Deviance

Behavior that violates significant social norms

To be labeled as a deviant a person must: 1. Be detected committing a deviant act

2. Individual must be stigmatized by society Stigma-mark of social disgrace that sets the deviant apart from the rest of society

Perspectives on Deviance Functionalist Perspective: Robert K. Merton developed the Structural Strain Theory

Structural Strain Theory Views deviance as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structure of society

Means and Goals Merton felt that society placed more value on certain goals (Example: Economic Success) However, not everyone has equal opportunity to the accepted means to achieve those goals.

Merton felt Americans respond to means and goals in 5 ways 1. Conformity: When people accept the goals of society as well as the means for accepting them. This is the most common reaction

2. Innovation People accept the goals but not the means of getting them. They invent new ways of reaching goal Example: drug deals/burglars

3. Ritualism People see it as impossible to achieve goals through accepted means They abandon goals while continuing accepted behavior Ex: worker who does not apply for promotion for fear of failure

4. Retreatism Reject cultural goals and socially acceptable means Example: drug addicts,hermits

5. Rebellion When people substitute a new set of goals and means for the currently approved ones Ex: members of a revolutionary movement

Control Theory Explain deviance as a natural occurrence Feels that social ties determine conformity Individuals who are integrated into the community are likely to conform Less integrated=more likely to commit deviant acts

Control Theorist Travis Hirschi felt people develop social bonds in 4 ways

1. They form attachments with others, such as parent, teachers, friends, etc.

2. They have a strong belief in the moral codes of society and accept some behavior is simply wrong

3. They show commitment to traditional societal values like a good education or job

4. They are totally involved in non-deviant activities

Lemmert and Backer Felt that all people commit deviant acts Acts range from minor to serious Not all people are labeled as deviant Developed the labeling theory

Labeling Theory: Theory that focuses on how people came to be labeled as deviant

Primary Deviance Nonconformity undetected by authority in which the individuals who commit the deviant acts do not consider themselves to be deviant and neither does society

Secondary Deviance Nonconformity that results in the individuals who commit acts of deviance being labeled as deviant and accepting it as true

Cultural Transmission Theory Deviance is a learned behavior where norms and values are transmitted by being around people who are deviant

Sutherland First sociologist/criminologist to propose differential association

Differential Association Proportion of associations a person has with deviant verse non deviant individuals

Marx Conflict Theory: Theory that views social change as the result of conflicts between groups with opposing interests

Haves Ruling class: have power and do deviant acts to keep it.

Have Nots Lower classes-Don’t have power. Commit deviant acts to get economic rewards or because of low self-esteem due to feelings of powerlessness.