WHY DO PEOPLE COMMIT DEVIANT ACTS There are

WHY DO PEOPLE COMMIT DEVIANT ACTS?

There are three sociological perspectives that explain deviance? �Functionalist �Conflict �Interactionist

Functionalist Strain theory – views deviance as a natural outgrowth of values, norms, and structure of society. � Societies goal is to achieve economic success � However not every one has access to the legitimate means to achieve these goals. � Anomie- the situation that arises when the norms of society are unclear or no longer applicable. �

Merton’s Structural Strain Theory �Conformity �Innovation �Ritualism �Retreatism �Rebellion

Conflict Perspective � Competition and social inequality lead to deviance. � See social life as a struggle between those who posses power ( ruling class ) and those who do not ( lower class )

People with Power � Commit deviant acts in a effort to maintain their position. � Label any behavior that threatens their power base as deviant � Explain deviance as a problem of the lower class � Crime enforcement efforts are most directed toward crimes committed by the lower classes

People without power � Commit deviant acts to obtain economic rewards. � Low self esteem and feelings of powerless � People without power don’t necessarily commit more crimes than other people. � Rather, they commit crimes that are most likely to be detected and punished

Interactionist perspective � Control theory: explains deviance as a natural occurrence. � Cultural transmission theory: explains deviance as a learned behavior � Differential association: frequency and closeness of a associations a person has with deviant and non deviant individuals

Other aspects of Deviance � Labeling theory: how individuals come to be identified as deviant � Primary deviance: deviance that goes undetected � Secondary deviance: results in a individual being labeled a deviant � Degradation: public setting, trial , guilty, punished and labeled deviant