Chapter 7

1. Chapter 7 Deviance

2. OVERVIEW • What is Deviance? • Studying deviance • In-class exercise • Theories on Deviance • Symbolic Interactionism • Labeling Theory • Conflict Theory • Functionalism • Stigma and Deviant Identity • Crime and Punishment

3. Means of control to ensure social order Conformity to norms Laws, guidelines, rules,expectations Positive and negative sanctions Makes life remarkably predictable What is the opposite of conformity? Human history began with an act of disobedience Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden Violation of norms is widespread No one is completely conforming or deviant Conformity and Deviance

4. Studying Deviance • Early research focus on obvious forms • Bias favors norms of the powerful • Criminals, mentally handicapped, sexual deviants • David Matza: “Naturalism” • Set aside preconceptions and understand deviants on their own terms • Appreciate diversity of social worlds • Not as pathology in need of correction • Jack Katz: “Seductions of Crime” • Considers emotional experience deviant acts • “Sneaky thrills” or “righteous slaughter” • The foreground (rather than background) of deviance

5. Video clip How to Carry Books

6. Who or what is deviant?

14. WHAT IS DEVIANCE? • Normative and reactive • A behavior, belief, or characteristic that violates a norm • Causes a negative reaction • Deviance is relative • Historically • Culturally • Situationally • Definitions depend on context • Is any act inherently deviant?

15. In-Class Exercise:Defining Deviance • Rate acts and attributes on scale: 5 = strongly agree; 1 = strongly disagree • Which three are “most deviant” and “least deviant”? • Students discuss in groups • What criteria did you use to determine the extent of deviance?

16. Drinking under age Using cocaine Cohabitating (living together) Being an atheist Being gay or lesbian Price fixing by a corporation Forcing sex on someone Cheating on a test Dealing drugs Being obese Abusing a child Torturing animals Embezzling money Having AIDS Protesting against a war Driving while intoxicated Being a victim of date rape Illegally dumping toxic waste Having sex before the age of 18 Being devoutly religious Robbing a bank Selling an unsafe product Being a racist Engaging in sex in public Ignoring a homeless person

17. Howard Becker Deviant labels applied to some individuals by others Judgments of others important to our sense of self Cooley’s “Looking-glass self” Primary deviation An initial act of deviance Temporary, exploratory, easily concealed Do you know anyone who has engaged in: Truancy Breaking curfew Underage drinking Reckless driving Shoplifting Vandalism Illegal drug use Pilfering Immoral sexual behavior May lead to being labeled SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM:Labeling Theory

18. Secondary deviation Occurs after being “caught” Result of labeling Leads to deviant identity or “career” Likely to continue Reputations, gossip or innuendo Hard to “live down” or shake Label becomes a master status Society likely to treat these individuals as generallydeviant “Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” Robert Merton A prediction that causes itself to come true Inaccurate statement or belief which, by altering the situation, becomes accurate Differential Association We learn through associations with deviant peers SYMBOLIC INTERACTIONISM:Labeling Theory

19. “On Being Sane in Insane Places”by David Rosenhan • Study of labeling in psychiatric hospitals • 8 researchers admitted as “patients” • Falsified names and occupations • Complained of hearing voices • Believed they would quickly be exposed as “pseudo-patients” • Identified as not mentally ill • Tasked with getting themselves discharged from hospital • Behaved normally • Tried to convince staff of their sanity • Staff continued to address them as patients needing treatment • Other patients could see that researchers were “sane” • Finally discharged after 1-7 weeks • Not because staff had seen through deception • “Pseudo-patients” released with schizophrenia “in remission”

20. Stigma and Deviant Identity • Stigma • Erving Goffman • “Spoiled identity” • An attribute that devalues a person or group • Source: • Physical (physical or mental impairments) • Moral (signs of flawed character) • Tribal (membership in a discredited or oppressed group) • Managing Stigma • Passing • Conceal stigmatized identity • In-Group Orientation • Reject mainstream values and propose new standards that support identity • Deviance Avowal • Outsiders who embrace deviant identity

21. Theories on DevianceFUNCTIONALISM • Functions of Deviance • Clarifies moral boundaries • Promotes social cohesion • Structural Strain Theory (Robert Merton) • Tension (strain) between socially desirable goals and socially approved means of achieving them • Leads to deviance • When goals (success) and means are rejected (hard work, education)

23. Theories on Deviance • CONFLICT THEORY • Social inequality reflected in definitions of deviance • The less powerful are more likely to be criminalized

24. Positive Deviance • Actions once considered deviant within a given context • Later reinterpreted as appropriate or even heroic

25. Crime and Punishment • Crime • Violation of norm codified into law • Types of Crime • Violent crime • Violence is either the objective or means to an end • Property crime • Non-violent • White-collar crime • Committed by a high status individual

26. Prison PopulationPew Center Study (2008) • More than 1 in every 100 American is incarcerated • 2.3 million+ • 1 in 53 adults in their 20s • 1 in 30 ages 20-34 • U.S. leads in # and % of citizens incarcerated • China 1.5 million • Russia 890,000

29. Crime and Punishment • Criminal Justice System • Legislature, police, courts, and prisons • Approaches to Punishment • Deterrence • Threaten harsh penalties to discourage criminals • Incapacitation • Protect society by imprisoning or executing criminals • Retribution • Retaliation or revenge for crimes • Rehabilitation • Attempts to reform criminals as part of their penalty