"Deviance & Social

Control"
• Intro to Sociology
• BS Psychology I
• Instructor: Ms. Sadia Sohail

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 Introduction to Deviance
Definition of Deviance:
• Deviance is essentially any behavior or action that significantly strays
away from established societal norms, values, or expectations
• It's often perceived as behavior that goes against what is considered
typical or acceptable within a particular society or culture

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 Introduction to Deviance
• Types of Deviance:
Social Deviance:
• Actions that violate social norms or conventions within a community or
society.
Sexual Deviance:
• Behavior that goes against established norms or expectations regarding
sexuality, gender identity, or sexual behavior
Criminal Deviance:
• Actions that contravene established legal norms or laws within a society

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 Examples of Deviance:
• Social Deviance: Graffiti and vandalism in public spaces can be
considered examples of social deviance. These actions violate societal
norms regarding property rights and public behavior.
• Sexual Deviance: Non-consensual acts or sexual harassment
represent sexual deviance. Behavior that disregards established
norms of respect, consent, and boundaries can be considered sexually
deviant.
• Criminal Deviance: A typical example of criminal deviance would be
theft. It violates established legal norms within a society and is
punishable under the law.

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 Deviance and Inequity
• Relationship Between Deviance and Inequity:
• Deviance and inequity often share a close relationship. Inequity,
which refers to the unfairness or lack of equality in society, can lead to
deviant behavior
• Individuals or groups who feel marginalized, oppressed, or unfairly
treated within an inequitable system might resort to deviant actions
as a form of protest, rebellion, or coping mechanism.

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 Deviance and Inequity
• Impact of Inequity on Deviant Behavior:
• Inequity can significantly impact deviant behavior by contributing to
its emergence.
• When individuals feel socially, economically, or politically
disadvantaged due to inequity, they might engage in deviant actions
as a way to challenge or cope with their circumstances.
• This behavior can manifest as criminal activities, social disobedience,
or other forms of non-conformity.

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 Deviance and Inequity
Societal Perception:
• Views on Deviance Influenced by Inequity:
• Inequity in society can influence how deviance is perceived and addressed.
• Societies with high levels of inequality might have varying perspectives on
what constitutes deviant behavior.
• In some cases, behavior considered deviant in more equitable societies may
be seen as a justified response to systemic injustice in inequitable societies.
• In summary, inequity within a society can contribute to the emergence of
deviant behavior and shape societal perceptions of what is considered
deviant or acceptable based on the prevailing levels of inequality

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 Social Conflict Analysis

1.Introduction to Social Conflict Theory:

• Social conflict theory posits that society is in a state of constant conflict
due to the struggle for limited resources and power.
• This perspective emphasizes the unequal distribution of resources and
power as the primary source of conflict within society.
• It suggests that social structures and institutions perpetuate inequality,
leading to tension and conflict among different social groups.

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 Social Conflict Analysis

2.Role of Power and Inequity in Social Conflict:

• Power dynamics and inequity play crucial roles in social conflict.
Inequity, where certain groups have more access to resources,
opportunities, or privileges than others, creates power imbalances.
• These imbalances often lead to conflicts as marginalized groups seek to
challenge the established power structures to gain equal rights and
opportunities.

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 Social Conflict Analysis

3.Impact of Inequity on Social Structures and Deviant Behavior:

• Inequity has a profound impact on social structures and can contribute to deviant
behavior.
• When social structures perpetuate inequality, marginalized groups may engage in
deviant actions to challenge or resist these structures.
• This behavior can manifest as protests, activism, civil disobedience, or other forms
of non-conformity aimed at disrupting the status quo to achieve social change.
• In summary, social conflict theory highlights the role of power imbalances and
inequity in perpetuating social conflict. Inequity within social structures can lead to
deviant behavior as marginalized groups strive to address and challenge the existing
power dynamics and social inequalities.

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 Social Control
• Definition and Concept of Social Control:
• Social control refers to the mechanisms, practices, and institutions
that societies employ to regulate and manage behavior, norms, and
values within a community
• It involves various methods employed by societies to ensure
conformity to established norms, rules, and expectations.

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 Social Control
• Forms of Social Control: Informal and Formal:
• Social control can be categorized into informal and formal mechanisms.
• Informal social control involves the use of social norms, values, and
unwritten rules within a community to guide behavior.
• This can include social expectations, peer pressure, and societal norms
that influence individuals to conform.
• Formal social control, on the other hand, involves the use of official
institutions and structures, such as laws, law enforcement, judicial
systems, and regulatory bodies, to enforce compliance with societal
norms and laws.
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 Social Control
• Maintaining Social Order: How social control preserves stability:
• Social control plays a crucial role in maintaining social order and stability within a
society.
• By establishing and reinforcing norms and rules, social control mechanisms
contribute to preventing chaos and disorder.
• It helps in regulating behavior, reducing deviance, and ensuring that individuals
adhere to acceptable standards of conduct, ultimately fostering a cohesive and
functioning society.
• In essence, social control encompasses the systems and practices that regulate
behavior and ensure conformity to societal norms
• It operates through both informal societal mechanisms and formal institutional
structures, contributing to the preservation of social order and stability.
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 Methods of Social Control
• Types of Social Control Techniques: Direct and Indirect:
• Social control techniques can be categorized into direct and indirect
methods.
• Direct social control involves overt and visible methods of regulating
behavior.
• This includes the use of laws, regulations, surveillance, and punishment to
maintain order and conformity.
• Indirect social control, on the other hand, operates through subtler means
such as social norms, values, beliefs, and informal sanctions.
• These indirect methods guide behavior by influencing individuals'
perceptions and internalizing societal expectations.
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 Methods of Social Control
• Examples of Social Control: Policing, laws, norms, and sanctions: Policing
and law enforcement agencies are prime examples of direct social control.
• They enforce laws, regulations, and norms by monitoring behavior and
imposing penalties for non-compliance.
• Laws, statutes, and legal frameworks serve as formal mechanisms to
outline acceptable conduct and penalize deviations.
• Norms, values, and cultural standards represent informal social control by
shaping behavior through societal expectations.
• Sanctions or consequences for deviating from established norms reinforce
social control mechanisms.

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 Methods of Social Control
• Effectiveness: Examining the impact of different control methods:
• The effectiveness of social control methods varies based on context, cultural
norms, and societal values.
• Direct methods like laws and law enforcement are effective in deterring certain
behaviors through fear of punishment, but they might not always prevent deviant
behavior.
• Indirect methods, relying on social norms and values, may be more influential in
shaping long-term behavioral patterns by fostering conformity and acceptance of
societal standards.
• By understanding the diverse array of social control techniques, including direct
and indirect methods, and their varied impact on behavior, societies can better
manage and regulate conduct within their communities.
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 Agencies of Social Control
• Overview of Agencies Enforcing Social Control:
• Agencies involved in enforcing social control are institutions,
organizations, or entities tasked with regulating and maintaining
societal order and conformity to established norms
• These agencies operate at various levels within society, ranging from
governmental bodies to community-based organizations.

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 Agencies of Social Control
• Role of Government Institutions:
• Government institutions play a significant role in social control.
• Law enforcement agencies, such as the police, are key entities tasked
with maintaining law and order, preventing criminal activities, and
upholding societal regulations.
• Judicial systems and courts administer justice and apply laws to
ensure compliance and punish deviations.
• Additionally, legislative bodies formulate laws and regulations that
define acceptable behavior and outline consequences for violations.

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 Agencies of Social Control
• Community and Social Institutions in Social Control:
• Apart from governmental bodies, community-based and social institutions contribute
to social control.
• Schools, religious organizations, family structures, and community groups exert
influence on individuals' behavior through informal mechanisms.
• These institutions transmit societal norms, values, and ethics, guiding individuals
toward acceptable conduct.
• For instance, schools instill discipline and societal values in students, while religious
organizations promote moral guidelines and ethical behavior.
• These diverse agencies, operating at different levels of society, collectively contribute
to social control by enforcing regulations, setting norms, and guiding individuals'
behavior toward conformity with societal expectations.
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 Mechanisms of Social Control
• Exploring Mechanisms for Implementing Social Control:
• Social control mechanisms are the means through which societies
regulate behavior to maintain order and conformity
• These mechanisms encompass various strategies and tools employed
to influence individual and group behavior.

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 Mechanisms of Social Control
• Laws and Legal Systems:
• Legal systems are a fundamental mechanism for social control
• They establish a framework of rules, regulations, and laws that define
acceptable conduct within a society
• Laws are enforced through a judicial system that adjudicates disputes,
administers justice, and imposes penalties on individuals who violate
established norms
• The threat of legal consequences acts as a deterrent and reinforces
adherence to societal regulations.

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 Mechanisms of Social Control
• Social Norms, Sanctions, and Stigmatization:
• Social norms are unwritten rules or standards of behavior prevalent within a
society
• These norms guide and regulate individual conduct, and deviation from these
norms may result in social sanctions or stigmatization
• Sanctions can be formal or informal and include social disapproval, exclusion,
ridicule, or loss of social status
• Stigmatization involves labeling individuals or groups engaging in deviant behavior,
which may lead to their marginalization from society.
• These mechanisms collectively contribute to maintaining societal order and
regulating behavior by providing guidelines, setting boundaries, and imposing
consequences for deviating from established norms and regulations.
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 Challenges in Social Control
• Difficulties and Limitations in Social Control:
• There are inherent challenges in effectively controlling behavior
within society
• One primary challenge lies in the diversity of individuals and
communities, each with distinct cultural values and beliefs
• What's considered deviant in one culture might be acceptable in
another
• Additionally, the rapidly changing social landscape and technological
advancements pose challenges in regulating new forms of behavior,
such as online activities, cyberbullying, and digital privacy issues.
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 Challenges in Social Control
• Ethical Considerations and Human Rights Issues:
• Social control measures often intersect with ethical concerns and
human rights considerations
• The imposition of control mechanisms may encroach upon individual
liberties, raising questions about privacy, freedom of expression, and
autonomy
• Striking a balance between maintaining societal order and upholding
individual rights requires careful deliberation and ethical judgment.

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 Challenges in Social Control
• Balancing Control with Individual Freedoms:
• The tension between the need for social order and preserving
individual freedoms presents a significant challenge
• Excessive control measures might suppress personal freedoms and
creativity, leading to societal dissent and dissatisfaction
• Conversely, lax control can result in chaos or rampant deviance.
• Addressing these challenges involves navigating a complex interplay
of societal expectations, legal frameworks, cultural sensitivities, and
ethical principles to devise control mechanisms that maintain order
while respecting individual rights and diversity.
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 Societal Responses to Deviance
• Understanding the Role of Society in Managing Deviance:
• Society plays a crucial role in identifying, defining, and responding to
deviant behavior
• Social norms, values, and cultural expectations shape perceptions of
what constitutes deviance
• Communities establish mechanisms to regulate behavior, often
through formal institutions like legal systems or informal social
sanctions.

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 Societal Responses to Deviance
• Evolving Perspectives on Deviant Behavior:
• Perspectives on deviance constantly evolve.
• Over time, societal attitudes toward certain behaviors may shift due
to changing values, cultural shifts, or advances in knowledge.
• What was once deemed deviant may become acceptable or vice
versa.
• For instance, the changing perception of LGBTQ+ rights or the
decriminalization of certain drug offenses reflect evolving
perspectives on previously stigmatized behaviors.

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 Societal Responses to Deviance
• Implications for Policy and Societal Changes:
• Societal responses to deviance influence policy formulation and societal changes
• Legal reforms, education initiatives, or advocacy campaigns often stem from
societal responses to address or redefine deviant behavior
• Understanding the impact of responses to deviance aids in shaping policies aimed
at prevention, rehabilitation, or social integration of individuals engaging in deviant
acts
• These responses are fluid, influenced by historical context, cultural norms, political
ideologies, and societal values
• Analyzing how societies respond to deviance offers insights into the dynamics of
social control, the complexities of human behavior, and the mechanisms used to
maintain social order.
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 Thankyou

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