What is Deviance?

1. What is Deviance?

2. Defining Deviance • Not perversion or depravity • Deviance = behaviour that violates the standards of conduct or expectations of a group or society • Based on this sociological definition, deviance is universal. • We are all deviant from time to time. • Each of us violates common social norms in certain situations.

3. Examples of Deviance • Alcoholics, compulsive gamblers, and people with mental illnesses would be classified as deviants. • Deviant acts = being late for class, dressing too casually for a formal wedding

4. Is Being Overweight an Example of Deviance? • Beauty myth (exagerrated ideal of beauty, beyond the reach of all but a few females – Naomi Wolf) • In order to shed their “deviant” image and conform to (unrealistic) societal norms, many women and girls become consumed with adjusting their appearances.

5. Deviance • Involves the violation of group norms, which may or may not be formalized into law. • Comprehensive concept that includes not only criminal behaviour but also many actions not subject to prosecution. • Deviation from norms is not always negative or criminal

6. Normative Standards • Deviance is viewed according to normative standards. • It is subject to social definitions within a particular society. • In most instances, those individuals and groups with the greatest status and power define what is acceptable and what is deviant

7. Deviance and Social Stigma • Some people are unwillingly cast in negative social roles. • Stigma (Goffman 1963) = sociological theory to describe the labels society uses to devalue members of certain social groups • Prevailing expectations about beauty and body shape may prevent people who are regarded as ugly or obese from advancing as rapidly as their abilities permit.

8. Social Stigma Continued… • Obese or anorexic = assumption of weak character, viewed as “disfigured” or “strange” • Goffman called it “spoiled identity” • What constitutes disfigurement is up for interpretation • Many women who are considered “normal” looking still have plastic surgery • Not just women who feel uncomfortable with their appearance • Men accounted for 9% of plastic surgery in 2006

9. Stigma for past behaviour • People are often stigmatized for deviant behaviour they may no longer engage in. • Labels like “compulsive gambler”, “ex-convict”, “recovering alcoholic”, “ex-mental patient” can stick with a person for life. • Stigma symbol (Goffman) = symbol that discredits or debases a person’s identity (ex. child molester) • Often times these stigma symbols may not be obvious but are a matter of public record.

10. The Stigma of Homelessness • Have trouble getting job • Employers are wary of applicants who cannot give a home address • Difficult to hide homelessness • Regardless of a person’s positive attributes, employers can regard the spoiled identity of homelessness as sufficient reason to dismiss an employee