The Real World

An Introduction to SociologyFourth Edition

Kerry Ferris and Jill Stein

Chapter 6: Deviance

• Deviance is a behavior, trait, or belief that departs from a norm and generates a negative reaction in a particular group.

• Defining something as deviant requires us to examine the group norms and how the group reacts to the behavior.

Deviance: What Is It?

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•What is deviant in one culture may not be deviant in another culture!

Deviance: What Is It? (cont’d.)

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• Functionalism• Deviance serves a function in our

society.• According to Émile Durkheim,

deviance serves a positive social function by clarifying moral boundaries and promoting social cohesion.

Theories of Deviance

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• Conflict theory• Deviance is a result of social

conflict.• In order for the powerful to

maintain their power, they marginalize and criminalize the people who threaten their power. Inequality is reproduced in the way deviance is defined.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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• Structural strain theory• Developed by Robert Merton• It states that there are goals in our

society that people want to achieve, but they cannot always reach these goals. This creates stress (or strain) because people are aware of the goals but do not have the means to achieve them.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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• Merton’s typology of deviance (structural strain theory table)

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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Merton’s typology: Conformists

Conformists accept the goals of the society and the means of achieving those goals.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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Merton’s typology: Innovators

Innovators accept the goals of the society, but they look for new, or innovative, ways of achieving those goals.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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Merton’s typology: Ritualists

Ritualists aren’t interested in the goals of the society but they do accept the means of achieving those goals.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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Merton’s typology: Retreatists

Retreatists don’t accept the goals of the society or the means of achieving those goals.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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Merton’s typology: Rebels

Rebels don’t accept the goals of the society or the means of achieving those goals, so they create their own goals using new means.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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• Differential association• A symbolic interactionist

perspective developed by Edwin Sutherland

• States that we learn deviance from interacting with deviant peers

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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• Labeling theory• A symbolic interactionist

perspective developed by Howard Becker

• States that deviance is caused by external judgments (labels) that change a person’s self-concept and the way others respond to him or her

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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• Labeling theory• Becker suggests that “labeling” can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy—a prediction that causes itself to come true.

Theories of Deviance (cont’d.)

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• Stigma• Term coined by Ervin Goffman • Describes any physical or

social attribute that devalues a person or group’s identity, and which may exclude those who are devalued from normal social interaction

Deviant Identities

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• Passing• Sometimes stigmatized

individuals will try to pass as if they are part of the mainstream.

Deviant Identities (cont’d.)

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• Crime• If a behavior is considered

deviant, it means that it violates the values and norms of a group, not that it is inherently wrong.

• However, research on deviance also includes crime.

Deviance and Crime

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• Crime is the violation of a norm that has been codified into law.

Deviance and Crime (cont’d.)

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• In the United States, serious crimes are punished by imprisonment.

• In other cultures, types of punishments can include: • Shunning• Banishment• Corporal punishment

Deviance and Crime (cont’d.)

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• Crime and punishments can change over time!

Deviance and Crime (cont’d.)

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• Deterrence: prevent crime by threatening harsh penalties

• Retribution: retaliate or take revenge for a crime that’s been committed

Control and Punishment

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• Incapacitation: remove criminals from society by imprisoning them

• Rehabilitation: reform criminals so that they may reenter society

Control and Punishment (cont’d.)

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• Positive deviance is defined as an act that is outside of the norm, but may actually be heroic rather than negative.

Can Deviance Be Positive?

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Do you have any tattoos?a. yesb. no

Chapter 6: Participation Questions

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Did your parents ever forbid you from seeing a particular friend because they thought he or she was a “bad influence” on you?

a. yesb. no

Chapter 6: Participation Questions

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Have you ever been bullied (teased, harassed, threatened, or humiliated) in a face-to-face situation?

a. yesb. no

Chapter 6: Participation Questions

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Have you ever been cyberbullied (teased, harassed, threatened or humiliated online, via text message or through email)?

a. yesb. no

Chapter 6: Participation Questions

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Is it OK to break a law or rule if you feel like you’re doing the right thing? (For instance, you speed through a red light because you are rushing a sick friend to the hospital.)

a. yesb. no

Chapter 6: Participation Questions

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© 2014 W. W. Norton Co., Inc.

The Real World4th Edition

AN INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY

Kerry Ferrisand

Jill Stein

This concludes the Lecture PowerPoint presentation for

Chapter 6

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