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Chapter 6: Deviance and

Social Control:

Sickos, Perverts, Freaks, and

People like UsSoc 100 Dr. Santos

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Introduction

Deviance-the violation of social norms

Stigma-the disapproval attached to

disobeying the expected norms

Crime-the forms of deviance in whichformal penalties are imposed by the

society

We are all deviant at some time or anotherand in some places

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What is deviance?

Deviance is a violation of ever-changingsocial norms

Deviance is culturally dependent andhistorically located, exists always in

juxtaposition with some normality

Deviance is socially constructed even though

some of it might be characterized as animmoral absolute

Deviance is overlooked in some situations

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Who/what is defined as

deviant? Both acts and individuals (and even entire

groups) can be defined as deviant: Condemnthe sin, love the sinner, aliens, misfits. etc.

Low status persons (e.g. ethnic minorities, poorpeople) are more likely to be perceived asdeviant, their goodbehavior explained away

Higher status persons (e.g. priests, doctors) areless likely to be defined as deviant, their badbehavior explained away

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Structural-functionalist

viewpoint Deviance serves vital functionsfor society

Sets examples of unacceptable behavior

Provides guidelines for (opposite) behavior that isnecessary to maintain social order

Bonds people together through their commonrejection of deviant behavior

Provides jobs for those who deal with deviants

Can signal problems in a society that needaddressed (stimulate positive change)

Opens societies to new and creative paths ofthinking

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Misconceptions about

deviance Some acts are inherently deviant

Those who deviate are socially

identified and recognized Deviants purposely and knowingly

break the law

Deviance occurs because there is adishonest, selfish element to humannature

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Micro-level explanations

of deviance Social control theory - our bonds with

society encourage us to conform; with

fewer bonds, we are more likely to bedeviant

Rational choice theory - the decision to

be deviant depends upon acost/benefit analysis of sanctions

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Differential association theory -conformity or deviance is learned from

those we spend time with Labeling theory - behavior is not

intrinsically deviant, but becomes

deviant because it is labeled as such Members of a society define (label) whatis deviant and impose sanctions for thatbehavior

Individuals who engage in primarydeviance are not labeled, but those whoengage in secondary deviance are

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Labeling theory, cont.

Being labeled can reinforce deviant behavior by: Increasing alienation Forcing increased interaction with deviant peers

Motivating juvenile delinquents to positively value andidentify with the deviant status

Deviance becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy Those with less power in society are more likely

to be labeled as deviants

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Meso and macro-level

explanations of deviance Structural-functionalist theories

Anomie - the breakdown of the norms

guiding behavior leads to socialdisorganization

Strain theory - those with fewer resourcesare less able to achieve societally sharedgoals and may resort to deviant behaviorsto achieve their desired goals

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Mertons ways of adapting to strain

Conformity - embracing the society's definition of

success and adhering to the established andapproved means of achieving success Innovation - use of illicit means to reach

approved goals Ritualism - strict adherence to

culturally- prescribed rules, even thoughindividuals give up on the goals they hoped toachieve

Retreatism - giving up on both the goals and themeans

Rebellion - rejecting the socially approved ideasof "success" and the means of attaining thatsuccess, but replaces those with alternativedefinitions of success and alternative strategiesfor attaining the new goals

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Feminist theory - abuses suffered bywomen are rooted in the patriarchal,

capitalist system The causes include the gendered division

of labor, the separation of spheres, and

the socialization of children Cultural attitudes toward crime against

women differ based on the status ofwomen in that society

Women are less often in a position tocommit crimes and often commit crimesthat are different from mens

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Crime and individuals:

macro-level analysis Laws reflect the current opinion of

what is right or wrong

Consensus crimes - members of asociety are in general agreementabout the serious of the deviant act

Conflict crimes - one group passes alaw over which there is disagreementor which disadvantages another group

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Types of crime

Predatory or street crime

Victimless or public order crimes

Hate crimes

Organized crime

Occupational or white collar crime State organized crimes

Global crimes

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Types of white-collar

crimes Crimes against the company

Crimes against employees (e.g., the

neglect of worker safety) Crimes against customers

Crimes against the public

White-collar crimes are less publicized,but ultimately more costly and moredeadly than violent predatory crimes

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Ways of measuring crime

Uniform crime reports

Self-reported surveys

Victimization surveys

Triangulation is best!

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World systems

perspective The cause of deviance lies in the global

economy, inequalities between countries,

and competition between countries forresources and wealth

Capitalism has caused inequality to risebetween core and periphery nations

Periphery nations may resort tounconventional means to meet their goals

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Dealing with crime

Structural-functionalist- the justicesystem is important for maintaining

order in society Conflict- the criminal justice system

presents crime as a threat from poor

people and minorities anddisproportionately arrests andsentences them

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Prisons and jails

Total institution- completely controls theprisoners lives and regulates all of theiractivities

Degradation- mark the inmate as deviant

Mortification-break down the individualsoriginal self as the inmate experiencesresocialization

Incarceration rates have increased Get tough on crime War on drugs

Preventative policies

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The functions of prisons

Revenge or retribution

Removing dangerous individuals from

society

Deterrence

Despite these, nearly 75% of male

prisoners will re-offend (highrecidivism)

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The rise of the Prison-Industrial Complex in the USA > 1980

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Alternatives to prison Social capital - rebuild social networks,

shared norms, values, and understandingthat facilitate cooperation within or amonggroups and access to important resources

Shock probation - releasing a first timeoffender early in the hope that the shockof prison life would deter them

Day treatment or half-way houses

Restitution - The offender renders moneyor service to the victim or communityunder supervised parole to compensatethe victim