1. Deviance and Social Control
Chapter 8
Introduction to Sociology

2. 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”

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

4. 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

5. High or low level of deviance ? Why ?

7. 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

8. 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

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

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

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

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

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

14. 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 )

15. 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
- - _______________________

16. 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

17. 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

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

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. 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

23. 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

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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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 ?

28. 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.

29. 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

30. 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