Defining Deviance and Deviance Theories

Deviance Violation of societal rules or norms What is the norm being violated in this picture?

Crime The violation of norms written into law

Social Control A group’s formal and informal means of enforcing its norms Journal: Think of three formal and informal ways you have been controlled by society today

Negative Sanction An expression of disapproval for breaking a norm, ranging from mild, informal reaction such as a frown to formal reaction such as a prison sentence or an execution Journal: When was the last time you sanctioned someone informally? What did they do to deserve the sanction, and what was the sanction?

Positive Sanction A reward or positive reaction for following norms, ranging from a smile to a prize

Who would you rather let your kids hang out with? Why?

Differential Association Theory Symbolic Interactionist Perspective that says: people learn deviance Differential association: learn to conform or deviate based on who and what we associate with Family, friends, neighborhoods, subcultures We often choose membership

Situation #1 Suppose that some friends have invited you to a night club. When you get there, you notice that everyone seems unusually happy-almost giddy would be a better word. They seem to be euphoric in their animated conversations and dancing. Your friends tell you that almost everyone here has taken the drug Ecstacy, and they invite you to take some with them. What makes you decide to conform? What makes you decide to not follow along with the crowd?

Situation #2 You currently have a below average grade in a difficult class and you have finals coming up. You know that if you do not make grades you will not only have to retake the class, but your graduation may be delayed by a full semester. Your teacher leaves class after reviewing for the exam and you notice he has left a copy of his final notes on the front table. You now have an opportunity to cheat What makes you decide to conform? What makes you decide to not follow along with the crowd?

Control Theory Two control systems work against our tendencies to deviate Inner controls: conscience, religious principles, ideas of right and wrong Outer controls: family, friends, police Control theory says: Attachments, commitments, involvements, and beliefs help our self-control

What do you think of these people?

Labeling Theory Labels affect their own and other people’s perceptions of them, thus channeling their behavior either into deviance or conformity Basically, stereotypes encourage or discourage our interactions with certain people/groups

When do we use these statements? “I couldn’t help myself” “Who really got hurt?” “Don’t you think she deserved that, after what she did?” “Who are you to talk?” “I had to help my friends—wouldn’t you have done the same thing?”

5 ways of thinking that help people deflect society’s norms to think they are conforming

Who is most likely to succeed? Why? Three high school students have a dream of becoming a doctor. All of them have grown up in the same rough neighborhood their whole lives and all of them have maintained the same grades. All three apply to the same colleges but only one gets in and receives a scholarship because of his/her overcoming adversity (a parent died some time in his/her life). The other two students keep trying, luckily one student is an athlete and could possibly attend a different less prestigious college via a scholarship, but will have a more difficult time transferring to a doctorate program. The third student’s only option is to stay home work hard, go to community college, and continue to take care of his family in the same rough neighborhood he/she grew up in.

Strain Theory People have goals such as wealth or high status, however not all people have equal access to institutionalized means (education, jobs). These people experience strain or frustration which may push them toward a deviant path You may succeed, but some people have more obstacles to prevent success than others

All these people reject parts of society, how do they do it? Nun Anarchist Party leader Crack dealer

Reactions to Strain Theory Innovators: accept cultural goals and reject institutional means (crack dealer) Retreatism: reject cultural goals and reject institutional means (nun) Rebellion: reject and replace cultural goals and institutional means (anarchist)