Chapter 7 Deviance and Crime PDF

Chapter 7 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-1 In this chapter you will learn to:...

Chapter 7 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-1 In this chapter you will learn to: Distinguish crime from deviance. Define and measure crime. Compare and contrast the major sociological explanations of deviance and crime. Recognize the principal trends in social control and regulation. Identify the main rationales for, and alternatives to, imprisonment. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-2 The Social Definition of Deviance and Crime (1 of 3) Norms vary widely and deviance is relative. What some people consider normal, others consider deviant, and vice versa. No act is deviant in and of itself. From a sociological point of view, everyone is a deviant in one social context or another. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-3 The Social Definition of Deviance and Crime (2 of 3) Deviance Occurs when a person violates a norm and others define the violation as deviance. Crime Deviance that is against the law. A law is a norm which is specified and enforced by government bodies. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-4 The Social Definition of Deviance and Crime (3 of 3) Sanctions Informal punishment Involves a mild sanction that is imposed during face-to-face interaction, not by the judicial system. Stigma – a negative evaluation because of a marker that distinguishes a person from others and that is labelled as socially unacceptable. Formal punishment Takes place when the judicial system penalizes someone for breaking a law. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-5 Types of Deviance and Crime (1 of 2) Social diversions Minor acts of deviance that are generally perceived as relatively harmless. They evoke, at most, a mild societal reaction, such as amusement or disdain. Social deviations Noncriminal departures from norms that are nonetheless subject to official control. Some members of the public regard them as being in some ways harmful, while other members of the public do not. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-6 Types of Deviance and Crime (2 of 2) Conflict crimes Illegal acts that many people consider harmful to society. However, other people believe the acts to be not so harmful. People who commit conflict crimes are punishable by the state. Consensus crimes Illegal acts that nearly all people agree are bad in themselves and harm society greatly. The state inflicts severe punishment for consensus crimes. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-7 The Social Definition of Deviance and Crime Deviance and crime vary in terms of three criteria: 1. Severity of the social response 2. Perceived harmfulness Both actual and perceived 3. Degree of public agreement Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-8  Types of Deviance and Crime Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-9  Cocaine for Children Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-10 Measuring Crime (1 of 2) Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Survey Since 1962 – data from police detachments is the main source of crime statistics. Two main shortcomings: 1. Much crime is not reported to the police. This is particularly true for victimless crimes. 2. Authorities and the wider public decide which criminal acts to report and which to ignore. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-11 Measuring Crime (2 of 2) Self-report surveys Respondents are asked to report their involvement in criminal activities, either as perpetrators or as victims. Victimization surveys Surveys in which people are asked whether they have been victims of crime. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-12  Police-Reported Crime Rates, 1962–2022 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-13 Explanations for Declining Crime Rates 1. Substantially bigger groups of better trained and equipped law enforcement and correctional officers. 2. Young men are most prone to crime, but Canada is aging and the number of young people in the population has declined. 3. Economic conditions favoured a decrease in crime. 4. Legalization of abortion. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-14 Criminal Profiles In 2013–14 criminal courts cases (adult): Males accused 80% Females accused 20% In 2013–14 youth courts cases: Males accused 74% Females accused 26% The 15- to 24-year-old age cohort is the most prone to criminal behaviour. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-15  Federally Incarcerated Indigenous Population, 2001–2021 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-16 Race, Ethnicity, and Incarceration Factors in overrepresentation: 1. Poverty 2. Tend to commit more visible street crimes 3. Discrimination by criminal justice system 4. Contact with Western culture has disrupted social life in many Indigenous communities Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-17 Explaining Deviance and Crime (1 of 12) Symbolic Interactionist Approaches Learning Deviance Howard S. Becker’s (1963) study of marijuana users and the three-stage learning process: 1. Learning to smoke the drug in a way that produces real effects. 2. Learning to recognize the effects and then connect effects with drug use. 3. Learning to enjoy perceived sensations. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-18 Explaining Deviance and Crime (2 of 12) Symbolic Interactionist Approaches Labelling theory Deviance results not so much from the actions of the deviant as from the response of others, who label the rule breaker a deviant. Terms like “deviant” or “criminal” are not applied automatically when a person engages in rule-violating behaviour. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-19 Explaining Deviance and Crime (3 of 12) Functionalist Explanations Durkheim—Deviance and crime are beneficial for society. When someone breaks a rule, it: gives people the chance to condemn and punish. reminds people of their common values. clarifies the moral boundaries. reinforces social solidarity. can also result in positive social change. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-20 Explaining Deviance and Crime (4 of 12) Functionalist Explanations Robert Merton—Dysfunctions of deviance and crime. Strain theory People may turn to deviance when they experience strain. Strain results when a culture teaches people the value of material success and society fails to provide enough legitimate opportunities for everyone to succeed. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-21 Merton’s Strain Theory of Deviance Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-22 Explaining Deviance and Crime (5 of 12) Functionalist Explanations Subculture A set of distinctive values, norms, and practices within a larger culture. Deviants may depart from mainstream culture in many ways, but they are strict conformists when it comes to the norms of their own subculture. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-23 Explaining Deviance and Crime (6 of 12) Functionalist Explanations Relationship between Crime and Class: Functionalist accounts tend to exaggerate the connection between crime and class. Many self-report surveys find, at most, a weak tendency for criminals to come disproportionately from lower classes. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-24 Explaining Deviance and Crime (7 of 12) Conflict Theories The rich and powerful members of society impose deviant and criminal labels on others, particularly those who challenge the existing social order. The rich and powerful are usually able to use their money and influence to escape punishment for their own misdeeds. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-25 Explaining Deviance and Crime (8 of 12) Conflict Theories Power and Privilege: Power is commonly used to perpetuate privilege. Members of privileged classes use their power to avoid being defined as criminal and, if so defined, from suffering serious consequences. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-26 Explaining Deviance and Crime (9 of 12) Conflict Theories Control theory The rewards of deviance and crime are ample. Therefore, nearly everyone would engage in deviance and crime if they could get away with it. The degree to which people are prevented from violating norms and laws accounts for variations in the level of deviance and crime. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-27 Explaining Deviance and Crime (10 of 12) Conflict Theories Travis Hirschi and the Control Theory of Crime Four types of social control: 1. Social attachments to respectable role models. 2. Legitimate opportunities for education and a good job. 3. Involvements in conventional institutions. 4. Beliefs in traditional values and morality. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-28 Explaining Deviance and Crime (11 of 12) Feminist Contributions Gender-based power differences influence the framing of laws, the definition and detection of crime, and the prosecution of criminals. Relative powerlessness allowed many women to be victimized while the violence against them went unnoticed by the larger society. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-29 Explaining Deviance and Crime (12 of 12) Feminist Contributions Intersectionality: The way in which gender and/or race, social class, and sexuality interact to produce unique outcomes with respect to health, education, income, and other aspects of life. Homicides per 100,000 Canadians by gender and Indigenous status, Canada, 2021 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-30 Social Control and Regulation (1 of 13) Social control The ways in which a social system attempts to regulate people’s thoughts, feelings, appearance, and behaviour. Internal social control regulates people through socialization and shapes people’s minds so that they come to regard deviant actions as undesirable. External social control regulates people by imposing punishments and offering rewards. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-31 Social Control and Regulation (2 of 13) The degree of social control and form of punishment varies over time and from one society to the next: Preindustrial societies are characterized by strict social control and high conformity. Industrial societies are characterized by less stringent social control and low conformity. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-32 Social Control and Regulation (3 of 13) Some sociologists believe that in some respects, social control has intensified over time. Individuality and deviance may have increased, but they have done so within strict limits. Regimentation of modern life is tied to the growth of capitalism and the state. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-33 Social Control and Regulation (4 of 13) Panopticon A prison design that allows inmates to be constantly observed without their knowledge. This term derives from the word panoptic, meaning “all seeing.” Metaphor for the growth of modern surveillance, social control, and associated discipline. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-34 Social Control and Regulation (5 of 13) Surveillance society Uses all-encompassing surveillance technology to optimize social control. Metaphor for the growth of modern surveillance, social control, and associated discipline. http://www.gigapixel.com/image/gigapan-canucks-g7.html Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-35 Social Control and Regulation (6 of 13) The Medicalization of Deviance Increasingly, what used to be defined as “badness” is defined as “sickness.” What used to be regarded as wilful deviance is now often regarded as involuntary deviance. As definitions of deviance change, deviance is increasingly under the sway of medical and psychiatric establishments. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-36 Social Control and Regulation (7 of 13) The Spread of Mental Disorders Mid-nineteenth century – idiocy/insanity was the one officially recognized mental disorder. The DSM-5 (2013) lists 294 mental disorders. One in three Canadians are now expected to experience a mental disorder in their lifetime. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-37 Social Control and Regulation (8 of 13) The Prison Rationales for Incarceration: 1. Opportunity for rehabilitation 2. Deterrence 3. Revenge for illegal acts 4. Incapacitation Canada’s incarceration rate is higher than most West European countries, but much lower than the United States. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-38 Prison Population, Selected Countries, 2021 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-39 Social Control and Regulation (9 of 13) Alternative Forms of Punishment Two of the most contentious issues: 1. Should we reintroduce the death penalty to punish the most violent criminals? 2. Should we explore alternatives to prison for less serious crime? Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-40 Social Control and Regulation (10 of 13) Capital Punishment Last used in Canada in 1962; formally abolished in 1976. A 2023 poll found that 54 percent of Canadian adults support the return of the death penalty. While the death penalty ranks high as a form of revenge, not much evidence suggests that it is a deterrent. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-41 Capital Punishment around the World, 2022 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-42 Social Control and Regulation (11 of 13) Alternative Strategies In recent years, analysts have suggested reforms to our current prison regime: 1. Reconsider our stance on rehabilitation. Recidivism rates can be reduced through programs such as educational and job training, individual and group therapy, substance abuse counselling, and behaviour modification. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-43 Social Control and Regulation (12 of 13) Alternative Strategies 2. Decriminalization and Legalization Decriminalization allows for fines or other non-prison penalties. Legalization—the process of removing a legal prohibition against something which is currently not legal. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-44  Opioid-Related Deaths in Canada, 2022 Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-45 Social Control and Regulation (13 of 13) Alternative Strategies 3. Diversion Reduce the number of incarcerated offenders by diverting them from the court and prison systems. Restorative justice Focuses not on punishment but on rehabilitating offenders through reconciliation with victims and the larger community. Brym et. al, Sociology : Compass for a New Social World, 8th Canadian Edition. © 2025 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly accessible website, in whole or in part. 7-46