This document discusses deviance and social control. It defines deviance as variations from social norms and expectations. While some deviance is normal, too much or extreme deviations can disrupt social order. Deviance performs functions like defining norms but can also have dysfunctions. Society uses internal and external social controls like sanctions to encourage conformity. Theories of deviance include strain theory, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionist perspectives like differential association theory and labeling theory.
2. Deviance No culture or society has complete behavioral conformity Deviance exists in all societies
3. Deviance Deviance – variations from a set of norms or shared social expectations Deviants – the people who violate these shared expectations Conformity – when people follow the norms of their social group or society
4. Deviance Norms rarely state exactly what behaviors are acceptable and which are unacceptable Variations in behavior are allowed Deviance occurs when someone pushes past the range of acceptable behavior
5. Functions of Deviance Durkheim Deviance is a normal part of society because it performs certain functions for society
6. Functions of Deviance Helps to define the limits of social tolerance Shows the extent to which norms can be violated without reaction Helps to clarify the boundaries of norms Public control of deviants illustrates the limits to the general members of society
7. Functions of Deviance Increases solidarity and integration of the group Deviance can increase solidarity among groups of deviants Non-deviant groups can come together to combat deviance
8. Functions of Deviance “Safety valve” for social discontent Allows people to escape from conventional norms and rid themselves of frustration without disrupting the whole social system Can funnel anger in a different direction
9. Functions of Deviance Can indicate defects or inadequacies in the existing social organization Can set in motion steps that lead to social change
10. Dysfunctions of Deviance Isolated instances of deviance have little effect on system stability Widespread, long-term or more extreme norm violations can impair the functioning of groups or of entire systems
11. Dysfunctions of Deviance Disrupt the social order Disrupt the status quo Make social life unpredictable Create tension and conflict
12. Dysfunctions of Deviance Disrupt the will of others to conform Unpunished norm violations decrease the desire of others to conform Conformity only happens when Other conform as well Those who conform are differentiated from those who don’t Violators are punished
13. Dysfunctions of Deviance Destroy trust Social life is partly based on assuming others are honest and trustworthy People become more dependent on the legal system when trust is destroyed Divert resources into social rehabilitation and control efforts
14. Social Control Internal means of control People conform to norms because they believe they should, even when no one else is present People are socialized to see themselves in a certain way External means of control Others in the group utilize pressures or sanctions to attempt to control an individual’s behavior
15. Social Control Sanctions – rewards or punishments used to encourage proper behavior or discourage deviant behavior Positive and negative sanctions Formal and informal sanctions
17. Theories Explaining Deviance Biological theories of deviance Medical model – assumes an unhealthy biological organism Weakness or defects produce deviant behavior Biological determinism Eugenics Doesn’t explain why others with the same bio traits don’t become deviant
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19. Theories Explaining Deviance Psychoanalytic theories of deviance Freud – all human behavior is based on seeking pleasure and avoiding pain Id (pleasure principle), ego (reality principle), superego (moral principle) Conscious – wants, needs, desires; what we are aware of Preconscious – brought to the surface by a memory or experience Subconscious – repressed memories; biological desires and urges
21. Sociological Theories of Deviance Explain deviance by looking at the sociocultural processes and organizational structures Still considers acts and actors Does not dismiss biological or psychological factors
22. Strain Theory Structural functionalist Merton’s strain theory Deviance arises from the struggle society has between culturally defined goals and the socially approved means by which they are met Deviance is the result of a strain between a society’s culture and social structure
24. Conflict Theory Societies contain many groups that have different conflicting values Strongest group has the power to define the values of the weaker group as deviant Powerful exploit the powerless Violence and inequality is institutionalized Laws are not fair
25. Symbolic Interaction Focus on sociocultural learning process through which deviant acts are learned and the conditions under which they are learned Emphasize the groups to which people belong and how we learn the norms of those groups
26. Symbolic Interaction Cultural transmission theory When deviance is a part of a subculture’s cultural pattern, it is transmitted to new members through socialization Deviance results not from violated norms, but from conforming to them
27. Symbolic Interaction Differential association theory Deviance results when individuals have more contact with groups that define deviance favorably than with groups that define it unfavorably Contact with actual criminals is not necessary Exposure to favorable definitions is enough
28. Symbolic Interaction Social learning theory Deviant and conforming behaviors are determined by the consequences that follow them Instrumental conditions – behavior is acquired through direct conditioning or imitating the modeled behavior of others Differential reinforcement – persistent behaviors result from the rewards or punishments following the behavior
29. Labeling Theory Some behaviors are labeled “deviant” and being given such a label influences a person’s behavior Deviance is the result of human interaction Deviance is a relative act – not the result of a specific type of act but rather the consequence of applying a particular label
