Deviation, Social Problems, and Control

Deviation, Social
Problems, and Control

Lesson 1: Meaning of Nature and
Deviance
 Deviance, is violation of social rules and
conventions.
 When a certain individuals fails to act
according to the norms and expectations of
society, he/she referred to as deviant.
 Deviance has always negative connotation;
People usually get annoyed easily by deviant
behavior.
Consequence of Deviance
 Deviance has positive and negative effects on individuals and
society. Some of its positive effects are as follows:
* It teaches people what acceptable social behavior is.
* It strengthens group norms and values.
* It is a sign and a source of social change.
 Some of its negative effects are the ff:
* It harms group stability.
* It induces distrust and ill will.
* It drains human and economic resources.
* It weakens people’s faith in and conformity to social
norms
Social Tolerance of Deviance
 Why do people deviate from social norms?

Reactions to deviance vary by
intensity. Violations of some norms of
etiquette, for instance, may meet with only
mild disapproval and sanctions, whereas
violations of the rule of law such as murder,
rape, or robbery may receive strong
condemnation and severe punishment.
Deviance as Relative
 Deviance is relative in nature. It depends

upon the cultural norms. An individual
appears deviant because other people see
his/her that way.
 Deviance relies on how people interpret
social behavior.
Lesson 2: Theoretical
Explanations of Deviance
Theoretical Explanation of Deviance
 Some of the most familiar theories that explain

deviance are the ff:
* Structural – Functional View

* Social Strain Theory
* Symbolic – Interaction Theory
* Conflict Theory
A. Structural – Functional View
 Under this perspective, People deviate from given social norms because
of the rapid social changes that are taking place.
 Structural – Functional View, sees society as a structure with interrelated
parts designed to meet the biological and social needs of the individuals
in that society.
 Émile Durkheim, another early sociologist, applied Spencer’s theory to
explain how societies change and survive over time. Durkheim believed
that society is a complex system of interrelated and interdependent parts
that work together to maintain stability (Durkheim 1893), and that
society is held together by shared values, languages, and symbols.
 He believed that to study society, a sociologist must look beyond
individuals to social facts such as laws, morals, values, religious beliefs,
customs, fashion, and rituals, which all serve to govern social life.
B. Social Strain Theory
 Strain theory explains deviant behavior as an inevitable outcome of
the strain individuals experience when society does not provide
adequate and approved means to achieve culturally valued goals.
 For example, when a society places cultural value on economic
success and wealth, but only provides legally sanctioned means for a
small portion of the population to achieve these goals, those excluded
may turn to unconventional or criminal means of attaining them.
 Strain theory was developed by American sociologist Robert K.
Merton. It is rooted in the functionalist perspective on deviance and
connected to Émile Durkheim's theory.
 In Merton's theory of strain, societies are composed of two core
aspects: culture and social structure.
Four Ways of Responding to Strain
 Innovation
Is a mode in which an individual acknowledges society’s goal, but
his/her from attaining such goal via legal or legitimate means.
 Retreatism: When people both reject the culturally valued goals of a
society and the legitimate means of attaining them and live their lives in
a way that evades participation in both, they can be described as
retreating from society.
 Rebellion: This applies to people and groups that both reject the
culturally valued goals of a society and the legitimate means of attaining
them, but instead of retreating, work to replace both with different goals
and means.
 Ritualism: This describes those who pursue the legitimate means of
attaining goals, but who set more humble and achievable goals for
themselves.
C. Symbolic – Interaction Theory
 This Paradigm States that deviance is learned through
interaction with other deviant people and involves in the
development of a deviant concept.
Four Sub Theories:
Differential Association Theory
 It state here that, “the more contact a person has with
people who commit deviant acts, the more likely that
person is to engage in deviant activities.
 Edwin Sutherland (1961) suggested that all human
behavior including deviance, is learned through association
with others, especially groups.
Self – Esteem Theory
 It state here that people deviance or conformity depending on
which will do the most to enhance their self esteem.
Control Theory
 Develop by Travis Hirschi, Suggest that deviance arises from
particular social arrangements, specifically inability of society
to control adequately the activities of its members.
Four types of social control
1. Attachment
2. Commitment
3. Involvement
4. Believe –Strong Believe
Labeling Theory
 Accdg to this theory, deviance is a result of being labeled by
society Howard Becker (1973). He state that social groups
create deviance by making the rules whose infraction
constitutes deviance, and by applying these rules to
particular people and labeling them as outsiders.
D. Conflict Theory
 Accdg to this theory, Social inequality is the root of numerous social problems
such as deviance and crime.
 Macionis (2007) cited three ways of explaining the social conflict theory of
deviance.
 First – it is the interest of those in charge, The rich and powerful which are
reflected in any society’s law and norms. Those who threaten their wealth or
power are labeled as criminals. The justice system is designed by the ruling
class to work for the ruling class, and against the working class and the poor.
 Second, The ruling class has enough power to keep themselves from being
labeled as deviant; those involved in scandals are rarely arrested or sent in
jail.
 Third, People tend to be concerned over the fact that laws are not applied
equally in all members of society.
Functions of Deviance
 Deviance promotes social unity. It tells what most people
expect.
 It affirms cultural values and norms.
 It clarifies moral boundaries.
 It encourage social change.
 It provides jobs from people (policemen, Lawyers,
Psychologist, etc.)
 It provide safety valve for society.

Deviation, Social Problems, and Control

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Deviation, Social Problems, and Control

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Deviation, Social

Problems, and Control

 Why do people deviate from social norms?

 Deviance is relative in nature. It depends

 Some of the most familiar theories that explain

* Structural – Functional View

You might also like