SOCY 1004 1st EditionExam # 1 Study Guide Deviance in U.S SocietyI. Defining deviance:A. What is Deviance?-Deviance is the violation of norms-Anything that falls outside of what is considered normalB. What are Norms?-Behavior codes that guide people to actions and self-presentations conforming to social acceptability.-The rules that a group uses for appropriate and inappropriate behavior-3 types of Norms:a. Folkways-Everyday norms based on custom, tradition, and etiquette-Ex: fashion norms, table manners, eye contact b. Mores-Moral norms based on social values-Violations seen as threat to social order, the offender is seen as “bad”-Ex: gay marriage, drug addiction, cheatingc. Laws-Strongest norms since supported by formal code of sanctions-Ex: murder, assault, rape, child pornography, public nudity-Violations may lead to imprisonment or death-Wide scale (speeding vs. murder)II. ABC’s of DevianceA. Attitudes-Being branded deviant for alternative attitudes or beliefs-Ex: religious cult members, Satanists, political extremistsB. Behaviors-Overt acts that are regarded as deviant-Ex: violating dress. Speech, kinky sexual behaviorC. Conditions-Seen as deviant for condition or quality that may be achieved or ascribeddeviant status-Ex: physically disabilityIII. Deviant statusA. Achieved deviant status-People cast into deviant label for over act.B. Ascribed deviant status-People cast into deviant label based on a condition typically acquired at birth (but not always).IV: 3 categories of S’sA. Sin-Viewed as religious disorder-Satanic influencesB. Sick-Medicalization of deviance (drug use, sexual behavior)-Use of medical treatment for responding to deviance-Expert driven-Psychological and biological-Diagnosis and treatmentC. Selected–Intentional selected choices or forms of recreation-Claim of voluntary choice-Ex: gamblingV: Boundaries- ErichsonA. Communities are boundary maintaining-Maintaining boundaries, members confine and limit themselves to a certain range of conduct or behavior-More focus on deviations perceived as possibly threatening-Communities maintain boundaries for the following reasons:-Retain a given pattern of consistency of behavior-Retain cultural integrityB. Marking and publicizing boundaries-Critical interactions take place between deviant persons.VI: Communities promote devianceA. Boundaries aren’t fixed and constant for the following reasons:-Over time changes in group structure and leadership-Changes in surrounding environment-New generations challenge the old generations-Defining deviance UP-Ex: overusing water-Defining deviance DOWN-Ex: alcohol with minors causes the legal age to increaseB. Deviance serves positive function for community-4 functions of deviance:1. Defining boundaries-Understanding what is acceptable-Preserves social order and stability2. Cohesion and integration3. Social Change4. Affirmation of cultural norms and valuesC. Perpetuating Deviance-3 ways that institutions perpetuate deviance:1. Segregated groups (detention, rehab)2. Teach skills of deviant career3. Reinforce alienation from society (self-identity, group identity)-Commitment ceremonies:-Official events that mark passage to deviance-Public interest/ very dramatic-Labels acquired during commitment ceremonies irreversible (sticky labels)-No reverse commitment ceremonies-Self-fulfilling prophecies-Once labeled deviant, they are expected to be-Community reinforces deviant behaviorVII: Typology of DevianceA. Normative definitions of deviance-Person doesn’t meet society’s norms and are considered deviant (expectation) -4 types of deviance1. Negative-Doesn’t meet normative expectations-Receives negative evaluations2. Rate busting-Over conforming or exceeds normative expectations-Receives negative evaluations3. Deviance Admiration-Doesn’t conform to meet normative expectations-Receives positive evaluations4. Positive Deviance-Over conforms or exceeds normative expectation-Receives positive evaluationsVIII: Labeling Theory of Deviance- Howard BeckerA. Relativist Perspective-Deviance created by society-Social groups create the rules-Deviance lies in the response of others-Deviance is relative and not absoluteB. Why people respond to deviance differently?-Variation over time and space-Variation in who commits the act and who feels harmed by it-Variation in consequencesC. Consequences for labeled deviant-Public identity-Master status-Sense of Self-Social stigma-Blocked opportunities-Quality of lifeIX: The Morality of DevianceA. Absolutist perspective-Defining deviance through morality:-Universally defined over time (at all times)-Applied in all places-Arose from objective sources (Nature or God)-The social world is founded on consensus (stability)B. 4 Elements of a moral definition of deviance1. Arguments against cultural relativism-Variation in norms/values across time and space-No universal standards (that they don’t make sense)2. Moral order-Social stability founded on moral order-Common worldview binds people together-Emphasis on moral judgments-Care about opinions of others-“Keep us in line,” but could also push us out 3. Moral boundaries-Understanding what is right and wrong-Society without boundaries:-No moral guidance=disconnected-Disconnected=breakdown of social order-Breakdown of social order=moral panics (attempt to stabilize)-Create connection through stigma-Creates certainty and solidarity4. Moral consensus-Lack of=anomie (individual) and breakdown of order (group)-Consensual response to deviance-No acknowledgement/ negative sanctions= dehumanized societyX: Social Power: Conflict Theory of Crime- Richard QuinneyA. Conflict Theory of Crime-Builds on Relativist theory-Marxist theory-Stratification and group conflict:-Power and domination-Explaining deviance:-Conflict, NOT harmony/consensusB. Dimensions of Social Order/Power1. WHO has the power to define it? Who gets to construct the definitions?-Crime not inherent in behavior but judgment made by some about others-Dominant vs. subordinate-Social Power Model-Definitions of crime/criminals are a result of class-dynamic process.2. HOW are definitions of crime formulated?-Conflicting class interests-Dominant vs. subordinate-Definitions and legal policies-Controlling the subordinate class3. Applying definitions of Crime-Power and application-Who applies the definitions of crime? Rule enforcers -Who controls the rule enforcers? Dominate class-Who are the “rules” and definitions applied to? Subordinate