1. Three Perspectives on Deviance
Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism

2. What is Deviance?
Deviance – a behavior, trait, belief, or other characteristic that violates a norm and causes a negative reaction.
Examples: Crime, norm violations, counter-culture (the Amish, Hippies, Punk Rock, Goth culture, early Rap & Hip Hop), Body modification (tattoos and piercings)… etc

3. Functionalism on Deviance
Functionalists typically study and emphasize social stability and social order.
According to functionalists…
Deviance helps a society clarify its moral boundaries (Durkheim).
Deviance helps promote social cohesion when society comes together to sanction deviants (Robert Merton, 1960).
There are three types of Deviants according to Merton:

4. Functionalism on Deviance
Robert Merton’s (1960) Three Types of Deviants:
1. Innovators – individuals who accept society’s approved goals but not society’s approved means to achieve them. Example: Mark Cuban
2. Ritualists – individuals who have given up hope of achieving society’s approves goals but still operate according to society’s approves means. Examples: Students who want to go to college but don’t follow teacher recommendations.
3. Rebels – Individuals who reject society’s approved goals and means and instead create and work toward their own (sometimes revolutionary) goals using new means.

5. Conflict Theory on Deviance
Conflict theorists typically study and emphasize social inequality.
According to Conflict Theorists…
In modern society there are two main types of inequality:
1. Economic Inequality – Caused by uneven distribution of economic resources
2. Social inequality – Caused by an imbalance of social privilege based on perceived differences and a combination of economic and political power
According to Conflict Theorists deviance occurs as a result of an imbalance of economic and social power – Deviants are attempting to resist the system of inequality and a system that makes them feel like outsiders.

6. Conflict Theory cont’d
Deviants resist the system of inequality in three ways (Lord Anthony Giddens, 1991).
1. Work within the society to change it
2. Work against the society to change it (tear it down!)
3. Give up and refuse membership with the society

7. Symbolic Interactionism on Deviance
Participation in deviance depends heavily on whether or not we interact with others who are deviant (Sutherland, 1939).
-Examples: Gang membership, Disengagement with education system
Therefore we are more likely to become deviants if we associate with deviants.
Think about your parents/guardians: I wish you wouldn’t hang out with…

8. Symbolic Interactionism on Deviance
Howard Becker (1963) uses labeling theory to explain that deviance is not inherent in the behavior but is instead socially constructed by the context and situation.
For example… think of the behavior of HOMICIDE… One person kills another
Situation 1: Person A kills Person B in the process of robbing a store.
Situation 2: Person A kills Person B in the process of defending his daughter from a rapist.
**Is person A a hero or a villain?