Insights into Deviance Theories: Costs and Benefits

1. 2. Deviance Theories

2. Costs and Benefits of Deviance + allows for progress (Civil Rights Movement); can be a safe mental escape (music) - Can cause distrust which will disrupt the function of society/groups; expensive- diverts funds to sanction the deviant behaviors

3. Theories of Deviance • Strain/Anomie Theory • Control Theory • Labeling Theory • Deviant Subculture Theory

4. Strain Theory AKA Anomie • Deviance is more likely to occur when a gap exists between cultural goals and the ability to legitimately achieve these goals. • Based on Emile Durkheim’s idea of anomie • Too many rules, not enough rules, or conflicting rules • you get an A on your test. Your parent asks why wasn’t it a 100? • Your parents do not instill any norms in you, so A or F, you are treated the same

5. 4 responses to strain • Innovation: uses illegal/amoral means to achieve norms (blackmailing boss to get a promotion) • Ritualism: rejects norms, but goes through the motions of their routine (person near retirement shows up for work, but doesn’t strive for success) • Retreatism: reject norms and use illegal escapes (drugs/alcohol) • Rebellion: reject norms; reject culture; create their own counterculture

6. Control Theory • Conformity to social norms requires strong bonds between individuals and society (a patriot is more likely to accept being drafted)

7. 4 elements of social bonds • Attachment: strong attachment to groups=greater likelihood of conformity • Commitment: great commitment to social norms=greater likelihood of conformity • Involvement: more participation w/ group=greater likelihood of conformity • Belief: strong faith in values=greater likelihood of conformity

8. Labeling Theory • Once labeled, one adheres to that label • 2 types of deviance • Primary deviance: people who are labeled “good” and are sneaky in their deviant pursuits • Secondary deviance: people who are labeled “bad” and behave with open deviance • Consequence of labeling: stigma- an undesirable trait or label that is used to characterize a person <cheater, perfect, bad-boy>

9. Deviant Subculture Theory • When your subculture is deviant, you will conform to their deviance • If you grow up in a gang, you will conform to their standards

10. SKITS • Form 8 groups • As a group, come up with a scenario that will illustrate your assigned theory for deviant behavior. You have 10 minutes • Present to the class!