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.

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