Deviance

Why do people commit deviant acts?

Three Competing Explanations

1. Sociobiology

2. Psychology

3. Sociology

1. Sociobiology

Having a genetic predisposition to commit deviance (internal) Intelligence – lower intelligence leads to

crime The “XYY” Theory – an extra Y

chromosome in males leads to crime Body type – people with “squarish,

muscular” bodies are more likely to commit crime

Challenges to Sociobiology

Intelligence: The IQ test measures

middle-class knowledge and values (minority groups and the poor score lower on the test)

These same groups also commit proportionately more crime because they suffer structural disadvantages such as poverty and discrimination.

Challenges to Sociobiology

“XYY” Theory: Most men who commit crimes have the

normal XY chromosomes No women have this combination genes,

therefore this theory cannot apply to females who commit crime

Based on the study of inmates – “Super-male”

Challenges to Sociobiology

Body Type:

Early studies were racially motivated

Criminals exhibit a full range of body types

2. Psychology

Focus on abnormalities within

Personality disorders

Deviating individuals have deviating personalities

Subconscious motives drive people to commit deviant acts

Insanity Plea

The M'Naghten Rule (1843) states a person was not legally insane unless he is "incapable of appreciating his surroundings" because of a powerful mental delusion.

A person who is insane is not capable of forming willful intent.

The defense must prove that there is a sever mental disease or defect.

3. Sociology

Search for factors outside the individual

Such as Socialization Subculture

membership Social class

Socialization Farrington and West traced the development of

411 working-class London boys Their teachers identified some as particularly

difficult and aggressive. Social workers visited the homes of the boys in

1961 1974 boys were labeled as criminal or

noncriminal Families were quarrelsome, provided little

supervision, and/or included a parent with a criminal record.

Parental cruelty

Subculture Membership

Gangs

Drug users Requiem for a

Dream

Other Deviant groups

Social Class

Cycle of Poverty

Street crimes