A Sociological Perspective DEVIANCE A Sociological Perspective

The Sociological Perspective What makes the sociological perspective unique? Structural Orientation Historical Transformation and Context Culture and Values Sociologists view the social world differently than do psychologists, the clergy or politicians

How Sociologists See Sociologists first see social structure, the nature (foundations) and operation of institutions in society. These are considered to have some causal relationship to individual behavior. A good example of the influence of social structure would be a tax audit. The taxpayer’s behavior is controlled by the tax laws and the authority of the auditor to impose penalties.

Social Forces The term used to characterize the power and authority of social structure is “social forces.” Social forces are not just laws and rules; behavior is governed by other less obvious factors. Social Forces include cultural values and ethics, styles of dress, and political moods.

Relativity of Social Forces Sociologists assume social forces and individual behavior are culturally specific and always in a state of transformation. Everything changes. Sociologists see culture, values and beliefs, both formal and informal as always in flux and rooted in some social context. Social forces gain and lose legitimacy over time which reflects and impels social change.

Structure, History and Culture Social Structure Social Structure refers to the statuses, roles, institutions and values of a society Deviance is a status that is conferred on people who break rules Deviant status affects other roles, statuses and one’s place in social institutions Humans Live in History and Make It Everyday Statuses have changed throughout history Consider the role of women – from domestic workers to presidential candidates Deviant statuses have changed in a similar status Consider the changing status of marijuana smokers – from crazed killers to presidents Culture Values form to core of social judgments Value change has become a major issue in American Society today Consider the value challenges posed by our multicultural society

Values and Interests Sociologists do not assume values, ethics, morality are self evident or rooted in supernatural forces Sociologists generally link moral systems to social power. What benefits the powerful is moral and good, or so say the supporters of the powerful. Emile Durkheim identifies the most basic interest that supports morality, which he refers to as the division of labor. His ideas follow.

Morality is Social The point is that rules and moral systems come to exist and are retained because the achieve some social good. Generally, social peace. However as interests change and social peace is threatened, rules and morality come into questions. Read about the Salem Witch Hunt in the book.

The Sociology of Deviance

Sociology and the Value Free Doctrine Unlike the clergy and politicians, sociologists do not concern themselves with the goodness or badness of behavior The sociologists study morality, they do not validate it or promote one form of morality over other forms of morality Some criticize this view claiming sociologists must take ethical/moral stands – to help the underdog.

Emile Durkheim’s Sociology of Deviance Emile Durkheim is considered one of the inventors of sociology in the 19th century. His book The Division of Labor in Society is considered one of the major works in the field. In this book he develops a theory of deviance that is linked to how humans live and work and shows that deviance is both normal and rooted in the need to survive.

Sociology and Social Order Emerging from the revolutionary periods in America and France, and the social disruption in Europe with the rise of industrialization, early sociology was concerned about what keeps society orderly. In other words, Durkheim was interested in how society functions.

The Collective Conscience The term collective conscience is used by Durkheim to refer to “the totality of social likenesses.” The collective conscience is found in all societies and represents the controls that most people accept as legitimate. But as society has grown more complex, through immigration and modernization, the collective conscience becomes more abstract and has less of an impact on human thought and behavior. The collective conscience differs based on the type of society, either small scale or non-industrial or mass, industrial society

Types of Society Durkheim identifies two types of society, mechanical society and organic society. Mechanical societies are small scale non- industrial societies that are characterized by likeness; all people share the same moral and religious beliefs and there is little diversity in the division of labor Organic societies are multicultural, industrial societies characterized by difference in religion, economic interests, morality and the division of labor is complex

The Division of Labor and Deviance The Division of Labor refers to how humans survive. Survival is so important that it gains moral status. Changes in the division of labor influence the moral status of behavior Those behaviors that support the division of labor are considered moral, those that undermine it are immoral This is the basis of criminal law

Solidarity Mechanical and organic societies differ on how society is held together; which Durkheim calls social solidarity Punishment for deviance reaffirms the rule, redefines the group identity, legitimates the sacrifice of the obedient, and builds morale and solidarity. War serves the same purpose in building solidarity. Consider the way Americans rallied around President Bush after the 9-11 attacks.

Interests The development of society has fragmented social interests. The patient has different interests than the insurance company; the religious fundamentalist has different interests than Planned Parenthood. Interests differ on economic, moral, political, personal, or other factors Social order is more difficult in such situations.

Social Control Durkheim says that when social interests are fragmented, as in modern society, social control is more difficult. Punishment for deviance shifts from inflicting pain and suffering on the deviant to managing deviants scientifically. This weakens social control even more.

Anomie A state of inadequate regulation is called anomie. Primitive societies strive to preserve the status quo, explaining why banishment is common in such societies. Advanced societies, based on diversity, are characterized by a weaker form of social solidarity and have less to preserve. Deviance is managed in such societies; repression is left to the most egregious acts.

Durkheim’s Sociology and Deviance Today Durkheim’s ideas of nearly 200 years ago accurately predicted the nature of society today. Solidarity is weak, anomie is common and deviance is rampant.