Deviance

What we want to know How is deviance defined and who defines it How is deviance defined and who defines it Is it the person or the action?Is it the person or the action? How is deviance distributed in society and how do we know? How is deviance distributed in society and how do we know? What causes deviance? What causes deviance? How is deviance controlled? How is deviance controlled?

The Nature of Deviance Most people internalize societal norms Most people internalize societal norms Individuals do not internalize every norm Individuals do not internalize every norm Remember from chapter 3… Remember from chapter 3…

NORMS- shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific occasions Internalization is the process by which a norm becomes a part of an individual’s personality, thus conditioning that individual to conform to society’s expectations. Internalization is the process by which a norm becomes a part of an individual’s personality, thus conditioning that individual to conform to society’s expectations. Examples: Examples: –Sitting in a chair instead of on the floor –Stopping at a red light

Sanctions- rewards and punishments use to enforce conformity… (positive or negative, formal or informal) Social control- techniques and strategies for preventing deviant human behavior in any society

7 Defining Deviance Deviance is the violation of norms, especially widely held norms Deviance is the violation of norms, especially widely held norms Crime is an action declared illegal by some government or agency Crime is an action declared illegal by some government or agency Is all deviance criminal ? Is all deviance criminal ? Pushing children into fashion shows, sports ?Pushing children into fashion shows, sports ? Subcultures (gangs) and devianceSubcultures (gangs) and deviance

Deviance What is deviance? What is deviance? What are the nature and social function of deviance? What are the nature and social function of deviance? How do the theories that have been proposed to explain deviance compare? How do the theories that have been proposed to explain deviance compare?

Deviant? - tattoos/branding -speeding-gambling -white collar crime -talking to yourself in public -smoking in public places -bullying-graffiti-”hackers”

Defining Deviance Non Criminal Deviance Non Criminal Deviance Music preferencesMusic preferences Body piercingBody piercing Marrying someoneMarrying someone Your parents disapprove of Your parents disapprove of Your parents want you to Your parents want you to (Being a Geek or a Nerd)

Defining Deviance Not all norm violations are deviant: a. within the same society (killing) b. varies from society to society (divorce) c. time period (business on Sundays)

How does one become labeled deviant? 1. Behavior must be known to others- detected 2. Stigmatized by society… Stigma…mark of disgrace used as a form of social control I.E. uniforms, signs, marks, etc

Deviant label Negative Social Reaction Goffman’s “spoiled social identity”-no longer normal or whole Ex. Obesity, victims of AIDS, mentally ill, homeless

Emile Durkheim Social Functions of Deviance: -clarify norms -unify the group -diffuse tension -promote social change -(provides law enforcement jobs)

Clarifying Norms  Deviance defines boundaries of acceptable behavior  Punishment of norm violators reminds others that certain behaviors will not be tolerated  Acts as preventative measure or deterrent Ex. Harsh prison sentences

Unifying Norms  Conforming members vs nonconforming members  Reinforces the belief in shared values  Important to maintain the group

Diffusing Tension  Minor acts of deviance serve as a safety valve  Individuals can relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society Participating in demonstrations

Promoting Social Change  Large numbers of people violating a particular norm, indicative of something society needs to change

Providing Jobs  Judges, lawyers, police officers, prison personnel, parole officers= crime  Crime reporters and criminologists..  Can you think of any other jobs created???

How do we Explain Deviance? Functionalist Perspective: natural part of society Functionalist Perspective: natural part of society Conflict Perspective: power and inequality Conflict Perspective: power and inequality Interactionist Perspective: interaction among individuals influence deviance Interactionist Perspective: interaction among individuals influence deviance

The Functionalist Perspective Parts of a social system work together to maintain a balance stable social system-all parts of a society serve a functional purpose Parts of a social system work together to maintain a balance stable social system-all parts of a society serve a functional purpose People agree on what is best for society and work together People agree on what is best for society and work together Examples: family, education, school Examples: family, education, school

Functionalist Perspective Functions are actions that have positive consequencesFunctions are actions that have positive consequences Dysfunctions are actions that have negative consequences i.e. crimeDysfunctions are actions that have negative consequences i.e. crime Manifest functions are intendedManifest functions are intended Latent functions are unintendedLatent functions are unintended What are the latent and manifest functions of internet, fast-food, super stores i.e. Wal-Mart

Problems with Functionalist Approach The influence has declined in recent decades.The influence has declined in recent decades. It ignores inequalities of social class, race, and genderIt ignores inequalities of social class, race, and gender

Functionalist Merton’s “strain theory” Natural outgrowth of values, norms, structure of society Natural outgrowth of values, norms, structure of society Am. Society places value on economic success- not everyone has access to the accepted means to achieve this Am. Society places value on economic success- not everyone has access to the accepted means to achieve this Society judges Society judges

Anomie when norms of society are unclear or no longer applicable when norms of society are unclear or no longer applicable The 5 Modes of adaption The 5 Modes of adaption Reactions to societal norms Reactions to societal norms

Modes of Adaption Conformity-accept cultural goals/accept culture norms (legitimate) Conformity-accept cultural goals/accept culture norms (legitimate) Innovation-accept cultural goals/reject cultural norms (drug dealers) Innovation-accept cultural goals/reject cultural norms (drug dealers) Ritualism-reject cultural goals/accept cultural norms Ritualism-reject cultural goals/accept cultural norms Re-treatism-reject cultural goals/reject culture norms (drug addicts, beggars) Re-treatism-reject cultural goals/reject culture norms (drug addicts, beggars) Rebellion-reject/replace cultural goals (revolutionaries) Rebellion-reject/replace cultural goals (revolutionaries)

Conflict Theory The social-conflict paradigm is a framework for building theory that sees society as an arena of inequality that generates conflict and change. Most sociologists who favor the conflict paradigm attempt not only to understand society but also to reduce social inequality

Weakness of Conflict It ignores social unity based on mutual interdependence and shared values. It ignores social unity based on mutual interdependence and shared values.

Conflict Perspective Quinney states that …”the ruling classes label any behavior that threatens their power base as deviant.” Quinney states that …”the ruling classes label any behavior that threatens their power base as deviant.” Competition and social inequality lead to deviance Competition and social inequality lead to deviance People w/out power commit deviant acts to obtain economic rewards, low self esteem, powerlessness People w/out power commit deviant acts to obtain economic rewards, low self esteem, powerlessness

Symbolic Interactionism- Weaknesses Ignores the influence of larger social structures. Ignores the influence of larger social structures. By emphasizing what is unique, it risks overlooking the effects of culture, class, gender, and race. By emphasizing what is unique, it risks overlooking the effects of culture, class, gender, and race.

Interactionist Control Theory: Deviance is a natural occurrence Deviance is a natural occurrence Social ties determine conformity Social ties determine conformity states that people conform when they have strong ties to the community states that people conform when they have strong ties to the community

Interactionist Cultural Transmission Theory Deviance is learned through interaction with others engaging in deviant acts Deviance is learned through interaction with others engaging in deviant acts deviants are socialized into deviant behavior instead of acceptable behavior deviants are socialized into deviant behavior instead of acceptable behavior individuals will adopt the behavior and goals of whomever they are in contact with individuals will adopt the behavior and goals of whomever they are in contact with

The heart of Cultural transmission theory: All individuals are conformists Edward Sutherland’s Differential association: the relative closeness to deviant and non-deviant individuals Differential association: the relative closeness to deviant and non-deviant individuals Learning occurs in primary groups Learning occurs in primary groups

Gresham Sykes and David Matza Techniques of Neutralization: people suspend their beliefs to commit deviant acts Techniques of Neutralization: people suspend their beliefs to commit deviant acts 1. Deny responsibility 2. Deny injury 3. Deny victims 4. Condemn authority 5. Appeal to higher loyalty

Labeling theory: focuses on how people come to be labeled “deviant;” suggests there are two types of deviance Labeling theory: focuses on how people come to be labeled “deviant;” suggests there are two types of deviance

Primary deviance: occasional violation of norms; neither self nor society labels person “deviant” Primary deviance: occasional violation of norms; neither self nor society labels person “deviant” Secondary deviance: deviance as a lifestyle; both self and society label person “deviant” Secondary deviance: deviance as a lifestyle; both self and society label person “deviant”

Check for Understanding Explain Deviance from each of the 3 perspectives. Try to incorporate the theories discussed in class. Explain Deviance from each of the 3 perspectives. Try to incorporate the theories discussed in class.

CRIME Any act that is labeled as such by those in authority, is prohibited by law, and is punishable by the government. Any act that is labeled as such by those in authority, is prohibited by law, and is punishable by the government.

Crime Statistics (Chart page 187) (Answers may vary)

Serious versus less serious Serious Murder Murder Forcible rape Forcible rape Robbery Robbery Aggravated assault Aggravated assault Burglary Burglary Larceny-unlawful taking or stealing of property without force. Larceny-unlawful taking or stealing of property without force. Less serious Counterfeiting Counterfeiting Fraud Fraud Embezzlement Embezzlement Prostitution Prostitution Gambling Gambling Disorderly conduct Disorderly conduct Loitering Loitering

Violent Crime Occurs every 22 seconds Occurs every 22 seconds Most victims are African Americans (men) Most victims are African Americans (men) Guns are used in 65% of murders Guns are used in 65% of murders Rate of handgun use in homicides are higher in the US than any other nation. Rate of handgun use in homicides are higher in the US than any other nation.

Crime Against Property Much more common than violent crimes (larceny, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson Much more common than violent crimes (larceny, burglary, motor vehicle theft, arson Committed every three (3) seconds Committed every three (3) seconds

Terrorism The threat or actual use of violence to achieve political goals The threat or actual use of violence to achieve political goals

Victimless Crime Prostitution, illegal gambling, illegal drug use, vagrancy (not working) = victimless crime Prostitution, illegal gambling, illegal drug use, vagrancy (not working) = victimless crime Considered victimless because other people are not harmed Considered victimless because other people are not harmed

White-Collar Crime Describes offenses committed by people of high social status during the course of their professional lives. Describes offenses committed by people of high social status during the course of their professional lives. Politicians, public officials, employees of corporations, executives, etc. Politicians, public officials, employees of corporations, executives, etc.

Organized Crime Criminals are a part of a crime syndicate, or large scale organization of professional criminals controls some business through violence or the threat of violence. Criminals are a part of a crime syndicate, or large scale organization of professional criminals controls some business through violence or the threat of violence.

Organized Crime Cont. Syndicates usually operate many areas of businesses, many of them legal. Syndicates usually operate many areas of businesses, many of them legal. Allows them to reinvest their money through legal channels Allows them to reinvest their money through legal channels

Criminal Justice System Police, courts, and corrections Police, courts, and corrections

Police Have most immediate control over who is arrested for criminal act Have most immediate control over who is arrested for criminal act Police discretion- the power to decide Police discretion- the power to decide 5 Factors considered 5 Factors considered in arrest:

5 Factors 1. Seriousness 2. Victim’s wishes 3. Attitude of suspect 4. Witnesses or bystanders 5. Race- more likely to arrest/use force w/African Americans (racial profiling) *what about after 9/11, or Hispanics?

Police Racial Profiling- practice of assuming that non white Americans more likely to commit crimes than white Americans OkpnA OkpnA puxk puxk

COURTS Determines guilt or innocence of a person and assigns punishment Determines guilt or innocence of a person and assigns punishment

Plea Bargaining Process by which the accused person pleads guilty to a charge in exchange for a lesser sentence. Process by which the accused person pleads guilty to a charge in exchange for a lesser sentence. Reduces caseloads and time Reduces caseloads and time

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Corrections Sanctions such as Sanctions such as ImprisonmentImprisonment ParoleParole ProbationProbation Community serviceCommunity service

Corrections- function 1. Retribution-revenge for victim/society 2. Deterrence-discourage 3. Rehabilitation-reform and return 4. Social protection- limiting their freedom/eliminating threat

Recidivism Term for repeated criminal behavior Term for repeated criminal behavior 62% of released prisoners will be charged with new crimes 62% of released prisoners will be charged with new crimes 41% will return to prison within 3 years of release 41% will return to prison within 3 years of release (U.S. Dept. of Justice) (U.S. Dept. of Justice) REDUCING RECIDIVISM (clip) =j3lDENaGuy8 =j3lDENaGuy8

Juvenile-Justice System Consists of offenders younger than 18 Consists of offenders younger than 18 Receive different treatment on the basis that they are not expected to be as “responsible” as adults. Receive different treatment on the basis that they are not expected to be as “responsible” as adults. Certain crimes tried as adults! Certain crimes tried as adults! FMiXJFvw FMiXJFvw