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Social Deviance
Definition
Individuals do not always
internalize every norm of
a society
There are always
individuals who break
rules of their society or
group
Behavior that violates
significant social norms
is called deviance.
The Nature of Deviance
Violation of norms is often unavoidable
Not all norm violations are considered deviant acts
Deviant behavior varies from cultures, time periods, and
societies:
Murder is illegal, but is judged differently if a police
officer kills someone in the line of duty
Divorce is legal in the United States but prohibited in the
Philippines
All businesses used to be closed on Sunday, but now it
has become more acceptable for businesses to be open.
Labeling Deviance
To be considered a deviant an
individual must:
1. Be detected committing a
deviant act (known to other
people)
2.Be stigmatized by society
*A stigma is a mark of social
disgrace that sets the deviant
apart from the rest of society
Stigma
A stigma is a mark of social disgrace that is used as a form
of social control
EX: Having a criminal record labels you to the working
world that you are a criminal
A stigma can also
be a negative social
reaction that results
from being a social
deviant
EX: labeling
someone as “spoiled
rotten” or with a
bad reputation
5 Social Functions of Deviance
1. Clarifies Norms: Sets the boundaries of acceptable
behaviors
2. Unifies Groups: Determines who is a conforming member
of society and who is not
3. Diffuses Tension: Allows individuals to relieve tension
related to their unhappiness with society
4. Promotes Social Change: When large numbers of people
violate norms, it is an indication that something in society
needs to be changed
5. Provides Jobs: Judges, lawyers, police officers, prison
workers, crime reporters are all required because social
deviance exists
Crime
Crime affects
everyone’s lives,
either directly or
indirectly
A crime is an act
that is labeled as
such by those in
authority, is
prohibited by
law, and is
punishable by
the government.
Types of Crimes
1. Violent Crimes: murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated
assault
2. Crime Against Property: burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft,
arson
3. Victimless Crime: prostitution, illegal gambling, illegal drug
use, vagrancy
4. White Collar Crime: fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement, price
fixing
5. Organized Crime: Crime syndicate large-scale organizations
that control business through violence (mafia)