Sociology notes on deviance PDF

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introduction to deviance and theories...

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Sociology 1 Notes – Term 3 Deviance:

DEVIA NCE

- Non-conformity - Why do we shy away from deviance? Why do we shun people who are deviant? - Power is an essential tool in understanding deviance – it relates to the structure of society. Related concepts:  Crime (anything violating laws)  Violence (intentional harming) – three types: alienating, direct and indirect. Also includes violence by omission – having the ability to help but not doing anything.  Delinquency  Brutality  Aggression Deviance isn’t only negative, positive deviance is present. Negative deviance becomes under-conformity to social standards. Positive deviance becomes over-conformity to social norms (Mother Theresa) – approval instead of damnation. Deviance is a general category/ umbrella term including issues of violence and crime. But not all deviance is crime. It is a social construct where people evaluate others according to their own standards and contexts. Positive deviance isn’t always praised. Deviance is a multi-facilitated phenomenon where people attempt to do scientific evaluations to try to understand it. Common expressions: (discredited and negatively evaluated)         

Rule-breaking behaviour Breach of social order Threat to social order Departure from the norms Violation of norms, values and expectations of a social group/ society Stray from a path/ standard Transgression of socially established norms and values Exceeds tolerance limit of society Differentness! (Francis and Henry pg 4: “Deviance is an identifiable difference members of a society define as morally offensive”)  Low life Deviance is an aspect of social life. A low life is at the edge of social life – out of the ordinary (lesbians, gays, druggies, criminals, etc.)

Deviants:  Can be in relation to beliefs, age, ideology, appearance  People not us. ‘Us’ vs. ‘Them’. Other. Offender and enemies of society. Threat to moral fibre of society. Predators. Prey on the innocent. (All negative connotations – seen as victimisers of society: Terrorisers, freedom fighters, LGBT society)  Urgency to do something about them, “fix them” – raping of lesbians to show them what they’re “missing out on”  Victims or victimisers? A silent majority?  How do you decide who is/ isn’t a deviant?  Consequences: SOCIAL INJUSTICES Defining deviance: It is inherently political where value neutrality doesn’t exist, selective condemnation – inherent bias and judgement – arbitrariness/ subjectiveness/ selective application of describing some actions, etc. as deviant and not others. Depends on the fluidity of the subject matter. There are different conceptions of deviance. The relativity of deviance is an elusive concept which is open to multiple interpretation and multiple definitions: lack of consensus. It is an emerging/ shifting/ changing character with meanings that aren’t fixed but are rather subject to change. There is a context and situational character of deviance – how deviance is/ can be defined differently at different levels: individual, family, group, nation, etc. from acceptable to unacceptable. No hard and fast rules – lack of clear standards/ guidelines/ criteria – categorising deviance and deviant acts. The politics of deviance:  The process of social construction  Process of social construction of deviance inherently political where the value neutrality doesn’t exist  There is a political process involved  There is a role of social agents in shaping public discourse (society is always in a continuous state of struggle)  How different social groupings, especially powerful and influential social agents, within society understand and attach meanings (‘dictate’)  Competing and contradictory views in society  Influence of race, class, gender, age, ethnic group, time, occupation, geographic area  CORNERSTONE OF SOCIAL STRATIFICATION  Their intersection forms the ‘matrix of domination’ that is at the root of deviation, definition and control Two other forms of deviance: Rate Busting deviance and Deviance admiration

Three perspectives/ models that provide us with a lens to view the social world: 1) Absolutist perspective – TRADITIONAL approach to the study of deviance 2) Social Constructionist perspective – MODERN approach also referred to as the humanistic paradime 3) Social Power perspective EXAM QUESTION: CRITICALLY DISCUSS THE THREE PERSPECTIVES IN DEFINING DEVIANCE. References: Adler & Adler (NB), Hills pg 8, Franzese pg 8-10, Douglas & Waksler pg 18, Goode pg 7 onwards, Thio chapter 1

Absolutist perspective -

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Uncompromising, ‘No-nonsense’ It is an all or nothing approach Conservative in dealing with how deviance came about Influence of functionalism (deviants are needed) – collective conscience/ universal consensus  Guides normative behaviour of its members – everyone knows what is expected of them Absolute moral code/ order of right and wrong, nothing in between (universal agreement about what is deviant and what is not) Deviance is intrinsically real and is an objective fact which should be studied scientifically according to the absolutist perspective “Deviance is an action that is morally wrong regardless of how it is judged. It is an offense against the order of the universe.” – Goode pg 7 Rules out arbitrary/ social judgement: labelling/ stereotyping Conformists and deviants can easily be identified or distinguished … biological, psychological traits RULES OUT FREE CHOICE Deviance is the same everywhere: past, present and future Context doesn’t matter Need to view deviance in an objective manner: the quality of the act Norms aren’t key in determining deviance (not important in understanding deviance) “Wrong and right exists prior to and independent of these artificial, humanly created agents.” – Goode pg 7 “No normal, decent, psychologically well-balanced individual would purposefully join a deviant group or participate in deviant lifestyle.” – Hill, 1980: 8 “In this sense, deviance is an immoral, unpleasant, repulsive phenomenon that should be controlled, corrected and eliminated.” – Thio

Main characteristics:  Absolutism – deviance is real and has to be studied  Objectivism – it can be observed and measured  Determinism – deviance has causes that must be studied – we need to develop analytical tools to explain deviance Read Haralambos – first four pages (up until functions of deviance) Adler and Adler – general introduction (3 perspectives, chapter defining deviance, page 1115) - A (attitudes) - B (behaviour) - C (conditions)

of deviance – are they unique categories which do not overlap each other?

The absolutist perspective is based on the belief that humans are senseless beings and is based on the idea of scientific studies with regards to deviance.

Social Constructionist Perspective Approach    

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Humanist paradigm Complete opposite of absolutist perspective It is a meaning making process Says that you can only attach meaning to the social world once you immerse yourself in it (i.e. drug addiction research) – YOU CANNOT STUDY ANY SOCIAL PHENOMENON FROM A DISTANCE Meanings change and shift all the time Societies are diverse and consist of different groups Seeks to find out why a particular act is defined as deviant (seek to understand) “Deviance is lodged in the process of definition rather than some objective feature of an object, person and act” – Adler and Adler pg 135 o Referring to social construction – still trying to make meaning out of something “Nothing is deviant unless it is DEFINED as such, or nothing in-and-of itself is deviant”- Franseze p8 “Social groups create deviance by making rules whose infraction constitutes deviance … applying to particular people and labelling them as outsiders … not a quality of the act, but a consequence of others.” – Becker, 1963:9. Absolutists do not label, but social constructionists do Henry pp 4-16 Labelling – a process of SOCIAL REACTION by the ‘social audience’ It isn’t deviance until it is judged or labelled Labelling (role) by the elite and powerful people in society Outcome is a stigma attached Stigma – spoiled identity, a tainted and discredited attribute Deviants have no intrinsic characteristics Rejects the notion of objective knowledge advanced by absolutists – the possession of superficial knowledge “surface facts” about social reality is evident

 Deviance is a choice … free will … people consciously choose to be deviant (while absolutists believe humans are inanimate objects, senseless beings, no free will) – COMPLETE OPPOSITE  Key Characteristics: - Relativism – meanings change and shift all the time - Subjectivism - Voluntarism

Social Power Perspective  Similarities between social power perspective and social constructionist perspective: - Deviance is a process of social construction - There is a notion of power (very central in both ‘social’ perspectives)  Influenced by Marxists conflict theory – question how society is structured, the relationship between various social classes in society  Society is a highly differentiated social stratification and is therefore characterised by differential social power or unequal power relations  Society reflects and protects the interests of the dominant powerful groups in society  Dominant classes have unlimited access to power and influence, including the resources they have  In the process, dominant classes restrict or constrain the opportunities of other classes and therefore have society characterised by exclusion, marginalisation that manifests itself in the subjugation of lower classes  Deviance is defined according to perspective or the interests of powerful classes  There are no broad-based public discussions  Eg: over-the-counter drugs being sold is legal, but specific ones on the street aren’t POSSIBLE QUESTION: COMPARE AND CONTRAST THE THREE PERSEPCTIVES OF DEVIANCE – ADLER AND ADLER The definitions of deviance: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Deviance as norm violation Reactive construction definition (referred to as social reaction definition) Violation of rights (Justice perspective) Statistical definition Absolutist definition

Always think about which perspective links with the definitions. 1) Norm Violation:  Most common understanding about what deviance is  Breaks social rules  Who’s norms?  Social construction of norms is important  The norms are social properties of particular groups  Various norms are at various levels  Individual … family … collectivity … country … global:  Class norms, racial definition, cultural definition, generational, country  Norms aren’t static – they emerge, shift and change all the time – what impact does this have?

2) Reactive Construction:  The process of social construction is relevant  Notice something, react, construct meaning  Process by which a person’s conduct or person comes to be defined as deviant by OTHERS – Becker definition  Labelling is a process of SOCIAL REACTION by the ‘social audience’ – crucial component!  “A deviant is one whom the LABEL has been successfully APPLIED … behaviour that PEOPLE so label.” (Becker, 1963: 9)  Deviance hinges on social sanctions (mechanisms of social control to enforce compliance to the norms)  The claim making process: - Who types whom? (who says what about who?) - Under what circumstances are they saying whatever they are saying? - In what ways, OR why are they constructing their CLAIMS like that? - In front of what AUDIENCE? - What are the consequences of being labelled? - The deviant’s perspective: how do the people labelled respond? - Claim making process can result in stigmatisation - Stigmatisation: A collective process of attaching TAGS and labels of MORAL INFERIORITY, “possession of undesirable traits” - Stigma: A powerful negative label that greatly changes a person’s selfconcept and social identity - COLLECTIVE SENSURE is an important part of this process  Deviant label or status: - New status or identity “Master status” … “A dominant, overpowering status which taints the way people are viewed.” – Adler and Adler (2006: 222) - The status proceeds anything and everything (thug, thief, racist, abuser, addict, etc) - Eg: Lance Armstrong - Deviant label by association also - Three kinds of deviant statuses: 1) Primary status/ deviance: Someone who violates various norms but does not see themselves as deviant. If they are labelled, they ignore/ reject it. Denialism about one’s deviant status or identity. Seen as crucial stage in the development of a criminal career. Can progress to other stages. 2) Secondary status/ deviance: Definite labelling is done (no either or). Whichever way you’re being labelled, you internalise it and organise your life around it. If you’re a rapist, you’re proud of it.

3) Tertiary status/ deviance: Outright rejects label and begins activism with intent of educating the public about the label they’ve been given. They mobilise themselves to educate society.

3) Violation of rights perspective (Justice perspective):  Adopts human rights approach to defining deviance  Chapter 2 of South African constitution sets out fundamental rights in South Africa  The state is in violation of constitution continuously (right to education) What is violence?    

Salmi, Jamil – violence in democratic societies Not only direct acts which lead to direct harm Includes violence by omission: failure to help those we are in need even if you can Poverty: Violating rights with no access to food, failure to provide medication (ARVs) and disease prevention, failure to prevent disasters  Alienating violence when allowing unsavoury occurrences  Corruption: By government, private sector, institutions, people 4) Absolutist definition:  VALUES are at the core of this definition  Based on assumption that there is a common agreement in society about what is right and what is wrong  Deviance is a result of violating the commonly held or socially acceptable values

5) Statistical definition:  Any rare or infrequent conduct, whether good or bad, becomes deviant  Anyone can be deviant (Guiness Book of World Records)

MORAL PANIC  Social construction of deviance.  A carefully crafted or strategic process used to justify and account for why things are the way they are.  A form of organised, collective behaviour during which widespread, fearful rumours and accusations about dangerous deviants result in false accusations against many innocent people – Victor, 1998:541.  Exaggerated reaction from the media, police and the wider public to the activities of particular social groups.  Moral panics “encapsulate the fear narrative for news purposes and are part of the social control and fear narrative.” – Altheide, 2009.  Moral panic involves triggering acute public anxiety through the exaggeration and distorted claims about some event, individuals or groups who are socially constructed as folk devils  Impending doom message OR “disaster mentality created”

 From ordinary to extra-ordinary occurrence: ‘minor problems’ look serious and ‘rare’ events look common translation of fantasy into reality – Jewkes. Key terminologies: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5)

Deviance as a moral enterprise Moral entrepreneurs Moral crusaders Fold devils (instead of deviants) Deviance amplification – make louder/ bigger (exaggeration, distortion, oversimplification)

Advances notion of moral panic – starting point in study of moral panic Main points:  Theories of moral panic  Indicators of moral panic  Mechanisms of moral panic Some expressions: use of persuasive graphic language/ ‘provocative language’ “we are in a crisis”

“it is in the public’s interest”

“enough is enough”

Key characteristics of moral panic is that ‘it should resonate with the public’: the public has to buy the narrative that is presented. The media’s exaggerated concern must touch something of a responsive chord in the general public. If public does not buy the narrative, hysteria breaks out If public is portrayed as victims, they will buy the story – it is NB to link narratives to human rights as all people see them as being key: public feels affected – public fears and anxieties must be exploited. The actors in moral panic:  The media: Can create social problems, they can present them dramatically and overwhelmingly, and, most importantly, they can do it suddenly. The media can very quickly and effectively fan public indignation and engineer what might be called ‘moral panic’ about a certain type of deviancy – Young, 1971: 37.  Agents of social control – Police  Politicians/ political parties  Law makers  The judiciary  Social movements/ pressure groups/ action groups  Prominent members of society – Mandela, Tutu  Opinion leaders  Stakeholders in a given field: professionals and experts  The world system – ‘War on terror’, but have an alternative agenda  The public – people who receive the message from the moral entrepreneur and has to accept the message in totality. Provide cases, evidence and numbers  The process of moral panic:

- Multi-stage process: rule creating and moral conversion - Act as “moral entrepreneurs” – saviours of society. - The purveyors of ‘moral panic’ are generally powerful social forces with privileged access to and control of the public sphere - Claim-making process – NB to analyse the nature and content of claims - Isolate folk devils/ imaginary deviance (need to categorise them in worst terms and depersonalise them) - Generate danger message about folk devils – engage them in process of social typing where you collectively demonise the perceived folk devils - Also engage in scapegoating - So-called folk devils are blamed for everything that goes wrong in a society - Instil false hope in public – through this, they commit major injustices through misinformation and propaganda - Reactive construction - Assembling the claim/ how to package and name problems and its impact, how it affects the public, gives some statistics to develop social awareness which is central to moral conversion Deviance amplification spiral: the ‘reporting of deviance within a framework of exaggeration’, distortion, prediction and symbolisation, sets into motion a series of interrelated responses, such as greater police attention, more arrests, ongoing media coverage, harsher sentences. Mechanisms involved:  Manipulation and mobilisation of public opinion (exploit people’s fears/ anxieties/ emotions)  Build hysteria through sensationalism, you distort the stereotype  Use of persuasive graphic language (provocative content)  Secretly pick factual evidence  One-sided explanations  Inherent bias and judgement  Scapegoating  Distortion or exaggeration: - The number of folk devils involved (Cohen) - The nature of the violence committed - The amount of damage inflicted - The impact on the community/ collectivity - The importance of the events to the society as a whole (Cohen, 1972: 31) ULTIMATELY CREATE A MONSTER WHICH IS READY TO CREATE LASTING DESTRUCTION. The social construction of deviance: Moral Panic  Focus on power informed by labelling/ social interactions  How society is socially differentiated  Influence of social elite in constructing deviance meanings, and how the majority gets marginalised or excluded and constructed as deviants  Explores how and why particular social problems emerge as topics of public concern

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Deviance as a moral enterprise Moral entrepreneurs: social elite in any given setting Moral crusaders Folk devils: deviant referral, morally inferior, undermine social order Deviance amplification spiral Rule makers Rule enforcers

Stanley Cohen: study of delinquent subculture/ and the media. “A condition, episode, or person, or groups or persons… defined as a social threat to societal values and interests … presented in a stylised and stereotypical fashion.” Moral panic is a means of conceptualising the lines of power in society and the ways in which ‘we are manipulated into taking some things too seriously and other things not se...