Download Chapter 8, Deviance

Chapter 8
Deviance
Chapter Outline




Defining Deviance
Sociological Theories of Deviance
Forms of Deviance
Deviance in Global Perspective
Defining Deviance


Sociologists define deviance as behavior that
violates expected rules and norms.
The sociological definition of deviance:
–
–
–
Stresses social context, not individual behavior.
Recognizes that not all behaviors are judged
similarly by all groups.
Recognizes that established rules and norms are
socially created, not just morally decreed or
individually imposed.
Functionalist Theories of Deviance



Deviance occurs when people's attachment to
social bonds is diminished.
Norms are meaningless unless there is
deviance from the norms.
Group coherence comes from a common
definition of deviant behavior.
Durkheim: The Study of Suicide
Three types of suicide:
1. Anomic - disintegrating forces in society make
an individual feel lost and alone.
2. Altruistic - for the sake of a higher cause.
3. Egoistic - occurs when people feel totally
detached from society.
Merton: Structural Strain Theory
Categories of adaptation to social systems:
 Conformists accept society's goals and the
means to achieve them.
 Innovators develop creative means to achieve
goals set by society.
 Ritualists accept the means to the goals, but
not the goals.
Merton: Structural Strain Theory
Categories of adaptation to social systems:
 Retreatists accept neither the goals nor the
means of the society.
 Politically rebellious reject the goals and the
means of society and substitute other goals
and means.
Functionalism: Weaknesses
Does not explain:
 How norms of deviance are first established.
 Why some behaviors are defined as normative
and others as illegitimate.
 How the inequities in society are reflected in
patterns of deviance.
Conflict Theory of Deviance



Links deviance to power relationships and
social inequality.
Crime committed among the poorest is the
result of economic status.
Elite deviants can hide their crimes and avoid
criminal labels.
Conflict Theory of Deviance


The law protects the dominant class and
regulates populations that pose a threat to
affluent interests.
The power to define deviance confers a degree
of social control to be used against less
powerful people.
Conflict Theory: Strengths and
Weaknesses



Provides insight into power relationships in
definition, identification, and handling of
deviance.
Describes different systems of justice for
disadvantaged and privileged groups.
Less effective in explaining deviance other
than crime.
Symbolic Interaction
Theories of Deviance


People behave as they do because of the
meanings attributed to situations.
Deviance originates in the interaction between
groups and is defined by society’s reaction to
certain behaviors.
Symbolic Interaction
Theories of Deviance
W.I. Thomas and the Chicago School:
 Situational analysis: deviance is a normal
response to social conditions in which people
find themselves.
 People’s actions must be understood in social,
not individualized frameworks.
Symbolic Interaction
Theories of Deviance
Differential Association
 Deviant behavior is learned through interaction
with others.
 People pass on deviant expectations through
their social groups and networks.
Symbolic Interaction
Theories of Deviance
Labeling Theory
 Responses of others is most significant in
deviance.
 A person may become deviant because of a
label, even if he/she did not engage in deviant
behavior.
Forms of Deviance: Mental Illness

Sociological explanations look to social
systems that define, identify, and treat mental
illness.
–
–
–
Functionalists - by recognizing mental illness,
society upholds values about conforming behavior.
Symbolic interactionists – the mentally ill are
victims of societal reactions to their behavior.
Labeling and conflict theory - people with fewest
resources are most likely to be labeled mentally ill.
Social Stigmas



A stigma is an attribute that is socially devalued
and discredited.
People with stigmas are stereotyped and
defined only in terms of their presumed
deviance.
They may try to hide their stigma, isolating
themselves from communities where they can
get support.