How to Explain Deviance
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Cultural-
Transmission Theory-Deviance is a learned behavior. Can be learned by interacting with others who commit deviant acts. We all conform-just a matter of what we conform to.
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Structural-Strain
Theory-Deviance is a natural outgrowth of values and norms within a society.
o
Anomie§ Lack of sufficient guidelines for behavior, causing confusion to society
o
React in one of five ways to achieve goals and
means
1.
Conformity-Individuals accept goals and approved means of
achievement
2.
Innovation-Devise new way to achieve goals – business men
and criminals3. Ritualism-Find it impossible to meet goals by acceptable so a person chooses to give up the goal but still follow rules of behavior
4. Retreatism-Reject both cultural goals and acceptable means- drug addicts, hermits (retreat from norms of society)
5. Rebellion-substitute your own set of goals and means of achieving.
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Control
Theory-close communities have less crime, weak ties to a community lead to the likelihood of becoming deviant
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Conflict
Theory-Competition and Social Inequality lead to
deviance
Struggle between people with power and people
without power§ People with power want to keep the power
§ People without want to gain the power
o
People in power usually define deviant behavior
§
Usually works against lower classo Lower class are more likely to be detected and punished
§ Don’t necessarily commit more crimes
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Labeling
Theory-Everybody commits deviant acts sometime in their
lives
o
Two types of deviants
1.
Primary Deviant
a.
Nonconformity that goes undetected by authorityb. People not considered deviants
2.
Secondary Deviant
a.
Person labeled as deviant and accepts the label
as trueb. a secondary deviant will deal with label the rest of their lives
c. becomes the master status
