Deviance and Social Control https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThToz3UmIL4 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J7VQaWt1uQ

Caption: "On Aug. 7, 1930, Lawrence Beitler took what would become the most iconic photograph of lynching in America. Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith were lynched in the town center of Marion, Ind., for allegedly murdering a white factory worker, Claude Deeter, and raping his companion, Mary Ball. But the case was never solved" (Source: NPR).

Definitions Conformity and Deviance Social Control is Universal Obeying or violating rules and norms Social Control is Universal Enforcement of norms Formal Control Social Institutions Crime Violation of norms written into laws

Relativity of Deviance It is not the act itself but the reactions to the act that makes something deviant (Becker) Crime and deviance are defined by culture, change over time and effected by social environment Under the right circumstances, almost any behavior can qualify as deviant

Explanations Biology and Psychology Sociology Factors within individual Genetic and brain abnormalities, personality Sociology External environment Factors outside of the individual

Symbolic Interaction Microanalysis Focus on deviance as learned through our interactions Use of symbols to socially construct deviant identities through labels

Symbolic Interaction 1. Differential Association Different groups we associate with Deviance learned from primary/secondary groups Duration, intensity, priority, and frequency 2. Control Theory or Bond Theory Inner Controls – our conscience and morality Outer Controls – groups that teach right and wrong Attachment, commitment, involvement, and belief Deviance occurs when one’s controls or bonds are weak

Symbolic Interaction 3. Labeling Theory Labels affect self perception resulting in conformity or deviance Primary Deviance – isolated deviant acts Secondary Deviance – becomes engrained in one’s identity Self-Fulfilling Prophecy occurs as labels reinforce and deviance

Functionalism Deviance Maintains Social Order Examples of unacceptable behavior Binds people together through common rejection of deviant behavior Provides work for those who deal with deviants Signals social problems that need to be addressed and thereby creates positive change Opens society to creative new ways of thinking (Source: Our Social World, Ballantine)

Functionalism Strain Theory Strain to fulfill societal expectations Wealth, education, social status, and material success Frustration resulting from gap between socially shared goals and access to legitimate methods of achieving them Conformists – legitimate opportunities Innovators – illegitimate opportunities

(Source: Our Social World, Ballantine)

Functionalism Social Disorganization Theory Dysfunction in society results in a lack of social control and anomie Neighborhoods with high drug use, violence, crime, and deprivation Anomie: a breakdown of norms Anomie is also likely in conditions of rapid urbanization, war, or economic change

Functionalism Cultural Deviance Theory Social disorganization in communities creates a subculture of deviance Deviant culture with its own values and norms as an adaption to deprivation in social environment

Functionalism Rational Choice Theory Logical choice Risk versus Reward Current laws view crime as a rational choice

Conflict Perspective Conflict Theory Macroanalysis Power Elite create definitions and punishments of deviance and crime Law used to maintain power and privilege Crimes of poor punished Crimes of privileged forgiven or lessened

Social Problems Recidivism Prison population disparities Percentage of prisoners committing crime and being re-arrested 3 out of 4 prisoners with prior record https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uj3SMiDvjdg Prison population disparities Mass incarceration Racial Inequality in the Criminal Justice System https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfie5bHG1OA School-To-Prison Pipeline https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HoKkasEyDOI