Review

Deviance The major category of deviance is CRIME. Crime is the violation of a society’s formally enacted criminal laws. This can range from traffic violations to homicide.

Social Control Social control – attempts by society to regulate people’s thoughts and behavior. This processes is informal and usually is directed through parents raising their children, teachers, coaches and mass media.

Criminal Justice Serious deviance such as homicide require more than simple social control. The criminal justice system which is a formal response by police, courts and prison officials to alleged violations of the law are used to punish those who commit serious deviance.

Biological Context Originally it was believed that criminals were the way they were because of their biology. If you looked a certain way you were more likely to be a criminal. (this has nothing to do with race!) In the early 1900’s William Sheldon suggested that body structure could lead to criminal actions. He said that men with strongly built bodies were more likely to become criminals based on his research into body types of criminals in the past. In 2003 after a 25 year study University of Wisconsin found that genetic factors paired with environmental factors were the best way to determine the likelihood of someone being a criminal.

Personality Factors Most sociologists believe that personality is largely built by socialization. Thus when people become criminals it is due to failed or unsuccessful socialization. Some personality factors have been linked to deviance such as: Not feeling guilt or shame No fear of punishment Little to no sympathy Even with this link most serious crimes are committed by people with perfectly normal psychological profiles.

Social Foundations 1) Deviance varies according to social norms Not thought or actions is inherently deviant. Each culture creates norms that in turn create deviance. 2) People become deviant as others define them that way. EVERYONE violates cultural norms at one point or another. (have you ever “borrowed” a pen and not returned it?) How people react to this deviance defines us! 3) Both norms and the way people define rule-breaking involve social power. “the law is the means by which powerful people protect their interests.” – Karl Marx Ex. A homeless people who stands on the street protesting the government risks being arrested but a politician running for mayor does the same thing and he receives police protection.

Structural-Functions analysis Durkheim’s Basic Insight 1)Deviance affirms cultural values and norms There can be no good without bad! 2) Responding to deviance clarifies moral boundaries. By defining deviance we can draw a line in the sand between right and wrong. 3) Responding to deviance brings people together People typically react to deviance with shared outrage. 4) Deviance encourages social change. Deviant people push the boundaries and make us rethink our stances. (Perfect examples: marijuana and gay marriage)

Merton’s Strain Theory Merton argues that society needs some deviance but often society is set up in a way that encourages too much deviance. He believes the type of deviance people engage in depends on the means they are provided such as schooling and job opportunities. Ex. We have seen a rise in crime over the last 5 years due to a poor job market. Inability to reach cultural goals (ex. The American Dream) is a general cause for deviance.

Deviant Subcultures Richard Cloward and Lloyd Ohlin expanded on the idea of Merton’s Strain Theory saying that crime is not just a result of lack of opportunity but the readily accessibly illegitimate opportunities. In short deviance or conformity arises from the relative opportunity structure of a person’s life. There are 3 major deviant subcultures: Criminal subcultures – street gangs who have plans and a course of action to make money Conflict subculutres – armed street gangs with no plans to make money (cannot find opportunity) Retreatist subcultures – those who drop out and abuse alcohol or drugs.

Symbolic-Interaction Analysis Labeling Theory – the idea that deviance and conformity result not so much from what people do as from how others respond to those actions.

Primary Deviance Some norm violations; like skipping school, provoke slight reaction from others that have little effect on a person’s self concept. Most of the time people do not make a big deal about it unless it is a frequent issue.

Secondary Deviance Let’s say people begin to notice the problem. They might start excluding you from group activities in class. The person who skipped might become bitter and angry with his classmates and skip more. This is called secondary deviance; where a person repeatedly violates a norm and begins to take on a deviant identity.

Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory Learning any behavior pattern is a process that takes place in groups. A person’s tendency toward conformity or deviance depends on the amount of contact with others who encourage or reject conventional behavior. You are more likely to conform to norms if you learned from people who conformed to norms and more likely to reject norms if you learned from people who often reject them.

Hirschi’s control Theory Social control depends on people anticipating the consequences of their behavior. Hirschi assumes that everyone finds at least some deviance tempting. Those who have a lot to lose (career, family, friends) are less likely to participate in deviant behavior while those with little to lose are more likely. Hirschi links conformity to 4 different types of social control 1) Attachment: strong social attachment encourages conformity weak encourages deviance. 2) Opportunity: greater the persons chance of legitimate opportunity the less the chance of deviance. 3) Involvement: Extensive involvement in legitimate activities (job, school, sports) lessens the risk of deviance. 4) Belief: Strong belief in conventional morality and respect for authority leads to low deviance.

Crime Crime – any act that is labeled by those in authority that is prohibited by law and punishable by the government.

Types of Crime The FBI classifies crime into 29 categories. You can see these categories on page 188 of the textbook. Crimes are groups into 5 easy categories 1) Violent crime – crimes that involve harming someone in some way or another. 2) Crime against property – such as theft or vandalism. 3) Victimless crimes – such as prostitution or drug use where no one is being forced to do something. 4) White-collar crime – offenses committed by individuals of high social status in the course of their professional lives. 5) Organized Crime – large scale criminal operations.

Other types of crime Corporate Crime – companies intentionally breaking the law. Hate Crime – Crime committed against a person because of their gender, sexuality, race etc.

Criminal-Justice The criminal justice system must operate within the law. Everyone is given DUE PROCESS which provides them the right to counsel (lawyer), right to refuse to testify against ones self, right to confront ones accusers, right to not be tried for the same crime twice (double jeopardy) and right to not be deprived of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness without a fair trial.

Punishment/Crime Control Justifications for punishment 1) Retribution: the oldest justification. Punishment is societies revenge for moral wrong. In principal, punishment should be equal to the severity of the crime. 2)Deterrence: Early modern approach. Crime is considered social disruption, which society acts to control. Pain of punishment designed to outweigh pleasure of crime. 3) Rehabilitation: modern strategy. Crime and other deviance viewed as result of social problems (such as poverty). Social conditions are improved and treatment is tailored to individual needs. 4) Societal Protection: Modern approach easier to carry out than rehab. Even if society is unable/unwilling to rehabilitate offenders or reform social conditions, people are protected by the imprisonment or execution of the offender.