Deviance: Crash Course Sociology #18

Understanding Social Deviance

The Concept of Deviance

• The speaker introduces the idea that seemingly opposite individuals, such as a convenience store robber and a pacifist, share a commonality: they are all social deviants.

• In sociology, deviance is defined as being non-normative or different from societal norms; it is not inherently negative but rather descriptive of behaviors outside mainstream acceptance.

Normativity and Social Control

• Being vegan in a meat-eating society exemplifies deviance; however, deviance isn't solely based on numbers but on deviation from accepted norms.

• Negative sanctions (e.g., strange looks) serve as informal social controls to regulate behavior, while positive sanctions affirm conformity. Both types influence individual actions.

Formal vs. Informal Sanctions

• Informal norms (folkways) result in negative sanctions for violations but do not lead to legal consequences. Examples include teasing or praise from peers.

• Formal sanctions arise when norms are codified into law; violations typically incur penalties from the criminal justice system.

Historical Perspectives on Deviance

• Early biological explanations for deviance suggested inherent traits made individuals deviant; these views have largely been discredited in modern sociology.

• Cesare Lombroso theorized that criminals could be identified by physical characteristics reminiscent of primitive humans, an idea now considered flawed.

Psychological Explanations of Deviance

• William Sheldon linked body type to criminality but later researchers like Eleanor and Sheldon Glueck argued against direct causation between physical traits and deviant behavior.

• Psychological approaches emphasize environmental factors over biology; improper socialization leads to deviant behavior, illustrated by Reckless and Dinitz's study on boys' delinquency.

Containment Theory

Understanding Deviance: Biological, Psychological, and Sociological Perspectives

Limitations of Biological and Psychological Approaches

• Researchers found that lower childhood scores on certain measures correlate with higher likelihood of criminal deviance in adulthood. However, both biological and psychological approaches focus primarily on individual factors, neglecting the influence of peer dynamics and opportunities for deviance.

• These approaches view deviance as a form of abnormality, searching for physical or mental irregularities. Recent studies indicate that many who engage in deviant behavior are actually typical in both biological and psychological terms.

• A critical limitation is their inability to explain why certain behaviors are labeled as deviant. For instance, not all violence is deemed deviant (e.g., boxing), highlighting the need for a broader perspective.

The Sociological Approach to Deviance

• The sociological perspective posits that deviance arises from societal structures rather than individual abnormalities. It emphasizes three foundational ideas about how society defines deviance.

Cultural Norm Variability

• Deviance is not inherent; it varies based on cultural norms which can change over time. Historical examples include race-based slavery being considered normal in 19th century America while opposing it was seen as deviant.

Labeling Theory

• People become labeled as deviant through societal responses. Context matters; an action may be viewed differently depending on circumstances (e.g., camping vs. illegal sleeping).

• This labeling can lead to self-fulfilling prophecies where individuals internalize the label of "deviant," potentially leading them to act accordingly.

Social Power Dynamics

• Defining social norms often reflects the interests of powerful groups within society. Laws can serve to protect elite interests, evident in historical fugitive slave laws or differing police responses to political events like rallies versus protests.

Conclusion: Foundations of Sociological Perspective

• The discussion highlights key differences between sociological perspectives on deviance compared to biological and psychological views. Future discussions will delve deeper into theoretical explanations for crime and deviance.