What is deviance? What items on the inventory you just completed might be considered deviant?

Deviance Behavior that departs from societal or group norms. Ranges from criminal behavior to wearing too much make-up Deviance is not always easy to identify

Why might some of the items on the inventory be considered deviant? Explain why it might be considered deviant and be able to state the norm that is violated. Skipped school? Ran Away? Driven a car without being legally licensed? Driven a car while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs? Been on probation or expelled from school? Defied your parents’ authority? Stolen items worth less than $2 Stolen items worth from $2 to $50? Stolen items worth more than $50? Drank beer, wine, or liquor? Smoked marijuana? Used amphetamines (uppers, speed)? Used cocaine? Had a hangover? Been so drunk that you couldn’t remember the next day things you did or said? Cheated on an exam or class assignment? Driven faster than the speed limit allowed? Been arrested as a juvenile? Purposely damaged public property?

What other types of behavior constitute deviant behavior? Brainstorm.

What other types of behavior constitute deviant behavior? Prostitution Drug addiction Radical political beliefs crime These are very common answers to the question in society. What are some not-so- common answers?

What other types of behavior constitute deviant behavior? Liars Career women Democrats Reckless drivers Atheists Christians Suburbanites The retired Card players Bearded men Priests Pacifists Hippies Prudes Divorcees Perverts Know-it-alls Republicans

Deviance can be… POSITIVE NEGATIVE Involves over- conformity to norms Leads to imbalance Idealizes group norms EX: taking the American ideal of being thin to the extreme of anorexia NEGATIVE Behavior that fails to meet expected norms Rejects norms Misinterprets norms Unaware of norms

Minor instances of behavior that some might consider deviant occur frequently in modern societies. For that reason, sociologists generally reserve the term deviance for violations of significant social norms.

Reactions to deviance are usually negative and involve attempts to change or control the behavior.

SOCIAL CONTROL: ways to promote conforming to norms two kinds: 1) internal controls 2) external controls

Internal social controls Lies within the individual Developed during socialization process Typically guided by morals Norms become internalized

External controls Based on social sanctions Rewards and punishments designed to encourage desired behavior Positive + : prizes, rewards, promotions, smiles Negative - : criticism, fines, prison Formal sanctions: jail, low grades, official awards Informal sanctions: ridicule, gossip, smiles