SOC: Deviance and Social Control

Deviance Vs. Crime

Deviance is any behavior, attitude, or contribution that violates, cultural norms and causes disapproval. Crime is a behavior that violates the law and is punishable by fines or imprisonment. All crimes are deviant, but not all deviant acts are crimes.

Phrenology

A disproven theory, claiming that the shape of person skull could reveal personality traits on criminal tendencies. It reflected old racial and class biases and is not supported by science.

Functional Perspective

functionalist society is based on shared, norms and values. They believe deviance can disrupt social order, but also play a role in reinforcing moral boundaries and social unity.

Structural Strain Theory

Developed by Robert Merton, this theory says deviance happens when people can’t achieve society goals through accepted means, creating a strain. People adapt through conformity, innovate, ritualism, retreatism, or rebellion.

Deviance and Social Solidarity

Emile Durkheim believed deviance isn’t always bad. It can strengthen society by defining moral boundaries and creating a sense of community around shared values.

Conflict Perspective

Conflict theorists see deviance as the result of inequality, and power differences. Those with power make the rules to benefit themselves and keep others at a disadvantage.

Subcultures and Deviance

This theory says that in divers societies, different groups have their own values, leading to disagreements about what is considered deviant or acceptable behavior.

Structural contradiction Theory

Argues that conflicts within society—like the tension between wanting profits and promoting equality—lead to laws that define certain behaviors as deviant or criminal.

Critical Perspective

Builds on conflict theory and focuses on how inequality, power, gender, and race shape definitions of deviance and social control.

Feminist Theories

Focus on how traditional deviance theories ignored women’s experiences. They highlight how gender inequality and issues like abuse or family violence affect women labeled as deviant.

Critical Race Theories (CRT)

Focus on how race, power, and racism influence the law and justice system. CRT highlights the gap between ideals of equality and the reality of racial injustice.

Interactionist Perspectives

Focus on how deviance is socially constructed through interactions. People become “deviant” when others label them that way or when they learn deviant behavior from their surroundings.

Labeling Theory

Says deviance results from being labeled as deviant. Once labeled, people may accept that label and act according to it, shaping their identity and behavior.

Differential Association Theory

Suggests deviant behavior is learned from close relationships. The more exposure a person has to deviant attitudes or actions, the more likely they are to act that way too.

Types of crime

Includes violent crime (force or threat of force), property crime (theft or arson), organized crime (illegal goods/services), white-collar crime (by professionals), police corruption/brutality, and state crimes.

Types of Deviance

Includes everyday deviance (like lying or cheating), deviance of the powerful (crimes by high-status people), and crime (lawbreaking acts).

Social Control

Efforts by society to regulate people’s behavior. Can be informal (like shame or gossip) or formal (laws, police, courts) to keep people following norms.

Imprisonment in the U.S.

The U.S. has one of the highest incarceration rates. Policies like mandatory minimums, “three strikes” laws, and the War on Drugs increased prison populations even as crime rates fell.