SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS CHAPTER 8

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS CHAPTER 8 Deviance and Social Control Section 1: Deviance Section 2: Crime 1 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 1: Deviance Objectives: w Explain the nature and social functions of deviance. w Compare theories that have been proposed to explain deviance. 2 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Deviance w Behavior that violates significant social norms. w Continuously talking to oneself in public w Drag racing on a street or highway w Using illegal drugs w A man wearing women’s clothing w Attacking another person with a weapon HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 1: Deviance Nature of Deviance w Because there are so many norms governing behavior, occasional violations are unavoidable w What is considered deviant varies from society to society w Every society has countless norms which govern behavior. w NOT all norm violations are considered deviant. 4 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS w What is considered deviant can vary from society to society. w Divorce is legal in the US w Divorce is illegal in the Phillipines w Typically repeating an offense can label you as deviant. w Two components required to label you as deviant. 1. You must be committing a deviant act 2. You must be stigmatized by society. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Stigma w The mark of social disgrace that sets the deviant apart from the rest of society. w Stigmas have been used as a form of social control throughout history. w Example: Ancient Greeks would burn symbols into the bodies of criminals to warn others. w Example: Prison inmates wear uniformed clothing and are assigned a number. (Visual Stigma) HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS w When sociologists talk about stigmas they are usually referring to the negative social reactions that result from being labeled deviant. w That person is no longer seen as being normal or whole by society. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 1: Deviance Social Functions of Deviance 1. Clarifying Norms – defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior 2. Unifying the Group – serves to draw the line between conforming members of society and “outsiders” – the nonconforming members 3. Diffusing Tension – acts that allow individuals to relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society 8 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 1: Deviance Social Functions of Deviance (continued) 4. Promoting Social Change – can help prompt social change by identifying problem areas 5. Providing Jobs – provides legitimate jobs for a wide range of people 9 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The Social Functions of Deviance: Clarifying Norms w Deviance serves to define the boundaries of acceptable behavior. w When rules are broken we are reminded of the norms that guide social life. w Punishment serves as a reminder that certain behaviors will not be tolerated by society. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The Social Functions of Deviance: Unifying the Group w Deviance also serves to draw the line between conforming members of society and “outsiders”, or the non-conforming members. w Reinforces the sense of community and the belief in shared values. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The Social Functions of Deviance: Diffusing Tension w When people are unhappy with their lives or social conditions, they may want to strike out against society. w Minor acts of deviance serve as a safety valve. w These acts relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The Social Functions of Deviance: Promoting Social Change w Deviance can help prompt social change by identifying problem areas. w When large numbers of people violate a particular norm it is often an indication that something in society needs to be changed. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS The Social Functions of Deviance: Providing Jobs w Deviance provides jobs for many people. w Lawyers, Judges, Police Officers, Prison Personnel, Parole Officers, Criminologists, etc… HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Functionalist Perspective w The major functionalist explanation, strain theory was developed by sociologist Robert K. Merton. w Strain Theory – views deviance as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structure of society. w [Individuals may be prevented from finding a job b/c of social conditions or b/c of lack of education. They are expected, however, to meet the goal of finding a job-society judges them according to how well they HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON do so]

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Merton’s Structural Strain Theory w Four Deviant Responses [Mode of Adaptation] w Innovation w Ritualism w Retreatism w Rebellion HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Anomie w Under the strain of incompatible goals and means, these individuals fall victim to anomie. w Anomie – the situation that arises when the norms of society are unclear and no longer applicable. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Conflict Perspective w Competition and social inequality lead to deviance. w There are those with power (Ruling Class) and those without (Lower Classes) w Ruling Class commits acts of deviance to maintain their power. w Lower Class commits acts of deviance to gain economic means or b/c of. HOLT, feelings of RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Interactionist Perspective w Interactionists offer three major explanations of deviance: w Control Theory w Cultural Transmission Theory w Labeling Theory w Remember Interactionists are more interested in the individual and the thoughts and feelings HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Control Theory w Control Theorists are more interested in why the person conforms rather than the causes of deviance. w Looks at the social ties that are integrated into a community. w Strong Communities have less acts of deviance. w Weaker Communities have more acts of deviance. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Cultural Transmission Theory w This theory explains that deviance is a learned behavior through socialization. w The interaction of deviant individuals and others is more likely to cause deviant behavior. w The norms being taught are deviant. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Labeling Theory w Instead of focusing on why people perform deviant acts, labeling theory focuses on how individuals come to be identified as deviant. w Deviance is labeled in two ways w Primary Deviance w Nonconformity – goes undetected in society. Not Deviant. w Secondary Deviance w Results in the individual being labeled as Deviant…and accepting the label as true. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Degradation Ceremony w The process of labeling an individual as deviant. w Public Setting – The individual is denounced, found guilty, and given the new identity of deviant. w People begin to judge practically all of his or her actions in light of the deviant label. w Deviant becomes the persons master status. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 1: Deviance Theories of Deviance w Functionalists – as the natural outgrowth of the values, norms, and structures of society w Conflict Theorists – as a result of competition and social inequality w Interactionists – as either natural in people with weak ties to the community (control theory), as a learned behavior (cultural transmission theory), or as a label (labeling theory) 24 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Explaining Deviance Perspective Theory Questions Functionalist Strain How do individuals respond to culturally approved goals and the legitimate means of achieving them? Conflict What is the result of competition and social inequality? (Deviance) Who decides what is deviant. (Ruling Classes) Interactionist Control Why do people conform to norms? (The strength of social ties determines conformity. ) Cultural Transmission How do people learn conformity or deviance? (Through socialization, or interaction with others) Where does this learning mainly occur? (Primary Groups) Labeling How do people become identified as deviant? (Through secondary deviance, or being labeled as deviant) HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SECTION 1 SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Deviance 26 Perspective Theory Questions Functionalist Strain How do individuals respond to culturally approved goals and the legitimate means of achieving them? (conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, rebellion) Conflict What is the result of competition and social inequality? (deviance) Who decides what is deviant? (ruling classes) Interactionist Control Why do people conform to norms? (The strength of social ties determines conformity. ) Cultural Transmission How do people learn conformity or deviance? (through socialization, or interaction with others) Where does this learning mainly occur? (primary groups) Labeling How do people become identified as deviant? (through secondary deviance, or being labeled as deviant) HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 2: Crime Objectives: w Identify the principal types of crime in the United States. w Explain the characteristics of the American criminal-justice system. 27 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 2: Crime Principal Types of Crime in the U. S. w Violent Crime – includes murder, robbery; most victims are African Americans w Robbery- larceny from the person or presence of another by violence or threat. w Crime Against Property – includes burglary, larceny, vehicle theft; more common than violent crimes. w Burglary- the act of breaking and entering a dwelling at night to commit a felony w Felony- a crime for which the punishment in federal law may be death or imprisonment for mote than one year. w Larceny- the unlawful taking and removal of another person's property. w Victimless Crime – includes prostitution, gambling, illegal drug use; offender is the only victim 28 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Section 2: Crime Principal Types of Crime in the U. S. (continued) w White Collar Crime – 29 committed by high-status individuals in the course of their professions; includes fraud, tax evasion, embezzlement w Organized Crime – the pursuit of crime as a big business Bernie Madoff HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SECTION 2 THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY Crime Question: What are some characteristics of the American criminal-justice system? 30 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SECTION 2 THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY Crime AMERICAN CRIMINAL-JUSTICE SYSTEM Police 31 1. Have the most control over who is arrested for crimes. 2. The use of police discretion, has raised the controversial issue of racial profiling HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SECTION 2 THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY Crime AMERICAN CRIMINAL-JUSTICE SYSTEM Courts 32 1. Determines the accused’s guilt or innocence in a court trial. 2. The court assigns a punishment. 3. 90 percent of cases are actually settles through plea bargaining. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SECTION 2 THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY Crime AMERICAN CRIMINAL-JUSTICE SYSTEM Corrections 1. Includes probation, imprisonment, and parole, which serves four functions: Retribution- Revenge for the victims and for society. Deterrence- Discourage offenders and non offenders from committing future crimes. Rehabilitation- Serves to reform criminals so that they can return to society as law abiding citizens. Social protection- Limit the freedom of criminals so they cannot commit additional crimes. 33 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SECTION 2 THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY Crime AMERICAN CRIMINAL-JUSTICE SYSTEM Juvenile-Justice System 34 1. Applies to offenders younger than 18. 2. Guarantees juvenile defendants the same legal rights and privileges as adults. 3. Often provides more services. HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

SECTION 2 SOCIOLOGY THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Crime AMERICAN CRIMINAL-JUSTICE SYSTEM 35 Police have the most control over who is arrested for crimes; use police discretion, which has raised the controversial issue of racial profiling Courts determines the accused’s guilt or innocence in a court trial and then assigns a punishment; actually settles 90 percent of cases through plea bargaining Corrections includes probation, imprisonment, parole; serves four functions—retribution, deterrence, rehabilitation, and social protection Juvenile-Justice System applies to offenders younger than 18; guarantees juvenile defendants the same legal rights and privileges as adults; often provides more services HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON

CHAPTER 8 THE STUDY OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS SOCIOLOGY Chapter Wrap-Up 1. What are the functions of deviance? 2. How does labeling theory differ from other theories of deviance? 3. Describe the five general categories of crime. Be sure to list the types of crime in each category. 4. What purposes does the corrections system fulfill? How does the juvenile-justice system meet these same purposes? 36 HOLT, RINEHART AND WINSTON