DEVIANCE

Sociological Definition of Deviance: Stresses social context, not individual behavior. Recognizes that not all behaviors are judged similarly by all groups. Recognizes that established rules and norms are socially created. Deviance is often divided into two types of deviant activities: 1. formal deviance - the violation of formally enacted laws. Ex: robbery, theft, rape, murder, and assault, just to name a few. 2. informal deviance- violations of informal social norms, norms that have not been codified into law Ex: picking one's nose, belching loudly (in some cultures), or standing too close to another unnecessarily (again, in some cultures). Functions of deviance:

Deviant acts can be assertions of individuality and identity, and thus as rebellions against group norms of the dominant culture and in favor of a sub-culture. Deviance affirms cultural values and norms. It also clarifies moral boundaries, promotes social unity by creating an us/them dichotomy, encourages social change, and provides jobs to control deviance.

Two perspectives on deviance: 1.) Absolutism

Approach to defining deviance that rests on the assumption that all human behavior can be considered either inherently good or inherently bad. Deviant act comes to define the individuals character. Frequently based on stereotypes. Approach to defining deviance that rests on the assumption that deviance is socially constructed The same act committed at different times, or under different circumstances may or may not be considered deviant What is considered deviant changes based on the time and place, and across history and cultures.

2.) Relativism:

What is Positive Deviance? Positive Deviance is based on the observation that in every community there are certain individuals or groups whose uncommon behaviors and strategies enable them to find better solutions to problems than their peers, while having access to the same resources and facing similar or worse challenges. The Positive Deviance approach is an asset-based, problem-solving, and community-driven approach that enables the community to discover these successful behaviors and strategies and develop a plan of action to promote their adoption by all concerned. Deviance is a relative issue, and standards for deviance change based on a number of factors, including the following:

1. Location: A person speaking loudly during a church service would probably be considered deviant, whereas a person speaking loudly at a party would not. Society generally regards taking the life of another person to be a deviant act, but during wartime, killing another person is not considered deviant. 2. Age: A five-year-old can cry in a supermarket without being considered deviant, but an older child or an adult cannot. 3. Social status: A famous actor can skip to the front of a long line of people waiting to get into a popular club, but a nonfamous person would be considered deviant for trying to do the same. 4. Individual societies: In the United States, customers in department stores do not try to negotiate prices or barter for goods. In some other countries, people understand that one should haggle over the price of an item; not to do so is considered deviant.
Misconceptions about deviance -Some acts are inherently deviant -Those who deviate are socially identified and recognized -Deviants purposely and knowingly break the law -Deviance occurs because there is a dishonest, selfish element to human nature

Sociological Theories of Deviance

Functionalism -Deviance creates social cohesion. -Deviance results from structural strains in society. -Occurs when attachment to social bonds is diminished. -Deviance is learned behavior -Deviance results from social labeling. -Those with the power to assign deviant labels create deviance. -Dominant classes control the definition of deviance -Deviance results from inequality in society. -Elite deviance goes largely unpunished.

Symbolic interaction

Conflict Theory

Deviant Traits A person does not need to act in a deviant manner in order to be considered deviant. Sometimes people are considered deviant because of a trait or a characteristic they possess. Sociologist Erving Goffman used the term stigma to identify deviant characteristics. These include violations of the norms of physical ability or appearance. For example, people who are confined to wheelchairs or who have IQs over 140 are deviant because they do not represent the usual behaviors or characteristics of most people. Social Control Punishing people for deviant behavior reminds people what is expected of them and what will happen if they do not conform to societys norms. Every society has methods of social control, or means of encouraging conformity to norms. These methods of social control include positive sanctions and negative sanctions. A positive sanction is a socially constructed expression of approval. A negative sanction is a socially constructed expression of disapproval.

Positive Sanctions Society uses positive sanctions to reward people for following norms. Positive sanctions can be formal, such as an award or a raise. They can also be informal and include words, gestures, or facial expressions. Negative Sanctions Like positive sanctions, negative sanctions can range from formal to informal. Example: A speeding ticket or a prison sentence is a formal negative sanction. A raised eyebrow or a stare is an informal negative sanction. Some subcultures dole out negative sanctions for behaviors generally condoned by the rest of society. In our society, academic achievement is usually held in high esteem. But in some subcultures, succeeding in a way that the dominant society approves of is not considered a good thing. In some gangs, getting good grades is not acceptable, and gang members who do well in school are criticized by their friends for selling out. Conformity to traditional figures of authority, such as teachers, is negatively sanctioned. Why Do People Deviate?: Classical Theories Basic assumptions -Individuals have free will -Pleasure/pain principle -Punishment used as deterrence -Crime prevention possible through deterrence Cesare Beccaria (1738-1794) argued that punishment should be certain, swift, and severe, and should fit the crime Jeremy Bentham Hedonistic Calculus Benthams Hedonistic Calculus People make free will decisions based on weighing advantages against disadvantages of action. We seek pleasure while trying to avoid pain. If advantages of crime outweigh the disadvantages, then person will most likely commit crime. To deter people from committing crime, the punishment/disadvantages must outweigh the advantages. Jeremy Bentham: The Auto-Icon The cabinet contains Bentham's preserved skeleton, dressed in his own clothes, and surmounted by a wax head. Bentham request that his body be preserved in this way in his will, made shortly before his death on June 6, 1832. The cabinet was moved to University College in London in 1850.

Why Do People Deviate?: Biological Theories

a. Cesare Lombroso (1835-1909)

A small number of individuals exhibit primitive instincts (evolutionary throwbacks) Criminals are born rather than made (born criminals) b. William Sheldon (1898-1977) Argued that personality was related to body type Body type dictates type and frequency of deviant behavior Three fundamental physiques or somatotypes Mesomorphs (muscular, athletic builds) most likely to be deviant

Why Do People Deviate?: Sociological Theories Social Ecology (Park & Burgess, Shaw & McKay) Strain Theory (Merton) Lower-Class Focal Value Theory (Miller) Differential Association (Sutherland) Social Control Theory (Hirschi) Drift Theory (Sykes & Matza)

Theories of Deviance

a. Differential-association theory
the environment plays a major role in deciding which norms people learn to violate. Specifically, people within a particular reference group provide norms of conformity and deviance, and thus heavily influence the way other people look at the world, including how they react. People also learn their norms from various socializing agentsparents, teachers, ministers, family, friends, co-workers, and the media. In short, people learn criminal behavior, like other behaviors, from their interactions with others, especially in intimate groups. has contributed to the field of criminology in its focus on the developmental nature of criminality. People learn deviance from the people with whom they associate.

b. Anomie theory
Anomie refers to the confusion that arises when social norms conflict or don't even exist. The primary contribution of anomie theory is its ability to explain many forms of deviance. The theory is also sociological in its emphasis on the role of social forces in creating deviance. On the negative side, anomie theory has been criticized for its generality. Critics note the theory's lack of statements concerning the process of learning deviance, including the internal motivators for deviance. Like differential association theory, anomie theory does not lend itself to precise scientific study. People may wantat least some of the timeto act in deviant ways, but most do not. They have various restraints: internal controls, such as conscience, values, integrity, morality, and the desire to be a good person; and outer controls, such as police, family, friends, and religious authorities The key to developing self-control is proper socialization, especially early in childhood. Children who lack this self-control, then, may grow up to commit crimes and other deviant behaviors. Whereas theory also suggests that people society labels as criminals are probably members of subordinate groups, critics argue that this oversimplifies the situation. It discusses the relationships between socialization, social controls, and behavior.

c. Control theory

d. Labeling theory A type of symbolic interaction, labeling theory concerns the meanings people derive from one another's labels, symbols, actions, and reactions. This theory holds that behaviors are deviant only when society labels them as deviant. As such, conforming members of society, who interpret certain behaviors as deviant and then attach this label to individuals, determine the distinction between deviance and non-deviance. Labeling theory questions who applies what label to whom, why they do this, and what happens as a result of this labeling.
Durkheim: Three Types of Suicide a. Anomic - disintegrating forces in society make an individual feel lost and alone. b. Altruistic - for the sake of a higher cause. c. Egoistic - occurs when people feel totally detached from society. Dealing with crime 1. Structural-functionalist- the justice system is important for maintaining order in society 2. Conflict- the criminal justice system presents crime as a threat from poor people and minorities & disproportionately arrests and sentences them Prisons and jails 1. Total institution- completely controls the prisoners lives and regulates all of their activities 2. Degradation- mark the inmate as deviant 3. Mortification-break down the individuals original self as the inmate experiences resocialization Incarceration rates have increased