Ch. 7: Deviance: Crash Course Sociology #18

Introduction to Social Deviance

• Social deviance refers to behaviors or actions that are considered non-normative or different from societal norms.

• Deviance encompasses a wide range of actions, including crime and non-violent practices like veganism or pacifism.

• Understanding social norms is essential to comprehending the concept of deviance.

Defining Deviance

• In sociology, deviance is not inherently negative; it simply denotes something that deviates from what is generally accepted.

• Example: Veganism in a meat-eating society is considered deviant despite being a personal choice.

• Deviance is not solely determined by numerical rarity; it derives from the acceptance of behaviors in specific contexts.

Social Control and Sanctions

• Society utilizes informal mechanisms to regulate behavior, known as social control, which can manifest as both positive and negative sanctions:

  • Negative Sanctions: Negative social reactions toward deviant behavior (e.g., strange looks, ridicule).

  • Positive Sanctions: Affirmative reactions showing approval for conforming behaviors (e.g., praise or recognition).

• Social controls are often informal and can be seen in everyday interactions, such as disapproval from friends or approval from authority figures.

Folkways and Norm Violations

• Folkways: Informal norms that guide everyday behavior; violations lead to negative sanctions but not legal repercussions.

• Formal Sanctions: Codified norms resulting in legal consequences for violations, enforced by the criminal justice system (e.g., police, courts).

Explaining Deviance: Biological and Psychological Perspectives

• Biological Theories: Early explanations attributed deviance to biological traits; considered insufficient today.

  • Cesare Lombroso's Theory: Proposed criminals had primitive physical characteristics.

  • William Sheldon's Body-Type Theory: Linked muscular body types to criminality without accepting direct causation.

• Psychological Approaches: Emphasize socialization and environment on behavior, proposing that deviance stems from failures in social development.

  • Containment Theory: Posits that individuals who can manage impulses are less likely to engage in deviant acts (e.g., Reckless and Dinitz's study).

Limitations of Biological and Psychological Explanations

• Both approaches primarily focus on individual factors while neglecting social influences and opportunities for deviance.

• Deviance is often seen as an abnormality; however, most individuals who engage in deviant acts are typical in physical and psychological terms.

• The definitions of deviance must transcend individual characteristics to encompass broader cultural perceptions.

Sociological Perspective on Deviance

• Social deviance is best understood through the lens of cultural norms:

  • Cultural Context: Deviance does not stem from inherent qualities but from social acceptance and definitions.

  • Labeling Theory: Society’s response plays a significant role in defining actions as deviant. Perception of deviance varies based on context (e.g., sleeping in tents).

  • Social Power Dynamics: Social norms often reflect the interests of the elite, shaping laws and societal reactions to various groups (e.g., fugitive slave laws).

Conclusion

• The study of social deviance reveals the complexities and nuances of how behaviors are classified and accepted within society.

• Understanding deviance requires examining sociological perspectives that highlight societal structures and cultural influences rather than solely focusing on individual characteristics.

• Future discussions will delve deeper into theoretical frameworks related to crime and deviance in sociology.