SOCIOLOGY CHAPTER 6

Unit 6: Deviance & Social Control

Objectives

• Identify Deviance & Social Control

• Outline Deviance & Social Control

• Describe Deviance & Social Control

• Discuss Deviance & Social Control

Deviance

• Definition: Behaviors, beliefs, or characteristics that violate societal norms or expectations.

• Fundamental aspect of sociology and social psychology, focusing on society's definition and response to abnormal actions.

• Variability: Deviance varies across cultural contexts, time periods, and social dynamics.

Key Concepts in Deviance

Norms and Social Control

• Social Norms: Shared rules dictating acceptable behavior; can be formal (laws) or informal (customs).

• Social Control: Mechanisms encouraging conformity to social norms, including formal sanctions (legal penalties) and informal sanctions (ostracism).

Types of Deviance

1. Primary Deviance: Initial acts that may go unnoticed or unpunished.

2. Secondary Deviance: Continued deviance stemming from societal reactions, leading to a stigmatized identity.

3. Positive Deviance: Conduct outside norms viewed as beneficial, such as whistleblowing.

Theoretical Perspectives on Deviance

• Structural Functionalism: Role of deviance in maintaining social order and reinforcing norms.

• Conflict Theory: Deviance arises from social inequality; those in power define deviance to maintain control.

• Symbolic Interactionism: Focus on meanings individuals attach to deviant behavior through social interactions.

Labelling Theory

• Deviance defined by societal reactions; labels lead to self-fulfilling prophecies.

Social Stigma

• Negative labels associated with deviant behavior, leading to discrimination and exclusion.

Factors Influencing Deviance

• Cultural Context: Varying definitions of deviance across cultures.

• Socioeconomic Status: Marginalized groups may engage in deviant behavior due to limited resources.

• Peer Influence: Social circles impact behavior and conformity to peer norms.

• Psychological Factors: Traits and childhood experiences affecting deviant behavior propensity.

Responses to Deviance

1. Legal Action: Responses to transgressive legal behavior, including punishment and rehabilitation.

2. Rehabilitation: Programs addressing underlying causes of deviance.

3. Community Programs: Initiatives fostering community support to mitigate deviant behavior.

4. Stigmatization vs. Support: Society's choices in responding to deviance can either marginalize or aid reintegration.

Understanding Deviance in Sociology

• Importance: Recognizing spectra of deviance aids in crafting effective policies and interventions for social harmony.

Sociological Perspectives on Deviance

1. Structural Functionalism: Deviance serves vital functions, clarifying norms and promoting social cohesion.

2. Conflict Theory: Deviance linked to power dynamics; marginalized groups criminalized.

3. Symbolic Interactionism: Emphasizes the significance of labels and social interactions in forming deviant identities.

Strain Theory

• Explains deviance as a response to societal pressures and unattainable goals, highlighting modes of adaptation (conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion).

Class Crime

• Class Crime Theory: Analyzes crime as a product of social class and economic inequality, emphasizing systemic factors influencing deviant behavior.

• Solutions: Economic reforms, educational access, community support programs addressing systemic inequality.

Criminal Justice System

• Definition: System addressing crime and social control, including law enforcement, judiciary, and corrections.

• Components: Law enforcement, judiciary functions (court proceedings), and corrections (rehabilitation).

Challenges in Criminal Justice

• Issues: Overcrowding, racial disparities, access to legal representation, recidivism rates, and public safety.

• Reform Initiatives: Include sentencing reform, community policing, and mental health programs to combat underlying issues.

Conclusion

• Deviance provides extensive insights into social dynamics, influencing policy development aimed at fostering social cohesion and understanding individual behaviors.