What do you think of people who do this:Continuously talking to oneself in publicDrag racing on a public street or highway

Regularly using illegal drugsA man wearing women’s clothing

Attacking another person with a weapon

Crime and Deviance

Crime

Crime: any act that is labeled as such by those in authority, is prohibited by law, and is punishable by the government. Punishment is likely to be more serious than that of

deviance. Ex. Robbing a bank is prohibited by law and

punishable by government… on the other hand, if a swimmer who stands by and watches a friend drown instead of attempting to rescue them has not necessarily committed a crime (violated a moral code, but not necessarily a law).

Types of Crime

Violent Crime: murder, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault

Crime Against Property: burglary, larceny, motor vehicle theft, and arson (more common than violent crime)

Victimless Crime: prostitution, gambling, illegal drug use, vagrancy – supposedly they harm no one but the person committing the act.

White-Collar Crime: committed by an individual or individuals of high social status in the course of their professional lives.

Organized Crime: large-scale organization of professional criminals that controls some vice or business through violence or threat of violence.

Criminal Justice System

Police – arrest people for a criminal act (they get to decide who is actually arrested); several factors enter into an officer’s decision to arrest someone.

Courts – determines guilt or innocence and assigns punishment

Corrections – sanctions used to punish criminals (imprisonment, parole, and probation) Retribution: act of revenge for the victim Deterrence: discourage offenders from committing future crimes

and to make other think twice about it as well. Rehabilitation: reform/change criminals into law-abiding citizens

upon return to society Social Protection: prevents future crime – limiting freedom or

taking their life. Recidivism: repeated criminal behavior (effectiveness of

corrections)

Journal

10 EASY POINTS… PREPARE TO DISCUSS Name five criminals you admire and WHY? List five criminals you do not admire WHY?

Deviance

Deviant behavior is behavior that is a recognized violation of a social norm (shared rules of conduct that tell people how to act in specific situations based on the values of a community – values justify the prescribed behavioral norm). It is not the act itself, but rather the reactions to the act,

that make something deviant (in other words, society determines what is deviant).

Often defined by some (especially the ruling groups) as a social problem.

Behavior that, while being different, is often not controlled legally (a.k.a. it is not interchangeable with crime)

Nature of Deviance

Since there are countless norms that govern behavior, occasional violations are unavoidable.

Situational determinants: deviant in one situation but not another. Ex. Generally killing someone is illegal… what about

military members or police officers in the line of duty?Between societies: deviant in one society but not the

other. Ex. Divorce is legal in the U.S . but impossible to obtain in

the Republic of Ireland.Historical determinant: deviant at one point in time

but not another. Ex. In the past it was illegal for stores to do business on

Sunday. Are our stores open on Sunday?

How does one become considered deviant?

Repeating offensesCommitting an act that has a serious negative

consequence for society – murder, sexual assault, or robbery

To be labeled deviant: Must be detected (at least someone must be aware of

the behavior) Stigmatized by society: holds a mark of social disgrace

that sets them apart from the rest of society Ex. Prisoners wear orange/striped suits and are assigned

a number; “Scarlet Letter”

Social Functions of Deviance

Unifying the Group – draws a line between conforming members of society and “outsiders”, reinforcing a sense of community.

Clarifying Norms – those who break rules remind others what is acceptable and that certain behaviors are not tolerated.

Diffusing Tension – minor acts do not disrupt the basic fabrics of society.

Identifying Problems – when a large number of people break a norm it indicates the someone needs to be changed.

Providing Legitimate Jobs – (sad but true) judges, lawyers, police officers, prison personnel, etc.

Where and When is it deviant and acceptable?

ACT DEVIANT ACCEPTABLE

Nudity

Taking a Life

Stealing

Invading a Country

Swearing

Being a Socialist

Rape

Smoking Dope

Fighting

Other Examples of Deviance

Breaking the Urinal Etiquette or Elevator “Rules”

Wearing certain outfits (in certain locations) – i.e. low-cut, cleavage shirts in schools

Walking down the wrong side of the hallwayTattoosOlder people dating considerably younger peopleFlirting with a guy/girl who is taken or cheating

on your significant otherCheating on a testSpying on people/eavesdropping

Crime vs. Deviance

Criminal and Deviant: breaking both social and legal rules. Ex. Battering an old lady to death is both criminal and deviant

and deserves punishment such as imprisonment.Deviant but not Criminal: breaking social but not legal

rules. Ex. Male manager wearing a dress to the office or someone

talking loudly in the middle of a concert.Criminal but not Deviant: this is difficult because it

depends on how others see it. Speeding is a criminal offense but the majority of people do it

at some time or another. If someone is found guilty is a minor speeding offence and fined,

are they subject to social disapproval?

Deviant or Criminal?

Living as a hermitAlcoholismForcing your wife to have sex against her willDownloading porn off the internetStealing from a shopSmoking pot in the privacy of your own homeCross DressingNot appointing a black candidate because you

are racistA homosexual relationship between 17 year

olds

Cont’d

Cheating at cardsHaving sex at 15 years of ageProstitutionTwo-timing your boy or girl friendAttempting suicideBuying cigarettes at age 14Lesbianism

Are You Deviant?

Discussion Explain 2 ways in which behavior or actions of yours

can be considered deviant. Why would it be considered deviant – what norm does it

break? To whom would it be considered deviant? Is it considered deviant in all locations?