New York Institute of Technology 21

Introduction to Deviance in Sociology

• Definition of Deviance: Refers to any violation of social norms.

• Howard Becker's Perspective: It is not the act itself that is deviant but society's reaction to that act. Deviance is culturally relative.

Examples of Deviance

• Cultural Variation:

  • Behaviors considered deviant in one culture may be normal in another (e.g., blowing your nose into your hand).

• Infractions: Deviant acts can range from minor (e.g., picking your nose) to severe (e.g., murder).

• Crime Defined: A crime is a form of deviance that has been codified into law.

Relative Nature of Deviance and Crime

• Deviance is dependent on cultural context; for instance, what’s admired in one culture may be condemned in another.

• Sociological Neutrality: Sociology studies deviance without moral judgment, viewing society's disapproval as a sociological fact.

• Everyone engages in deviant behaviors at times, from minor acts to serious crimes.

Stigma and Identity

• Erving Goffman's Concept of Stigma: Attributes that discredit one’s identity.

• Types of Stigmas:

  • Norm of appearance (e.g., physical disabilities).

  • Norm of ability (e.g., blindness).

• Master Status: A stigmatized identity can overshadow other aspects of a person's social identity.

Importance of Social Norms

• Norms create predictability in social interactions and prevent chaos.

• Deviating from norms threatens social order, leading to social control measures.

Means of Social Control

• Negative Sanctions: Responses to non-compliance range from minimal (e.g., disapproving looks) to severe (e.g., imprisonment).

• Positive Sanctions: Rewards for conforming to norms (e.g., praise, promotions).

Theories Explaining Deviance

• Biological Explanations: Focus on individual traits (e.g., genetics, body type).

• Psychological Explanations: Look into personality disorders or childhood experiences.

• Sociological Explanations: Emphasize socialization and group dynamics.

Differential Association Theory

• Edwin Sutherland's View: Deviant behavior is learned through interactions with others.

• Those surrounded by deviant peers are more likely to adopt similar behaviors.

Control Theory

• Travis Hirschi's Perspective: Everyone has the potential for deviance but is restrained by societal controls.

• Elements of Control:

  • Inner Controls: Personal morals and conscience.

  • Outer Controls: Bonds to society through attachment, commitment, and involvement in activities.

Labeling Theory

• Labels applied to individuals can shape their identity and behavior.

• Techniques of Neutralization to avoid deviant labels include:

  • Denial of Responsibility: Claiming the act was accidental.

  • Denial of Injury: Arguing that no one was harmed.

  • Condemning the Condemners: Questioning the authority of the person labeling.

  • Appealing to Higher Loyalties: Justifying actions for a perceived greater good.

Functionalist Perspective on Deviance

• Emile Durkheim's View: Deviance can clarify moral boundaries and promote social unity.

• Deviance can also lead to social change as norms evolve.

Strain Theory by Robert Merton

• Anomie: Discrepancy between cultural goals and available means creates strain.

• Five Reactions to Strain:

  1. Conformity: Adhering to societal norms.

  2. Innovation: Using illegitimate means to achieve goals (crime).

  3. Ritualism: Abandoning the goals but adhering to means.

  4. Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means.

  5. Rebellion: Replacing societal goals with new ones.

Crime and Its Forms

• Street Crime vs. White Collar Crime:

  • Street crime generates public fear, while white-collar crime is overlooked despite causing more harm.

• Corporate Crime: Crimes committed for the benefit of corporations often escape severe penalties.

Conflict Theory Perspective

• Power Dynamics: Laws reflect the interests of the powerful, maintaining social inequality.

• The system often overlooks white-collar crimes while disproportionately punishing lower-class criminal behavior.

Recidivism and Punishment Trends

• Rates: Approximately 66% of released inmates are rearrested.

• Critique of Tough-on-Crime Policies: Increasing prison populations has not proportionally reduced crime rates.

• Factors contributing to continued crime include aging offenders, collective criminal activities, and the characteristics of crimes committed.

Death Penalty Insights

• The death penalty is applied inconsistently, influenced by race, gender, and geographical factors.

• Demographics: Most death row inmates are male, typically from lower socioeconomic backgrounds.

Conclusion

• Understanding deviance and crime involves considering complex social factors instead of merely individual behaviors.

• Sociological insights emphasize the role of social context, group dynamics, and inequality in shaping definitions of deviance and criminal justice responses.