Download How Social Deviance Exists

Social Deviance in a Society -India
Contents
Introduction to Social Deviance
How Social Deviance Exists
 Sociological theories
 Psychological theories
 Biological Theories
Social Deviance as an Advantage
Causes for Social Deviance
Psycho-social Theory
(research)
Social deviance in India
Case study 1
Delhi Rape Case (Nirbhaya)
Conclusion
References
Introduction To Social Deviance
Social deviance, is the breaking of from the social norms. Just like
one says abnormal behaviour which is considered ‘ away from the
normal ‘ . The same lies in the case of social deviance. All around the
world, we come across different people, different ethnicities ,
different religions, cultures , traditions. There is a different unique
environment that every human being is born to. Various communities
mark not one type of stereotyping but a multitude of others.
Traditions of one community may seem absurd to another, on the
same lines it could be equally horrifying as well. Within these cultural
systems many lives are cast away. Human rights offered to people are
limited to an extend that it may not apply in case of violation of a
traditions. Most often ‘to each his own’a preference to allow people
the right to go about his/her own plans is acceptable. These social
deviant practices lurk around each corner of a modernized world. Man
claims to have progressed from the beginning of time.We have set
standards for ourselves and allowed ourselves to believe in faiths. We
close our eyes to the screams of those who are victims to this so
called modern world of traditions. We run from the deep seated
outrageous acts that are carried out in the names of folklore, culture
and traditions. Having learnt that ‘criminal' which refers to an act of
behaviour that is far from acceptable in the eyes of law. We can
understand that social deviance in linked with the idea of a criminal
act. In social deviance we come across actions of a person who is
unable to conform to the norms of the society. The only social
deviance that is well known all around the world is murder. To
murder is to be ‘criminal’ a ‘social deviant’. Edwin Lemert came
forward with the different way of labelling a person deviant. He says
there is the Primary Deviance wherein the person commits a deviant
act that is not accepted by his/her community. This behaviour or
action implement by the person in concern, is the social deviance.
While the second type of deviance label can be achieved when the
person for the second time commits the social deviance away from
normal action. He/she assumes that this is the way of life and that the
action is acceptable. With the variations within a society due to
modernity there is still the urge to make more modifications in the
ways of life. Social Deviance however is not only subjected to the
societies norms but also norms that have been introduced by a
cultural, traditional perspective.
How Social Deviance Exists
Social deviance is within a society an expected way of behaviour.
Like the saying goes, there is no right without the wrong, no justice
without the crime. Having said so, one can conclude that social
deviance is the wrong that defines the right. Why Social Deviance is a
part of our society is understood under two broad theories apart from
the Biological namely,
a) Sociological Theories
b) Psychological Theories
c) Biological Theories
A) SOCIOLOGICAL THEORIES
(i)Merton’s Structural Strain Theory
Within a society there are certain ways of getting by life. These ways
are attributed by the social structure that is present in that particular
space. To achieve certain goals one must be presented by the means to
do so. In this scenario, there is a strain in the society when goals are
not met. In the Structural Strain Theory a well incorporated society
there is balance which is achieved as goals are met by the means
available. Certain social structures have higher rates of social
deviance due to the incapability in its structure to provide the means
to attain. It is within these social structures that social deviance is at
its highest.
For example: INDIA
In a developing country like India, there is yet a balance to be found.
The strain theory is appropriately explainable within this context.
India has a population that is increasing every minute. The new
generation is a buzz of young people being introduced to the rat race
of life. There are a hundreds of students searching for jobs in
Technology, Commerce and Science Sectors. With the steady influx
of younger more qualified people, the average shelf life of a
individual is reduced to 30 years. Keeping this in mind, we must view
money as a goal, while employment is a means. Having said so, we
all are well aware that one of the major problems in India is
unemployment. With unemployment a rising concern, money to
survive remains difficult to attain. The Strain Theory is applicable in
this context. With no employment, people are forced into finding
other means to achieve their goals. Even if these means are socially
unacceptable or involve deviant acts like Theft etc.
(ii) Social Control Theory By Travis Hirschi
The social control theory suggests in society there is a form of
attachment and need of others approval. Most conformists conform to
the social rules that are set by society. For them the world’s
perception of them is very important. At times they would have an
urge to commit a deviant act but the need to find approval by people
around them holds them back. The Social Control Theory thus forms
a basis to understand how the person holds back from being deviant.
Their need to social deviance is threatened by the fear of society’s
perception of them. Hence, the need for social deviance is reserved
and unacted upon.
(iii)Theory of Differential Association –Edwin Sutherland
Edwin Sutherland brought forward the Theory of Differential
Association. This theory states that every individual is exposed to
deviant behaviour of others around them at some point of time. The
intensity and duration of this exposure is very important. According to
theory if a person is exposed to a high intensity and longer duration of
deviant behaviour, they seem to value the deviant act. This scenario
most often manifests itself in the relation between peers and
youngsters.
For Example;
A child who is brought up without literacy, would easily find himself
surrounded by peers that could be involved in some deviant activity
like theft or drugs. Most often watching his/her peers commit such
deviant acts and not be apprehended encourages them to join the
group. They imagine that committing the crime and escaping. It gives
them a satisfaction that the adrenaline rush provides. Thus, one may
conclude that the need for social deviance can be cultivated when the
individual is subjected to a deviant environment.
B) Psychological Theories
Most of the Psychological Theories are based on certain fundamental
hypotheses that are similar in nature. Some of these hypotheses are
that
 The individual who is deviant is completely responsible for
his/her actions
 The individuals personality plays an important role
 The lack of appropriate learning, conditioning and roles models
lead to deviant behaviour.
Keeping the above in mind , the Psychological Theories are as
follows :
(i)Psychoanalytic Theory
This theory was put forward by Sigmund Freud who stated that every
individual within him/her unconscious state has a tendency to take
part in deviant acts. However, there is a social barrier that that
prevents the individual from being deviant. If the individual has a
history of negative or no social life then he/she will have a personality
flaw. This flaw will lead to antisocial impulses that could be directed
within or outward. The antisocial impulses that are projected outward
would lead them to commit a deviant crime. Hence the need to
commit to social deviance lies within us and can be curbed through
appropriate social system in our childhood.
(ii)Cognitive Development Theory – Lawrence Kohlberg
Lawrence Kohlberg is a developmental psychologist. He came
forward with a theory that explains the reasons behind the need for
Social Deviance. This theory was based on stages of moral reasoning.
The theory came to be known as Cognitive Development Theory.
There are three levels which are as follows;
 First stage/PreconventionalLevel : This stage is based on the
moral reasoning that is effected by the outcome it receives. This
means that moral reasoning is only done in order to avoid
punishment and adhere to obedience.
Ex: A child always fears punishment and does not commit any
action twice once punished.
 Second Stage/Conventional Level: At this stage the child
becomes aware of the people around him/her. This could be his
family or immediate acquaintances. They begin to behave in a
way that appeals to these people. They do not adhere to any
actions that may lead to disapproval from the family.
Ex: A child will think twice about deliberately breaking items
when in the presence of his/her elders.
 Third Stage/PostconventionalLevel : This level happens during
early adulthood, when the individual begins to understand the
social system around him/her. They begin to become influx with
the system.
However if the individual fails to go through these stages of
moral reasoning there will be deviance. The individual will not
be consciously aware of their actions and have absolutely no
worries while committing deviant acts.
(iii) Learning Theory
Based on Behavioural Psychology, the learning theory is based
on the processes of learning of behaviour itself. When a
individual is exposed to a crime or deviant behaviour which is
goes unnoticed, they will learn this behaviour. To them this
behaviour, is awarded even though it is wrong. Particular
aspects of this theory can be seen a movie called ‘The Thomas
Crown Affair’. In this movie the lead role is based on a man,
who robs a painting only to see if he gets caught or not. In such
cases, If the person is not caught they will continue to indulge in
the deviant action until apprehended.
C)Biological Theories
Theory of Biological Deviance – Cesare Lombroso
Theory of Biological Theory was brought about by Cesare
Lombroso. He stated that there are some genetic characteristics
that all criminals have inherited. According to this, Lombroso
went forward to tell us that criminals are born criminals. There is
a certain genetic characteristics that is inherited and nothing can
be done to change a criminal. He believed that there are some
born animalistic urges within each person which cannot be
changed or conditioned. Lombroso’s research was influenced by
Darwin’s Theory of Evolution. The skeletons he studied had to
some extend low foreheads with protruding jaws. However this
theory was questioned by Pearson. Pearson refuted the Biological
Theory as according to Pearson, Lombroso had not research
enough skeletons to conclude his theory. Pearson went forward
with Charles Goring to research more into the theory. They
researched on other skeletons and came to the conclusion that
Lombroso Theory that there were skeleton characteristics was not
valid as the new research found no relevance of skeleton
structures in their studies.
The above are the Sociological, Psychologicaland Biological Theories
that explain how Social Deviance exists in our society.
Social Deviance – As an Advantage
Social Deviance happens to have its advantages as well. In some
cases a deviant actions may be deviant to only one part of a society or
culture. While another part of society may find these acts to be
perfectly appropriate. For example Sati System1in India is a perfect
example. In ancient India all widows were expected to throw
themselves into their husbands funeral pyre. By doing so they were
known as ‘pure/chaste’. If any women deferred from this social
practice they would be forcefully thrown into the pyre or even buried
alive. It was a social system that considered the deviant act as normal
an accepted form of behaviour. It was not until the British
Government intervened that this practise was seen for what it was
socially deviant. In this context we notice how one deviant action can
lead us to learn to draw the line as to what is socially unacceptable
and what is acceptable and bearable.
The same case can be seen in Uganda where there is a practise to have
women circumcised in order to married. In Uganda Female Genital
Mutilation is not crime but a rite. Women who aren’t circumcised are
not allowed to visit the same wells as other women, they are not
allowed to enter the family granary etc. Even though the pain is
excruciating women force the rite on to their daughters as a form of
custom or rite without questioning the same. Police Child Care &
Family Protection Unit are working to help the women in Uganda,
while a petition has been submitted to the Parliament as well. All
these practices within a society form a standard to enable social
1
Sati System : Derived from the word Sati which is the feminine sat of true and stands for Chasity.
change for the better. They are the wrong which helps to define the
right with more clarity.
Social Deviance to some extend helps people to come forward to a
more modern outlook. What decades ago seemed outrageous and
scandalous, now seems to be accepted. India is known for its mystical
ways. The cultures, traditions, practices and rites are very mystical
from other nations. Everything in India is based on a belief, on widely
spread superstitions. There was a time when clothing for women in
India was limited to the Saree2. However, we now are a witness to
more and more women wearing different types of clothing other than
the traditional outfit. This change was accepted when women began to
stop limiting their outlook when it came to clothing. If the same was
done earlier back would have been socially unacceptable. In this case
this previously socially unacceptable behaviour began to be violated
often and it lead to acceptance.
According to the above stated scenarios where social deviance lead to
social change. We can conclude that in some cases social deviance
need not been seen as disruptive behaviour. It can be used to change
the tables and a lead to a modern world which has eradicated horrible
acts that exists under the name of rituals. The true social deviance lies
when the society is harmed or put to a threat. Not when a individual
does not carry out unrealistic terrible practices to appease their
individual societies.
2
Saree- A 7 meter long cloth which is a traditional outfit worn with a blouse.
CAUSES FOR SOCIAL DEVIANCE
Psycho-social Theory
A new research theory
Pearson refuted biological theories that Lombroso put forward.
Charles Goring and Pearson researched that bone structures had
nothing to do with deviant behaviour. The remaining theories were
based on the sociological and psychological perspective. Having
understood the theories that explain what leads a person to be socially
deviant. It is quite necessary in order to understand the causes of
social deviance, to look at not one but both the psycho-socio
perspectives of the same. It is a mixture of both these aspects that
demonstrate the reasons behind social deviance. There are certain
points that we need to understand in order to combine the same.
• Need for attachment- In a society one grows up to social setting.
However if during an individual’s stages of development he/she
fails to form a social bond or attachment, then it will lead to social
distancing and in some cases social deviance
 Need for acceptance – The need to be accepted by the world around
us leads to conforming to the social structures. If however a person
isn’t affected by the need to be accepted by the world. Then he/she
will indulge in any activity without reconsideration. This most often
is the case of individuals who are introverts or non-conformists.
 Distinguishable Ability : Within us there is a need to go against
the norms of society. This is a deep seated urge that lives within
our unconscious mind as mentioned by Sigmund Freud. In these
cases, the ability to differentiate between what is morally wrong
or right is very important. If a individual lacks distinguishable
ability there is more chances of social deviance.
Note all the above points leads to one assumption. Need to supress,
need to acceptance and distinguishable ability is all based on
mental processes. If an individual has inappropriate abnormal
behaviour based on dysfunctional cognitive processes or
personality deficiencies, then he/she will lack the
distinguishable ability and desire to fulfil the needs of
acceptance and suppression.
 Need for actualization: Every human has a carnal need to reach
self-actualization. When basic needs are not reached an
individual tries to fulfil these basic needs. Just like Maslow’s
Hierarchy of Needs mentions these basic needs, there is
Merton’s Strain Theory that states that when an individual is
unable to reach goals through appropriate means then the
individual will use ‘other’ means to achieve the same.
 Bird’s of Feather Flock Together: When an individual is
surrounded by others committing devious actions. They begin to
watch and learn. It is said that the more the exposure to such
environments the more chances of the individual becoming
socially deviant. In this case, He/she will learn that if not caught
and apprehended then they will benefit from the crime itself.
Thus, in order to understand the causes or reasons behind
social deviance we must take in the sociological and
psychological aspects of social deviance. This study is directed
towards combining both the theories to formulate a psychosocio theory that explains social deviance.
Social Deviance in India
Social Deviance in India is not popular among various other issues
spoken of. Any behaviour that is out of social norms is deemed as
either criminal or apprehended by family members themselves. There
is hardly a countable amount of people who rely on social theories
and psychology to understand the roots of social deviance. When a
crime is committed in India it is brought to the police and further to
the courts. The judgement is based on the just the crime. There is not
much talk about the nature, history or factors leading up to the crime.
The suspect or the guilty has no profiling done. There have been
many cases where a deeper rooted understanding of the communal
tensions should been explored however, this lack of understanding
further lead to more mishaps. In many cases the political system itself
has been ineffective and very unresponsive. People have constantly
mocked the government, in almost every other Bollywood cinema we
find dialogs that poke and mock at the government and its corruption.
So much so, the fact about the government seeming corrupt has
already formed in the minds every individual. Though socially
unacceptable actions have been enacted, society itself remains
unshaken. It seems as though there is a acceptance of violence and
turmoil. Social Deviance in India has therefore not yet been accepted.
Understanding social deviance, its effects and theories can enable
India to counter attack this disruptive form of behaviour.
Case Study
Delhi Gang Rape Case, India
Note : The following case study is based on the above research
using the psycho-social theory to interpret social deviance.
The Delhi rape case sent shock waves throughout India. It was not
only assault by a brutal murder which was a result of rape. The
incident happened in South Delhi. It was the 16th of December, a
woman and her friend was returning from a movie at the local theatre.
As it was quite late into the night, there wasn’t many public transport
services available. The woman and her friend got on board a off duty
charter bus. Within the bus there were a total of 6 people in the bus.
The men in the bus were a gym instructor , fruit seller , an
unemployed man and a seventeen year old juvenile. The 6th person
was the bus driver, they had all been previously drinking and had
taken the bus on a joyride. An argument broke out inside the bus ,
when the woman’s friend realised that the bus route was changed. The
other men in the bus, began to taunt the couple. The woman’s friend
tried to intervene and stop the snide comments, when he was beaten
up and gagged. The woman was then dragged to the back of the bus
where she was gang raped and assaulted by all the men in the bus
including the driver. The woman was then thrown out of the moving
bus along with her friend. The medical reports said that the women
suffered severe damage to her genitals and her abdomen. Doctors
suggested that the miscreants used a rod like sharp blade for insertion.
Later on, this blade was identified as the wheel jack handle.
The woman after fighting for her life, passed away in Singapore
where she was transferred for medical treatment. The convicts were
caught and death sentence was issued by the Court of India. The 17
year old juvenile was sent to prison and escaped the death sentence.
The Case Study in terms of Theories based on Rape
Over ages there has a been a misconception based on rape, stating that
rape is a power game or carried out to satisfy sexual urges. However,
according to Mitani;1985 as well as Wrangham and Peterson 1996 :
Rape is not a game of power. Rape is most often carried out by what
is come to be called as the ‘Subset of Males’. 3The subset of males is
the small morphs according to Mitani, Wrangham and Peterson, this
male subset is most unlikely to find females willing to mate and hence
rape the females. Thus, the disadvantaged male (subset men) doesn’t
easily get women to surrender to his needs, driving him to claim it
instead of securing copulation.
There are however the other men who possessed the urge to commit
rape as it arouses them sexually. The force implicated on the women
along with the brutality of the action enables them to gain sexual
satisfaction. These men have a history to rape and are sometimes
caught only the second or third time they commit this type of socially
deviant act.
3
Subset male : This male is based on the male orangutans. Studies classify male orangutans in two morphs, the
large morphs and small morphs.
Psycho-social Theory
Delhi Rape Case Convicts
The following are the convicts involved in the socially deviant
criminal action- Rape.
 Ram Singh – Bus driver of the bus
 Mukesh Singh – Brother of the bus driver
(residing in the Ravidas Camp, a slum in South Delhi).
 Vinay Sharma – Assistant Gym Instructor
 Pawan Gupta – A Fruit Seller
 A seven year old juvenile
 Akshay Thakur – Unemployment.
We notice that the above miscreants were from socially backward
classes. They were mostly illiterate men come to the city in search of
some occupation. Police reports said that the group had just met on
the night of the crime.
As per the Psycho-social Theory :
Need for attachment: All the 6 men hailed from socially backward
class of society. Most often in this scenario there is no social bond
that is formed which would hinder a man to commit a socially deviant
act. The men had a chance to think over, enough time to re-route the
bus and taunt the couple. It seems that they had no moral reasoning
which clashed with their choice to commit the Rape.
Need for acceptance: There is a need in every individual to be
accepted by the people around them. These men either thought that
their act would go unnoticed or they had no reason to believe in being
accepted by the society. In bus at that point of time, rapping that
women was accepted between them. They lacked this need to be
accepted by society.
Distinguishable Ability : The men in the bus, all of them were unable
to reason between right and wrong. If even one of them had the ability
to distinguish between right or wrong, maybe the victim would have
survived.
As mentioned above, all of the above points lead to one assumption.
Need to supress, need to acceptance and distinguishable ability is all
based on mental processes. If an individual has inappropriate
abnormal behaviour based on dysfunctional cognitive processes or
personality deficiencies, then he/she will lack the distinguishable
ability and desire to fulfil the needs of acceptance and suppression.
However no test was conducted on the suspects during investigation
to understand these processes.
Need for actualisation : The need to fulfil basic desires without the
means to do so, will lead to a individual finding different means. Most
often this ‘other means’ are socially deviant. The convicts may have
not been able to have a sexual life. Hence the helpless women in the
bus, was their way of finding their means to their desire/goal.
Birds of a feather flock together: The environment and intensity and
duration of the socially deviant act that one is exposed to enables
them to follow the same path. The seventeen year old juvenile, found
himself in the midst of rapist who were the closest to peers. He not
only aided but also committed the rape.
Conclusion
Social deviance is understood as any behaviour which is socially
unacceptable. This research paper includes understanding social
deviance theories (covering psychological, sociological and
biological). It also includes a personal research interlinking the
psychological and sociological theories to better understand social
deviance. This new theory explains social deviance which is spurred
by not one but both the theories. In order to further apply this theory,
there is an enclosed case study. The case study is based on the Delhi
Gang Rape Case in India.
The best remedy for social deviance is to act upon imbalances in
society as well as individual upbringing. The cure to which can be
formulated by developing society and enabling social standards to
improve. Informal deviance can take a back seat until formal deviance
is better understood and curbed.
Social deviance has been a part of our society for ages. In some
countries it continues to go unheard of, in others social deviance is
just talked about and nothing else. While in India social deviance
remains to be just another theoretical term, there is an increase in
social deviance. India’s courts ensure that there is punishment to
social deviance and criminal activities. However, reoffending cannot
be prevented by just strict action and ample number of fast track
courts. There has to be a better understanding of the motives behind
social deviance.
References
Books and Researches
Hellen Aylek – Uganda Police Force Article
Merton’s Anomie Theory (Crime and Anomie, 1938)
Mitani, J.C (1985) Mating Behaviour of male orang-utans, Animal
Behaviour.
Stephen R. Gold’s: Sex, power, Conflict: Evolutionary and Feminist
Perspectives. Press release New York, 1996.
William F. Mckibbin, Todd K. Shackelford, Aaron T.Goetz and
Valerie G. Starratt .( Florida Atlantic University Research)
Websites
www.wikipedia.com