CHAPTER 8 Deviance and Social Control Sociology 4/12/2017 CHAPTER 8 Deviance and Social Control Section 1: Deviance Section 2: Crime Chapter 8

Objectives: Section 1: Deviance Explain the nature and social functions of deviance. Compare the theories that have been proposed to explain deviance.

Nature of Deviance Section 1: Deviance Because there are so many norms governing behavior, occasional violations are unavoidable What is considered deviant varies from society to society

Social Functions of Deviance Section 1: Deviance Social Functions of Deviance Clarifying Norms – defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior Unifying the Group – serves to draw the line between conforming members of society and “outsiders” – the nonconforming members Diffusing Tension – acts that allow individuals to relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society

Social Functions of Deviance Section 1: Deviance Social Functions of Deviance (continued) Promoting Social Change – can help prompt social change by identifying problem areas Providing Jobs – provides legitimate jobs for a wide range of people

Theories of Deviance Section 1: Deviance Functionalists – as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structures of society Conflict Theorists – as a result of competition and social inequality Interactionists – as either natural in people with weak ties to the community (control theory), as a learned behavior (cultural transmission theory), or as a label (labeling theory)

Objectives: Section 2: Crime Identify the principal types of crime in the United States. Explain the characteristics of the American criminal-justice system.

Principal Types of Crime in the U.S. Section 2: Crime Principal Types of Crime in the U.S. Violent Crime – includes murder, robbery; most victims are African Americans Crime Against Property – includes burglary, larceny, vehicle theft; more common than violent crimes Victimless Crime – includes prostitution, gambling, illegal drug use; offender is the only victim

Principal Types of Crime in the U.S. Section 2: Crime Principal Types of Crime in the U.S. (continued) White Collar Crime – committed by high-status individuals in the course of their professions; includes fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement Organized Crime – the pursuit of crime as a big business

American Criminal-Justice System Section 2: Crime American Criminal-Justice System Police – have most immediate control over who is arrested for a criminal act Courts – determine the guilt or innocence of an accused person by means of a trial and assigns some form of punishment if there is a guilty finding Corrections – sanctions used to punish those found guilty of crimes Juvenile-Justice System – used to punish offenders younger than age 18