SOCIAL DEVIANCE

Introduction to Social Deviance

Overview of Deviance

Deviance is defined as behavior that violates societal norms and expectations.

The concept of deviance raises questions about morality and legality, particularly in cases like murder.

Sociological perspectives can help explain deviant behavior, including upbringing and self-radicalization.

The case of the Unabomber illustrates how social media reactions can shape public perception of deviance.

The phenomenon of individuals wanting the Unabomber freed highlights societal fragility and the complexity of deviance.

The Tide Pod Challenge serves as a contemporary example of deviance, raising questions about societal reactions to dangerous behaviors.

The Role of Social Media in Deviance

Social media amplifies reactions to deviant acts, often leading to sensationalized headlines.

The relatability of individuals involved in deviant acts can influence public perception.

The appearance and background of individuals can challenge stereotypes about who commits deviant acts.

Social media can create a platform for both support and condemnation of deviant behavior.

The Tide Pod Challenge was met with backlash, yet similar dangerous behaviors in advertisements are often overlooked.

This discrepancy raises questions about societal values and the definition of deviance.

Theoretical Frameworks in Sociology

Understanding Theory

A theory is a set of interconnected ideas that aim to explain or predict phenomena.

Theories provide substance beyond mere description, allowing for deeper understanding of social issues.

Scientific theories are refined and testable, which is crucial in academic discourse.

Theories are not perfect predictors; they can explain trends but cannot account for every individual outcome.

The distinction between fact and value is important; explanations do not justify actions.

Parsimony in theory development is essential; effective theories should maximize predictive power with minimal variables.

Objectivist vs. Subjectivist Theories

Objectivist theories assert that deviance is inherent in certain actions, characterized by harm, rarity, negative reactions, and norm violations.

Subjectivist theories focus on the social processes and perceptions that label behaviors as deviant.

Objectivist critiques include questions about thresholds for deviance and societal consensus on norms.

Subjectivist critiques emphasize the importance of understanding the causes of behavior and the implications of labeling.

Examples of objectivist theories include Anomie Theory and General Strain Theory.

Subjectivist theories include Labeling Theory and Marxist Conflict Theory, which explore the power dynamics in defining deviance.

Relativism and Its Implications

The concept of relativism suggests that truth and morality are not absolute but are relative to the social, cultural, or historical context. This raises questions about how to establish concrete truths in social sciences.

The paralysis of relativism can lead to indecision in policy-making and social interventions, as it challenges the ability to define norms and deviance clearly.

Subjectivist theories, such as labeling theory and constructionist theory, emphasize the role of societal reactions in defining deviance rather than the act itself.

Marxist conflict theory critiques the power dynamics in society, arguing that deviance is often a result of social inequality and class struggle.

Examples of these theories can be seen in various social movements and their interpretations of deviance, such as civil rights movements.

Spiritual Theories and Their Historical Context

The Holy Inquisition in the 13th century exemplifies the extreme measures taken by the church against heretics, reflecting the power dynamics of religious institutions.

Witch hunts in the 17th century targeted women who deviated from societal norms, illustrating how societal fears can manifest in violence against perceived deviance.

The rise of Pentecostalism in the 1960s in the USA reflects a modern interpretation of spiritual warfare, linking contemporary issues like drug abuse and protests to satanic influences.

The belief in Satan as a real entity responsible for deviant behavior is prevalent, with studies indicating that around 70% of Americans believe in Satan's existence.

The need for explanations of evil behavior often leads to theological interpretations, filling gaps in understanding human conduct.

Case Studies and Examples

Historical Context of Deviance

The Holy Inquisition serves as a historical example of deviance, where heretics faced severe punishment for challenging church authority.

This illustrates the intersection of power, religion, and societal norms in defining deviance.

The treatment of individuals labeled as deviant can reflect broader societal values and conflicts.

Understanding historical cases of deviance can provide insight into contemporary issues.

The evolution of societal norms over time can change the perception of what is considered deviant.

Analyzing past events helps contextualize current debates on deviance and social control.

Contemporary Examples of Deviance

The Tide Pod Challenge is a modern example of deviance that sparked widespread media attention and societal concern.

The reaction to this challenge highlights the role of social media in shaping public discourse around deviance.

The Unabomber case illustrates how individual backgrounds can complicate the understanding of deviance.

The changing perceptions of behaviors like drinking and driving reflect shifts in societal norms and values.

Advocacy movements, such as those for cannabis legalization, demonstrate how labels of deviance can evolve.

The case of squeegee kids shows how societal responses to deviance can vary based on context and power dynamics.

Emile Durkheim's Contributions to Sociology

Positivism and Social Order

Durkheim's positivism emphasizes the importance of rational observation and scientific validation in understanding social phenomena.

He viewed society as a complex machine with interrelated parts, where the integration of these parts determines social order or disorder.

Deviance is considered a normal aspect of society; it can serve functions such as increasing solidarity and testing moral boundaries.

Durkheim proposed that deviance can lead to social change by challenging existing norms and prompting discussions about morality.

The concept of collective sentiment highlights how society responds to deviance, reinforcing social norms and values.

Types of Suicide According to Durkheim

Durkheim identified four types of suicide: egoistic, altruistic, anomic, and fatalistic, each linked to different social conditions and levels of integration.

Egoistic suicide occurs when individuals lack strong social ties, leading to feelings of isolation.

Altruistic suicide is characterized by excessive integration into a group, where individuals sacrifice themselves for the group's cause.

Anomic suicide arises from social deregulation, often during periods of rapid change, leading to a sense of hopelessness.

Fatalistic suicide results from excessive regulation, where individuals feel trapped by societal controls.

Robert Merton's Strain Theory

Understanding Strain Theory

Merton's strain theory, articulated in his 1938 work 'Social Structure and Anomie', explores the relationship between societal goals and the means available to achieve them.

The 'American Dream' serves as a cultural goal, promoting wealth and success as attainable through hard work, yet not everyone has equal access to the means to achieve this.

Merton identifies the 'opportunity structure' as the pathways available for individuals to pursue societal goals, highlighting systemic inequalities.

The theory suggests that when individuals cannot achieve success through legitimate means, they may resort to deviance or crime as alternative pathways.

Merton's work emphasizes the importance of understanding social structures in analyzing deviant behavior and societal responses.

Overview of Democratic Capitalism and Wealth

Core Messages of Democratic Capitalism

The fundamental message of any advanced democratic capitalist system is to promote wealth and perseverance.

This system emphasizes individual success, often leading to societal pressure to achieve financial prosperity.

The disparity between cultural expectations of success and the actual means available to individuals can lead to feelings of inadequacy and deviance.

An anomic social system, where norms are unclear or absent, can exacerbate these feelings, leading to various forms of deviance.

The pursuit of wealth is not equally accessible to all, creating a divide in opportunities based on socio-economic status.

This environment can foster a culture of competition, where individuals may resort to deviant behaviors to achieve success.

Cultural Emphasis and Its Effects

The cultural emphasis on success can create a sense of anomie, where individuals feel disconnected from societal norms.

This disconnection can lead to deviance as individuals seek alternative means to achieve societal goals.

The pressure to succeed can result in various adaptive strategies, including conformity, innovation, retreatism, ritualism, and rebellion.

Each mode of adaptation reflects different responses to the pressures of achieving success in a capitalist society.

Understanding these modes can provide insight into the motivations behind deviant behavior.

The societal implications of these adaptations highlight the need for a more equitable distribution of opportunities.

Modes of Adaptation to Anomie

Five Modes of Adaptation

Conformity: Individuals accept both the goals and means of society, adhering to social norms without deviation.

Innovation: Individuals accept societal goals but reject the traditional means of achieving them, often leading to creative or deviant methods (e.g., drug dealing).

Retreatism: Individuals reject both societal goals and means, often resulting in withdrawal from society (e.g., homelessness, addiction).

Ritualism: Individuals scale back their goals but continue to adhere to the means, often leading to a lack of ambition (e.g., settling for low-paying jobs).

Rebellion: Individuals reject both the established goals and means, seeking to create a new system altogether, often through radical means.

Case Studies of Adaptation