CHAPTER 6:

DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
WHAT IS DEVIANT BEHAVIOR?
- Despite the general tendency of the socialization process mechanisms of social control to enforce conformity, there are instances
of variations, disregard of, nonconformity or flaunting of the social norms (standard of proper or acceptable behavior) or
established standards of the group. Such types of behavior are considered deviant (different from what is considered to be normal
or morally correct) because they misguided from the accepted norms, beliefs, or values of the group.
- Sociologically, Deviance is a function of the pigment of a particular group who observes behavior. When sociologists study deviant
behavior, they do not judge such behavior as being “good” or “bad”. They attempt to determine what types of behavior are defined
as deviant and study how society deals with deviants.
- Deviant Behavior may be tolerated, approved, or disapproved.
- Deviant Behavior can be viewed as pathological phenomenon as in the case of mental illness or psychological disorder.
Deviance involves behavior that is seen as going beyond the expectations of approved behavior. Deviance is thus the judgment
by members of society that an individual is departing from social norms.
- Deviations that are considered serious social problems include:
1. Drug addiction 6. Mental abbreviations
2. Crime and Juvenile Delinquency 7. Abortion
3. Alcoholism 8. Aberrant Sexual Behavior
4. Prostitution 9. Marital and Family Maladjustments.
5. Homosexuality

EXPLANATIONS FOR DEVIANT BEHAVIOR

- Biologically, Deviant Behavior [1] stems from one’s physical or biological makeup. Deviant Behavior [2] is a result of aberrant
genetic traits, as in cases such as homosexuality, criminality, and mental illness.
- Psychologically, Deviant Behavior [1] is a result of personality disorder or maladjustment that develops during childhood. Deviant
Behavior [2] is a form of aggression against others or against society because of frustration.

SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACHES TO DEVIANCE

 Functionalist Perspective
- The functionalist stresses the normative social structure and the interrelatedness of parts. The rapid social changes in norms,
values, and life-style increase the opportunities for deviant behavior like drug use, crime, and mental illness.
- Emile Durkeim (1897) holds that deviance is a natural part of all societies and serves important functions. According to him,
there is a desirable normative structure, but in times of rapid social change, a variety of conflicting norms give rise to a
condition which he call anomie or a state of “normless”.
- Robert K. Merton (1968) explains deviance as the result of anomic in contemporary modern society like the United States.
According to him, the inconsistencies and differences or even contradictions result into deviant behavior.
- Walter Reckless (1967) explains the occurrence of deviance but is largely applicable to delinquency, youth crime, and suicide
(Control Theory). The theory narrates that deviance and conformity are both learned in the same process of socialization
whereby one acquires norms, social roles, and self-concept.
- Social control is crucial in preventing deviance, the most important of which is the bond between an individual and society.
 Conflict Theory
- The conflict theory focuses on the heterogeneous nature of society and the differential distribution of political and social
power.
- The conflict perspective also states that what is criminal and what is not are defined by those in power, their definition reflect
the ruling class.
 Symbolic Interactionism
- Symbolic interactionism focuses on the importance of definitions, labels, and the social meanings associated with deviant act.
- Edwin Sutherland affirmed the idea that deviant behavior is learned through interaction with others in small intimate groups.
- Labeling theory is another social interactionist theory explaining deviant behavior. This theory focuses on how crime and
deviance become defined and labeled, and its effect on a person being so labeled.
 Feminist Approach to Deviance

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- Kendall points out that there is no single feminist perspective on deviance. There are three schools of thought on the issue,
namely:
1. Liberal. Liberal approach states the deviance is a rational response to gender discrimination experienced in marriage, the
workplace, and the interpersonal relations.
2. Radical. Radical feminist attribute deviance to patriarchy, defined as male dominance over women
3. Socialist Approaches. Socialist feminism holds that in capitalistic and patriarchal societies women receive low wages.
- Social Deviation is bad nature, this is not always so. Social deviation also performs some positive functions. Social deviance
makes people aware of the possible dangers emanating from such deviation.

DRUG ABUSE
- Drug abuse is a deviant behavior which has aroused a sense of awareness among people of the danger of such deviance and
has developed a common sense in morality.
- According to Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB), a drug is any substance that brings about physical, emotional, or behavioral
changes in the person taking it.
- Drug addiction is a state of physical or psychological need of a drug which stems from its continued use. Physical dependence
is manifested in withdrawal symptoms (i.e. vomiting and muscular tremors) which happen when the person stops using the drug.
Psychological dependence exists when a drug becomes necessary for the person’s well-being.
- The most commonly abused drugs listed by the DDB in the Philippines are:
1. Sedatives
2. Stimulants, sometimes called pep pills
3. Hallucinogens, also called psychedelic
4. Narcotics
- Among the favorite drugs used is Marijuana or cannabis sativa, often called grass, pot, or weed. Marijuana acts as a sedative or
hallucinogens and contains a mind-altering psycho-active ingredient.
- Shabu, or methamphetamine hydrochloride, comes in the form of large crystals, similar to chunks of ice, shards of broken
glass, or rock candy. It can be taken orally, snorted (transnasal), or intravenously. It gives the user a feeling of euphoria (a feeling
of greet happiness and excitement), alertness, paranoia (a serious mental illness that causes you to falsely believe that other
people are trying to harm you), decreased appetite, and increased physical activity.
- Ecstasy or MMDA refers to a group of designer drugs closely related to the amphetamine (a drug that causes the nervous system
to become more active so that a person feels more energy and mental excitement) family of illicit drugs.
 The Nature and Extent of Drug Abuse
- Statistics shows that the drug abuse menace has worsened through the years and reached serious proportions.
- Social and Personality Variables related to Marijuana use: (Zarco; University of Philippines)
1. The regular use of marijuana (once a week or more) among freshmen and sophomores; it was used experimentally (less
frequent) among juniors. Data implied that a number of regular users do not continue schooling in the university.
2. Male students had higher participation rate in marijuana use than female students.
3. Premarital sex practice was highly associated with marijuana use.
4. Homosexuality and marijuana use were closely associated.
5. Scholastic performance as measured by grades was inversely correlated with marijuana use.
6. Good parent-child relations and communication were also inversely related to marijuana use
7. A slightly higher incidence of marijuana use was found among students who live with their parents compared with those
living in dormitories or families not their own.
8. Drug abuse was highest among members of campus Greek letter fraternities and sororities compared to other
organizations.
 The Cost of Drug Abuse
- Drug abuse comes with an immerse cost to the user, the family, and the country.
- Drug use also leads to quarrels, battered spouses, and even the breakup of the family.
- The effects of drug use in health are tremendous, like:
 Heart failure or stroke  Hypertension
 Blood cots  Convulsions
 Respiratory disorders  Irreversible damage to blood vessels in the brain
 Chronic depression  Kidney and Lung disorders
 Hallucinations  Violent and Aggressive behavior
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 Malnutrition  Antisocial activities
 Disturbed personality development
 Treatment and Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts
- Studies on the treatment of drug addicts show that addiction is one of the most difficult forms of deviant behavior to treat
effectively.
- Re-addiction, according to Lindesmith, is a result of long experience with the drug, a self-concept of one as an addict, peer
group pressure, and the recognition of the importance of the drug in relation to withdrawal symptoms
- Drug Rehabilitation Centers reveals that: (Montano’s survey (1983))
1. Drug patients come from all social classes, although majority comes from the middle class
2. Majority of the patients are between the ages of 15 and 24
3. One-half of the patients are high school students or graduates.
4. Frequently used drugs are marijuana, cough syrup, and tranquilizers
5. Majority of the patient’s claim they were drawn to drugs by peer pressure. About 20% said curiosity made them try the
drug. About 10% said they had family or personal problems.
- Rehabilitation involves the process by which the drug dependent’s remaining capabilities for a healthy life – his or her
physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual, vocational, and occupational potentials –are developed to the optimum.
 Government Countermeasures
- Dangerous Drugs Act (DDA) was enacted in 1972 by then Pres. Ferdinand Marcos.
- Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) was created as the policy-making body for drug abuse.
- Drug Law Enforcement and Prevention Coordinating Center (DLEPCC) was created to consolidate the efforts of all
government agencies, local government units, and NGOs in an effective antidrug campaign.

CRIME AND ITS ETIOLOGY

- Crime is a violation of a norm which is codified into law and backed by the power and authority of the state.
- Crime injures both the victim and the society, and therefore criminals are punished the imposition of fines, imprisonment, or the
death penalty.
- Dr. Cicero Campos (1995) discusses the role of the family, education, the community, and mass media in the etiology of
crime.
1. The family exerts a great impact on the behavior, values, and attitudes of its members.
2. The school plays a crucial role in integrated development, social maturation, and the preparation of the juvenile to become a
well-adjusted, law-bidding, and procedure members of society.
3. The peer group exerts a strong influence on children
4. The community offers a wide-range of services for the young as a supplement to the efforts of the family, the school, and the
state.
5. Mass media influence the development as well as the deterioration of the character of individuals. Media has a big role to play
in making or unmaking a society.
 The Crime Situation in the Philippines
- Frequently bannered in the print and broadcast media are heinous crimes like:
 Murder
 Hostage taking
 Rape
 Kidnapping
 Bank robberies
- According to Mendoza, other sensational crimes:
1. Kidnap for Ransom
2. Illegal Drug Trafficking
3. Bank Robberies
4. Illegal Gambling
5. Carnapping
6. Kotong
7. Cell-phone snatching and Pick-pocketing
8. Akyat-bahay
 Crime Victimization Statistics
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DEVIANT BEHAVIOR
- Respondents said they did not report some crimes to the police due to cost, too much better, futility, and perceived risk to
them for reporting the crime.
- Trends in Murder and Rape Incidents in the Philippines and Metro Manila, 1980 – 1994.
 Zarco, Gutierrez, and Dulnuan studied trends in murder and rape in the Philippines.
 Murder was selected as the main indicator of social violence. Murder being the most heinous crime in our penal code,
and its frequency and widespread occurrence.
 About 75% of the murders reported are dispute-related. The rest are due financial or material profit motives, or related to
other crimes. Few cases are committed for fun, curiosity, or to impress one’s gang mates with ones’ boldness.
 Rape is one of the most publicized crimes; under Philippine Law, it is a crime exclusively against women.
 Rape perpetrators are usually members of the victim’s household. A frequent patter is the father-daughter rape. 90% of
rape-slays are committed by men who are known to the victims, while 10% are committed by strangers.

GLOBALIZATION AND CRIME

- Globalization has brought benefits among nations, it also has dire consequences. Crime, like the other aspects of social life, has
also been transformed.
- Crimes have created significant impact on the political, economic, environmental, social, and cultural stability of the country.
- Domestic crimes that spill to another country and are beyond the jurisdiction of domestic law enforcement are referred to as
transnational crimes. Examples of transitional crimes are piracy, terrorism, human and drug trafficking, arms smuggling, money
laundering, and cyber-crimes.
- Globalization enhances the proliferation of transnational crimes that follow the strategies of multinational corporations.

SOCIAL CONTROL MECHANISMS

- Many consider the breakdown of social control as an important cause of crime and deviant behavior.
- Increasing urbanization, industrialization, modernization, higher levels of education and individualism have brought about intense
social and cultural changes.
- In order to prevent deviant behavior, effective means of social control are used in the socialization process. The function of
socialization is to ensure conformity to the norms and values of the group so that the member’s behavior is within the range of
societal and group norms. Social control refers to the measures and pressures designed to ensure conformity to the approved
standards of behavior in a group or society
- Two Basic Control Process:
1. The internalization of group norms which result from the socialization process
2. External pressure in the form of sanctions when they are deviations from the norms.
- Two Types of Social Control:
1. Informal Social Control – may be observed in small groups or remote rural areas where one knows everyone else and is in
continued face-to-face contact with others.
2. Formal Social Control – mechanisms which involve organized systems of specialized agencies to set up rules, codes,
standards of expected behavior, and formal sanctions if they are not followed.
- Devices and Mechanisms which reinforce the system of social control in the Philippines:
1. Pakikisama or concession
2. Gossip
3. The Leaving Technique
4. Curbing of Antisocial Attitudes

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