theory
Instead of focusing on why people perform deviant acts, labeling theory focuses on how individuals come to be identified as deviant.
Deviance is labeled in two ways
Primary Deviance
Nonconformity – goes undetected in society. Not Deviant.
Secondary Deviance
Results in the individual being labeled as Deviant…and accepting the label as true.

18. Degradation Ceremony The process of labeling an individual as deviant.
Public Setting – The individual is denounced, found guilty, and given the new identity of deviant.
People begin to judge practically all of his or her actions in light of the deviant label.
Deviant becomes the persons master status.

19. CRIME Crime affects everyone in the U.S.
Some people are victims and some people are criminals, some are both
However a majority of people who are affected by crime are bystanders
Crime is considered a serious SOCIAL PROBLEM
Crime Any act that is prohibited by the law and is punishable by government

20. CRIME Statistics What are the statistics for those who commit crimes?
According to the FBI
Gender: 78% Male
22% Females 
Race: 67% White
30.4 % African American
2.5% Other

21. Crime Statistics Age group: 18 and under 18.5% 18-24  28.8%
25-34 23.4
35-44 19.5
45-54  7.5%
55 over  2.4

22. Crime Statistics How does the FBI get this Data?
How does the FBI get this Data?
They use information provided by Local police departments.
Keep in mind that these statistics are not always 100% accurate
A few facts that would possibly cause a change in these statistics would be:
1. Not all complaints people make are filed into the official statistics.

23. Crime Statistics
(If its not a serious offense an officer probably won’t file a complaint)
2. Individuals will not report crimes if friends or families are involved
3. Police are more likely to file reports if the parties injured were from a higher social class
4. An officer will generally only file a complaint if the person who wants to file a complaint is courteous

24. Types of Crimes
The FBI organizes all the crimes that are reported annually into 29 different categories
To make it easier we are going to break it down into Six Categories
These categories represent the most significant criminal threats

25. 1. Violent Crimes Make up a very small percentage of crimes committed
Even though small in number Violent crimes have very alarming statistics
Violent Crimes occur once every 22 Seconds in the U.S
Aggravated assault 1 every 35 seconds
Robbery 1 every minute and 18 seconds
Murder 1 ever 33 minutes

26. 2. Crimes Against Property
Examples are burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft
All of these charges involve stealing someone else’s property or intentionally damaging it
 The FBI believes that crimes against property happen every three seconds in the U.S.

27. 3. White Collar Crime
White Collar Crime, is generally committed by people of a high social status
Politicians, employees of big corporations
Misrepresentation, fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, price fixing, political corruption are all examples of White Collar Crime

28. Types of Crime
White Collar Crime is a serious Social problem, our society generally tries to down play it
It is estimated that White Collar Crime costs the U.S. approximately $300 Billion per year

29. 4. ORGANIZED CRIME
People who belong to an organized crime Syndicate, A large scale organization of professional criminals that controls some business or vice through violence or the threat of violence
Some use legitimate business “fronts” for their criminal activities

30. Organized Crime Cont…
Some use methods such as drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and unfair labor practices, hijacking merchandise to make huge profits
Street gangs and the Mafia are prime examples of organized crime syndicates

31. 5. Terrorism
Terrorism is the threat or the actual use of violence to achieve political goals
Terror has become a serious concern for safety in America
Terrorists can be domestic or foreign 
The FBI’s National Joint Terrorism Task Force manages more than 100 FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces (JTTFs) around the country, where agencies work together to combat terrorism on a regional scale—sharing intelligence and working joint investigations.

32. 6. Cyber Crime
The threat is incredibly serious—and growing. Cyber intrusions are becoming more commonplace, more dangerous, and more sophisticated.
The FBI is the lead federal agency for investigating cyber attacks by criminals, overseas adversaries, and terrorists.
Our nation’s critical infrastructure, including both private and public sector networks, are targeted by adversaries. American companies are targeted for trade secrets and other sensitive corporate data, and universities for their cutting-edge research and development. Citizens are targeted by fraudsters and identity thieves, and children are targeted by online predators.