7.1 Deviance and Control
1 min read•may 7, 2024
- Deviance: A violation of established contextual, cultural, or social norms, including folkways, mores, or codified law.
- Not inherently bad; can foster social change (e.g., Rosa Parks in the civil rights movement).
- Nature of deviant behavior:
- Varies based on location, audience, and individual committing the act.
- Changes across cultures and time (e.g., women wearing pants is now acceptable).
Differentiation Between Methods of Social Control
- Social control: The regulation and enforcement of norms to maintain social order.
- Types of sanctions as methods of social control:
- Positive sanctions: Rewards for conforming to norms (e.g., promotion at work).
- Negative sanctions: Punishments for violating norms (e.g., arrest for shoplifting).
- Sanctions are classified as formal or informal:
- Formal sanctions: Official recognition and enforcement of norm violations (e.g., expulsion from college).
- Informal sanctions: Arise in face-to-face interactions (e.g., disapproving looks for inappropriate dress).
Case Studies: Deviance in Action
Wells Fargo Financial Crimes
- Actions by Wells Fargo such as enrolling customers in unnecessary insurance programs and creating fake accounts led to over a million victims being impacted.
- Despite criminal findings, no jail time was faced by executives, illustrating that deviance does not always align with punishment.
Sociological Perspective on Unconventional Choices
- Driving a hearse for everyday use may be seen as a mild form of deviance but can also become a mark of distinction.
- Reactions to deviant acts can vary widely from negative to positive.
Deviance vs. Crime and Their Social Perceptions
- Deviance encompasses both criminal and non-criminal activities.
- Society generally views crime more significantly than other forms of deviance.
- The relativity of deviance:
- Behaviors deemed deviant based on circumstances rather than the act itself.
- Long-term impacts on individuals can result from minor acts considered deviant.
Historical Contexts Influencing Deviance Perceptions
- Perception changes regarding marijuana use were influenced by immigration patterns and associated racial/ethnic prejudices.
- Same-sex acts were once illegal due to state laws until struck down by the Supreme Court in 2003.
Gambling as an Example of Deviant Behavior
- Gambling has been limited despite being a generally accepted moderate behavior.
- Laws have made certain types of gambling criminal, raising questions about the nature of deviancy when the behavior itself is not seen as such.
Social Order and Types of Sanctions Table Overview
| Type | Informal | Formal |
| Positive | Thanks expression | Work promotion |
| Negative | Angry comment | Parking fine |
Table Summary: Informal/Formal Sanctions demonstrate how societies enforce norms through different types of positive and negative reactions.
Key Terms to Review (3)
deviance
: Deviance describes behaviors or actions that violate societal norms, leading to negative judgement from the majority. It can range from minor infractions, like jaywalking, to more severe acts, such as embezzlement.informal sanctions
: Informal sanctions are unwritten, unofficial reactions or penalties for behavior that violates social norms without breaking formal laws. They are enforced by community members rather than by legal authorities and can vary greatly in form, from social ostracism to verbal ridicule.social order
: Social order is the set of linked social structures, practices, and institutions that maintain and enforce norms and laws in society. It ensures predictability and stability in social relations and behaviors.7.1 Deviance and Control
1 min read•may 7, 2024
- Deviance: A violation of established contextual, cultural, or social norms, including folkways, mores, or codified law.
- Not inherently bad; can foster social change (e.g., Rosa Parks in the civil rights movement).
- Nature of deviant behavior:
- Varies based on location, audience, and individual committing the act.
- Changes across cultures and time (e.g., women wearing pants is now acceptable).
Differentiation Between Methods of Social Control
- Social control: The regulation and enforcement of norms to maintain social order.
- Types of sanctions as methods of social control:
- Positive sanctions: Rewards for conforming to norms (e.g., promotion at work).
- Negative sanctions: Punishments for violating norms (e.g., arrest for shoplifting).
- Sanctions are classified as formal or informal:
- Formal sanctions: Official recognition and enforcement of norm violations (e.g., expulsion from college).
- Informal sanctions: Arise in face-to-face interactions (e.g., disapproving looks for inappropriate dress).
Case Studies: Deviance in Action
Wells Fargo Financial Crimes
- Actions by Wells Fargo such as enrolling customers in unnecessary insurance programs and creating fake accounts led to over a million victims being impacted.
- Despite criminal findings, no jail time was faced by executives, illustrating that deviance does not always align with punishment.
Sociological Perspective on Unconventional Choices
- Driving a hearse for everyday use may be seen as a mild form of deviance but can also become a mark of distinction.
- Reactions to deviant acts can vary widely from negative to positive.
Deviance vs. Crime and Their Social Perceptions
- Deviance encompasses both criminal and non-criminal activities.
- Society generally views crime more significantly than other forms of deviance.
- The relativity of deviance:
- Behaviors deemed deviant based on circumstances rather than the act itself.
- Long-term impacts on individuals can result from minor acts considered deviant.
Historical Contexts Influencing Deviance Perceptions
- Perception changes regarding marijuana use were influenced by immigration patterns and associated racial/ethnic prejudices.
- Same-sex acts were once illegal due to state laws until struck down by the Supreme Court in 2003.
Gambling as an Example of Deviant Behavior
- Gambling has been limited despite being a generally accepted moderate behavior.
- Laws have made certain types of gambling criminal, raising questions about the nature of deviancy when the behavior itself is not seen as such.
Social Order and Types of Sanctions Table Overview
| Type | Informal | Formal |
| Positive | Thanks expression | Work promotion |
| Negative | Angry comment | Parking fine |
Table Summary: Informal/Formal Sanctions demonstrate how societies enforce norms through different types of positive and negative reactions.
Key Terms to Review (3)
deviance
: Deviance describes behaviors or actions that violate societal norms, leading to negative judgement from the majority. It can range from minor infractions, like jaywalking, to more severe acts, such as embezzlement.informal sanctions
: Informal sanctions are unwritten, unofficial reactions or penalties for behavior that violates social norms without breaking formal laws. They are enforced by community members rather than by legal authorities and can vary greatly in form, from social ostracism to verbal ridicule.social order
: Social order is the set of linked social structures, practices, and institutions that maintain and enforce norms and laws in society. It ensures predictability and stability in social relations and behaviors.
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