Sociology of Deviance Quiz

Deviance: Definitions and Theories

• Deviance is defined as any behavior that violates the standards or expectations of a group or society.
• Sociologists focus on normative violations, not "statistical deviance."

Two General Approaches to Understanding Deviant Behavior

• Absolutist approach: Asserts that there's an absolute right and wrong, existing beyond societal norms. Individuals engaging in deviant acts are seen as sick or dangerous. Society should eliminate such behaviors and those engaging in them.

• Relativist approach: Argues that behavior is only right or wrong within the specific context where it occurs. The judgment depends on the norms in play at that time. No behavior is inherently correct or incorrect.

Medicalization of Deviance

• Medicalization is how previously non-medical aspects of life become defined in medical terms (often as disorders or illnesses).

• This process encompasses a broad range of phenomena, including normal life events (e.g., birth, death, aging), biological processes, common human problems, and forms of deviance.

• Behaviors previously considered personal failings (e.g., overeating, alcoholism) now often viewed as treatable medical conditions.

• Medicalization of deviance refers to the process whereby non-normative or morally condemned characteristics (e.g., obesity, mental disorder), beliefs (racism), and conduct come under medical jurisdiction.

• Our culture increasingly defines and handles deviant behavior through the medical community, sometimes taking cases away from the justice system.

Conflict: Deviance as Power

• Two institutions deal with deviant behavior: the medical community and the justice system.
• There's concern that these institutions may have become too powerful, influencing how deviance is defined and treated.
• Criminalization of deviance refers to how society defines and handles certain behaviors as crimes within the justice system.
• Conflict theorists argue that criminalization disproportionately targets lower social classes.
• "Normal crimes" are often presented as typical by public defenders, creating incentives for plea deals and avoiding court cases.

New Jim Crow (Alexander)

• The phrase "Where have all the Black men gone?" refers to incarceration rates of black men.

• Popular narratives often focus on black men as "irresponsible" but ignore the impact of mass incarceration on the black community.

• In Chicago, a significant portion of the black male population is incarcerated (and many are employed). This has increased since 1985.

• There are three stages to the "New Jim Crow":

  • Roundup of people through sweeps in communities of color;
  • Formal control through poor legal representation, harsh sentences, and placement in dangerous prisons;
  • Invisible punishment resulting in difficulty reintegrating into society and facing discrimination.

Criminalization

• Deterrence theory: Punishments for certain crimes should be severe enough to prevent future occurrences. Credible fear of the punishment is needed for it to be effective.

• For deterrence to be effective, the offender must believe:

  • They will be caught
  • Punishment will happen
  • The punishment will be worse than their current life circumstances.

• Deterrence theory may unfairly target lower socioeconomic groups.

• Studies show a disproportionate representation of those from lower classes within incarcerated populations. Studies also suggest that many innocent people are wrongly accused of crimes.

White-Collar Crime

• White-collar crime encompasses offenses committed within a legitimate occupation during a person's regular work activities.
• This type of crime has a significant financial impact, and lower rates of prosecution and shorter sentences compared to other crimes.

Functionalism: Deviance as Functional/Dysfunctional

• Functionalist perspective: Society has ultimate goals and standards for obtaining them. Following these is what motivates people and functions as social control. Strain or disconnection can lead to specific responses from individuals—deviant behavior is one response.

• Functionalism: Deviance arises when the structures of society break down, resulting in people being disconnected from goals and acceptable means of achieving them. This leads to anomie or normlessness. Strain from societal disconnection causes individuals to respond in ways that can be seen as deviant behaviors. Different reactions to this strain include;

• Ritualism: Adherence to norms and means in society, while giving up on goals.

• Innovation: Pursuing goals but using illegitimate means.

• Retreatism: Abandoning both goals and norms; withdrawing from society.

• Rebellion: Substituting new goals and norms while aiming to change society.

• Conformity: Adherence to societal norms.

Symbolic Interactionism: Deviance as Learned, Labeled Behavior

• Control/Bond Theory (Hirschi 1969): Conformity is the standard human behavior, which requires explanation. If left alone, an individual may seek fulfillment within their own desires/instincts.
• Differential Association (Sutherland 1937): Deviance is learned through interaction with deviant individuals. Interactions provide behaviors, motives, justifications, and techniques for engaging in deviant behavior.
• Labeling Theory (Becker 1963): Deviance isn't an act itself, but a consequence of being labeled as deviant. Behavior is only seen as deviant when it's noticed and labeled as unacceptable.
• Primary Deviance: Initial violations that do not provoke much societal reaction and don't affect one's self-concept.
• Secondary Deviance: Repeated labeling by society leads to a change in the individual's self-concept resulting in increased deviance to meet societal expectations.
• Stigma (Goffman 1963): A deeply discrediting characteristic that prevents a person from being seen as normal or equal by others and is viewed by society as an impediment. Certain stigmas are categorized as;
  • Physical;
  • Character;
  • Tribal. The presence of one stigma can lead to labeling an individual with multiple stigmas.