Symbolic Interactionism and Deviance Lesson 7-3

Bell Ringer Is deviance a learned behavior or is a person born with a biological predisposition to deviance? 1970’s- some sociologists thought there was a chromosome responsible for criminal behavior It is now known that environment determines deviance. People are taught behaviors that are deviant.

Differential Association Theory Symbolic Interaction says that deviance is transmitted through socialization It is learned 1. A study showed that delinquent behavior can be trasmitted through play groups and gangs.

Differential Association Theory Differential association theory- says people learn deviant behavior based on the number of deviant acts they are exposed to. Can be learned by association 1. We learn religious and political values from others, just like deviant behavior. 2. The more people are exposed to people who break the law, the more likely they are to become criminals.

Differential Association Theory A person who knows mostly deviants is more likely to be deviant A person is more likely to copy deviant behavior from a significant other than from people less important to him or her Younger children learn deviant behavior more quickly than older children

Labeling Theory Theory that society creates deviance by identifying particular members as deviant 1. Labeling explains why unmarried pregnant girls are more negitively sanctioned than the teenage biological father. Society expects females to set the boundaries and be the ones to say no What do they say about a female who is pregnant? What about a male? (wild oats) Labeling theory explains why a middle-class youth who steals a car may go unpunished for “borrowing” the vehicle and a lower-class youth goes to court for stealing. Too often, lower-class youths are “expected” to be criminals while middle class youth are not. Are you biased or have you unfairly labeled people? Which street would you walk down at night? Write three derogatory words on the board and ask students how they would feel if they were given these undesirable labels. Are they the worst labels a person could have? Discuss self-fullfilling prophecy- person begins to see himself or herself solely in that role. A person might go out of their way to live up to that role. Brainstorm a list of behaviors considered deviant.

Degrees of Deviance Primary deviance- a person engages only in isolated acts of deviance Secondary deviance-an individual’s life and identity are organized around breaking society’s norm. 1. Primary deviance- cheat once on a test, rolling stop at a stop sign If the deviance stops at this point, it is not part of their lifestyle

What are the consequences of labeling? Can determine the direction of a person’s life Can cause a stigma An undesirable trait or label that is used to characterize an individual Brainstorm a list of ten common labels students have for one another. jocks, losers, preppies, nerds,