Deviance and Social Control

1. Deviance and Social Control

2. Definitions • Conformity and Deviance • Obeying or violating rules and norms • Social Control is Universal • Enforcement of norms • Formal Control • Political and Medical Institutions • Crime • Violation of norms written into laws

3. Relativity of Deviance • It is not the act itself but the reactions to the act that makes something deviant (Becker) • Criminal and deviant behaviors are defined by culture, change over time and effected by social environment Under the right circumstances, almost any behavior can qualify as deviant

4. Explanations • Biology and Psychology • Factors within individual • Genetic and brain abnormalities, personality • Sociology • External environment • Factors outside of the individual

5. Symbolic Interaction • 1. Differential Association • Different groups we choose to associate with • Deviance learned from primary/secondary groups • 2. Control Theory • Inner Controls – our conscience and morality • Outer Controls – groups that teach right and wrong • Deviance occurs when one’s controls are weak • 3. Labeling Theory • Labels affect self perception resulting in conformity or deviance

6. Functionalism • Strain Theory • Strain to fulfill societal expectations • Wealth, education, social status, and material success • Conformists – legitimate opportunities • Innovators – illegitimate opportunities

7. Functionalism • Rational Choice Theory • Logical choice • Risk versus Reward • Current laws view crime as a rational choice

8. Conflict Perspective • Conflict Theory • Power Elite create definitions and punishments of deviance and crime • Law used to maintain power and privilege • Crimes of poor punished • Crimes of privileged forgiven or lessened

9. Social Problems • Recidivism • Percentage of prisoners committing crime and being re-arrested • 3 out of 4 prisoners with prior record • Prison population disparities • Deterrence Strategies • Read textbook