Sociology Chapter 6 - Deviance and Crime Flashcards

Understanding Deviance

• Deviance refers to behaviors, beliefs, or conditions that violate societal norms, interpreted differently across contexts.
• Sociology views deviance as socially constructed, indicating that its existence relies on societal definitions.

Examples of Deviance

• Actions deemed deviant may vary, such as unusual clothing or engaging in specific physical activities in different environments.
• Rosa Parks' protest serves as an example of beneficial deviance that challenges societal norms to invoke change.

Structural Functionalist Perspective

• Developed by Émile Durkheim, this perspective identifies deviance as a response to societal factors like rapid change and lack of cohesion.
• Functions of deviance include clarifying rules, uniting groups, and promoting social change, which can enhance societal stability.

Merton's Strain Theory

• Robert K. Merton's theory highlights the strain experienced when individuals cannot achieve culturally approved goals due to limited means.
• Categories of responses to societal goals and means include:
  • Conformers: Accept both goals and means.
  • Innovators: Accept goals but reject conventional means.
  • Ritualists: Reject goals while adhering to means.
  • Retreatists: Reject both goals and means.
  • Revolutionaries: Create new goals and means.

Conflict Perspective on Deviance

• This perspective emphasizes that power dynamics shape definitions of deviance, often benefiting societal elites.
• Deviance and crime are tied to economic inequalities, with marginalized groups resorting to deviant actions for survival.
• Power relations dictate what is considered deviant, with notable inconsistencies in enforcement, such as celebrities receiving leniency for similar actions compared to non-privileged individuals.

Legal and Cultural Considerations

• The definition of what is deviant varies by culture and context, exemplified by the differing legal status of practices like polygamy based on local laws and demographics.

Rule Enforcement and Inequality

• Power holders establish the rules surrounding deviance and apply them unequally, resulting in disparities in consequences based on social status or influence.