1 DEVIANCE AND CRIME 2022-10-19 Learning Objectives 2 Define deviance and crime Explore socio-biological and sociological theories of deviance Explain Structural Functionalist, Symbolic Interaction and Social Conflict approaches to deviance 2022-10-19 What is deviance? 3 Deviance: Recognized violation of a cultural norm Violation of norms that may/ not be formalized into law Crime: Violation of a formally enacted law State penalty 2022-10-19 What is deviance? 4 Deviance: Does not mean “bad” Does not always involve action/choice Element of social difference “outsider” A form of social control: regulates & controls society through norms 2022-10-19 Contested Nature of Crime & Deviance 5 Because culture and norms change, norms and deviance are also contested. Seldom total agreement on deviance Deviance is contested: disagreement about whether something is deviant/not E.g.? 2022-10-19 Contested Nature of Crime & Deviance 6 Deviance and crime vary in terms of three criteria: 1. Severity of the social response 2. Perceived harmfulness 3. Degree of public agreement 2022-10-19 7 Types of Deviance and Crime (i)Social diversions: Minor acts of deviance considered harmless Evoke mild reaction or amusement E.g.? (ii)Social deviations: Noncriminal departures from norms that are nonetheless subject to official control. Some regard them as being in some ways harmful, while others do not. 2022-10-19 8 Types of Deviance and Crime (iii) Conflict crimes: Illegal acts many believe to be harmful and punishable by the state. However, others believe the acts to be not so harmful/ controversial E.g.? Driving over speed limit (iv) Consensus crimes: Seen to be bad & serious Consensus on severity of crime/agrmt on punishment State inflicts severe punishment E.g.? Manslaughter 2022-10-19 Types of Deviance and Crime 9 2022-10-19 10 Crime and deviance are socially constructed 2022-10-19 11 Biological Theories of Deviance 19th C theories of human behaviour: Biological factors determined person’s behaviour Cesare Lambroso (1835-1909) : criminals were distinguishable by physical features Physiognomy & Social Darwinism shape of head prominent jaws, cheekbones - 2022-10-19 Biological Theories of Deviance (ctnd) 12 20th C: William Sheldon General body structure predicted criminality Theory linked physique, personality and delinquency Correlation b/w body type & criminal history of boys with muscular builds Delinquent 2022-10-19 Biological Theories of Deviance (ctnd) 13 1950: Glueck & Glueck Powerful build do not cause criminality: Parents show less sensitivity to muscular boys Self-fulfilling prophesies Physical traits do not distinguish criminals 2022-10-19 14 Biology attempts to connect genetics with deviant/criminal behaviour 2022-10-19 Biological Theories of Deviance (ctnd) 15 MAOA and CDH13 genes linked t o violent crime, but can they expl ain criminal behavior? - Genetic L iteracy Project https://www.bbc.com/news/sci ence-environment-29760212 2022-10-19 16 Biological Theories of Deviance Biological theories largely debunked Limitations of biological theories of deviance. No causal evidence Absolves of responsibility 2022-10-19 Socio-Biological: Containment Theory 17 Personality is shaped by social experience “unsuccessful socialization” can explain abnormality in personality Containment theory Walter Reckless and Simon Dinitz (1976) Studied delinquent & non delinquent boys in “high delinquent” environment 2022-10-19 18 “Good boys” Self concept: Image of themselves as adhering to law Goal orientation- Boys had a sense of direction Handle frustration – Strong conscience/ superego Norm retention - Identified with conventional values & norms “Bad boys” Negative self-concept Not goal oriented Little tolerance Norm erosion 2022-10-19 Containment Theory(Ctnd’) 19 Containment theory: Inner qualities and outer control systems of containment controlled boys motivations toward criminality Inner qualities: moral beliefs, sense of right & wrong Outer forces: socialization Inner/outer forces of containment was a large factor in good boys resistance to delinquency 2022-10-19 Containment Theory(Ctnd’) 20 Inner/outer containment controlled behavior regardless of high rate of delinquency in society Delinquency attributed to personality controlling deviant behaviour Focus is on abnormality in individual personality 2022-10-19 Sociological Foundations of Deviance 21 1. Deviance varies according to cultural norms No thought/action is inherently deviant Becomes deviant only in respect to social norms 2. People become deviant as others define them that way Behaviours are criminal depending on social response 2022-10-19 how others define and respond to it 22 Sociological Foundations of Deviance 3. Norms and deviance involve social power Karl Marx: the law is the means by which the powerful protect their interests Power is key to determining norms 2022-10-19 Structural Functional Analysis: Functions of Deviance 23 Emile Durkheim: Deviance is necessary to social organization: 2022-10-19 Structural Functional Analysis: Functions of Deviance: Durkheim 24 1. Deviance clarifies moral boundaries and affirms cultural values: - defining some as deviant clarifies boundaries b/w right/wrong -Definition of virtue rests on opposing ideas of vice 2022-10-19 Functions of Deviance: Structural Functional Analysis (ctnd) 25 2. Deviance unites people People react to serious deviance with shared outrage E.g. Lucia Vega Jimenez – CBSA’s holding cell (NOII) ? 3. Deviance can encourage social change Pushes society’s moral boundaries suggesting alternative social changes that maintain stability E.g., rock n roll Hip hop 2022-10-19 26 Structural Functional Analysis Robert Merton expanded Durkheim’s theory Strain theory: Deviance is necessary for functioning of society but discrepancy b/w culturally defined goals & means to achieve them causes strain, dysfunction E.g.: “American/Canadian Dream” 2022-10-19 Accept RITUALISM 2022-10-19 INNOVATION Strain/conform RETREATISM New Means New Goals Cultural Goals CONFORMITY Reject Conventional Means/Structure Accept Reject REBELLION 27 28 Symbolic Interaction Analysis Labelling theory: Deviance (conformity) is not so much what people do, but how others respond The response is what leads to labelling persons deviant Social construction of reality a highly variable process Deviance is relative 2022-10-19 Retrospective and Projective labelling 29 Retrospective labelling: Interpreting someone’s past in light of present deviance Projective labelling: using deviant identity to project a person’s future actions Affects individuals self concept Self-fulfilling prophesies 2022-10-19 30 Symbolic Interaction Analysis Medicalization of deviance, resulting from labelling: Thomas Szasz and Ervin Goffman: shift in understanding deviance Growth of psychiatry and medicine led to the medicalization of deviance E.g. alcoholism: moral weakness disease Obesity 2022-10-19 31 Symbolic Interaction Analysis Edwin Sutherland (1940) Differential Association Theory The tendency to conform or deviate depends on contact with others who encourage or reject deviant behaviour 2022-10-19 32 Symbolic Interaction Analysis Travis Hirschi (1969) Control Theory Social control and deviant behavior depend on people anticipating consequences of behaviour Conformity and social control linked to: Attachment Opportunity Involvement Belief 2022-10-19 Social Conflict Analysis 33 Who is labelled deviant depends on power Norms reflect the interests of the rich and powerful The powerful have resources to resist deviant labels Belief that norms and laws are natural and good masks their political character 2022-10-19 Social Conflict Analysis 34 People labelled deviant within capitalism: Those who threaten private property Those who cannot or will not work People who resist authority People who challenge the status quo 2022-10-19 Social-Conflict Analysis 35 • White-Collar Crime • Corporate Crime Financial Safety Environmental 2022-10-19
