1. Deviance and Social Control
A.K.A. What is “bad,” how do we decide, and how do we respond?

2. Defining Deviance
Refers to any violation of norms, regardless of severity.
Non-judgmental term
Key is the reaction, not the action.
What is deviant to some is not deviant to others.

3. Norms Make Social Life Possible
expectations or rules of behavior
Create social order
Develop systems of social control—how we enforce norms

4. How do we ensure people follow social norms?
Short answer= rewards or punishments
Positive Sanctions
Negative Sanctions
Shaming
Degradation Ceremony

5. How is Deviance Explained?
Low Intelligence
“XYY” Theory—aggression
Body Type—”squarish, muscular bodies”
Sociobiology—answers within individual, genetic predispositions

6. Explanations Continued
Subconscious motives make people deviant.
No ties to childhood experiences or personality traits.
Psychology—answers within individual, personality disorders

7. Explanations Continued
External Influences: Socialization Subcultural Membership Social Class
Sociology—factors outside the individual

8. Symbolic Interactionist Perspective
Differential Association Theory
Control Theory
Labeling Theory

9. Differential Association
Deviance is LEARNED.
Groups we associate with give us messages about conformity and deviance.
Role of family, friends, neighborhoods, prison.

10. Control Theory Outer Controls—people Inner Controls—morality
Stronger Bonds=less likely to deviate
Attachments
Commitments
Involvements
Beliefs
Key Word= Self Control

11. Labeling Theory
Labels are significant and become part of our self concept.
Techniques of Neutralization
Embracing Labels
Power of Labels—Saints and Roughnecks

12. Functionalist Perspective
Clarifies boundaries and affirms norms
Promotes social unity
Promotes social change
Functions of Deviance

13. Strain Theory—Robert Merton
We internalize markers of success, but not everyone has the same access to it.
Cultural Goals—wealth, status, education, etc.
Institutionalized means—legitimate was of achieving success

14. Strain Theory Continued
People experience strain or frustration which can motivate them to be deviant
Conformity vs. Deviance
Deviant Paths
Innovators--
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion

15. Social Class and Crime Street Crime White-Collar Crime
Common routes to success not attainable—lack of education or other skills
Illegitimate Opportunity Structures—robbery, drug dealing, prostitution
Greater concern for average citizens
Embezzlement, income tax fraud, bribes
Corporate crime
Cost of white-collar crime is higher than street crime. Most is unpunished

16. Conflict Perspective
Focus on power and inequality between “elites” and “everyone else.”
Disproportionate consequences for crimes
Idea that law is impartial is a myth

17. Medicalization of Deviance
Reactions to Deviance
Prison
Most prisoners yrs. old are men
Half of prisoners are African American (12% of population)
Connection to education
Recidivism
Over 50% of inmates are rearrested after release
Raises the purpose of jail time
Is it a deterrent for criminals?
Death Penalty
Not a punishment in all states
Shows social class bias-52% haven’t finished high school
Few women
Minorities
Medicalization of Deviance
Attempts to connect deviant acts to mental illness
Stance depends on how deviance is viewed