Chapter 6 Dining Hall at Alcatraz Deviant Behavior

Chapter 6: Dining Hall at Alcatraz Deviant Behavior and Social Control

What to Expect in This Chapter. . . n n What is Deviance? Functions and Dysfunctions of Deviance Mechanisms of Social Control Theories of Crime and Deviance • Biological Theories • Psychological Theories • Sociological Theories n Crime in the United States • Measuring Crime • Types of Crime n The Criminal Justice System

What is Deviance? Deviance is any behavior that fails to conform to the rules or norms of a group or society n In defining norms and rules, society invokes a moral code and makes moral judgments about what is appropriate and what is inappropriate behavior n American Society of Criminology Home Page

Functions and Dysfunctions of Deviance n French sociologist Emile Durkheim identified several functions of deviance • Deviance intensifies the loyalty of group members in response to the deviant act • Deviance clarifies the norms of the group • Deviance may serve as a safety valve to release pressure, thereby avoiding more harmful acts n There also dysfunctions of deviance • – – – Deviance can be a threat to the social order Deviance can cause confusion about norms Deviance may undermine trust Deviance diverts valuable resources from other social needs

Mechanisms of Social Control n n Social control mechanisms are means by which society can influence people’s behavior to conform to expectations Two types of social control mechanisms • Internal Mechanisms—as part of the socialization process, individuals internalize society’s expectations • External Mechanisms—externally imposed by others, in the form of rewards and punishments n The rewards and punishments used in external control are called sanctions

A Typology of Sanctions Positive Negative Smiles Pats on the back Informal Thumbs up Encouraging word Frowns Avoidance Obscene gesture Gossip Awards Promotion in job Recognition Formal ceremony “Teacher of the Fines Fired from job Imprisonment Demotion

Theories of Crime and Deviance

Biological Theories of Deviance n n n Cesare Lombroso believed that criminals are evolutionary throwbacks to a more ape-like being E. A. Hooten, also suggested that criminals were “born” inferior William Sheldon identified body types— ectomorph, mesomorph, and endomorph. Delinquents are more likely to be mesomorphs— a muscular body type XYY Chromosome Theory attributes criminality to an extra “Y” chromosome in some males More recent biological theories identify genetic, hormonal and neurological sources of deviance

Psychological Theories of Deviance n Psychoanalytic theory is based on the work of Sigmund Freud • Freud suggested that much deviance results from the inability of the ego and superego to control the urges of the id n n Behavioral theory suggests that people respond to stimuli, and seek to maximize rewards and punishments Rational choice theory also emphasizes rewards and punishments, but suggests that people act rationally on the basis of perceived consequences

Sociological Theories of Deviance

Anomie and Strain Theory n Anomie theory is based on the work of Emile Durkheim • He suggested that when there was insufficient definition of social norms a state of anomie results • Under such conditions, a culture does not provide sufficient guidelines for behavior n Strain theory, developed by Robert Merton, builds on Durkheim’s ideas – Merton suggested that society holds out universal goals of material success; however, society does not hold out the legitimate means to attain this success equally across the population. – This results in certain “strain” which can be resolved in one of several ways

Merton’s Typology of Adaptation to Strain Mode of Adaptation Culture’s Goals Institutionalized Means Conformity Accept Innovation Accept Reject Ritualism Reject Accept Retreatism Reject Rebellion Reject Replace with Alternative

Control Theory n n n Control theory maintains that we all have the capacity to commit deviant acts Most people don’t commit deviant acts, however, because of a “bonding” to conventional society. Travis Hirschi identifies 4 elements to this social bond: – Attachment to others—emotional attachments to parents, teachers, etc. – Commitment to conformity—investment of time in conforming behavior such as school, sports, etc. – Involvement in conventional activities—leaving little time for deviant activities – Belief in validity of social rules—acknowledging the moral authority of law and rules

Cultural Transmission Theory n n Insists that deviant behavior is learned in the process of interaction with others Edwin Sutherland developed a general cultural transmission theory called differential association • Suggested that deviant and criminal behavior is learned in interaction with others who define deviance in positive terms n Another cultural transmission theory developed by Sykes and Matza uses the notion of “techniques of neutralization

Techniques of Neutralization n Sykes and Matza suggest that juvenile delinquents learn to neutralize conventional norms with the following techniques:

Labeling Theory n Labeling theory shifts the focus from why people engage in deviant acts to: – how and why certain acts are defined as deviant in the first place – how and why certain individuals are labeled deviant – the impact of the label on future behavior

Crime in the United States Deviance which violates the legal code of a society is called crime. n Crimes are classified according to their seriousness: n – Felonies—serious crimes which carry a sentence of a year or more in a state penitentiary – Misdemeanors—less serious crimes that carry a sentence of less than a year in a county jail

Types of Crime

The Criminal Justice System n The criminal justice system is comprised of: – Police – Courts – Prisons

Prisons n Prisons serve four primary functions or goals: • • n Separation of criminals from society Punishment of criminal behavior Deterrence of criminal behavior Rehabilitation of criminals Two issues facing prisons today are a growing shortage of prisons, and an increasing female prison population with special needs