Deviance and Conformity

Deviance

behavior, belief or condition that violates the social norms

Deviance depends on

Time, Place, Situation, and Culture

• Time

trends that change overtime; Four Fathers Fashion

• Place

where behavior occurs determines whether it appropriate or deviant; cheering in a game vs in class

• Situation

Takes precedence over place in determining appropriateness of actions; laughing in class vs laughing in class during a moment of silence

• Culture

most influential; men greeting each other in different cultures

Theories

Structural–Functionalism (Durkheim and Merton), Symbolic Interactionism, Rational Choice, Conflict

Structural Functionalism

deviance begins with society as a whole (E. Durkheim)

Durkheim

“crime is an inevitable and normal aspect of social life”

Crime

if there is little collective sentiment, there will be too much crime and deviance and individuality rises and the status qui breaks down

Crime in strengthening social cohesion

condemning those who are guilty, we would be aware of the norms, values, and limits of toleration. Uniting against the condemned; can establish an acceptable behavior and contribute to stability

Anomie

loss of shared and guiding principles and norms

Merton

deviance resulted from the culture and structure of society itself–that is, all members of society share the same values

Members of Society

has no same opportunity of realizing shared values because of the different social class we have

Anomie and Deviance

Strain Theory

Structural Functionalism (R. Merton)

how people adapt in certain ways by conforming to or by deviating from cultural expectations

Conformity

doing their best and making the most of what society offers them

Innovation

Commitment to cultural goals may remain strong, but some people reject the conventional means of acquiring wealth and turn to illegal means; committing graft and corruption

Ritualism

lost sight to material goals, but derive satisfaction from fairly meaningless jobs; still comes to work but doesn’t enjoy what they are doing

Retreatism

A small number of people reject both the goals and the means, by dropping out of society

Rebellion

to replace shared goals and institutional means with more radical alternatives, and may use violent methods to achieve this

Symbolic Interactionism (sociology)

views society as product of everyday social interactions of individuals

Symbolic Interactionism (deviance)

theorists look at how people in everyday situations define deviance, which differs between cultures and settings.

Cultural Transmission Theory

Cultural transmission and Differential association

Cultural transmission

Humans learn how to behave in social situations, whether properly or improperly

Differential association

that deviance is a learned behavior—people learn it from the different groups with which they associate. (Edwin Sutherland)

Deviant subculture

sharing a particular deviance; a way of living that differs from the dominant culture and is based on that shared deviance.

.Social Disorganization Theory

asserts that crime is most likely to occur in communities with weak social ties and the absence of social control.

The cause of deviance

absence of social control; A person isn’t born a criminal, but becomes one over time, often based on factors in his or her social environment.

Labeling theory

attempts to explain why certain people (such as the Roughnecks) are viewed as deviants, delinquents, bad kids, losers, and criminals, whereas others whose behavior is similar (such as the Saints) are not seen in such harsh terms.

How labeling theory works

status or behavior is not inherently deviant but when someone judges them and labels it as deviant

Societal–Reaction approach

Response to an act, not the behavior, determines deviance

Social Constructionist Perspective Deviance

a product of the culture we live in

Primary Deviance

involving occasional breaking of norms that are NOT a part of a person’s lifestyle or self–concept

Secondary Deviance

an individual’s life and identity are organized around breaking society’s norms

Rational Choice Theory

The decision to be deviant depends upon a cost/benefit analysis of sanctions

RCT’s basic premises

1. Human beings base their behavior on rational calculations
2. They act with rationality when making choices
3. their choices are aimed at optimization of their pleasure or profit

Conflict Theory (Walter Reckless)

people have two control systems that work against their desire to deviate.

Inner controls

internalized thought processes such as a sense of morality, conscience, or religious beliefs.

Outer controls

consist of the people in our lives who encourage us not to stray. They could be family members, police officers, clergy, or teachers.

Feminist Theory

Cultural views and attitudes toward women influence how they are perceived and labeled

Adler and Chesney–Lind

argue existing approaches to deviance and crime developed with men in mind

Social Control (sociology)

refers to the many ways in which our behavior, thoughts, and appearance are regulated by the norms, rules, laws.

Social Control can be achieved through…

variety of means, including through social norms, rules, laws, and social, economic, and institutional structures.

Without Social Control

chaos and confusion would reign

Types of Social Control

informal, Formal, built in controls (Internalized), and Sanctions (externalized)

Informal social control

our conformity to the norms and values of the society, and adoption of a particular belief system, which we learn through the process of socialization

Examples of informal social control

family, primary caregivers, peers, other authority figures like coaches and teachers, and by colleagues

Formal social control

is produced and enforced by the state (government) and representatives of the state that enforce its laws

Examples of Formal social control

police, military, and other city, state, and federal agencies

Built in controls (INTERNALIZED)

rely on deterrents such as personal shame or fear of supernatural punishment or magical retaliation.

Sanctions (EXTERNALIZED)

rely on actions taken by other members of the society towards a behavior that is either approved or disproved.

Formal sanctions

penal laws, fines, death penalty

Informal sanctions

unfavorable and favorable public opinion, giving or withdrawing of affection, love or friendship; verbal admiration or criticism, reprimands or verbal commendations.