Transcript Chapter 7 - Cengage Learning

Chapter 7
Deviance and Social
Control
Defining Deviance
 Norms
determine whether
behavior is deviant or normal.
 Norms vary from group to
group, society to society, and
time to time, so behavior
considered deviant varies.
Defining Deviance
Depends on three circumstances:
1. Social status and power of the
individuals involved.
2. Social context in which the
behavior occurs.
3. The historical period in which the
behavior takes place.
Distribution of Deviance
Relative to Norm of Leanness
Types of Social Control
Internal control
 Self imposed
 Acquired during socialization
 External control
 Exists outside the individual
 Based on sanctions designed to
control the individual.

Biological Explanations of
Deviance
Lombroso - believed criminals were
throwbacks to earlier human
evolutionary development.
 William Sheldon - attributed crime
to body shape.
 There is no convincing proof that
genetic characteristics cause people
to be deviant.

Functionalist View of
Deviance

Negative consequences of deviance:
 Encourages social disorder
 Erodes trust
 Encourages further nonconformity
in others
 Diverts resources from other social
needs
Functionalist View of
Deviance

Positive consequences of deviance:
 Helps clarify norms
 Offers a safety valve
 Increases social unity
 Brings about needed social change
Responses in Merton’s Strain
Theory
Hard
Goal=
work=
Success success
Response
Accepts Accepts Conformity
Accepts
Rejects
Rejects
Accepts
Example
Executive
Innovation
Criminal
Ritualism
Bored
teacher
Responses in Merton’s Strain
Theory
Goal = Hard work
Success = success
Response
Rejects
Rejects
Retreatism
Rejects
Rejects
Rebellion
Example
Skid-row
alcoholic
Militia
group
member
Symbolic Interactionist
Perspective of Deviance
Cultural transmission theory
contends deviance is learned, just
like any other aspect of culture.
 Labeling theory views an act as
deviant only if other people respond
to it as if it were deviant.

Conflict Perspective of
Deviance
Emphasizes social inequality and
power differentials.
 Most powerful members of a society
are said to determine group norms
and the definition of deviant.
 Relate deviance to capitalism,
pointing to the relationship between
race, ethnicity, and crime.

Elements of Social Bonds
1.
2.
Attachment
•
The stronger the attachment to
parents, friends, and institutions the
more likelihood of conformity.
Commitment
•
A greater commitment to social goals
such as educational attainment and
occupational success, the more likely
one is to conform.
Elements of Social Bonds
3.
Involvement
•
Participation in legitimate social
activities increases the probability of
conformity.
4.
Belief
•
Subscription to norms and values of
society promotes conformity.
Theoretical Perspectives:
Illustrating Deviance
Perspective
Concept
Example
Functionalism
Anomie
Delinquent gangs
Conflict
Theory
Whitecollar
crime
Powerful people
get less prison
time for the same
crime
Theoretical Perspectives:
Illustrating Deviance
Perspective
Concept
Example
Symbolic
Labeling High school
Interactionism
students who
reject dating
because they have
been consistently
described as “not
cool.”
Types of Crimes Americans
Commit: 2001
FBI Crime Clock: 2001
Global Differences in Crime

Homicide
 The U.S. homicide rate per
100,000 population is around 5.5.
 The rate of homicide in Europe is
less than 2 per 100,000.
Global Differences in Crime

Rape
 The U.S. rate was 32 per 100,000, 6
times higher than the average for
Europe.

Burglary
 The only crime for which the U.S. rate
was less than double the average for
European countries.
Global Differences in Crime

Robbery
 U.S. rate is around 145 per
100,000 .
 The average European rate is less
than 50 per 100,000.
Approaches to Punishment

A criminal justice system may draw
on four approaches to punishment:
 Deterrence
 Retribution
 Incarceration
 Rehabilitation
Number of Executions
Attitudes Toward the Death Penalty and Life
Imprisonment without Parole in the U.S.
National Death Penalty
Policy