Deviance and Social Control Deviance is the violation

Deviance and Social Control

Deviance- is the violation norms It can range from criminal behavior to wearing a lot of makeup (deviant by some religious groups) Deviance is hard to identify because it is subjective. It can differ from group to group. In a place as diverse as the US you can have a wide range of what is seen as deviant. In a study the responses included: prostitutes, drug addicts, criminals, but also career women, bearded men, artists, divorcees, smart alec students, know it all professors, and Americans.

Negative and Positive Deviance Negative Deviance- involves behavior that doesn’t conform to accepted norms People expressing negative deviance either reject, misinterpret, or are unaware of norms. This is the kind of behavior popularly associated with the idea of deviance. Positive deviance- involves behavior that overconforms to social expectations Let’s look at the norm of personal appearance. In the US, mass media has promoted the norm is a healthy, lean body. Negative deviants would miss the mark by being obese. Positive deviants may push themselves to the point of anorexia.

Deviant- a person who brakes SIGNIFICANT societal or group norms Sociologists reserve the term deviant for those who violate significant norms because minor instances of behavior that could be seen as deviant occurs so frequently. Significant norms would be those that are highly important to most members of a society or the members with the most power.

Social Control- ways to encourage conformity to society’s norms There are two broad types of social control: internal and external Internal social control lies within the individual. You showcase this when you do something because you know it is the right thing to do or when you don’t do something because you know it would be wrong. For example, most people do not steal. They not only fear arrest or lack the opportunity to steal, but they consider theft to be wrong. The norm against stealing has become a part of them.

Social Sanctions Socialization does not ensure that all people will conform to norms. For this reason, External social control must also be present and it is based on social sanctions. Social Sanctions- rewards or punishments that encourage conformity to social norms. Positive sanctions (awards, promotions) are used to encourage conformity, while negative sanctions (criticism, fines, imprisonment) are intended to stop unacceptable behavior.

Questions 1. What is term sociologists use for behavior that significantly violates societal or group norms? 2. Explain why it is sometimes difficult to identify deviance. 3. What is the purpose of a social sanction? 4. Select a norm from our society and provide an example of a negative and positive deviance from that norm. 5. At some point, nearly everyone displays some minor deviant behaviors. Getting caught in such behaviors results in attempts at social control. Recall an instance for yourself. How successful were these controls in changing your behavior?

Class List What behavior that was once considered deviant is no longer thought to be a departure from societal norms? Create a list of five former deviant behaviors. What changed over the years that made these behaviors no longer deviant? What is a deviant behavior now that will one day no longer be seen as such by society?

Obsessions and Addictions Name things that people become obsessed with or addicted to. (on board) Ex: drugs, cigarettes, food, gambling, sex, thinness, money Would you consider people with these addictions/obsessions to be deviants? Explain your reasoning. Do you think our society accepts some addictive/obsessive behaviors and not others? Which of the obsessions/addictions on the board are accepted? Why do you think that is?

Class Writing and Discussion Crime is always an issue in society. Imagine if we could create a system where a database would include info on every person residing in and visiting the US. It would include a retinal scan, voice recording, DNA sample, and fingerprints joined by a Social Security number. This could potentially reduce welfare fraud, eliminate crime, and monitor movement of criminals across the country. Create a pros and cons list of this system. Individually think of which side of this issue you would be in favor of. Would this proposed solution to deviance create an invasion of privacy or is the cost worthwhile? Explain your opinion. Would this system truly benefit our society?