Understanding Deviance and Crime: Theories and Functions, Slides of Sociology

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Deviance and Social Control

Chapter 7

Objectives:

• Define deviance
• Explain the nature and social functions of

deviance.

• Compare the theories that have been

proposed to explain deviance.

2

Section 1: Deviance

Deviance

• Most people internalize the majority of the

norms in their societies, but may not

internalize all the norms and so there isn’t

total social control

• There are always people who break the

rules of a society

• Behavior that violates significant social

norms is called deviance

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Nature of Deviance

• Because there are so many norms

governing behavior, occasional violations

are unavoidable

• What is considered deviant varies from

society to society…

• society determines what is deviant
• Society determines the consequences for deviant behavior 5

How do we know something is deviant?  Labeling deviance has 2 components:  to be considered deviant by society, an individual must first be detected committing a deviant act, behavior is known to others  the individual must be stigmatized by society ▪ stigma – mark of social disgrace that sets the deviant apart from the rest of society ▪ Cut/burn marks on person, public punishments, executions, imprisonment, cut direct , spoiled reputation  What is considered deviant varies from society to society and during different time periods 7

Social Functions of Deviance

Emile Durkheim’s The Rules of Sociological Method observed that deviance has some uses in social life.

1. Unifying the Group – serves to draw the line between conforming members of society and “outsiders” – the nonconforming members
2. Clarifying Norms – defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior
3. Diffusing Tension – acts that allow individuals to relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society 8

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DEVIANCE- BEHAVIOR THAT DEPARTS FROM SOCIETAL OR GROUP NORMS

POSITIVE DEVIANCE

BEHAVIOR THAT OVER CONFORMS TO

SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS

Steroids is over conforming Anorexia and bodybuilding is over conforming

NEGATIVE DEVIANCE

BEHAVIOR THAT UNDER CONFORMS TO

SOCIAL EXPECTATIONS

Obesity is under conforming

ROBERT MERTON’S

STRAIN THEORY

• If US Cultural Goals = success and materialism
• And Means of Achievement = education and hard work
• Conformity is when you accept the goals and the means to achieve it.

ROBERT MERTON’S

STRAIN THEORY

• Retreatism - is a deviant response in which both the legitimate means and the approved goals are rejected (drug addicts)
• Rebellion - people reject both success and the approved means for achieving it (ISIS, KKK)

ROBERT MERTON’S

STRAIN THEORY