1. Deviance and Social Control
CHAPTER SEVEN
Deviance and Social Control
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

2. What Is Deviance?
Deviance is any variation from a set of norms or shared social expectations
The opposite of deviance is conformity, when people follow the norms of their social group or society
Societies everywhere have social controls to discourage certain types of deviance
In all times and places, however, people will test the range of permissible behavior
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

3. Social Functions of Deviance
Deviance helps to define the limits of social tolerance
Deviance can increase the solidarity and integration of a group
Deviance can serve as a “safety valve” for social discontent
Deviance can indicate defects or inadequacies in the existing social organization
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

4. Social Functions of Deviance (continued)
Deviance can set in motion steps that lead to positive social change
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

5. Social Dysfunctions of Deviance
Deviance can disrupt the social order
Deviance can disrupt the will of others to conform
Deviance can destroy trust
Deviance can divert resources into social rehabilitation and control efforts, which otherwise could be used elsewhere
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

6. Traditional Views of Deviance and Deviants
Who and what is deviant involves a range of perspectives
Here are the chief traditional views of deviance that are widely held today:
The Absolutist and Moral Views
The Medical and Social-Pathological Views
The Statistical View
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

7. Deviance and Social Control
If societies are to survive, they must have ways of making people conform to social norms
The mechanisms of social control are ways of manipulating people to conform to the group’s norms
The mechanisms of social control can be internal or external, negative or positive, and formal and informal
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

8. The Relative Nature of Deviance
Because sociologists study deviance in its social context, they usually apply a relativistic view when conducting research on deviant behavior
A relativistic view suggests that deviance can be interpreted only in the sociocultural context in which it happens
If deviance is relative rather than absolute, an act that is deviant in one context may not be deviant in another
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

9. Relative Deviance
Sociologists have identified four settings in which the definition of deviance varies considerably from one sociocultural context to the next
Variation by Time
Variation by Place
Variation by Situation
Variation by Social Status
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

10. Theories Explaining Social Deviance
Scientists have develop a variety of theories to explain deviance
Theories of deviance often reflect the discipline from which they were developed
Biological theories tend to focus on genetic, anatomical, or physiological factors
Psychological theories tend to emphasize personality, motives, aggression, frustration, or ego strength
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

11. Theories Explaining Social Deviance (continued)
Sociological theories usually highlight sociocultural, organizational, environmental, or group factors
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

12. Sociological Theories of Deviance
Sociological theories attempt to explain deviance by looking at sociocultural processes and organizational structures
Some major sociological theories of deviance
Strain Theories
Conflict Theory
Cultural Transmission Theory
Differential Association Theory
Social Learning Theory
Labeling Theory
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

13. Strain Theories
Strain theories assert that deviance results from social strains that cause some people to deviate
Anomie theory is arguably the most influential strain theory
In anomie theory, deviance occurs when society encourages people to achieve particular goals but does not provide every group equal access to the means of achieving these goals
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

14. Strain Theories (continued)
Imagine an ambitious young girl is accepted to an Ivy League college but can’t afford the tuition because she’s poor. In anomie theory, this young lady could very well turn to prostitution to pay for the tuition.
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

15. Conflict Theory
Conflict theory contends that the strongest groups in a society have the power to define the values of weaker groups as deviant
Conflict theory underlines the repression of the weak by the powerful to explain deviance
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

16. Conflict Theory (continued)
Rates of deviance are a function of the degree to which potentially deviant behaviors threaten dominant class interests
White-collar crimes carry relatively light sentences because elites make the laws
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

17. Cultural Transmission Theory
Cultural transmission theory suggests that when deviance is part of a subculture’s cultural pattern, it is transmitted to newcomers through socialization
When there is a tradition of deviance in a subculture, the norms of that subculture are passed on by the gang, peer group, or play group during interaction with newcomers
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

18. Cultural Transmission Theory (continued)
As a result, they too become deviant, not by violating norms but by conforming to the norms of the subculture
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

19. Differential Association Theory
Differential association theory suggests that deviance results when individuals have more contact with groups that define deviance favorably than with groups that define it unfavorably
Actual contact with criminals is not necessary for a person to become deviant; exposure to definitions favoring deviance is sufficient
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20. Differential Association Theory (continued)
Deviance is a learned behavior, a set of behaviors transmitted to people through their interactions with others
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21. Social Learning Theory
Social learning theory suggests that deviant and conforming behaviors are determined by the consequences—reward or punishments—that follow them
The acquisition and persistence of either deviant or conforming behavior are a function of what particular behaviors have been rewarded or punished
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

22. Social Learning Theory (continued)
The norms and attitudes people learn from others, especially peers and family, are also influential
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23. Labeling Theory
Labeling theory is concerned with how some behaviors are labeled “deviant” and how being given such a label influences a person’s behavior
Being labeled as deviant has negative consequences because labeled people tend to see themselves as deviant, which leads them to continue their so-called deviant behavior
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

24. Labeling Theory (continued)
Thus, we have the development of a label that becomes a master status: pot-head, cheater, prostitute, etc.
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

25. Deviance and Crime
A crime is a violation of criminal statutory law, and a specific punishment applied by some governmental authority generally accompanies the violation
Some types of deviance, such as rape and murder, are criminal acts in most societies
Still, what is considered to be criminal often varies greatly from one social context to the next
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

26. Deviance and Crime (continued)
For example, although prostitution is illegal almost everywhere in the United States, it is a legitimate business in Nevada
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

27. Types of Crime Crimes can be categorized in many different ways
In the United States, crimes are officially classified as violent, nonviolent, or property crimes, and depending on the severity of, as felonies or misdemeanors
Some people include a sixth category called victimless crimes
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

28. Types of Crime (continued)
Other well-known labels for criminal offenses are white-collar crime, organized crime, and juvenile crime
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29. Measuring Crime in the United States
Official data on crime in the United States usually come from the Uniform Crime Report and the National Crime Victimization Survey
The Uniform Crime Report is the official source for data on U.S. criminal activity; it is published by the FBI
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

30. Measuring Crime in the United States (continued)
The National Crime Victimization Survey calculates the odds of a person becoming a victim of various crimes; it is published by the U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

31. Measuring Crime in the United States
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

32. The American Criminal Justice System
The criminal justice system is made up of police officers, courts, and correctional facilities
Policing is mainly the responsibility of local and county agencies such as city police and county sheriff’s departments
Courts have the authority to hear and decide cases involving criminal violations of the law
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

33. The American Criminal Justice System (continued)
Correctional facilities incarcerate prisoners and handle people on probation and parole
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing

34. The Future of the Criminal Justice System
In the future, it is expected that the U.S. criminal justice system will have to face many new and different challenges related to international criminal activity
Crimes that cross borders—such as terrorism, cyber crime, and sea piracy—will be of growing importance
Courts will also have to meet challenges over concerns of jurisdiction and national sovereignty due to globalization
Introduction to Sociology, 5/e © 2012 BVT Publishing