Symbolic Interactionism and Deviance
Sociology: Chapter 7, Section 3
Symbolic Interactionism and Deviance
• According to symbolic interactionism, deviance is
transmitted through socialization in the same way
that non-deviant behavior is learned
• Delinquent behavior can be taught through play
groups and gangs
• Two theories regarding this are based on symbolic
interactionism: the differential association theory
and the labeling theory
Differential Association Theory
• Just as we learn preferences in religion and politics from
influential people in our lives, we can also learn deviance
from them
• Differential association theory states that individuals learn
deviance in proportion to the number of deviant acts they
are exposed to
• Three characteristics affect differential association:
• 1. The ratio of deviant to nondeviant individuals:
– A person who knows mostly deviants is more likely to learn deviant
behavior
• 2. Whether the deviant behavior is practiced by significant
others:
– A person is more likely to copy deviant behavior from significant others
than from less important people
• 3. The age of exposure:
– Younger children learn deviant behavior more quickly than older
children
Differential association theory states
that our life’s choices are definitely
affected by the friends we choose
Labeling Theory
• Labeling theory explains that deviance is relative–
while two people may break the same norm, only
one may be considered to be deviant
• Labeling theory explains that unmarried pregnant
teenage girls are more negatively sanctioned than
teenage biological fathers
• Deviancy is relative to time as well, as societal
reaction to teenage pregnancy has become much
less severe recently
• See video: “Perspectives on Deviance: Differential Association, Labeling Theory, and
Strain Theory” at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSucylf4KhY
Primary and Secondary Deviance
• In primary deviance, a person only occasionally acts
in a deviant way, and does not consider him/herself
to be deviant
• Most college students admit to breaking some
norms, but the vast majority have never been
arrested
• If somebody breaks the law for the first time, they
don’t consider themselves to be criminals
• Secondary deviance, on the other hand, refers to
deviance as a lifestyle and as a personal identity
• The deviant status is the person’s master status
Primary and Secondary Deviance
In primary deviance, the
In secondary deviance,
deviance may be minor and your deviance becomes
doesn’t define who you are your master status
Consequences of Labeling
• Labeling people as deviant can cause them pain, as
well as determine the direction of their lives
• People may receive a stigma– an undesirable label
used to deny the deviant full social acceptance
• An ex-convict may receive a stigmatic label of
jailbird and that would discredit the person’s entire
worth
• Other stigmas may be attached to someone who is
unemployed, or who is mentally challenged
People may struggle to see beyond the stigma
Assessment
• Complete #1-6 on page 217