What does it mean to be “deviant?” What would you consider deviant acts?

Defining Deviance Deviance is behavior that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms Deviance is behavior that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms The sociological definition of deviance stresses social context, not individual behavior The sociological definition of deviance stresses social context, not individual behavior Not all behaviors are judged similarly by all groups Not all behaviors are judged similarly by all groups Established rules and norms are socially created, not just morally decreed or individually imposed Established rules and norms are socially created, not just morally decreed or individually imposed Is suicide a deviant act? Does being a gang member make someone deviant? Is cannibalism a deviant act?

Negative Deviance – involves behavior that fails to meet accepted norms Negative Deviance – involves behavior that fails to meet accepted norms Positive Deviance – involves over- conformity to norms leading to imbalance and extremes of perfectionism Positive Deviance – involves over- conformity to norms leading to imbalance and extremes of perfectionism

Functionalism & Deviance Deviance is functional – it creates stability and cohesion by identifying behaviors that are considered deviant. Deviance is functional – it creates stability and cohesion by identifying behaviors that are considered deviant. Deviant acts provide contrast to behaviors that are considered normal. Deviant acts provide contrast to behaviors that are considered normal. For deviant action to be functional, the group needs to have a common definition of legitimate and deviant behavior. For deviant action to be functional, the group needs to have a common definition of legitimate and deviant behavior. Norms are affirmed by condemning deviant persons. Norms are affirmed by condemning deviant persons.

Functionalism & Deviance According to Durkheim, societies need deviance According to Durkheim, societies need deviance Judging deviant behaviors and punishing them confirms general social standards Judging deviant behaviors and punishing them confirms general social standards The punishment affirms collective beliefs, reinforces social order, and inhibits future deviant behavior. In other words, it establishes the collective consciousness of a society The punishment affirms collective beliefs, reinforces social order, and inhibits future deviant behavior. In other words, it establishes the collective consciousness of a society

Social Control Ways to encourage conformity to society’s norms Internal “Doing something because you know it is the right thing to do” Developed during the socialization process External Social sanctions – rewards or punishments that encourage conformity to social norms

When is deviance most likely to occur? According to Durkheim, deviance occurs when there is a weakening of social regulations and bonds between members of society. When this happens, anomie occurs.

Durkheim’s Study of Suicide Anomic Suicide – Occurs when dividing forces in society makes people individuals feel lost or alone Anomic Suicide – Occurs when dividing forces in society makes people individuals feel lost or alone Altruistic Suicide – Committed for the benefit of others Altruistic Suicide – Committed for the benefit of others Egoistic Suicide – Occurs when people feel completely detached from society Egoistic Suicide – Occurs when people feel completely detached from society Fatalistic Suicide – Occurs in social conditions where individuals experience pervasive oppression Fatalistic Suicide – Occurs in social conditions where individuals experience pervasive oppression What are the sociological implications of Durkheim’s study of suicide? Suicide is a significant social phenomenon that is largely dependent on factors such as age, race, gender, location and, more generally, peoples’ relations to the social structure in which they live. Weaker social ties, according to Durkheim, increases the likelihood of suicide.

What led Adam Lanza to shoot 20 children and 6 staff members at Sandy Hook Elementary School?

Eating Your Friends is the Hardest… How is the concept of a human body socially “re- constructed” by the survivors in the Andes? How is the concept of a human body socially “re- constructed” by the survivors in the Andes? What is the meaning of a human body? What is the meaning of a human body? What was the influence of culture on the survivors? What was the influence of the Catholic Church? What was the influence of culture on the survivors? What was the influence of the Catholic Church? How was groupthink an element present in the survivors’ situation? How was groupthink an element present in the survivors’ situation? What types of rules and norms did the survivors establish? What types of rules and norms did the survivors establish? Would a sociologist consider the survivors deviant? Why/why not? Would a sociologist consider the survivors deviant? Why/why not?

“For all of us, reality is socially constructed, and the story of the Andes survivors contains the essence of human society” How is the above quote true? Provide an example of how we can apply the story of the F-227 to other aspects of society

Different Theories of Deviance Strain Theory Control Theory Differential Association Theory Labeling Theory Conflict Theory

Strain Theory (Robert Merton) Is there a correlation between unemployment and crime? Why? Deviance is a result of tensions caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have to achieve these goals. When the methods of obtaining goals are unattainable, deviance is likely to occur. Places heavy emphasis on structural obstacles in society that make illegitimate means the only option for success

Forms of Deviance Social Stigmas An attribute that is socially devalued and discredited; i.e. physical and mental disabilities An attribute that is socially devalued and discredited; i.e. physical and mental disabilities When stigmatized individuals are measured against a presumed norm they may be labeled, stereotyped, and discriminated against; also may result in stronger bonds with other disadvantaged groups When stigmatized individuals are measured against a presumed norm they may be labeled, stereotyped, and discriminated against; also may result in stronger bonds with other disadvantaged groups

Forms of Deviance Drugs and Alcohol Drugs and Alcohol Why are some substances considered deviant and stigmatizing while others are not? Why are some substances considered deviant and stigmatizing while others are not? What role do certain industries and institutions play in creating and reinforcing deviance and conformity? What role do certain industries and institutions play in creating and reinforcing deviance and conformity? How does drug and alcohol use vary by gender and race? How does drug and alcohol use vary by gender and race?

Source: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2011). Results from the 2010 national survey on drug use and health: Summary of national findings. Rockville, MD: Author.

Forms of Deviance Mental Illness Mental Illness Sociological explanations of mental illness look to the social systems that define, identify and treat mental illness Sociological explanations of mental illness look to the social systems that define, identify and treat mental illness Myth: Mental Illness is an abnormality best studied by psychologists Myth: Mental Illness is an abnormality best studied by psychologists Sociological Perspective: Mental illness follows patterns associated with race, class, and gender relations in society and is subject to a significant labeling effect Sociological Perspective: Mental illness follows patterns associated with race, class, and gender relations in society and is subject to a significant labeling effect Women, racial minorities and the poor all suffer higher rates of reported mental illness than groups of higher social and economic status Women, racial minorities and the poor all suffer higher rates of reported mental illness than groups of higher social and economic status

Simmons (1969) “The sheer range of responses [to the question “What constitutes deviant behavior?] predictably included homosexuals, prostitutes, drug addicts, radicals and criminals. But it also included liars, career women, Democrats, reckless drivers, atheists, pacificists, priests, prudes, hippies, straights, girls who wear makeup, the President of the United States, conservatives, integrationists, executives, divorcees, perverts, motorcycle gangs, smart-alec students, know-it- all professors, modern people, and Americans.” What does the above quote say about the concept of deviance?