sociology ch 7/8

Introduction to Deviance, Crime, and Social Control

• Examining concepts of deviance, crime, and social control through a sociological lens.

Understanding Deviance

• Definitions of Deviance: Varies across cultures, societies, and subcultures.

  • Cultural experiences shape perceptions of what constitutes deviant behavior.

  • Deviance can shift over time and is often context-dependent.

• Relationship Between Deviance and Crime:

  • Historically, deviance carried stigma, correlated with crime but not synonymous with it.

  • Crime is a label applied to behaviors that violate laws, while deviance encompasses a broader spectrum of behaviors.

Relativity of Deviance

• Relative Nature of Deviance: Depends on situational context rather than just the behavior itself.

  • Example: Listening to music can be acceptable in some contexts (walking to class) but deviant in others (during class).

• Stigma and Social Norms: Deviant acts can have significant impacts on individuals and groups.

  • Example: Acknowledging seemingly minor acts, like nose-picking, as socially deviant but not criminal.

Social Norms and Social Control

• Social Norms: Expectations and rules governing behavior in particular contexts.

• Social Control: Mechanisms used to regulate behavior, ensure conformity, and discourage deviance.

Types of Sanctions

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

• Negative Sanctions: Punishments for deviance (e.g., reprimands).

  • Formal Sanctions: Imposed by authorities (e.g., fines, arrests).

  • Informal Sanctions: Social reactions from peers or community members (e.g., disapproval).

Functionalism Perspective on Deviance

• Function of Deviance:

  • Positive Role: Enables societal stability by challenging prevailing norms and prompting social change.

  • Reinforcing Norms: Punishments for deviance clarify societal norms and strengthen social bonds.

• Key Theories:

  • Strain Theory: Analyzes why individuals resort to deviance when blocked from socially accepted methods of achieving goals.

  • Social Disorganization Theory: Attributes deviance to the breakdown of community ties, especially in impoverished areas.

  • Cultural Deviance Theory: Suggests that conformity to the subculture leads to deviant behavior.

Conflict Theory Perspective on Deviance

• Conflict Theory: Views crime and deviance as a result of societal inequalities.

  • Emphasizes how laws are created to serve the interests of the powerful (bourgeoisie) while marginalizing the powerless (proletariat).

• Power Elite: Concept introduced by C. Wright Mills, indicating a small group of elites control society and influence laws to maintain status.

• Socioeconomic Disparities: Explores how laws and crime rates disproportionately impact marginalized groups.

• Example: Differences between the crack cocaine epidemic and powdered cocaine laws, reflecting racial and class biases.

Symbolic Interactionism Perspective on Deviance

• Labeling Theory: Highlights the impact of labels society places on individuals, which can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.

  • Primary Deviance: Initial acts that do not change self-concept.

  • Secondary Deviance: Identity shaped by societal labels leading to further deviant behavior.

• Differential Association Theory: Posits that deviance is learned through interactions with others, particularly through close relationships.

Control Theory

• Control Theory: Proposes that strong societal bonds decrease the likelihood of deviance.

  • Social Bonds: Attachment to others, commitment to societal values, involvement in legitimate activities, and belief in societal norms influence behavior.

Media, Technology, and Social Control

• Examine the intersection of media, technology, and societal norms.

• Functionalism and Media: Serves to socialize and disseminate societal norms and values, shaping public perceptions.

• Conflict Theory and Media: Analyzes how media reinforces societal inequalities and marginalizes certain perspectives.

• Interactionism and Media: Studies how individuals use media in constructing their social identities and relationships.

Conclusion

• Understanding deviance, crime, and social control enriches our comprehension of societal functions and individual behaviors.

• Knowledge of these theories provides insight into contemporary social issues, including the fluctuating definitions of deviance and the implications of societal reactions.