Deviance Key Words

Deviance

violation of cultural roles

Laws

Norms defined by the government as principles citizens must follow

Formal Law

Laws applied in court

• Constitution

Informal Law

Unwritten rules governing behavior in society

• Come into the office on time, or you’re fired

Sanction

Regulations of thoughts and behavior based on cultural norms

Formal Sanction

Designated bodies of groups to carry out punishment

Informal Sanction

Non-designated bodies of groups carrying out punishment

• taking it into their own hands

Functionalism

Society is a system of interdependent parts working together to maintain stability and equilibrium

Durkheim’s Functions of Deviance

Deviance serves a function in society as it reinforces social norms, promotes social cohesion, and can lead to social change.

Merton’s Strain Theory

There is a discrepancy between societal goals and the available means to achieve them

Conflict

The heart of society, through class and power by maintaining the status quo

• steal a bike? JAIL

• insider trading? …. no jail

Control Approach Human Nature

Humans are naturally deviant, thus we must actively keep it under control

• it is abnormal to engage in deviant behavior

Broken Windows

Sign of disorder lead to greater disorder

• If one window is left unrepaired, it is a sign that no one cares, therefore it’s fair game

Social Disorder

about space, not people

• no one knows each other, thus no one is going to care if its chaos in the streets

Physical Disorder

litter and graffitti

Surveillance

Supervision of activities of which everyone is somewhat subject to

Direct Survaillance

Actually Watching

Record Survaillance

• files

• permanent record

• transcript

The Panopticon

A theoretical design for a prison where inmates are always visible to a central watchtower, promoting self-regulation among the prisoners.

Interactionalist Labeling Theory

Examines the social meaning of deviant labels by looking at reactions rather than norm violations

• not about the act, but how/what we label

Prime Deviance

Initial common deviant act where the individual violates norms without viewing themselves or being labeled as deviant

• Can trigger labeling process

Secondary Deviance

When you begin to engage in deviant acts in order to take on the label of deviant and adjust your sense of self

• Taking on deviant acts as a means of defense, attack, or adjustment to the problems created by reactions to them

• self-fulfulling prophesy

Retrospective Labeling

Interpreting someone's past in light of present deviance

• distorts a person’s biography

Projective Labeling

Using deviant identity to predict future actions

• “If he’s this bad when he’s 10, how bad is he gon abe when he’s 18?”