1. Chapter 7
Deviance

2. 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

3. 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?

4. 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

5. Who or what is deviant?

13. In-Class Exercise: Defining Deviance
Rate acts and attributes on scale: = 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?

14. 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

15. 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?

16. 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

17. 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”

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. “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”

22. 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

23. 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)

25. 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

26. 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

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

28. 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

31. 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

32. 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