Social Deviance Exam 1

Sociological definition of deviant behavior

Actions, thoughts, feelings or social statuses that members of a social group judge to be a violation of their values or rules. The "bad, wrong, and weird" side of the divisions of what people consider immoral, criminal, strange, and disgusting.

What are the three popular (non-sociological) explanations of deviance?

Demonic, psychotic, and exotic

Demonic explanation of deviance

deviance caused by demonic possession or the influence of evil forces. It is the longest-lasting explanation in history.

Psychotic explanation of deviance

a result of mental illness, psychological disorder, biological defects, or problematic development. This is the most widely used explanation in the US today.

Exotic explanation of deviance

deviance is due to cultural differences, where behaviors considered deviant in one culture may be normal in another

How did Medieval Europeans believe the devil got into people’s (esp. women’s) hearts and minds?

Through sexual seduction. Once women lost their virginity, it was believed that they became obsessed with sexual desires, making it easier for the Devil to seduce them.

How did the early 20th century preacher, Billy Sunday, say the devil got into people’s (esp. men’s) hearts and minds?

He preached that men were most vulnerable to the devil’s influence, and liquor was how the devil ensnared them.

How is the sociological approach to deviance different from the three popular explanations discussed earlier?

The sociological approach emphasizes social acts, which are human actions that consider others’ behaviors, feelings, and ideas. It examines how people define behaviors as deviant, how individuals are identified and treated as deviants, and how deviants respond to this treatment. Demonic and Psychotic do not focus on social interaction and the exotic view does not analysis why some behaviors are considered deviant. The sociological approach also uses observable behavior to develop theories.

Symbolic Interaction

People act based on the meanings that people attach to their own and others behaviors. So, deviance is based not on specific behaviors, but rather on the meanings that people attach to those behaviors. The meaning of things arise out of social interaction.

What are the advantages of large scale official statistical reports on rates of deviant behavior (like the Uniform Crime Report data)?

They provide a broad view of many cases and incidents, establishes rates of deviance in different populations, helps identify correlations (to individual and geographical demographics), and can track changes over time.

What are the problems of large scale official statistical reports on rates of deviant behavior (like the Uniform Crime Report data)?

There are issues with underreporting, defining deviance to get an accurate count, subject to social bias, and victimless crimes don’t come from victim reports.

What are some of the reasons for undercounts of crime and other forms of deviant behavior in official statistics?

underreporting, some forms of deviance like white collar crime are harder to detect, definitions of deviance (the amount of behavior counted as deviant depends on how things are defined), and social biases.

Why do some people not report crimes they have been a victim of?

fear, embarrassment, trauma, not understanding legal definitions, not wanting to define someone they know as a criminal, fear that they would get blamed, or due to the relationship they have with the perpetrator.

Victimless Crime

activities where all parties involved wanted the activity to occur. In these situations, most arrests occur because of police surveillance, not because someone feels they’ve been cheated or victimized then reports it. Ex. drug use and prostitution.

What are the most common causes of spikes in criminal arrests referred to (often incorrectly) as “crime waves”?

Changes in the definition of a crime, increases surveillance and arrests (not necessarily because of an actual increase in crime), increased policing, and community concern (arrests could be due to a new task force if their is enough community concern. Again does not always mean the actual crime rate has increased).

Ethnographic Research

involves spending time with people through face to face interaction, observing their actions, and talking with them. Methods include participant observation and in-depth interviews to understand deviance from the inside.

What kinds of issues does ethnography focus on?

Understanding meanings from the insider’s perspective

• they want to grasp the meanings that those who want to ban certain behaviors and those who engage in them

The social construction of deviance

• rule-making, rule-breaking, and rule-enforcing

Challenging popular images of deviants

• by understanding deviants and their points of views

Give a voice to those labeled as deviant

• learning and sharing their thoughts

Rates and causes of deviant behavior

• Focuses on the rates and causes of deviant behavior and then focuses on the meanings and processes through which deviant behavior is enacted

Main challenges of deviance ethnography

It is hard to locate people and activities, gain access to settings and people, managing gatekeepers who may open or block opportunities to engage in research, getting people to open up, establishing your social role when in the field, building relationships with people, managing dangers, protecting identities of their informants, and time commitment.

Why can it be particularly difficult to gain access to deviants?

Secrecy and concealment

• they are hidden from the public eye

Sophisticated and privileged groups

• ex. white collar crime is hidden behind corporate doors

Distrust

• people involved in stigmatized or even illegal activities are wary of strangers

• they fear judgement or legal repercussions

What are the basic requirements expected by Institutional Review Boards for the protection of human subjects?

• assessment of potential risks and benefits associated with the research

• informed consent about the participation

• a strategy of keeping the identities of the research subjects protected

Fieldwork Role

the social role that ethnographers find or create in order to have a reason (beyond just the research itself) for being in a setting. Social roles provide others with a sense of who the ethnographer is and what they can expect from them.

• ex. buddy researcher - a friend, adapted contextual roles - taking a role from the setting itself such as a “watch queen” (someone who is on the lookout)

Covert researcher and disguised observation

a fieldworker seeks to pass as a member of the setting under study and does not reveal that she or he is engaged in research

Positivistic theories

seek causal explanations for deviant behavior and accept existing social norms and definitions of deviance. They assume that deviant behavior is determined by forces over which individuals have little conscious control, and seek to provide a general, or universal, explanation for deviant behavior.

• Biological

• Social Structural

• Socialization

• Social Control

How did Cesare Lombroso, the founder of the Italian School of Criminal Anthropology, explain deviant behavior and crime?

he argued that criminals were physiologically different from law-abiding people. He believed that while most humans in civilized societies are born with the traits of civilized men, some are atavistic, or genetic throwbacks to earlier stages of evolution. Lombroso thought that these "degenerates" lacked the intellectual and emotional capacities of civilized men and were born criminals, no more capable than violent animals of living moral and peaceable lives

Atavistic stigmata

physical defects characteristic of the criminal population. These included small heads, high cheek bones, long arms, protruding ears, flat noses, insensitivity to pain, etc.

Social disorganization theory

deviant behavior is caused by a kind of sickness or deficiency in the social structure of communities and societies. There is a lack of formal and informal social control.

According to the sociologists who developed this theory, how was preindustrial village life different from life in modern cities? Why did sociologists feel these differences increased the rates of deviant behavior in cities (in comparison to earlier village life)?

Preindustrial village life

• stable social relationships and social values

• everyone knew everyone - strong primary relationships

• uniform community values - easy to establish social norms

Modern city life

• weak kinship ties

• declining social significance of family and neighborhoods

There may be increased rates of deviance now because many traditional social supports are absent. Modern life broke down the established organization of society.

What is the “concentric zone” theory of city development?

cities develop geographic zones in which certain kinds of activities and populations become localized. (inner business loop, zone of transition, working class homes, and middle class residential zone.

In which of the concentric zones did sociologist say there was the most deviant behavior? What were some of the major characteristics of this zone of the city?

The zone of transition.

• tends to be the first stop for migrants and immigrants (cheap housing)

• a mix of different ethnic groups

• rapid turnover of residents

• conflicting social norms and values

• poverty

• people have little attachment to the community

What is the basic argument in Merton’s “Anomie and Social Structure Theory”?

cultural norms and values can motivate individuals to engage in deviant behavior.

• Societies are characterized by cultural goals that provide individuals with a set of aspirations

• Societies provide normative expectations regarding the acceptable institutionalized means for achieving those goals

• A balanced and healthy society has well-synchronized cultural goals and institutionalized means, providing most members with acceptable ways to reap societal rewards

• A mismatch between cultural values and the means for achieving them can cause individuals to feel pressure to adapt in less acceptable ways

• Those who lack socially approved and legitimate means for pursuing material success may turn to other ways to get ahead

Merton’s categories

Conformity - accepts goals, accepts means

Innovation - accepts goals, blocked/rejects from means

ritualism - rejects goals, accepts means

retreatism - rejects goals, rejects means

rebellion - new goals, new means

Which of Merton’s categories has been most discussed as deviant behavior?

Innovation

• the cultural emphasis on particular goals, combined with a lack of structural opportunities for achieving them legitimately, leads to innovation, or the use of illegitimate means to achieve one's goals

Conformity

In a well-balanced society, individuals are socialized to pursue cultural goals through legitimate means

What social class did Merton say was most likely to engage in money-oriented crime as a form of innovation? What other social class has been analyzed by sociologists as frequent money-oriented crime innovators?

The lower class. He also said that more affluent Americans feel the pressure and have opportunities to pursue financial gain through illegitimate means

How is the focus of socialization theories of deviant behavior different from social structural theories?

Socialization theories explain the processes through which individuals are influenced to participate in deviant behaviors. Address why some individuals in disorganized or strained social contexts engage in deviant behavior while others do not. Individuals learn the values and techniques of deviant behavior. (diff. assoc & soc. learning)

Structural theories focus on the broader societal factors that influence rates of deviance. They examine how societal deficiencies or dysfunctions contribute to deviant and criminal behavior. (soc. disorg & anomie)

What is the key issue that socialization theories focus on? How is this reflected in Sutherland’s differential association theory?

Socialization theories of deviance focus on how individuals learn the values and techniques of deviant behavior, addressing why some individuals in certain social contexts engage in deviance while others do not.

This focus is reflected in Sutherland’s differential association theory, which posits that criminal and law-abiding behaviors are learned through social interaction.

Sutherland’s differential association theory

• deviant behavior is learned not born

• learning through interaction

• Learning deviant behavior involves acquiring the techniques for committing deviant acts and the specific motives

• Individuals engage in deviant behavior when they have acquired more favorable than unfavorable definitions or attitudes and beliefs regarding a behavior

• The processes through which individuals learn deviant behaviors are the same as those through which they learn non-deviant behaviors

Who did Sutherland study when developing this theory?

Sutherland studied a skilled professional thief whom he called "Chic Conwell," and whose story he told in The Professional Thief (1937). According to Sutherland, it is not possible for an amateur to decide to become a pickpocket, con man, or extortionist without professional guidance, because one cannot learn these things out of books

How is social learning theory similar to differential association theory? How is it different?

Similar

• Both theories emphasize that deviant behavior is learned through social interaction

• individuals are not born deviant but rather become deviant through their interactions and associations with others.

Differences

• Social learning theory incorporates reinforcement theory (rewards & punishments)

• Differential association theory focuses more on the acquisition of techniques, motives, and attitudes through social interaction.

• Social learning theory individuals learn by observing the consequences of others' behaviors. Differential association theory primarily focuses on learning through direct, face-to-face interaction

What kind of psychological theory does social learning theory incorporate?

Social learning theory incorporates psychological reinforcement theory, which is based on the premise that humans tend to continue behaviors that are rewarded and discontinue those that are punished.

How is the approach of social control theories different from the other kinds of positivistic theories of deviant behavior that we have covered?

Social control theory assume that human nature is inherently impulsive and self-centered, and that people will commit deviant acts unless they are controlled. Self control theories argue that humans are inherently self interested. Social control theories focus on why people don't commit deviant acts, while other theories focus on why people do.

Deviant behavior is expressed when social environments are weak or unstable and fail to fulfill their functions.

Biological theories

focus on physiological factors, such as genetics or hormones, that may cause deviant behavior

What is the basic idea behind Gottfredson and Hirschi’s Self Control Theory?

low self-control is the primary factor underlying criminal, deviant, and other antisocial behaviors. Crime and antisocial behavior result from the impulsive pursuit of pleasure with minimal consideration of long-term consequences.

What is the primary source of self-control according to Gottfredson and Hirschi? That is, how do children learn self-control? Who do they learn it from?

The family. Ineffective child-rearing is the major cause of low self-control. The family is virtually the only major influence on a child’s development of self-control (found in the first six to eight years of life).

What are some of the key differences between the Positivistic approaches to deviance and the Symbolic Interactionist/Constructionist perspective?

Positivistic theories assumes that deviant behavior is determined by forces that individuals have little control over. Symbolic interactionists views human beings as active agents in their own lives, emphasizing personal choice based on the meaning an activity has for the individual.

Positivist theories try to understand why people break the law or violate norms. Symbolic interactionism focuses on the social construction of deviance, examining how definitions of deviance are created, enforced, and resisted or changed.

What did Durkheim mean when he said that even a “society of saints” would identify some acts as deviant?

He used that phrase to explain that deviance is inevitable and that no society can exist without it. Even in a society of "perfect exemplary individuals," there would still be actions considered immoral or scandalous. Moral boundaries are so critical to the functioning of a healthy society that a world without taboo behavior is impossible.

What does the term “moral entrepreneur” refer to?

refers to individuals and organizations that actively promote particular views of immoral behavior and deviant people. They develop definitions of certain activities as deviant and determine what activities are considered a threat to society.

What is the difference between “private troubles” and “public issues”?

Private troubles are personal experiences that make moral entrepreneurs especially sensitive to a particular problem.

Public issues are broader concerns that affect many people in society. Moral entrepreneurs seek to publicize these issues that worry them.

How can private troubles lead to people becoming moral entrepreneurs?

Moral entrepreneurs are often motivated by personal experiences or private troubles that make them sensitive to a particular issue, leading them to see the problem as a broader public concern.

What does the term “resource mobilization” refer to? What kinds of resources do moral entrepreneurs need?

refers to the activities of moral entrepreneurs that are directed toward building alliances and securing the resources needed to move their cause forward.

Moral entrepreneurs need: financial support, human labor, media access

What are the 3 kinds of deviance framing that are discussed in this chapter?

Diagnostic, prognostic, and motivational framing

Diagnostic Framing

identifying and naming a particular problem and providing an explanation of what it is and how it came about. Diagnostic framings also indicate the kinds of emotional reactions that are appropriate, and toward whom these emotions should be directed.

Prognostic Framing

proposing a solution to the problem. Moral entrepreneurs must articulate what should be done. Prognostic framing builds on the diagnostic framing, arguing that a specific course of action will effectively address the problem.

Motivational Framing

a "call to arms," making the case for why people should become involved in addressing the problem. It expresses concerns regarding the severity of the problem and the urgent need to respond.

What are atrocity tales? Why are they so useful in efforts to define certain activities as deviant?

shocking stories that illustrate a problem. They are extreme and disturbing examples that deviance entrepreneurs use to get media attention and create public support.

• They capture public attention

• provide evidence for negative labels

• emphasize urgency

• get public sympathy

• Associate deviant behavior with stigmatized groups

Symbolic interaction has a “polygenetic” view of the causes of deviant behavior. What does that mean?

Deviant behavior may be influenced by a wide variety of causes.

Explain the difference between “primary” and “secondary” deviance.

Primary deviance refers to initial acts of deviance or rule-breaking that do not result in the individual being labeled as a deviant. They do not become the basis for an individual’s identification as a deviant.

Secondary deviance occurs when deviant acts or statuses become publicly labeled and acted upon. It involves being socially labeled as a specific kind of deviant and having one’s life organized in large part around activities associated with that deviant identity. As a result, the individual’s life becomes substantially organized around their identification as deviant.

“discredited” and “discreditable” deviants.

Discredited deviants are individuals whose deviance is known to others and who are labeled with a stigmatized identity.

• Their deviance is out in the open, and they must find ways to manage the stigma associated with their known deviance.

Discreditable deviants are individuals whose deviant activities or conditions are not known to those who would likely stigmatize them

• They are engaged in "secret deviance".

• They attempt to "pass" as nondeviant individuals.

What are some of the ways in which discreditable deviants may try to manage stigmatization?

• control what information gets out

• “pass” as normal

• avoid stigma symbols

• use disidentifiers

What is the difference between “in-group” and “out-group” stigma management among discredited deviants?

In-Group

• Directed toward individuals who share the deviant's stigma

• In-group members are more likely to accept the individual as a full-fledged person rather than as defective.

• Sharing survival & deviance strategies

• Sharing a supportive ideology

Out-Group

• Directed toward those who are not part of the deviant's subculture or experience.

• admitting a deviant act but arguing it was an exception. Strategies here may include excuses (one had no control over the act) and justifications (the circumstances justified the decision to do it).