Deviance and Conformity
• Norms – Formal and informal rules of
acceptable/appropriate behavior.
• Deviance – Behavior that departs from societal or
group norms.
• Conformity - action in accord with prevailing social
standards, attitudes, practices, etc. (norms).
• Social Control – ways to promote conformity to
norms.
Mr./Mrs. Deviant & Mr./Mrs. Conformity
• In your group draw these two characters.
• Include in your portrayal identifying characteristics.
• What is it about this character that makes him/her
personify deviance or conformity? Think about….
How does the character make a living?
How is your character’s self-esteem?
Who does the character hang out with (if anyone)?
What political opinions does the character have?
What type of movies does the character enjoy?
What type of music does the character listen to?
What does the character do in his/her spare time?
What goals does the character have?
If your character had a catch-phrase, what would it be?
The Grey Area of Deviance
It truly depends on the context.
(time, place, situation, culture)
For the following behaviors/actions provide
an instance when they would be considered
deviant and when they wouldn’t be
considered deviant.
NUDITY, KILLING, STEALING, SWEARING,
SMOKING POT, FIGHTING
2 types of Norms
Prescriptive Norms – What we should do
- Saying excuse me after bumping into
somebody; standing at the end of a line
Proscriptive Norms – What we shouldn’t do
- Putting you feet on the dinner table,
swearing in class
Norms (Review)
Folkways - Informal norms that reflect
cultural traditions and guide everyday
behavior and interaction
Mores – Norms linked to value
judgments
Laws – Formal norms that are enacted by
the state
Conformity/Range of Tolerance
• People for the most part expect
conformity because it tells us what others
will do.
• However people don’t rigidly adhere to
every norm in every situation.
• Sometimes adhering to one norm requires
violation of another.
– Politeness and Honesty (Does this shirt make
me look fat?)
• This is what we refer to as the Range of
Tolerance.
Range of Tolerance
This refers to the idea that there is a
scope of behaviors considered acceptable
and seen as being confirmative.
A good example of this notion can be
seen in speed limits.
Speed Limits = Laws that are formally sanctioned
(tickets)
They are set, but there are ranges beyond the
limit that are acceptable. If 70 is the posted limit…
-71 is over but probably okay
-75 is over, maybe pushing it
-80 to 85 probably going to get pulled over
-100 definitely asking for trouble
Range of Tolerance
Ruth Cavan – Continuum Model (R.O.T)
Over-conformity/Under-conformity = Deviance
GPA’s
1.8-----------------3.5--------------------4.7
Not Okay
Okay
Not Okay
Speeding 35------------------70------------------100
Not Okay
Okay
Not Okay
Deviance and Conformity are not Absolute!
Grey Areas of Deviance
Context of the situation determines Deviance…
Applying Time, Place, Situation, and Culture helps us
evaluate a behavior. (speeding example)
TIME – Late Night vs. Rush Hour
PLACE – Down suburban street vs. Interstate
SITUATION – Pregnancy/Ambulance vs. Pizza Delivery
CULTURE – America vs. Germany
Deviance and Crime
Crime is not something that just happens because
people are "bad" or "evil" (as most "common-sense"
explanations of crime tend to ultimately suggest). Crime
- at least in Capitalist societies - is related to inequalities
of power, authority, economic ownership, wealth and
so forth. In this respect, it is necessary to locate
individual behavior in a cultural context that
encourages or discourages certain forms of thinking
and behavior. For example, in a society that generally
encourages racist or sexist ideas, these forms of
deviance will be fairly common.
Crime is part of deviance but not all deviance is crime!
Deviance and Conformity
Deviance is to stray from set standards in
society.
Crime is the breaking of formal laws.
Deviance and Conformity
An act can be criminal and deviant
(breaking social and legal rules) .
Example Killing – Beating an old woman
to death.
Example Stealing – Fixing the books at
the Boys and Girls Club.
Deviance and Conformity
An act can deviant but not criminal.
(breaking only social rules)
Example Norm Violations
Example Cross-dressing – Men wearing a
dress and makeup.
Deviance and Conformity
An act can be criminal but not deviant
(breaking only legal rules) .
Example Pirating Music – Illegally
downloading music off the internet
Example Speeding
“Victimless Crime”
Deviance and Conformity
Please come up with an example for each of
the following….
-Criminal and Deviant
-Deviant but not Criminal
-Criminal but not Deviant
-A behavior that can be applied to the R.O.T.
Functions of Crime
Emile Durkheim – Crime is an integral part of
all healthy societies.
1.) It promotes Social Solidarity (re-affirms
social values and the collective conscience).
Example – Gun crimes encourages some to
re-establish the value of human life.
Functions of Crime
2.) Shows and clearly displays the limits of
acceptable behavior/boundaries.
Example – The identification and punishment
of criminals sets standards for all.
Functions of Crime
3.) Punishment for crimes demonstrates a
societies values.
Example – The severity of the punishment
helps establish understanding of
formal/informal sanctions
Functions of Crime
4.) Criminals serve as negative role models.
Example – Kids grow up not wanting to be
like them.
Functions of Crime
5.) Some criminal activity creates social
change.
Example – The assassination of MLK Jr. or
Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat.
Functions of Crime
6.) Existence of criminals reveals that society
isn’t overly controlling.
Example – Repressive societies have little
crime in addition to little freedom.
Functions of Crime
7.) Crime provides career opportunities for
millions of people.
Example – Law Enforcement, Lawyers,
Judges, Corrections Officers, Medical
Professionals, Treatment and Prevention
facilities, etc.
Types of Crime
There are 3 types of Crime…
1. Violent
2. Property
3. Victimless
Violent Crime
Examples: Homicide, Aggravated Assault,
Rape, Robbery (using force/threats)
Property Crime
Examples: Burglary (unlawful entry),
Larceny-Theft, Auto Theft, Arson
Victimless Crime
Examples: Prostitution, Illegal Gambling,
Drug Use
**Some people argue this doesn’t exist
because these crimes disrupt social order
and threaten societies moral fiber, thus
victimizing all members of society.
Theories of Deviance
• There are 4 major theories of Deviance
that sociologists look to when trying to
understand and analyze Deviance and
Crime…
• These theories try to explain external
social factors that lead to individual
deviant behavior.
Merton’s “Anomie” or “Strain” Theory
(Functionalist Perspective)
Theory explains deviance as an outcome of social strains
due to the way society is structured.
For some the strain becomes so overwhelming that
individuals use deviance to alleviate this strain.
Deviance is due to ANOMIE – the feeling of meaningless
due to the effect social norms have on them.
Theory examines the acceptance/rejection of Socially
Approved Goals and Socially Approved Means to
satisfying those goals.
Merton’s “Anomie” or “Strain” Theory
(Functionalist Perspective)
Merton’s “Anomie” or “Strain” Theory
(Functionalist Perspective)
Reckless’ “Control” Theory
(Functionalist Perspective)
Theory asks “why do must of us not commit deviance?” In
other words, why do most of us, most of the time, act
“correctly?”
The social bonds that connect people help us from
committing deviance (Solidarity). Proper socialization is
key…
Self Control = Internal and External Controls
Internal Controls – Conscience, Values, Integrity, and
Morality – wanting to be a good person.
External Controls – Police, Family, Friends, Clergy, Etc.
Labeling Theory
(Symbolic Interaction/Conflict Perspective)
Theory looks at the “power” of a label in our society.
Deviance is relative, it exists after someone in a position of
power “labels” someone as deviant. Significant to
juveniles.
Primary Deviance = Temporary deviant behaviors, deviant
is not internalized in persons self concept.
Secondary Deviance = Sustained deviant behaviors,
deviant is internalized in persons self concept.
Feedback loops included continued deviance (by deviants)
and difficulty of changing views/opinions (by society).
Differential-Association Theory
(Symbolic Interaction Perspective)
Views all behavior as learned, focuses on 3 key variables…
1.) Age of the “learner”
2.) Intensity of contact with the “teacher”
3.) Ratio of “good” to “bad” social contacts in the
“learners” life
Environment plays major factor in being Deviant/NonDeviant
Think of Gangs vs. Team Sports