Deviance and its Social FunctionsHSP3UMs. BlumenthalDecember 4th- 5th, 2013

What is Deviance?•Recognized violation of cultural norms

•One main category= CRIME- the violation of society’s formally enacted criminal law

•Deviant actions/attitudes (negative or positive) have a common ground= an element of difference that causes us to think another person as an outsider.

Social Control•We are all subject to social control-

attempts by society to regulate people’s thoughts and behaviour= often informal

•Cases of serious deviance=criminal justice system(the organizations- police, courts, prison officials- that respond to

alleged violations of the law)

The Biological Context•Centuries ago, people understood

(misunderstood?) human behaviour to be the result of biological instincts

•1876- Cesare Lombroso: Italian physician who worked in prisons- criminals stand out physically (low foreheads, prominent jaws/cheekbones, protruding ears, hairy bodies, long arms)= apelike look

21st Century Biology•Today, genetics seeks possible link betweencrime and biology

•2003 study conclusion= genetic factors together with environmental factors (especially abuse early on in life) were strong predictors of adult crime and violence

Personality Factors•Psychological explanations of deviance

focus on individual abonormality•Some personality traits are inherited,

most shaped by social experiences

•Result of “unsuccessful socialization”

The Social Foundations of Deviance•Deviance is shaped by society- there are 3

social foundations of deviance

•1. Deviance varies according to cultural norms

•2. People become deviant as others define them that way

•3. Both norms and the way people define rule breaking involve social power

3 Foundations of Deviance1. Deviance varies according to cultural

norms

• No thought or action is inherently deviant= it becomes deviant in relation to particular NORMS

• Most cities and towns have one unique law

• Around the world, deviance is even MORE diverse

Examples….•Text messaging behind the wheel is illegal in

Ontario, but not illegal in some U.S. states•Iran forbids the public playing of rap music•Wearing of religious symbols in Albania•Cuba bans posessing personal computers•Malaysia does not allow tight-fitting jeans

for women•Saudi Arabia bans the sale of red flowers on

Valentine’s Day

(Chopra, 2008)

2. People become deviant as others define them that way

• Everyone violates cultural norms at some point or another

• Behaviour is defined as being deviant depending on how others perceive , define, and respond to it

3. Both norms and the way people define rule-breaking involve social power

• Karl Marx: the law is the means by which powerful people protect their interests

Example: A homeless person who stands on a street corner protesting against the government may get arrested for “disturbing the peace”, wheras a mayoral candidate may get police protection.

The Functions of Deviance/ The Labelling of Deviance

• Group 1 : Durkheim’s Basic Instinct

• Group 2: Merton’s Strain Theory & Deviant Subcultures

• Group 3: Labelling Theory

• Group 4: The Medicalization of Deviance

• Group 5: Differential Association Theory & Control Theory

Pearson: Deviance Ch. 7•http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/h

ip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0205003788.pdf

Deviance and Power•Alexander Liazos- people we define as “deviant”

are not as bad/harmful as they are powerless

•Norms typically reflect the rich and powerful- people who threaten the wealthy are more likely to be labelled deviant (“common thieves”, “political radicals”)

•The powerful have the resources to resist deviant labels (i.e. being arrested)

Deviance and Capitalism

•“Deviant labels are applied to those who interfere with the structure of capitalism”- Spitzer

•Poor who steal from the rich= deviant, but the landlords who charge poor tenants high rent and evict those who cannot pay= “simply doing business”

•Capitalism= productive labour- those who can’t work risk being labelled deviant

•Capitalism= respect for authority figures- people who resist authority are labelled deviant

•Capitalism marginalizes those that do not fit into the system (elderly, people with mental/physical disabilities)

White-Collar Crime•Crime committed by people of high social

position in the course of their occupations

•Does not involve violence (“Crime in the suites” vs. “Crime in the streets” view)

•Bank embezzlements, business fraud, bribery, etc.

•These criminals usually escape punishment

Organized Crime•A business supplying illegal goods or services

•Often times- the selling of illegal goods/services (sex, drugs, gambling)- to willing buyers

•Flourishing for 100+ years, often amongst immigrants who found it hard to adjust to new society, and who felt that North American society was not willing to share opportunities with them

A well-known example…•The Italian Mafia:Al Capone

•African-Americans,Chinese, Colombians,Cubans, Haitians,Nigerians, Russians

And many, many more…

Hate Crimes•A criminal act against a person or a

person’s property by an offender motivated by racial or other bias

•A hate crime may express hostility toward someone based on race, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, or physical disability.

The Trayvon Martin case…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AK6jOeEl4