Social Deviance Chapter 4 Powerpoint PDF

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Powerpoint notes of chapter 4 for Social Deviance...

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Social Deviance Chapter 4: Major Theories of Deviance Chapter Goals      

Be able to describe “major” deviant theories Understand strain theory Understand conflict theory Understand labeling theory Understand control theory Understand learning theory

Anomie Theory   

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Deviance is a result of certain social structural strains that pressure individuals to become deviant Modern societies create strains upon individuals by emphasizing status goals, while limiting institutional access Cultural assumptions generally expect members to achieve goals through legitimate means: - Conventional employment, completion of education Merton postulated four adapting mechanisms for members in an anomic society: - Ritualism, rebellion, innovation, retreatism

Conflict Theory 

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Marxian - Conflict theories: a. This view stresses people in power make rules b. Deviance represents behavior that conflicts with the standards of segments of society with the power to shape public opinion and social policy - Marx viewed society as a relationship between: a. Bourgeoise: Society’s ruling class b. Proletariat: everyone else - Marx explained that a. Laws prohibit certain acts that threaten the ruling class from the ruled class b. Criminal law comes to side with the upper classes against the lower classes Left Realism - Left Realism scholars advocate that crime emerges when four components intersect: a. Offenders b. Victims c. State d. Public opinion - In developing a realistic approach to crime, left realist scholars recognize inequality

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This position implies that reductions in inequality, and more general promotion of social justice, will substantially reduce crime

Labeling Theory      

Labeling theorists determine deviance, not by any reference to norms, but by reference to the reactions (notably sanctions) of the act’s social audience Individuals may experience a subtle process which produces effects over extended periods of time Labeling theorists focus on who creates the rules that define deviance and how society singles out certain individuals and groups for labeling This relates to “agents of social control” discussed in previous chapters. Consider the influence of a “slut” label on a girl who is not promiscuous. Will it have an effect, even if she isn’t a “slut?” Consider how the label of “ex-con” impacts a person trying to reenter society.

Control Theory 

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Travis Hirschi’s Version - Attachment refers to the extent to which a person feels bound to specific groups through affection, respect, and socialization to group norms. - Commitment describes the degree to the importance of a person’s stake in conforming behavior, so that acts of deviance jeopardize other, more valued conditions and activities. - Involvement refers to non-deviant physical activities. Continued involvement in conventional activities strengthens commitment. - Belief refers to personal allegiance to the dominant value system in a group. These values may assume the importance of morals - Deviant lifestyles may be terminated as an individual reestablishes of bonds to conventional society with these factors Reckless’s Version - Control theorists argue that deviance is a result of an absence of social control. - Reckless (1973) refers to this type of control as containment theory. - Two types of containment include: - Inner containment: - Restraints that act within the person. - Outer containment: - Restraints that arise from forces in the individual’s environment.

Learning Theory 

Sutherland’s Theory of Differential Association - Deviant acts represent learned behavior. - Deviants learn this behavior through interactions with others in a process of communication. - The primary learning of deviant behavior occurs within intimate personal groups.

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The deviant learns this specific direction of motives and drives from definitions of norms as favorable or unfavorable standards. - A person becomes deviant because definitions that favor violating norms exceed definitions that favor conforming to norms. - Differential associations may vary in frequency, duration, priority, and intensity. Aker’s – Differential Association-Reinforcement - Deviance results when a person learns definitions that portray some conduct as a desirable action. - Individuals come to learn that some behavior and attitudes lead to reinforcement. - Much like a dog who gets a pat on the head when doing a trick, deviants receive, for example, verbal support when doing something wrong and that adds to the learning effect discussed by Sutherland....