Title: Exploring Deviance: Understanding the Complex Dimensions of Human Behavior Introduction: Deviance, a multifaceted and intriguing concept, lies at the intersection of sociology, psychology, criminology, and various other disciplines. Defined as any behavior that departs from societal norms and expectations, deviance has captivated the minds of scholars, researchers, and thinkers for centuries. This comprehensive exploration aims to delve into the intricate dimensions of deviance, examining its origins, manifestations, social implications, and the evolving nature of societal responses. I. The Nature of Deviance: A. Definition and Conceptualization: Deviance is a dynamic and socially constructed phenomenon, inherently tied to the cultural, historical, and societal contexts within which it emerges. Societal norms, values, and expectations serve as the benchmarks against which behaviors are evaluated, labeling certain actions or individuals as deviant. Understanding deviance requires an appreciation of the fluidity and subjectivity inherent in the labeling process. B. Types of Deviance: Primary Deviance: The initial act that leads to the attribution of deviant labels. It may be fleeting and inconsequential or become a precursor to more serious deviant behavior. Secondary Deviance: The subsequent deviant acts that result from the societal reaction to primary deviance. Individuals may internalize the deviant label, leading to a self-fulfilling prophecy that reinforces further deviant behavior. II. Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance: A. Functionalism: Emile Durkheim's seminal work laid the foundation for functionalist perspectives on deviance. Deviance, according to Durkheim, serves certain functions in society, such as reinforcing social norms and promoting social change. Anomie, a state of normlessness, is central to Durkheim's analysis, illustrating the breakdown of societal norms and the subsequent rise in deviant behavior. B. Symbolic Interactionism: Symbolic interactionism focuses on the micro-level interactions between individuals, emphasizing the role of symbols and social meanings in deviance. Labeling theory, a subset of symbolic interactionism, posits that deviance is a result of societal reactions to certain behaviors. The process of labeling can significantly impact an individual's self-concept and future actions. C. Conflict Theory: Conflict theorists, such as Karl Marx, view deviance as a reflection of power imbalances within society. Deviant behavior, in this perspective, may be a form of resistance against oppressive structures. Critical criminology extends conflict theory to analyze how societal institutions, such as the criminal justice system, contribute to the perpetuation of deviance and inequality. D. Social Control Theories: Social control theories explore the mechanisms by which society regulates and controls deviant behavior. They emphasize the role of social bonds, such as attachment, commitment.

1. DEVIANCE
Presented by: Faizan Sheikh, Rayyan, Faizan, Shahvaiz, Alishba, Hafsa, Zainab
Presented to: Ms. Dilawaiz

2. What is Deviance?
 Deviance is the recognized violation of cultural
norms
 One category of deviance is crime
 Crime is defined as the violation of a society’s
formally enacted criminal law

3. How Deviance is Controlled?
 Deviance is controlled by following two
methods:
 Social control, attempts by society to regulate
people’s thoughts and behavior
 Criminal justice system, the organizations-
police, courts, and prison officials-that respond
to alleged violations of the law

4. The Biological Context of Deviance
 Biologists and scientists think that deviants &
criminals have certain physical structure and
genetics
 Physical structure: low foreheads, prominent
jaws and cheek bones, hairiness, and
unusually long arms
 Genetics: defective genes that make too much
enzymes along with abuse in early life

5. Personality Factors
 It is a psychological perspective
 Deviance is the result of unsuccessful
socialization
 Deviant individuals have weaker conscience
and little tolerance of frustration
 In short, they lack superego

6. The Social Foundations of
Deviance
1.
• Deviance varies according to social norms
• No thought or action is inherently deviant, it becomes deviant only in relation to particular
norms. Because norms vary from place to place , deviance also varies.
2.
• People become deviant as others define them that way
• Have you ever walked around talking to yourself or borrowed a pen from your workplace?
Whether such behavior defines us as mentally ill or criminal depends on how others perceive,
define and respond to it
3.
• How societies set norms and how they define rule breaking both involve social power
• Powerful people protect their interests while homeless person is arrested for doing same activity

7. The Functions of Deviance
Structural-Functional Theories
 Durkheim’s Basic Insight
 Merton’s Strain Theory
 Deviant Subcultures

8. Durkheim’s Basic Insight
Deviance affirms cultural values and
norms: There can be no good without evil
and no justice without crime. Deviance is
needed to define and support morality.
Responding to deviance clarifies moral
boundaries: A college marks the line
between academic honesty and cheating by
disciplining students who cheat on exams.
Responding to deviance brings people
together: When some illegal or criminal
activity occurs on a major level, people come
out together to strike.
Deviance encourages social change:
Rock-and-roll condemned as immoral in the
1950s, became a multibillion dollar industry
just a few years later.
Emile Durkheim

9. Merton’s Strain Theory
Conformity Innovation
Ritualism Retreatism
Rebellion
Accept Reject
Accept
Reject
Conventional Means
Cultural
Goals
Through
New Means
Seeking
New
Goals

10. Deviant Subcultures
 When people find legal or illegal opportunity:
 Deviance or conformity arises from the relative
opportunity structure that frames a person’s
life
 Criminal subcultures such as today’s inner-city
street gangs

11. Deviant Subcultures Cont.
 When people are unable to find any opportunity,
legal or illegal then deviance may take one or two
forms
 One is conflict subcultures such as armed street
gangs that engage in violence out of frustration
and a desire for respect
 Another is retreatist subcultures in which deviants
drop out and abuse alcohol or other drugs

12. Deviant Subcultures Cont.
 Delinquent subcultures are characterized by:
 Trouble
 Toughness
 Smartness
 A need for excitement
 A belief in fate
 A desire for freedom

13. Labeling Deviance
Symbolic-Interaction Theories
 Labeling Theory
 Sutherland’s Differential Association Theory
 Hirschi’s Control Theory

14. Labeling Theory
 The idea that deviance and conformity result not
so much from what people do as from how others
respond to those actions
 Primary deviance: Weak reaction from society as
by skipping school
 Secondary deviance: Strong reaction from
society also called stigma as from abnormal
behavior due to excessive alcohol consumption

15. Labeling Theory Cont.
 Retrospective labeling: interpreting
someone’s past in light of some present
deviance
 Projective labeling: using the person’s
deviant identity to predict future actions
 Labeling difference as deviance: persons
having mental or physical illness should not be
called deviant and people should avoid calling

16. Sutherland’s Differential Association
Theory
 A person’s tendency toward conformity or
deviance depends on the amount of contact
with others who encourage or reject
conventional behavior

17. Hirschi’s Control Theory
Attachment Opportunity
Involvement Belief

18. Deviance and Inequality
Social-Conflict Theory
 Deviance and Power: Capitalist justice is by the
capitalist class, for the capitalist class, and against
the working class. The powerful have the
resources to resist deviant labels.
 Deviance and Capitalism: The poor who steals
from the rich are prime candidates for being
labeled deviant. The rich who take advantage of
the poor are less likely to be labeled deviant.

19. Social-Conflict Theory Cont.
 White-Collar Crime: Crime committed by
people of high social position in the course of
their occupations. It rarely attracts police.
 Corporate Crime: Illegal actions of a
corporation or people acting on its behalf. For
example, selling dangerous products and
polluting environment.

20. Social-Conflict Theory Cont.
 Organized Crime: A business supplying illegal
goods or services.
 Hate Crimes: Criminal act against a person or a
person’s property by an offender motivated by
racial or other bias.
 The Feminist Perspective: Women’s
opportunities in the workplace, politics, athletics,
and military are more limited than men’s.

21. Deviance and Crime
Types of Crime
 Crimes against the person: crimes that direct
violence or the threat of violence against
others.
 Crimes against property: crimes that involve
theft of property belonging to others.
 Victimless crimes: violations of law in which
there are no obvious victims.

22. The Street Criminal: A Profile
Age Gender
Social
Class
Race
and
Ethnicity

23. Criminal Justice System
Due
Process
Death
Penalty
Punishment
Courts
Police

24. Any Question?

25. Thank you