1. Deviance & Crime
Part 1

2. Deviance – refers to behavior that violates social norms.

3. Sociologists use the term deviance for violations of significant social norms.
Significant norms are those that are highly important either to most members of a society
Not all norm violations are considered deviant acts. Example: talking while chewing food
People can be labeled deviant if:
A person repeats an offense. Example: continually speed and driving reckless/drunk
A person commits a serious negative consequence for society. Example: murder, rape

5. Social Functions of Deviance
Helps to clarify norms – defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior
Unify the group – draws a line between conforming members and nonconforming members (outsiders)

6. Social Functions of Deviance
Diffuse tension – minor acts of deviance allow individuals to relieve tension without hurting society
Promote social change – by identifying problem areas
Provides jobs in law enforcement fields – judges, lawyers, police officers, prison personnel, parole officers.

7. Social Control – ways to enforce norms (rules)
Internal social control – lies within the individual. (internalization)
Self-control is developed during the socialization process.
When you do something because you know it is the right thing to do or when you don’t because you know it would be wrong.
Example: when you go to the movies, you automatically sit on a chair and not the floor
Example: when a traffic light turns red, you stop without thinking.

8. External social control – Other groups (police, family, and peer groups) attempt to control individual behavior.
Based on sanctions – rewards or punishments used to enforce conformity to norms.

9. Sanctions can be positive/negative or informal/formal
Positive sanctions – awards that are used to encourage conformity.
Negative sanctions – criticism, fines, imprisonment, are intended to stop socially unacceptable behavior.
Formal sanctions – examples: official awards, imprisonment, low grades
Informal sanctions – examples: ridicule, gossip, smiles

11. On the back of your notes page… #1-10 “what would you do”
Pretend that you have just witnessed the following deviant or criminal acts. For each case, answer the following questions: What action would  you  take?  Would  you  ignore  the  act,  intercede  on  behalf  of the victim, reprimand the offender immediately, or notify the appropriate authorities?  Why  would  you react in this way?
1. Littering
2. Cheating on a Test
3. Sale of Marijuana at school
4. Stealing a library book
5. An apparent date rape
6. Cutting in a long line
7. Armed robbery in a store
8. Vandalism in a classroom
9. An obviously drunk person getting behind the wheel of a car
10. A student taking funds from a school club treasury
What do  your  reactions  suggest  about  the effectiveness  of  informal  social  controls for  reducing  rates  of  crime and  deviance?