6.2:1 Competing Explanations of Deviance: and biosocial explanation

 Sociobiology, Psychology, and Sociology PT 167 Competing Explanations of Deviance: Sociobiology, Psychology, and Sociology 6.2 Contrast sociobiological, psychological, and sociological explanations of deviance. 

If social life is to exist, norms are essential. So why do people violate them? To better understand the reasons, it is useful to know how sociological explanations differ from biological and psychological ones. Let’s compare them.

6.2.1: Biosocial Explanations Sociobiologists explain deviance by looking for answers within individuals. They assume that genetic predispositions lead people to such behaviors as juvenile delinquency and crime (Lombroso 1911; Wilson and Herrnstein 1985; Godar et al. 2019).

 An early explanation was that men with an extra Y chromosome (the “XYY” theory) were more likely to become criminals. 

Another was that people with “squarish, muscular” bodies were more likely to commit street crime—acts such as mugging, rape, and burglary. These theories were abandoned when research did not support them.

With advances in the study of genetics, biosocial explanations are being proposed to explain differences in crime by sex, race, social class, and age (juvenile delinquency) (Stetler et al. 2014; Fox 2017). 

The basic explanation is that over the millennia, people with certain characteristics were more likely to survive than were people with different characteristics. 

As a result, different groups today inherit different propensities (tendencies) for empathy, self-control, and risk-taking

A universal finding is that in all known societies, men commit more violent crimes than women do. There are no exceptions. Here is how sociobiologists explain this. It took only a few pelvic thrusts for men to pass on their genes. After that, they could leave if they wanted to. The women, in contrast, had to carry, birth, and nurture the children. Women who were more empathetic (inclined to nurture their children) engaged in less dangerous behavior. These women passed genes for more empathy, greater self-control, and less risk-taking to their femalen.  childreAs a result, all over the world, men engage in more violent behavior, which comes from their lesser empathy, lower self-control, and greater tendency for taking risks. But behavior, whether deviant or conforming, does not depend only on genes, add the biosocial theorists. Our inherited propensities (the bio part) are modified and stimulated by our environment (the social part). Biosocial research holds the potential of opening a new understanding of deviance.

6.1.4 sanctions

 As we discussed in Chapter 2, people do not enforce folkways strictly, but they become upset when people break mores (pronounced MO-rays). Expressions of disapproval for deviance, called negative sanctions, range from frowns and gossip for breaking folkways to imprisonment and death for violating mores. 

In general, the more seriously the group takes a norm, the harsher the penalty for violating it. In contrast, positive sanctions—from smiles to formal awards—are used to reward people for conforming to norms. 

Getting a raise is a positive sanction; being fired is a negative sanction.

 Getting an A in Intro to Sociology is a positive sanction; getting an F is a negative one. 

Most negative sanctions are informal.

 You might stare if you observe someone dressed in what you consider to be inappropriate clothing, or you might gossip if a married person you know spends the night with someone other than his or her spouse. 

Whether you consider the breaking of a norm an amusing matter that warrants no sanction or a serious infraction that does, however, depends on your perspective. 

Let’s suppose that a woman appears at your college graduation in a bikini. You might stare, laugh, and nudge the person next to you. If this is your mother, however, you are likely to feel that different sanctions are appropriate. 

Similarly, if it is your father who spends the night with an 18-year-old college freshman, you are likely to do more than gossip.

In Sum In sociology, the term deviance refers to all violations of social rules, regardless of their seriousness. The term is neutral, not a judgment about the behavior.

Deviance is so relative that what is deviant in one group may be conformist in another. Because of this, we must consider deviance from within a group’s own framework: It is their meanings that underlie their behavior.

Violent crime accounts for less than 5 percent of arrests in the United States.​ a. True

 10. Violent crime accounts for less than 5 percent of arrests in the United States.​

a. True
b. False

true

Critics and supporters of Hirschi's control theory agree that there is a correlation between weak social bonds and engaging in deviant behavior.

 Critics and supporters of Hirschi's control theory agree that there is a correlation between weak social bonds and engaging in deviant behavior.

a. True
b. False

Sociologists find that there are similarities between gangs and high school cliques.​

 Sociologists find that there are similarities between gangs and high school cliques.​

a. True
b. False

true 

Functionalists argue that there is broader consensus about what is desirable in society and what behavior should be punished. They point to the fact that the poor and less powerful are frequently the victims of the crimes that laws are meant to prevent.

 6. Functionalists and conflict theorists are in agreement that social norms and criminal law are directed primarily at protecting the interests of the powerful in a society.​

a. True
b. False

false:
Functionalists argue that there is broader consensus about what is desirable in society and what behavior should be punished. They point to the fact that the poor and less powerful are frequently the victims of the crimes that laws are meant to prevent.

Functionalists acknowledge that deviance may be dysfunctional for society.

 5. From a functionalist perspective, deviance is always functional.​

a. True
b. False

false:
Functionalists acknowledge that deviance may be dysfunctional for society.

From the functionalist perspective, a certain amount of deviance is necessary for the smooth functioning of society.

 4. ​From the functionalist perspective, a certain amount of deviance is necessary for the smooth functioning of society.

a. True
b. False

true

The primary interest of sociologists and criminologists is how societies create and sustain social control.​ a. True

 3. The primary interest of sociologists and criminologists is how societies create and sustain social control.​

a. True
b. False

true

Sociologists believe that there is a set of behaviors within every society that is considered inherently deviant.

 2. ​Sociologists believe that there is a set of behaviors within every society that is considered inherently deviant.

a. True
b. False

false:
From a sociological perspective, deviance is relative—that is, an act becomes deviant when it is socially defined as such. No behavior is inherently deviant. Definitions of deviance vary widely from place to place, from time to time, and from group to group.

 1. ​People who are labeled deviant are generally regarded as deviant by all those around them.

a. True
b. False

false:
People who are considered deviant by one group of people may be seen as conforming to the norms and values of another group.

Medicalization of deviance

 Medicalization of deviance

Deviance , including crime , is a sign of mental sickness. Rape and so on are external symptoms of internal disorders, consequences of a confused or tortured mind, one that should be treated by mental health experts. Thomas Szasz disagrees, asserting they are behavior problems, not behavior problems.

The Conflict perspective

 The Conflict perspective

how can a legal system that proudly boasts 'justice for all' be so inconsistent? Conflict theorists regard power and social inequality as the main characteristics of society. The criminal justice system is a tool designed by the powerful to maintain their power and privilege. For the poor, the law is an instrument of oppression. The working class and those below them pose a special threat to the power elite.

White collar crime

 White collar crime

Edwin Sutherland coined term to refer to refer to crimes that people of respectable and high social status commit

Illegitimate opportunity structure

 Illegitimate opportunity structure

Circumstances that provide an opportunity for people to acquire through illegitimate activities what they cannot achieve through legitimate channels. Hustles, drug dealing , prostitution

deviant paths

 Deviant paths

Mertons four deviant paths. 1. Innovation 2. Ritualism 3. Retreatism 4. Rebellion

Strain Theory

 Strain Theory

a functionalist perspective, Robert Mertons theory refers to the frustrations people feel. It is easy to identify with mainstream norms when those norms help you get ahead, but when they don't seem to be getting you anywhere, you feel frustrated. You may even feel wronged by the system. Strain theory underscores the sociological principle that deviants are the product of society.

The Functionalist Perspective

 The Functionalist Perspective

Durkheim said deviance, even crime, is functional for society. He said it contributes to social order in 3 ways. 1. Deviance clarifies moral boundaries and affirms norms. By moral boundaries. 2. Deviance encourages social unity 3. Deviance promotes social change

Labeling theory

 Labeling theory

a symbolic interactionists view. focuses on the significance of reputations, how they help set us on paths that propel us into deviance or divert us away from it. Sykes and Matza developed 5 techniques of neutralization to deflect society's norms. 1. Denial of responsibility 2. Denial of injury 3. Denial of victim 4. Condemnation of the condemners 5. Appeal to higher loyalties

9. Labeling theory provides a comprehensive explanation of deviance and social control.​
a. True
b. False

false:
Labeling theory calls attention to the relationship between identity and social control. However, it does not explain why some accept the label of deviant whereas others do not. Nor does it explain the cause of the original acts of deviance.

Control Theory

 Control Theory

a symbolic interactionists view. Walter Reckless developed it. Basic question to answer is this, With the desire to deviate so common, why don't we all just 'bust loose'? He stressed that two control systems work against our motivations to deviate. Inner controls- conscience, religious principles AND outer controls- consists of people, family and friends. This theory can be summarized by self-control.

Differential Association theory

 Differential Association theory

a symbolic interactionists view. Edwin Sutherland coined term, from different groups we associate with we learn to deviate from or conform to society's norm. The different groups we associate with gives us messages, we end up with more of one than the other ("excess of definitions"), the result is imbalance that tilt us one way or another

Pychological explanation

 Pychological explanation

Psychologists focus on abnormalities within the individual. Instead of genes, they examine personality disorders. Deviance is not associated with any personality disorder

Biosocial explanation

 Biosocial explanation

Sociobiologists explain deviance by looking for answers within individuals. They assume genetic predispositions lead people to such behaviors as crime and juvenile delinquency. They stress deviant behavior does not depend on our genes alone

Positive sanctions

 Positive sanctions

from smiles to formal rewards, are used to reward people for conforming to norms.

Negative sanctions

 Negative sanctions

range from frowns and gossip for breaking folkways to imprisonment and death for breaking mores.

Social control

 Social control

formal and informal means of enforcing norms

Social order

 Social order

a group's customary social arrangements

Stigma

 Stigma

Erving Goffman used term to refer to characteristics that discredit people. These include violations of norms of appearances(huge nose, facial birthmark) and norms of ability(blindness, deafness). Also includes involuntary membership, such as victim of AIDS. The stigma can become a persons master status.

Profiteering

 Profiteering

selling goods that are difficult to come by for a profit

Crime

 Crime

specific form of deviance, the violation of rules that have been written into law

Relativity of deviance

 Relativity of deviance

major point made by symbolic interactionists, because different groups have different norms, What is deviant to some is not deviant to others.

Deviance

 Deviance

any violation of norms, whether the infraction is minor as driving over the speed limit or as serious as murder. Howard Becker described it; it is not the act itself, but the reactions to the act, that make something deviant. , Behavior that violates the standards of conduct or expectations of a group or society. Any act to which people respond negatively. Deviance undermines predictability, the foundation of social life. Deviance refers to all violations of social rules, regardless of their seriousness.

Norms

 Norms

what is expected of people; the expectations or rules intended to guide people's behavior. 
Norms make social life possible by making behavior predictable. Without norms, we would have social chaos. Norms lay out the basic guidelines for how we should play our roles and interact with others

6.1.3: How Norms Make Social Life Possible

 Norms make social life possible by making behavior predictable

No human group can exist without norms: Norms make social life possible by making behavior predictable. 

What would life be like if you could not predict what others would do?

 Imagine for a moment that you have gone to a store to purchase milk:

Suppose the clerk says, “I won’t sell you any milk.

 We’re overstocked with soda, and I’m not going to sell anyone milk until our soda inventory is reduced.”

 You don’t like it, but you decide to buy a case of soda. 

At the checkout, the clerk says, “I hope you don’t mind, but there’s a $5 service charge on every fifteenth customer.” 

You, of course, are the fifteenth. 

Just as you start to leave, another clerk stops you and says, “We’re not working anymore.

 We decided to have a party.” Suddenly a CD begins to blast, and everyone in the store starts to dance. 

“Oh, good, you’ve brought the soda,” says a different clerk, who takes your package and passes sodas all around. 

Life is not like this, of course. You can depend on grocery clerks to sell you milk.

 You can also depend on paying the same price as everyone else and not being forced to attend a party in a store. 

Why can you depend on this? Because we live in a world of norms that govern the behavior of both store clerks and ourselves. 

We are socialized to follow norms, to play the basic roles that society assigns to us. 

Violating background assumptions is a common form of deviance. 

Although we have no explicit rule that says, “Do not put snakes through your nose,” we all know that it exists (perhaps as a subcategory of “Don’t do strange things in public”). 

Is this act also deviant for this man in Chennai, India? Credit: Babu/Reuters Without norms, we would have social chaos.

Without norms, we would have social chaos. Norms lay out the basic guidelines for how we should play our roles and interact with others. In short, norms bring about social order, a group’s customary social arrangements. Our lives are based on these arrangements, which is why deviance often is perceived as threatening: Deviance undermines predictability, the foundation of social life. 

Consequently, human groups developed a system of social control—formal and informal means of enforcing norms. At the center of social control are sanctions.

brag·ging

 brag·ging

[ˈbraɡiNG]

NOUN

1. excessively proud and boastful talk about one's achievements or possessions:

   "she interrupted their endless bragging" · 

   [more]

ADJECTIVE

1. exhibiting or characterized by excessive pride or boastfulness:

   "a competitive, bragging culture" · "we became involved in a lively bragging session"

ex·ploit

 ex·ploit

[exploit]

VERB

exploits (third person present)

1. make full use of and derive benefit from (a resource):

   "500 companies sprang up to exploit this new technology"

   synonyms:

   utilize · make use of · put to use · use · use to good advantage · 

   [more]

NOUN

exploits (plural noun)

1. a bold or daring feat:

   "the most heroic and secretive exploits of the war"

   synonyms:

   feat · deed · act · adventure · stunt · escapade · maneuver · enterprise · undertaking · move · achievement · accomplishment · attainment · triumph · handiwork
2. a software tool designed to take advantage of a flaw in a computer system, typically for malicious purposes such as installing malware:

   "if someone you don't know tweets you a link, it's either spam, an exploit, or probably both"