Conformity & Deviance PDF

Becoming a member of the society: Conformity & Deviance  Conformity and deviance are twin processes that flow from the processes of socialization and enculturation. A person’s social existence is determined by a set of goals prearranged by society and through the...

Becoming a member of the society: Conformity & Deviance  Conformity and deviance are twin processes that flow from the processes of socialization and enculturation. A person’s social existence is determined by a set of goals prearranged by society and through the process of socialization it becomes a self-embraced goal. Deviance is a behaviour that violates expected rules and norms. Deviance is more than non-conformity from social expectations. It has social contexts and it looks at group processes, definitions and judgements.  The Strain Theory Strain theory was developed by sociologist Robert Merton, assumed that when people are prevented from achieving culturally approved goals through institutional means, they experience strain or frustration that can lead to deviance.  Five Adaptations to Strain ❑ Conformists: pursuing cultural goals through socially approved means. (organization where employees are loyal without being unthinking conformist.”) behaving or thinking like everyone else ❑ Innovators: using socially unapproved or unconventional means to obtain culturally approved goals. (“Protests or campaigns to change laws) ❑ Ritualists: using the same socially approved means to achieve less elusive goals (more modest and humble). ( Criticizing the bishops for acting against the ritual) ❑ Retreatists: to reject both the cultural goals and the means to obtain it, then find a way to escape it. (Theft) ❑ Rebels: to reject the cultural goals and means, then work to replace them.  Societal reaction to deviant behaviour suggests that social groups actually create deviance.  Deviance is socially constructed. It lies not only in the behavior but in the social responses of groups to the behavior of others. Structural Functionalism- deviance is a key component of a functioning society. It is a necessary part of a successful society and that it serves three function: 1. it clarifies norms and increases conformity 2. it strengthens social bonds among the people reacting to the deviant 3. it can help lead to positive social change and challenges to people’s present views