Deviance 9e
Alex Thio
Chapter Two:
Positivist Theories
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Introduction
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Positivists try to explain horrible
deviant acts, such VA Tech
shootings, through past social
experiences (ex. Inadequate or
flawed socialization and grievances
against society)
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Anomie-Strain Theory
Anomie: breakdown of social norms
 A-S theory examines how anomie
causes deviance
 Merton focused on goals-means gap
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Ways in which society encourages
deviant behavior (by setting
unreasonable goals but not the tools
needed to attain them)
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Anomie-Strain Theory – cont.
Durkheim: anomie is absence of
norms and this leads to deviance
 Merton: (Different view than
Durkheim) deviance occurs when
society encourages individuals to
commit it by creating a type of
pressure that promotes deviance
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Anomie-Strain Theory – cont.
Merton:
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Legitimate means of success not freely available to all
classes
Lower classes are trapped into resorting to illegitimate means
to achieve success (the level of success promoted by social
institutions as normal, appropriate and attainable)
By encouraging high aspirations and denying avenues of
success, society inadvertently creates deviance
Conformity: accepting both society-approved goals and
means
Innovation: use of illegitimate means to achieve socially
accepted/promoted high success goals
Ritualism: abandoning high success goals but pursuing
legitimate work
Retreatism: withdrawal from goals and means of society
Rebellion: rejection of prevailing social expectations and
support for overthrowing the system (ex. social institutions,
bureaucracy, etc.)
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Albert Cohen: Status
Frustration
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Cohen modified Merton’s strain theory by
introducing the delinquent subculture
driven by status frustration
According to Cohen, lower-classed youths
react (status frustration and reaction
formation) to the unreasonable middleclass measuring rod (social expectations)
by turning to deviance
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Anomie-Strain Theory – cont.
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Cloward & Ohlin: extended Merton’s theory
by focusing on differential illegitimate
opportunities
3 types of illegitimate
opportunities/subcultures:
1.
2.
3.
Criminal subculture; youth achieve goals by
stealing, robbing and fencing (moving stolen
goods)
Conflict subculture; violent gangs give status to
thugs
Retreatist subculture; drug use
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Anomie-Strain Theory – cont.
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New direction in A-S theory:
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More emphasis on U.S. culture that values
success by any means
Pursuit of economic success leads to lack of
concern for others and promotes self interest
Exploring other areas of strain, e.g. death of
loved one, serious illness and relationship
problems
Presence of negative stimuli, e.g. child abuse
and neglect
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Social Learning Theory
Deviant behavior is learned through
one’s interaction with others like any
other behavior
 Sutherland: deviance occurs in people
who have more concentrated criminal
than anti-criminal contacts (differential
association)
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Social Learning Theory – cont.
Glaser’s differential identification
theory: individual must identify with
criminals
 Burgess & Akers’ differential
reinforcement or social learning:
people will engage in criminal activity
if rewarded
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Control Theory
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Explores why people conform, not deviate; accepts
Freudian idea that deviance can occur naturally, without
social control
Hirshi: strong bonds to society ensure conformity while
weak bonds lead to deviant acts
Tittle: lack of control balance – too little or too much
control over others -- can cause deviance
Braithwaite: proposed shaming as form of social control
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Disintegrative shaming – Shunning, Stigmatization, banishment,
etc.
Reintegrative shaming – More positive in that the wrongdoer is
shunned and banished, but then openly welcomed back into the
community.
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Control Theory – cont.
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Deterrence doctrine: emphasizes role of formal
social control in deterring deviance
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Assumes that humans are rational and will continue
to commit crime unless the cost (punishment) is
severe
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Severity, certainty and swiftness all can influence crime rate
General deterrence: deter public from
committing crime through punishment examples
Specific deterrence: meant to deter criminals
from committing more crime
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