Understanding Deviance, Social Control, and Stratification
Deviance and Social Control
Deviance: Any behavior or physical appearance that departs from the norms of a group and generates a negative reaction.
Social Control: Methods used to teach compliance and conformity.
Conformity: Behaviors and appearances that follow and maintain the norms of the group.
Violation of Norms
We have been socialized to accept norms. Norms provide order and stability, including folkways and mores.
Functionalist Perspective on Deviance
Deviance is part of every society. Every society has deviance, but this perspective can’t explain why some individuals are labeled deviant and others are not.
Durkheim’s View
Durkheim defined deviance as acts that offend collective norms and expectations. It’s not inherently negative as long as it isn’t excessive. Deviance is determined by the group and serves a function in society.
Functions of Deviance
- Promotes solidarity and social cohesion
- Clarifies moral boundaries
- Solidifies group identity
- Sanctions (e.g., money, social consequences) can lead to social change
Strain Theory
Robert Merton’s Strain Theory: States that there are goals in our society that people want to achieve, but they don’t always have the means to reach these goals.
Conflict Theory Perspective
To maintain their power, those in power marginalize and criminalize people who threaten that power. Inequality is reproduced in the way deviance is defined.
Labeling Theory
Howard Becker’s Labeling Theory: Deviance is caused by external judgments that change a person’s self-concept and the way others respond to him/her. Becker suggests that “labeling” can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy—a prediction that causes itself to come true.
Assumptions of Labeling Theory
- Rules are socially constructed; people decide what is deviant.
- There is not uniform or consistent application of the rules.
- Violation of a rule does not automatically equal deviance.
- Someone has to notice and take action.
Categories of People
Conformists, pure deviants, secret deviants, falsely accused.
Stigma
Stigma: Term coined by Erving Goffman, describes any physical or social attribute that devalues a person or group’s identity and which may exclude those who are devalued from normal social interaction.
Passing
Stigmatized individuals may try to pass as if they are part of the mainstream.
Criminal Justice System
- Deterrence: Prevent crime by threatening harsh penalties.
- Retribution: Retaliate or take revenge for a crime that’s been committed.
- Incapacitation: Remove criminals from society by imprisoning them.
- Rehabilitation: Reform criminals so that they may reenter society.
Social Stratification
Class: A person’s overall economic and social status in a system of social stratification.
Status Group: A group held together by lifestyle and the esteem granted by the rest of society.
Variables of Social Class (Max Weber)
- Power: The degree to which a person can control other people.
- Prestige: Degree of respect or importance granted to a person by members of society.
- Wealth: Valuable objects or symbols.
- Income: Money from salary or wages.
Stratification: The systematic process of categorizing and ranking people on a scale of social worth. Strata = “how we are sorted”.
Major Criteria for Stratification
- Ascribed
- Achieved
Class System
Open, people are ranked by merit, talent, ability, or past performance.
Caste System
Closed, no mobility, people are ranked by ascribed characteristics, often based on religion or race.
Questions on Social Stratification
Tumin and Simon: Why do some earn high incomes while contributing little to society? Why do some people earn more than others even though they are doing the same job?