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Deviant Bodies

Deviant Bodies. 11/17/08. What happens when bodies deviate from the norm?. definitions of deviance functionalism and conflict theory spoiler: more questions than answers. Statistical definition of deviance. Frequent=“normal” Rare=“deviant”.

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Deviant Bodies

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  1. Deviant Bodies 11/17/08

  2. What happens when bodies deviate from the norm? • definitions of deviance • functionalism and conflict theory spoiler: more questions than answers

  3. Statistical definition of deviance • Frequent=“normal” • Rare=“deviant”

  4. Statistical deviance What is normal? What is deviant? Height of men in biology class, arranged from shortest to tallest in 1-inch increments. Average: 5’10”

  5. Statistical deviance What is normal? What is deviant? CDC national data for adults aged 20+ • Men: 5’8” 190 lbs • Women: 5’3” 163 lbs

  6. Statistical deviance What is normal? What is deviant? Is a 5’3”, 163-pound woman considered normal in U.S. society?

  7. Statistical deviance What is normal? What is deviant? Is a 5’3”, 163-pound woman considered normal in U.S. society? Depends on who you ask.

  8. Relativist definition of deviance • deviance is behavior that violates norms AND that elicits negative sanctions. • an act or appearance is only deviant if a negative valuation is placed on it—if people stigmatize or punish those who act or look in a certain way • varies based on the setting and the people around

  9. Relativist definition of deviance • In IBOD, people might not punish the 5’3”, 163 pound woman for looking as she does. • Her experiences might be different in Hollywood.

  10. Critical question: “why?” Why do we (as a society) choose to negatively react to some body variations and not others?

  11. Diversity abounds Most common: brown eyes 33% of US pop: blue eyes Least common: green eyes Why don’t we punish green-eyed people?

  12. Diversity abounds What types of body diversity tend to elicit negative reactions from members of our society?

  13. What types of body diversity tend to elicit negative reactions from members of our society? “Extreme Bodies: Super Obese” “Extreme Bodies: Conjoined Twins” transsexual bodies radical body modification (lots of tattoos, pierces, cosmetic surgery, humanimals) Diversity abounds

  14. What types of body diversity tend to elicit negative reactions from members of our society? Why focus on these types of body variations? Diversity abounds

  15. sociological theories about deviance to the rescue!

  16. Functionalism • a group defines itself by the range of behaviors it will accept

  17. Functionalism • a group defines itself by the range of behaviors it will accept • a norm becomes most evident in its occasional violation

  18. Functionalism • a group defines itself by the range of behaviors it will accept • a norm becomes most evident in its occasional violation • by violating group norms and eliciting social controls, the deviant person shows the rest of the group what behaviors are not appropriate

  19. Functions of deviance • reaffirms group norms • establishes group boundaries • increases group conformity • increases group solidarity (fight common enemy)

  20. Functions of deviance What functions could bodily deviance serve?

  21. Functions of bodily deviance? • Does stigmatizing obese people reaffirm American norms? • Does stigmatizing transsexuals maintain existing boundaries? • Does stigmatizing heavily tattooed people draw the rest of society closer together?

  22. Conflict theory of deviance power is significant • Who gets to decide what is considered deviant? • Who ends up in the status of “deviant”?

  23. Conflict theory of deviance “Deviant” is a label that is applied to a behavior or appearance when people in power feel threatened.

  24. Conflict theory of deviance “Deviant” is a label that is applied to a behavior or appearance when people in power feel threatened. “Deviance” is a tool of social control.

  25. Conflict theory of deviance Who might obese people, transsexuals, or heavily tattooed people be threatening, and how?

  26. Conclusions • There are many ways bodies deviate from the statistical bell curve.

  27. Conclusions • There are many ways bodies deviate from the statistical bell curve. • The ones we choose to focus on (and punish) reveal something important about our society.

  28. Conclusions What happens when bodies deviate from the norm?

  29. Conclusions What happens when bodies deviate from the norm? • Nothing

  30. Conclusions What happens when bodies deviate from the norm? • Nothing • We punish the deviants (punish the individual in service of society?)

  31. Conclusions What happens when bodies deviate from the norm? • Nothing • We punish the deviants (punish the individual in service of society?) • The individuals punish themselves (self-surveillance)

  32. Conclusions What happens when bodies deviate from the norm? • Nothing • We punish the deviants (punish the individual in service of society?) • The individuals punish themselves (self-surveillance) • The deviants challenge the boundaries and create change

  33. Conclusions Ask yourself: • What characteristics of people’s bodies do we choose to define as significant, and what variations do we consider deviant?

  34. Conclusions Ask yourself: • What characteristics of people’s bodies do we choose to define as significant, and what variations do we consider deviant? • What does this tell us about what our society values and about who is in power?

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