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Introduction to Sociology Lecture 15 – Dev iance. Phua Kai Lit, PhD ADTP Sunway University. Lecture Objectives. Definition of deviance Norms and values of a society Reaction to deviance Labeling Theory Sutherland’s differential association theory Hirschi’s social control theory
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Introduction to Sociology Lecture 15 – Deviance Phua Kai Lit, PhD ADTP Sunway University
Lecture Objectives • Definition of deviance • Norms and values of a society • Reaction to deviance • Labeling Theory • Sutherland’s differential association theory • Hirschi’s social control theory • Criminal justice system • Sociological variables and deviance – ethnicity, class, gender, age • White collar crime • Victimless crimes? e.g. prostitution
Norms and Values • Norms – what is considered “appropriate behavior” and what is “inappropriate behavior” • Values – what is considered “good” or “bad” e.g. filial piety • Deviance – refusal to conform to norms and values
Reaction to deviance • Ridicule • Ostracism – shunned by others • Discrimination e.g. do not get hired or promoted • Physical violence from others • Punishment and even death (imposed by the State) • Medicaization of deviance --- from “badness to sickness”, “personality disorders” • Durkheim argues that punishments for deviance serve to reaffirm social norms
Labeling Theory • Deviance becomes amplified and even eventually becomes part of self-identity (through being labeled “deviant” by others) • Primary deviance to secondary deviance • Juvenile delinquent - teen or adult criminal 5
People learn to become criminals by associating with true criminals and “learning” from them (This is why juveniles are usually separated from adult criminals in prisons) Edwin Sutherland differential association theory
Attachment – emotional ties to other people Commitment – e.g. protect one’s reputation Involvement – e.g. holding a job or having family and having to deal with the resulting responsibilities Belief – follow laws because you think this is the right thing to do. If these 4 are strong, people are less likely to be deviant. Strength of social bonds. Being younger, plus lack of self-control increases chances of criminal behavior Travis Hirschi’s social control theory
Criminal justice system • Police • Laws • The courts • The prison system • Threat of electronic surveillance? 8
Ethnicity – blacks in USA Class – differential punishment by social class Gender Age – criminal behavior and age Sociological variables
Example – financial crime White collar crime
Is there such a thing? Decriminalization i.e. no longer considered a crime (legalization of marijuana/ homosexuality/inter-racial sex, etc) Victimless crime?