Deviance

Explanations of deviance

Biological Psychological Sociological

Biological explanations

A real but small effect in causing crime. Caesar Lombroso

Genetically destined to become criminals William Sheldon

Body style XYY Chromosome theory

Psychological explanations General concepts Personality patterns Individual traits Majority of crimes are committed by

people with normal personalities

Sociological explanations (Overview) Strain theory Differential association Differential opportunity Labeling theory

Strain theory

Robert Merton Conformist Innovator (Al Capone) Ritualist Retreatist Rebellion

Differential association

Edwin H. Sutherland Crime is learned in association with others Deviance is linked to the amount of

contact a person has with others who encourage or discourage that behavior.

Differential opportunity

Cloward & Ohlin Reduce crime by reducing criminal

(illegitimate) opportunity

Labeling theory

Deviance and conformity result not only from what people do, but how others respond to those actions.ReinforcementLabelingRetrospective labeling

Interpreting someone’s past as consistent with present deviance.

Medicalization of deviance

Treating deviant behavior by medical means Depo-provera for rape Methadone for heroin Redefining

Theft as “compulsive disorder”Drinking as “alcoholism”Promiscuity as a “sexual addiction”

Types of crime (overview)

Street crime White-collar crime Victimless crime

Street crime

Crimes against persons Crimes against property

White-collar crime

Crimes committed by people of high social standing as part of their occupation

Little reaction from others Cases heard in civil court (rather than

criminal court) This is changing with the WorldCom and

Enron problems.

Victimless crime

Prostitution Drugs Gambling

Plea bargaining (Legal negotiation) Most criminal cases in the courts are

resolved by plea bargaining. In exchange for a guilty plea, you get:

Reduced chargeReduced sentenceConcurrent sentences

Reasons why societies punish offenders Retribution

The oldest reason“An eye for an eye”

DeterrenceThe threat of punishment to discourage crime

Rehabilitation

Effects of Prison

Do little to rehabilitate Creates stigma - reducing chances of

acceptance and getting a job Provide some protection for society from

criminals

Criminal recidivism

Subsequent offenses by people convicted of crimes