Theories of Deviance

Three theoretical backdrops

Structuralist (Macro)
Cultural (Meso)
Interactionist (micro)

Structuralist (Macro)

• The moral order. Society is held together by norms, values, beliefs, and laws; each represented in social institutions

• Deviance is the outcome of social structural processes

• Functional, conflict, and feminist theories

Cultural (Meso)

• Elements of conflict and power in social relations

• Deviance is more a collective phenomenon

• Subcultural norms and values conflict with dominant culture

• Cultural conflict, control, lower class culture theories

Interactionist (Micro)

• Everyday meaningful interactions

• Meaning structures of those actions for individuals

• Labeling, drift, differential associations

Differential Association

• Micro-Interactionist perspective

• Interactional process by which individuals come to engage in deviance

Associational Patterns that lead to deviance

1) Deviance is learned, not inherited,

    not intrinsic.

2) Deviance is learned in concrete and everyday interactions with

    others through communication and symbolic gesture

3) Deviance is learned in intimate groups, not abstract ones

4) Deviance is learned through both techniques (how to) and rationalizations (why to)

5) Definition favorability; the who and what of associational

    patterns

Controlling deviance via the bond

• Evaluating the strength of the bond between individuals and social groups

• Attempts to connect micro and macro (meso) through both internal and external controls

• Deviance is the product of weak bonds

Elements of the bond

1. Attachment – the internalization of

    socialization; develop a bond with society

    (abstract), and social groups (concrete).

2. Commitment – the investment in a “legitimate” lifestyle and institutions; rational choice (fear of consequences) of breaking social norms. Commitment to conformity, and considering the costs of deviant behavior

3. Involvement – the lack of opportunity. “Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” If one is busy with conventional activities, no time for deviance

4. Belief or subscription to common, normative values and rules in society; how much your own beliefs, attitudes and values match that of the dominant culture

Feminist theories of Deviance

Deviance/crime are overly focused on the experience of boys/men

Girls/women face different problems and pathways to deviance than boys/men

Societal attitudes and patriarchy shapes victimization patterns; survival and coping with abuse  becomes source of deviance itself

Girls Deviance and the Patriarchy

1. It is incorrect to assume girls are inherently less trouble than males

2. Woman have been systemically ignored in the research and literature

3. Research misses the sexualization of girls and the double standards of sexual behavior

4. Reinforces girls oppression, submission, and obediance

The Constructionist Stance

Deviance, righteous or evil, is manufactured through social relationships

This doesn’t mean deviance isn’t real. Its both real and consequential

Constructionism is the opposite of essentialism, just as the absolutist perspective is the opposite of the relativist perspective

This stance is about the creation and maintenance of social meaning. This view now dominates study of deviance

Constructions of Deviance

• Constructionism and the sociology of deviance

• Deviance as process

• Integrates labeling and conflict

• Defining social problems

• The Social Construction of Reality (1966)

• The constructionist stance examines claims-making and social power

• Who are the agents of social control and deviance?

• How does ‘society’ accept or challenge definitions of deviance and social power through everyday micro-interaction?