Sociology of Deviance Sociology of Deviance and crimeand crime

deviancedeviance

• Deviant behavior is any behavior that is contrary to Deviant behavior is any behavior that is contrary to the dominant norms of society. There are many the dominant norms of society. There are many different theories on what causes a person to different theories on what causes a person to perform deviant behavior, including biological perform deviant behavior, including biological explanations, psychological explanations, and explanations, psychological explanations, and sociological explanations.sociological explanations.

Examples of DevianceExamples of Deviance

• Trespassing moral and religious norms: the seven deadly Trespassing moral and religious norms: the seven deadly sinssins

• Crime: robbery, theft, rape, murder, and assaultCrime: robbery, theft, rape, murder, and assault

• Formal deviance: breaking the rules of the campusFormal deviance: breaking the rules of the campus

• Informal deviance: picking one’s nose, graffiti, political Informal deviance: picking one’s nose, graffiti, political opposition, opposition,

• Conditions or diseases: HIV, dwarfism, obesity, mental Conditions or diseases: HIV, dwarfism, obesity, mental state, state,

• Negative deviance: prostitution, alcoholism, suicide, drug-Negative deviance: prostitution, alcoholism, suicide, drug-addiction.addiction.

• Positive deviance: art, innovation, abolitionism.Positive deviance: art, innovation, abolitionism.

TabooTaboo

Taboo is a strong social form of behavior considered Taboo is a strong social form of behavior considered deviant by a majority. To speak of it publicly is deviant by a majority. To speak of it publicly is condemned, and therefore, almost entirely avoided. condemned, and therefore, almost entirely avoided.

The term “taboo” comes from the Tongan word “tapu” The term “taboo” comes from the Tongan word “tapu” meaning "under prohibition", "not allowed", or meaning "under prohibition", "not allowed", or "forbidden". "forbidden".

Some forms of taboo are prohibited under law and Some forms of taboo are prohibited under law and transgressions may lead to severe penalties. Other forms transgressions may lead to severe penalties. Other forms of taboo result in shame, disrespect and humiliation. of taboo result in shame, disrespect and humiliation.

There are no taboo considered to be universal. However, There are no taboo considered to be universal. However, some of the examples include some of the examples include cannibalism, murder, cannibalism, murder, rape, incest, orrape, incest, or infanticideinfanticide..

Biological theoriesBiological theories

Criminals represented a reversion to a primitive or subhuman type of man characterized by physical features reminiscent of apes, lower primates, and early man and to some extent preserved, he said, in modern "savages". The behavior of these biological "throwbacks" will inevitably be contrary to the rules and expectations of modern civilized society

Cesare lombrosoCesare lombrosoCriminality was inherited, and that Criminality was inherited, and that someone "born criminal" could be someone "born criminal" could be anatomically identified by such items as a anatomically identified by such items as a sloping forehead, ears of unusual size, sloping forehead, ears of unusual size, asymmetry of the face, prognathism, asymmetry of the face, prognathism, excessive length of arms, asymmetry of excessive length of arms, asymmetry of the cranium, and other "physical the cranium, and other "physical stigmata".stigmata".

Critique: pseudo-Critique: pseudo-sciencescience

Lombroso's research methods were clinical and descriptive, Lombroso's research methods were clinical and descriptive, with precise details of skull dimension and other with precise details of skull dimension and other measurements. He measurements. He did not engage in rigorous did not engage in rigorous statistical comparisonsstatistical comparisons of criminals and non-criminals. of criminals and non-criminals. Although he gave some recognition in his later years to Although he gave some recognition in his later years to psychological and sociological factors in the etiology of psychological and sociological factors in the etiology of crime, he remained convinced of, and identified with, crime, he remained convinced of, and identified with, criminal anthropometry.criminal anthropometry.

Lombroso's theories were disapproved throughout Europe, Lombroso's theories were disapproved throughout Europe, especially in schools of medicine, but not in the United especially in schools of medicine, but not in the United States, where sociological studies of crime and the criminal States, where sociological studies of crime and the criminal predominated. His notions of physical differentiation predominated. His notions of physical differentiation between criminals and non-criminals were seriously between criminals and non-criminals were seriously challenged by Charles Goring (The English Convict, 1913), challenged by Charles Goring (The English Convict, 1913), who made elaborate comparisons and found insignificant who made elaborate comparisons and found insignificant statistical differences.statistical differences.

Psychological theoriesPsychological theories

• First, individual human beings are solely responsible First, individual human beings are solely responsible for their criminal or deviant acts. for their criminal or deviant acts.

• Second, an individual’s personality is the major Second, an individual’s personality is the major motivational element that derives behavior within motivational element that derives behavior within individuals. individuals.

• Third, criminals and deviants are seen as suffering Third, criminals and deviants are seen as suffering from personality deficiencies. from personality deficiencies.

Thus, crimes result from abnormal, dysfunctional, or Thus, crimes result from abnormal, dysfunctional, or inappropriate mental processes within the personality inappropriate mental processes within the personality of the individual. of the individual.

sociopathysociopathy

• Psychopathy (or sociopathy) is defined as either an aspect Psychopathy (or sociopathy) is defined as either an aspect of personality or as a personality disorder, characterized of personality or as a personality disorder, characterized by enduring dissocial or antisocial behavior, a diminished by enduring dissocial or antisocial behavior, a diminished capacity for empathy or remorse, and poor behavioral capacity for empathy or remorse, and poor behavioral controls or fearless dominance.controls or fearless dominance.

• No psychiatric or psychological organization has No psychiatric or psychological organization has sanctioned a diagnosis titled "psychopathy” (rather sanctioned a diagnosis titled "psychopathy” (rather referred to as dissocial personality disorder, ASPD). referred to as dissocial personality disorder, ASPD). However, term is widely used in public media, general However, term is widely used in public media, general public discourse, fictional portrayals.public discourse, fictional portrayals.

• The concept is being criticized on the basis that research The concept is being criticized on the basis that research was predominantly carried out within settings of the penal was predominantly carried out within settings of the penal system among prisoners, which have inevitably lead to system among prisoners, which have inevitably lead to negative descriptions of the convicts.negative descriptions of the convicts.

Sociological theoriesSociological theories

• Deviance, in a sociological context, describes actions or Deviance, in a sociological context, describes actions or behaviors that violate social norms, including formally-behaviors that violate social norms, including formally-enacted rules (e.g., crime), as well as informal violations of enacted rules (e.g., crime), as well as informal violations of social norms (e.g., rejecting folkways and mores). social norms (e.g., rejecting folkways and mores).

• Deviance is a failure to conform to the norms of society. Deviance is a failure to conform to the norms of society. Social norms differ from culture to culture. For example, a Social norms differ from culture to culture. For example, a deviant act can be committed in one society that breaks a deviant act can be committed in one society that breaks a social norm there, but may be normal for another society.social norm there, but may be normal for another society.

• Deviance can be observed by the negative, or a stigmatizing Deviance can be observed by the negative, or a stigmatizing social reaction of others towards these phenomena.social reaction of others towards these phenomena.

• Sociology should be free from value judgments. Thus, there is Sociology should be free from value judgments. Thus, there is no "good" or "bad" social deviation. For example, since the no "good" or "bad" social deviation. For example, since the deviation is defined in sociology as a deviation from the deviation is defined in sociology as a deviation from the socially accepted standards, it can not be qualified as a socially accepted standards, it can not be qualified as a systematic illness.systematic illness.

““Anomie” concept by Anomie” concept by emile durkheimemile durkheim

• Durkheim (1858–1917) claimed that deviance was in Durkheim (1858–1917) claimed that deviance was in fact a normal and necessary part of social organization.fact a normal and necessary part of social organization.

• Deviance affirms cultural values and norms. Any Deviance affirms cultural values and norms. Any definition of virtue rests on an opposing idea of vice: definition of virtue rests on an opposing idea of vice: There can be no good without evil and no justice There can be no good without evil and no justice without crime.without crime.

• Deviance defines moral boundaries, people learn right Deviance defines moral boundaries, people learn right from wrong by defining people as deviant.from wrong by defining people as deviant.

• A serious form of deviance forces people to come A serious form of deviance forces people to come together and react in the same way against it.together and react in the same way against it.

• Deviance pushes society's moral boundaries which, in Deviance pushes society's moral boundaries which, in turn leads to social change.turn leads to social change.

Social strains theorySocial strains theory

• Anomie is the state in which social goals and the Anomie is the state in which social goals and the legitimate means to achieve them do not legitimate means to achieve them do not correspond.correspond.

• .The individual will strive to attain the common .The individual will strive to attain the common goals of a specific society, yet would not be able to goals of a specific society, yet would not be able to reach those goals legitimately because of the reach those goals legitimately because of the limitations in the social structure of their society. limitations in the social structure of their society. This leads to strain, stress, or frustration and, as a This leads to strain, stress, or frustration and, as a result, the individual would exhibit deviant behavior result, the individual would exhibit deviant behavior ranging from rebellion, delinquency, crime, and ranging from rebellion, delinquency, crime, and ultimately to suicide.ultimately to suicide.

Social strain theorySocial strain theory

4 types of anomic 4 types of anomic deviancedeviance

• The The innovator innovator adopts means deemed unacceptable adopts means deemed unacceptable by society some of which may be criminal (for by society some of which may be criminal (for example, theft) to realize success.example, theft) to realize success.

• The The ritualistritualist follows the rules obsessively but loses follows the rules obsessively but loses sight of the overall goals (for example, the inflexible sight of the overall goals (for example, the inflexible bureaucrat).bureaucrat).

• The The retreatistretreatist abandons both goals and the means abandons both goals and the means to achieve them (for example, the alcoholic or drug to achieve them (for example, the alcoholic or drug addict).addict).

• The The rebelrebel rejects both the traditional goals and rejects both the traditional goals and means, but envisions new ones as the basis for a new means, but envisions new ones as the basis for a new social order, an extreme example would be the social order, an extreme example would be the terrorist.terrorist.

Labeling theoryLabeling theory

• Labeling is a process of social reaction by the Labeling is a process of social reaction by the "social audience,"(stereotyping) the people in "social audience,"(stereotyping) the people in society exposed to, judging and accordingly society exposed to, judging and accordingly defining (labeling) someone's behavior as defining (labeling) someone's behavior as deviant or otherwise. It has been deviant or otherwise. It has been characterized as the "invention, selection, characterized as the "invention, selection, manipulation of beliefs which define conduct manipulation of beliefs which define conduct in a negative way and the selection of people in a negative way and the selection of people into these categories [....]"into these categories [....]"

Labeling theoryLabeling theory

• Deviance is caused by the deviant's being labeled as Deviance is caused by the deviant's being labeled as morally inferior, morally inferior,

• the deviant's internalizing the labelthe deviant's internalizing the label

• and finally the deviant's acting according to that and finally the deviant's acting according to that specific label (in other words, you label the "deviant" specific label (in other words, you label the "deviant" and they act accordingly). and they act accordingly).

• As time goes by, the "deviant" takes on traits that As time goes by, the "deviant" takes on traits that constitute deviance by committing such deviations as constitute deviance by committing such deviations as conform to the label.conform to the label.

• Individual and societal preoccupation with the label Individual and societal preoccupation with the label leads the deviant individual to abidance to the leads the deviant individual to abidance to the ascribed label.ascribed label.

Labelling theoryLabelling theory

stigmatizationstigmatization

• ““Criminal” (“ex-convict”)Criminal” (“ex-convict”)

• ““Homosexual” Homosexual”

• ““Mentally ill” (“psychopath”, “imbecilic”)Mentally ill” (“psychopath”, “imbecilic”)

• ““Disabled” (“handicapped”)Disabled” (“handicapped”)

• ““Prostitute”Prostitute”

• ““Drug-addict”Drug-addict”

• ““HIV-positive”HIV-positive”

medicalizationmedicalization

The medicalization of deviance, the transformation of The medicalization of deviance, the transformation of moral and legal deviance into a medical condition, is an moral and legal deviance into a medical condition, is an important shift that has transformed the way society important shift that has transformed the way society views deviance. views deviance.

The labeling theory helps to explain this shift, as The labeling theory helps to explain this shift, as behavior that used to be judged morally are now being behavior that used to be judged morally are now being transformed into an objective clinical diagnosis. For transformed into an objective clinical diagnosis. For example, people with drug addictions are considered example, people with drug addictions are considered "sick" instead of "bad"."sick" instead of "bad".

Primary and secondary Primary and secondary deviationdeviation

• Primary deviation.Primary deviation.

• Social penalties.Social penalties.

• Secondary deviation.Secondary deviation.

• Stronger penalties.Stronger penalties.

• Further deviation with resentment and hostility towards Further deviation with resentment and hostility towards punishers.punishers.

• Community stigmatizes the deviant as a criminal. Tolerance Community stigmatizes the deviant as a criminal. Tolerance threshold passed.threshold passed.

• Strengthening of deviant conduct because of stigmatizing Strengthening of deviant conduct because of stigmatizing penalties.penalties.

• Acceptance as role of deviant or criminal actor.Acceptance as role of deviant or criminal actor.

Conflict theoryConflict theory

Conflict theories of deviance and criminality of Conflict theories of deviance and criminality of course focus on issues of power and course focus on issues of power and powerlessness. It’s about who has the power and powerlessness. It’s about who has the power and how they attempt to force their values and rules how they attempt to force their values and rules upon those who don’t have it. The wealthier, upon those who don’t have it. The wealthier, more educated, and elite of society typically more educated, and elite of society typically have the most power. The Power Elite are the have the most power. The Power Elite are the political, corporate, and military leaders of a political, corporate, and military leaders of a society are uniquely positioned to commit Elite society are uniquely positioned to commit Elite Crimes, or crimes of insider nature that typically Crimes, or crimes of insider nature that typically are difficult to punish and have broad social are difficult to punish and have broad social consequences upon the masses. consequences upon the masses.

White-collar crimesWhite-collar crimesA clear example of how deviance reflects power imbalances is in A clear example of how deviance reflects power imbalances is in the reporting and tracking of crimes. White-collar crimes are the reporting and tracking of crimes. White-collar crimes are typically committed by individuals in higher social classes. typically committed by individuals in higher social classes. Examples of white-collar crimes include:Examples of white-collar crimes include:•antitrust violationsantitrust violations•computer, credit card, phone, telemarketing, bankruptcy, computer, credit card, phone, telemarketing, bankruptcy, healthcare, insurance, mail, and government fraudhealthcare, insurance, mail, and government fraud•tax evasiontax evasion•insider tradinginsider trading•bribery and public corruptionbribery and public corruption•counterfeitingcounterfeiting•money launderingmoney laundering•embezzlementembezzlement•economic espionageeconomic espionage•trade secret thefttrade secret theft

subculturessubcultures

• In criminology, subcultural theory emerged In criminology, subcultural theory emerged from the work of the Chicago School on from the work of the Chicago School on gangsgangs and developed through the symbolic and developed through the symbolic interactionism school into a set of theories interactionism school into a set of theories arguing that certain groups or subcultures in arguing that certain groups or subcultures in society have values and attitudes that are society have values and attitudes that are conducive to crime and violence. The primary conducive to crime and violence. The primary focus is on focus is on juvenile delinquencyjuvenile delinquency because because theorists believe that if this pattern of theorists believe that if this pattern of offending can be understood and controlled, it offending can be understood and controlled, it will break the transition from teenage offender will break the transition from teenage offender into habitual criminal. into habitual criminal.

subculturessubcultures

Subcultural theorySubcultural theory

This approach places emphasis on the contents of This approach places emphasis on the contents of youth culture and on the differences produced by youth culture and on the differences produced by class background. The assumption is that a class background. The assumption is that a capitalist society attempts to achieve hegemony capitalist society attempts to achieve hegemony by using the cultural values of society for their by using the cultural values of society for their own benefit. The domination of the adults is own benefit. The domination of the adults is enforced through the system of mortgages, credit enforced through the system of mortgages, credit cards, and family commitments, and they are cards, and family commitments, and they are seduced into accepting the relative security of seduced into accepting the relative security of capitalism. But the youth are relatively free of capitalism. But the youth are relatively free of long term commitment or responsibility for a long term commitment or responsibility for a family and, with many unemployed, the youth are family and, with many unemployed, the youth are the weakest point in the structure of hegemony.the weakest point in the structure of hegemony.

Discipline and controlDiscipline and control• Michel Foucault believed that the modern state receives Michel Foucault believed that the modern state receives

praise for its fairness and dispersion of power. Instead of praise for its fairness and dispersion of power. Instead of controlling each deviant individual, it controls the mass.controlling each deviant individual, it controls the mass.

• He also theorized that institutions control people He also theorized that institutions control people through the use of discipline. For example, the modern through the use of discipline. For example, the modern prison (more specifically the prison (more specifically the panopticonpanopticon) is a template ) is a template for these institutions because it controls its inmates by for these institutions because it controls its inmates by the perfect use of discipline.the perfect use of discipline.

• Foucault theorizes that, in a sense, the postmodern Foucault theorizes that, in a sense, the postmodern society is characterized by the lack of free will on the society is characterized by the lack of free will on the part of individuals. Institutions of knowledge, norms, part of individuals. Institutions of knowledge, norms, and values, are simply in place to categorize and control and values, are simply in place to categorize and control humans.humans.

panopticonpanopticon