Sociology Chapter 6: Deviance and Crime

Study Notes

Chapter 6: Deviance and Crime

The content of this presentation is based on the book and lecture PowerPoints of "Elements of Sociology," 6th edition
The material is from Memorial University of NL, Fall 2024 and taught by Shayan Morshedi
Deviance is a behavior that deviates from societal norms. However, it's not inherently bad, criminal, or inferior.
Deviance varies across time, place, culture and is tied to power structures.
Definitions of deviance are context-dependent. Who defines the norm matters, revealing the practice of power.
Overt characteristics of deviance are explicit violations of cultural norms, e.g., substance use, vandalism, street fights.
Covert characteristics of deviance are unstated qualities that can make a group a target of sanctions, e.g., race, gender, sexuality, and class.
Deviance is contested across and within cultures. Definitions vary.
Conflict deviance happens when groups disagree on whether something is deviant, e.g., legalization of marijuana, substance use, spirituality, and science.
Deviance is dynamic, changing over time. Tattooing is an example.
Social constructionism argues that social elements like deviance are created by society/culture.
Essentialism suggests deviance has inherent natural/universal characteristics, often tied to biological factors.
Stigma is a discrediting attribute that impacts a person's social identity, e.g., physical deformities, moral character flaws, and group association. This is an important interplay of social constructionism and essentialism.
Othering is a process of excluding and dehumanizing others, often done culturally by associating deviation with inferiority. e.g., "Indigenous" others in Canada.
Moral panic is a campaign to raise concern about an issue or group, e.g., the war on terror, border walls, eating dogs.
Moral entrepreneurs are those trying to convince others about taking action regarding social problems.
Race and deviance are linked. Non-white people are often seen as deviant in North America. Such comparisons can be made across locations and cultures.
Racialized deviance connects specific ethnic groups to particular forms of deviance; specifically concerning minority groups.
Canada formally subscribes to multiculturalism, however, racialized minorities still face pressure to assimilate. Failure to do so may be deemed as deviant.
Racial profiling is a form of biased deviance, often using stereotypes about race, religion, or ethnicity to predict illegal activity. The difference, for example, can be the basis for differing treatment.
Gender and deviance in patriarchal societies frequently treat males as “normal” while women are "other" and deviant. Misogyny plays a role in constructing negative images of women. Social values normalize male dominance.
Class and deviance. Poverty is frequently categorized as a covert form of deviant behavior. Deviance (e.g., drug use) may be seen differently based on social class.
White-collar crime is committed by individuals in positions of power, for their own gain. This crime, for example, is often hidden and can benefit individuals or organizations over others/society.
Schools and prisons are linked. In particular neighborhoods, certain policies can overincarcerate students/residents.
Sexual orientation, viewed in different cultures, may be seen as deviant.
Disability and deviance may occur when society lacks compassion. Differences in physical ability can lead to negative societal sanctions.
Henry Goddard and the Eugenics Movement. The eugenics movement (believing in specific "good genes") made mistaken claims and led to ethically problematic policies. Policies for sterilizing "feeble-minded" individuals are examples.