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.

1. Deviance & Social Control

2. DevianceNo culture or society has complete behavioral conformityDeviance exists in all societies

3. DevianceDeviance – variations from a set of norms or shared social expectationsDeviants – the people who violate these shared expectationsConformity – when people follow the norms of their social group or society

4. DevianceNorms rarely state exactly what behaviors are acceptable and which are unacceptableVariations in behavior are allowedDeviance occurs when someone pushes past the range of acceptable behavior

5. Functions of DevianceDurkheimDeviance is a normal part of society because it performs certain functions for society

6. Functions of DevianceHelps to define the limits of social toleranceShows the extent to which norms can be violated without reactionHelps to clarify the boundaries of normsPublic control of deviants illustrates the limits to the general members of society

7. Functions of DevianceIncreases solidarity and integration of the groupDeviance can increase solidarity among groups of deviantsNon-deviant groups can come together to combat deviance

8. Functions of Deviance“Safety valve” for social discontentAllows people to escape from conventional norms and rid themselves of frustration without disrupting the whole social systemCan funnel anger in a different direction

9. Functions of DevianceCan indicate defects or inadequacies in the existing social organizationCan set in motion steps that lead to social change

10. Dysfunctions of DevianceIsolated instances of deviance have little effect on system stabilityWidespread, long-term or more extreme norm violations can impair the functioning of groups or of entire systems

11. Dysfunctions of DevianceDisrupt the social orderDisrupt the status quoMake social life unpredictableCreate tension and conflict

12. Dysfunctions of DevianceDisrupt the will of others to conformUnpunished norm violations decrease the desire of others to conformConformity only happens whenOther conform as wellThose who conform are differentiated from those who don’tViolators are punished

13. Dysfunctions of DevianceDestroy trustSocial life is partly based on assuming others are honest and trustworthyPeople become more dependent on the legal system when trust is destroyedDivert resources into social rehabilitation and control efforts

14. Social ControlInternal means of controlPeople conform to norms because they believe they should, even when no one else is presentPeople are socialized to see themselves in a certain wayExternal means of controlOthers in the group utilize pressures or sanctions to attempt to control an individual’s behavior

15. Social ControlSanctions – rewards or punishments used to encourage proper behavior or discourage deviant behaviorPositive and negative sanctionsFormal and informal sanctions

16. The Panopticon

17. Theories Explaining DevianceBiological theories of devianceMedical model – assumes an unhealthy biological organismWeakness or defects produce deviant behaviorBiological determinismEugenicsDoesn’t explain why others with the same bio traits don’t become deviant

19. Theories Explaining DeviancePsychoanalytic theories of devianceFreud – all human behavior is based on seeking pleasure and avoiding painId (pleasure principle), ego (reality principle), superego (moral principle)Conscious – wants, needs, desires; what we are aware ofPreconscious – brought to the surface by a memory or experienceSubconscious – repressed memories; biological desires and urges

20. EgoSuperegoId

21. Sociological Theories of DevianceExplain deviance by looking at the sociocultural processes and organizational structuresStill considers acts and actorsDoes not dismiss biological or psychological factors

22. Strain TheoryStructural functionalistMerton’s strain theoryDeviance arises from the struggle society has between culturally defined goals and the socially approved means by which they are metDeviance is the result of a strain between a society’s culture and social structure

23. Strain Theory

24. Conflict TheorySocieties contain many groups that have different conflicting valuesStrongest group has the power to define the values of the weaker group as deviantPowerful exploit the powerlessViolence and inequality is institutionalizedLaws are not fair

25. Symbolic InteractionFocus on sociocultural learning process through which deviant acts are learned and the conditions under which they are learnedEmphasize the groups to which people belong and how we learn the norms of those groups

26. Symbolic InteractionCultural transmission theoryWhen deviance is a part of a subculture’s cultural pattern, it is transmitted to new members through socializationDeviance results not from violated norms, but from conforming to them

27. Symbolic InteractionDifferential association theoryDeviance results when individuals have more contact with groups that define deviance favorably than with groups that define it unfavorablyContact with actual criminals is not necessaryExposure to favorable definitions is enough

28. Symbolic InteractionSocial learning theoryDeviant and conforming behaviors are determined by the consequences that follow themInstrumental conditions – behavior is acquired through direct conditioning or imitating the modeled behavior of othersDifferential reinforcement – persistent behaviors result from the rewards or punishments following the behavior

29. Labeling TheorySome behaviors are labeled “deviant” and being given such a label influences a person’s behaviorDeviance is the result of human interactionDeviance is a relative act – not the result of a specific type of act but rather the consequence of applying a particular label