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Deviance and its Social Functions

Deviance and its Social Functions. HSP3U Ms. Blumenthal December 4th- 5th, 2013. What is Deviance ?. Recognized violation of cultural norms One main category = CRIME - the violation of society’s formally enacted criminal law

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Deviance and its Social Functions

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  1. Deviance and its Social Functions HSP3U Ms. Blumenthal December4th- 5th, 2013

  2. WhatisDeviance? • Recognized violation of cultural norms • One main category= CRIME- the violation of society’sformallyenactedcriminallaw • Deviant actions/attitudes (negative or positive) have a commonground= an element of differencethat causes us to thinkanotherperson as an outsider.

  3. Social Control • We are all subject to social control- attempts by society to regulatepeople’sthoughts and behaviour= ofteninformal • Cases of seriousdeviance= criminal justice system (the organizations- police, courts, prison officials- thatrespond to alleged violations of the law)

  4. The BiologicalContext • Centuries ago, people understood (misunderstood?) humanbehaviour to be the result of biological instincts • 1876- Cesare Lombroso: Italianphysicianwhoworked in prisons- criminals stand out physically (lowforeheads, prominentjaws/cheekbones, protrudingears, hairy bodies, long arms)= apelike look

  5. 21st Century Biology • Today, geneticsseeks possible linkbetween crime and biology • 2003 study conclusion= geneticfactorstogetherwithenvironmentalfactors(especially abuse early on in life) werestrongpredictors of adult crime and violence

  6. PersonalityFactors • Psychologicalexplanations of deviance focus on individualabonormality • Somepersonality traits are inherited, mostshaped by social experiences • Result of “unsuccessful socialization”

  7. The Social Foundations of Deviance • Devianceisshaped by society- there are 3 social foundations of deviance • 1. Deviance varies according to cultural norms • 2. People becomedeviant as othersdefinethemthatway • 3. Bothnorms and the way people definerulebreakinginvolvesocial power

  8. 3 Foundations of Deviance • Deviance varies according to cultural norms • No thought or action isinherentlydeviant= itbecomesdeviant in relation to particular NORMS • Most cities and towns have one unique law • Around the world, devianceiseven MORE diverse

  9. Examples…. • Textmessaging behind the wheelisillegal in Ontario, but not illegal in some U.S. states • Iran forbids the public playing of rap music • Wearing of religioussymbols in Albania • Cuba bans posessingpersonalcomputers • Malaysia does not allowtight-fitting jeans for women • SaudiArabia bans the sale of redflowers on Valentine’s Day (Chopra, 2008)

  10. 2. People becomedeviant as othersdefinethemthatway • Everyoneviolates cultural normsatsome point or another • Behaviourisdefined as beingdeviantdepending on how othersperceive , define, and respond to it

  11. 3. Bothnorms and the way people definerule-breakinginvolve social power • Karl Marx: the lawis the means by whichpowerful people protecttheirinterests Example: A homelesspersonwho stands on a street corner protestingagainst the governmentmaygetarrested for “disturbing the peace”, wheras a mayoral candidate may get police protection.

  12. The Functions of Deviance/ The Labelling of Deviance • Group 1 : Durkheim’s Basic Instinct • Group 2: Merton’sStrainTheory & Deviant Subcultures • Group 3: Labelling Theory • Group 4: The Medicalization of Deviance • Group 5: Differential Association Theory & Control Theory

  13. Pearson: Deviance Ch. 7 • http://www.pearsonhighered.com/assets/hip/us/hip_us_pearsonhighered/samplechapter/0205003788.pdf

  14. Deviance and Power • Alexander Liazos- people wedefine as “deviant” are not as bad/harmful as they are powerless • Norms typically reflect the rich and powerful- people who threaten the wealthy are more likely to be labelled deviant (“common thieves”, “political radicals”) • The powerful have the resources to resist deviant labels (i.e. beingarrested)

  15. Deviance and Capitalism • “Deviant labels are applied to those who interfere with the structure of capitalism”- Spitzer • Poor who steal from the rich= deviant, but the landlords who charge poor tenants high rent and evict those who cannot pay= “simply doing business”

  16. Capitalism= productive labour- thosewhocan’tworkriskbeinglabelleddeviant • Capitalism= respect for authority figures- people whoresistauthority are labelleddeviant • Capitalismmarginalizesthosethat do not fit into the system (elderly, people with mental/physicaldisabilities)

  17. White-Collar Crime • Crime committed by people of high social position in the course of their occupations • Does not involve violence (“Crime in the suites” vs. “Crime in the streets” view) • Bank embezzlements, business fraud, bribery, etc. • These criminals usually escape punishment

  18. Organized Crime • A business supplyingillegalgoods or services • Often times- the selling of illegalgoods/services (sex, drugs, gambling)- to willingbuyers • Flourishing for 100+ years, oftenamongst immigrants whofoundit hard to adjust to new society, and whofeltthatNorth American society was not willing to shareopportunitieswiththem

  19. A well-knownexample… • The Italian Mafia: Al Capone • African-Americans, Chinese, Colombians, Cubans, Haitians, Nigerians, Russians And many, many more…

  20. Hate Crimes • A criminalactagainst a person or a person’sproperty by an offendermotivated by racial or otherbias • A hate crime may express hostility toward someone based on race, religion, ancestry, sexual orientation, or physical disability.

  21. The Trayvon Martin case… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b0AK6jOeEl4

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