Chapter 6: Deviance and

Social Control:
Sickos, Perverts, Freaks, and
People like Us
Soc 100 Dr. Santos
 Introduction

Deviance- the violation of social norms

Stigma- the disapproval attached to
disobeying the expected norms
Crime- the forms of deviance in which
formal penalties are imposed by the
society
We are all deviant at some time or another
and in some places
 What is deviance?
Deviance is a violation of ever-changing
social norms
Deviance is culturally dependent and historically
located, exists always in juxtaposition with
some normality
Deviance is socially constructed even though
some of it might be characterized as an
immoral absolute
Deviance is overlooked in some situations
 Who/what is defined as
deviant?
Both acts and individuals (and even entire
groups) can be defined as deviant: Condemn
the sin, love the sinner, aliens, misfits. etc.
Low status persons (e.g. ethnic minorities, poor
people) are more likely to be perceived as
deviant, their good behavior explained away
Higher status persons (e.g. priests, doctors) are
less likely to be defined as deviant, their bad
behavior explained away
 Structural-functionalist
viewpoint
Deviance serves vital functions for society
Sets examples of unacceptable behavior
Provides guidelines for (opposite) behavior that is
necessary to maintain social order
Bonds people together through their common
rejection of deviant behavior
Provides jobs for those who deal with deviants
Can signal problems in a society that need
addressed (stimulate positive change)
Opens societies to new and creative paths of
thinking
Misconceptions about
deviance
Some acts are inherently deviant
Those who deviate are socially
identified and recognized
Deviants purposely and knowingly
break the law
Deviance occurs because there is a
dishonest, selfish element to human
nature
Micro-level explanations
of deviance
Social control theory - our bonds with
society encourage us to conform; with
fewer bonds, we are more likely to be
deviant
Rational choice theory - the decision to
be deviant depends upon a
cost/benefit analysis of sanctions
 Differential association theory -
conformity or deviance is learned from
those we spend time with
Labeling theory - behavior is not
intrinsically deviant, but becomes
deviant because it is labeled as such
Members of a society define (label) what
is deviant and impose sanctions for that
behavior
Individuals who engage in primary
deviance are not labeled, but those who
engage in secondary deviance are
 Labeling theory, cont.
Being labeled can reinforce deviant behavior by:
Increasing alienation
Forcing increased interaction with deviant peers
Motivating juvenile delinquents to positively value
and identify with the deviant status
Deviance becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy
Those with less power in society are more likely
to be labeled as deviants
macro-level explanations of
deviance
Structural-functionalist theories
Anomie lack of social or ethical norms
in a n individual or a group
Strain theory it shows the different
forms of social behaviour
Mertons ways of adapting to strain
Conformity individuals accept the culturally
approved goals and strive to achieve them
legitimately
Innovation - use of illicit means to reach
approved goals
Ritualism individuals give up on achieving goals
but have internalized the means and so carry on
following the rules for their own sake
Retreatism - giving up on both the goals and the
means and drop out of society
Rebellion - rejecting the socially approved ideas
of "success" and the means of attaining that
success, but replaces those with alternative
definitions of success and alternative strategies
for attaining the new goals, bringing about social
change
 Conflict theory - deviance is a result of
social inequality
Elites want to maintain control, so they
define what is deviant to benefit
themselves and deflect attention from
their own behaviors
The greater the power differentials and
inequalities, especially class, the greater
the conflict in a society
Conflict is inevitable under the current
capitalist power arrangement
 Feminist theory - abuses suffered by
women are rooted in the patriarchal,
capitalist system
The causes include the gendered division
of labor, the separation of spheres, and
the socialization of children
Cultural attitudes toward crime against
women differ based on the status of
women in that society
Women are less often in a position to
commit crimes and often commit crimes
that are different from mens
Crime and individuals:
macro-level analysis
Laws reflect the current opinion of
what is right or wrong
Consensus crimes - members of a
society are in general agreement
about the serious of the deviant act
Conflict crimes - one group passes a
law over which there is disagreement
or which disadvantages another group
Types of crime

Predatory or street crime

Victimless or public order crimes
Hate crimes
Organized crime
Occupational or white collar crime
State organized crimes
Global crimes
Types of white-collar
crimes
Crimes against the company
Crimes against employees (e.g., the
neglect of worker safety)
Crimes against customers
Crimes against the public
White-collar crimes are less publicized,
but ultimately more costly and more
deadly than violent predatory crimes
Ways of measuring crime
Uniform crime reports
Self-reported surveys
Victimization surveys

Triangulation is best!
World systems
perspective
The cause of deviance lies in the global
economy, inequalities between countries,
and competition between countries for
resources and wealth
Capitalism has caused inequality to rise
between core and periphery nations
Periphery nations may resort to
unconventional means to meet their goals
Dealing with crime

Structural-functionalist- the justice

system is important for maintaining
order in society
Conflict- the criminal justice system
presents crime as a threat from poor
people and minorities and
disproportionately arrests and
sentences them
Prisons and jails
Total institution- completely controls the
prisoners lives and regulates all of their
activities
Degradation- mark the inmate as deviant
Mortification-break down the individuals
original self as the inmate experiences
resocialization
Incarceration rates have increased
Get tough on crime
War on drugs
Preventative policies
The functions of prisons

Revenge or retribution
Removing dangerous individuals from
society
Deterrence
Despite these, nearly 75% of male
prisoners will re-offend (high
recidivism)
The rise of the Prison-Industrial Complex in the USA > 1980
Alternatives to prison
Social capital - rebuild social networks,
shared norms, values, and understanding
that facilitate cooperation within or among
groups and access to important resources
Shock probation - releasing a first time
offender early in the hope that the shock
of prison life would deter them
Day treatment or half-way houses
Restitution - The offender renders money
or service to the victim or community
under supervised parole to compensate
the victim