Chapter 7 Deviance Chapter Outline Defining Deviance Sociological

Chapter 7 Deviance

Chapter Outline § § Defining Deviance Sociological Theories of Deviance Forms of Deviance in Global Perspective

Defining Deviance § § Behavior that is recognized as violating expected rules and norms. Behavior that departs significantly from social expectations.

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.

Sociological Theories of Deviance Functionalism Deviance creates social cohesion. Symbolic Interaction Deviance is learned behavior. Conflict Theory Dominant classes control the definition of deviance.

Sociological Theories of Deviance Functionalism Symbolic Interaction Conflict Theory Deviance results from structural strains in society. Deviance results from social labeling. Deviance results from inequality in society.

Sociological Theories of Deviance Occurs when attachment to social Functionalism bonds is diminished Those with the power to Symbolic assign deviant labels Interaction create deviance. Elite deviance goes Conflict Theory largely unpunished.

Durkheim: Three Types of Suicide 1. 2. 3. Anomic - disintegrating forces in society make an individual feel lost and alone. Altruistic - for the sake of a higher cause. Egoistic - occurs when people feel totally detached from society.

Suicide Rates

Suicide Rates by State

Merton’s Structural Strain Theory § § § Traces the origins of deviance to the tensions caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have to achieve these goals. Culture establishes goals for people; social structures provide, or fail to provide, the means for people to achieve those goals. Imbalance between cultural goals and structurally available means can compel individuals into deviant behavior.

Merton’s Structural Strain Theory Yes Institutionalized means toward goal available? Yes No No Yes Cultural goals accepted? Conformity Innovative deviance Ritualistic deviance

Merton’s Structural Strain Theory Retreatism deviance Rebellion Cultural goals accepted? Institutionalized means toward goal available? No No No (old goals) No (old means) Yes (new goals) Yes (new means)

Social Control Theory: Hirschi § § Travis Hirschi developed social control theory to explain the occurrence of deviance. According to social control theory, deviance occurs when a person’s (or group’s) attachment to social bonds is weakened. Most of the time people internalize social norms because of their attachments to others. When that bond is broken, deviance occurs.

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.

Theories of Deviance: Mental Illness Functionalists By recognizing mental illness, society upholds values about conforming behavior. Symbolic Interactionist Mentally ill are victims of societal reactions to their behavior. Labeling and Conflict theory People with few 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 defined in terms of their presumed deviance. In hiding their stigma, they isolate themselves from communities where they can find support.

Substance Abuse § Patterns of use vary by many factors such as age, gender, and race: § People under age 25 are more likely to use marijuana and cocaine and binge drink. § Men are more likely than women to be problem drinkers and drug abusers. § African Americans and Hispanics are less likely to drink than Whites and are far less likely to be binge drinkers.

Cigarette Smoking by Adults

Use of Selected Substances by High School Seniors

Polling Question § Did you ever use marijuana during your senior year in high school? A. Yes B. No

Drug and Alcohol Use (18 -25 Years)

Polling Question § A. B. C. D. E. I believe that underage drinking is an important social problem in our society. Strongly agree Agree somewhat Unsure Disagree somewhat Strongly disagree

Deviance in Global Perspective: Terrorism § § § Motivated by political conflicts, often involving ethnic and religious conflict, terrorism has caused some of the world’s most violent incidents. These expressions of extremist political beliefs stem from the many international conflicts of our current world events. Sociologists look to the social structural conflicts from which terrorism emerges as the cause of such criminal and deviant behavior.

Deviance in Global Perspective: Technology § § § Technological developments that ease communication for legitimate business activities also enable illegitimate activities to thrive. Money acquired through illegal activity in one country can easily be transferred to another country. Transportation systems critical to the international exchange of illegal goods—drugs, weapons, or sexual services— link places that were once distant and inaccessible.

Deviance in Global Perspective: Drugs § § § Some nations, including the United States, Australia, and parts of western Europe, are vast markets for the consumption of illegal drugs. Other nations, such as Colombia, are known as major drug producers. Still others, such as China, Brazil, and Mexico, play a role as conduits for drug traffic and production.

The Global Fix

Quick Quiz

1. The sociological definition of deviance stresses: a. the individual who is deviant b. the behavior defined as deviant c. the social context in which deviance occurs d. the personality types related to deviance

Answer: c § The sociological definition of deviance stresses the social context in which deviance occurs.

2. Emile Durkheim argued that: a. deviance is learned through social interaction b. deviance is functional to society because it produces solidarity c. those with the most power in society define who is deviant d. individual factors cause deviant behavior

Answer: b § Emile Durkheim argued that deviance is functional to society because it produces solidarity.

3. Functionalist theorists argue that deviance: a. results from inequality in society b. is a learned behavior c. is reinforced through group membership d. creates social cohesion

Answer: d § Functionalist theorists argue that deviance creates social cohesion.

4. Which of the following statements about social control theory is true? a. society often fails to provide legitimate means to accomplish cultural goals b. people become criminals when they are more strongly socialized to break the law c. the economic organization of capitalist societies produces deviance d. most of the time people internalize social norms because of their attachments to others

Answer: d § The statement that most of the time people internalize social norms because of their attachments to others is true.

5. Labeling theory interprets the responses of others as the most significant factor in understanding how deviant behavior is both created and sustained a. True b. False

Answer: True § Labeling theory interprets the responses of others as the most significant factor in understanding how deviant behavior is both created and sustained.