DEVIANCE

Concept:Behavior which does not comply with the dominant norms of a specific society/ violation of cultural norms.

Examples of deviance:AlcoholicsGamblersMentally illCheatersBald Homeless“close talkers”

*Sociologically, we are all deviant from time to time.*Each of us violates common social norms in certain situations (social v. criminal deviance)*Deviance involves the violation of group norms which MAY OR MAY NOT be formalized into law (written norms enforced by the government).*Standards of deviance vary from one group (subculture) to another.*Deviance varies over time.*Deviance is often subjective – subject to social definitions* All this means that deviance is “socially constructed” (made up by society)

Negative Deviance

*Behavior that fails to meet the accepted norms either he/ she rejected, misinterpreted or unaware of it.*Deviance that hurts people such as murder, rape, or theft. Even though this deviance hurts people.

Forms of Deviance

• Admired Behavior:“Good” or “Admirable” behavior that breaks social norms…Ex.: extreme heroism… saving another person’s life while putting yours at risk

• Odd BehaviorThings like strange ways of dressing, being a “cat lady”, etc.Behaviors that are not criminal, but still differ from acceptable behavior

• Bad BehaviorGenerally this behavior is law breaking/ criminal behavior.

PRIMARY• Person only

occasionally breaks norms; not a lifestyle

e.g. college student may drink at parties high school student may do something dumb & break a law

SECONDARY• Person for whom

deviance is a way of life; a normal reaction for that person

e.g. Career Criminals like John Dillinger, Serial Killers

We must be careful not to label primary deviants because it could lead to secondary deviance

Let’s review: Label as Primary or Secondary Deviance

1. ____Student cheats on a test one time2. ____Teenager steals gum every week from Wal-mart3. ____Bank Robber who has robbed five banks4. ____ Small child stole candy one time5. ____Student copies math homework every night from

best friend6. ____Drug Dealer7. ____12 year old who tried smoking a cigarette8. ____ Maryland snipers Lee Malvo & John Muhammad

The Relativity Of Deviance

Audience Relativity

“ Deviance is the eye of the beholder.”

Actor Relativity

“doing the act”

Situational Relativity

“acts on a certain circumstances”

ELEMENTS OF DEVIANCE

• EXPECTATIONS • VIOLATIONS• REACTIONS

Criminal behaviourCrime consists of behaviour that breaks the law

Deviant behaviourDeviancy consists of behaviour that differs from the norms and values of wider society

Identify