Deviance and Social Control Definitions Conformity and Deviance

Deviance and Social Control

Definitions Conformity and Deviance Social Control is Universal ◦ Obeying or violating rules and norms ◦ Enforcement of norms ◦ Formal Control Political and Medical Institutions Crime Violation of norms written into laws

Relativity of Deviance It is not the act itself but the reactions to the act that makes something deviant (Becker) ◦ Criminal and deviant behaviors are defined by culture, change over time and effected by social environment Under the right circumstances, almost any behavior can qualify as deviant

Explanations Biology and Psychology ◦ Factors within individual ◦ Genetic and brain abnormalities, personality Sociology ◦ External environment ◦ Factors outside of the individual

Symbolic Interaction 1. Differential Association ◦ Different groups we choose to associate with ◦ Deviance learned from primary/secondary groups 2. Control Theory ◦ Inner Controls – our conscience and morality ◦ Outer Controls – groups that teach right and wrong ◦ Deviance occurs when one’s controls are weak 3. Labeling Theory ◦ Labels affect self perception resulting in conformity or deviance

Functionalism Strain Theory ◦ Strain to fulfill societal expectations Wealth, education, social status, and material success ◦ Conformists – legitimate opportunities ◦ Innovators – illegitimate opportunities

Functionalism Rational Choice Theory ◦ Logical choice ◦ Risk versus Reward ◦ Current laws view crime as a rational choice

Conflict Perspective Conflict Theory ◦ Power Elite create definitions and punishments of deviance and crime ◦ Law used to maintain power and privilege ◦ Crimes of poor punished ◦ Crimes of privileged forgiven or lessened

Social Problems Recidivism ◦ Percentage of prisoners committing crime and being re-arrested ◦ 3 out of 4 prisoners with prior record Prison population disparities Deterrence Strategies ◦ Read textbook