Sociology Deviance

The violation of societys formally enacted criminal law

Attempts by society to regulate people’s thought and behaviour

a formal response by police, courts, and prison officials to alleged violations of the law

Violations are minimal and have no effect on self-identity

Skipping school or underage drinking

If perceptions of people label someone as deviant, a person may adopt the identity

Being labeled an “alcohol abuser”

One: A person who had done something----Two: Someone who points out or labels the person performing the act as “strange”

deviance and conformity result from how society responds to people’s actions

a powerfully negative label that greatly changes a person’s self-concept and social identity

1. Deviance affirms cultural values and norms----Responding to deviance clarifies moral boundaries

Responding to deviance brings people together----Deviance encourages social change

Deviance depends on whether society provides the means to achieve cultural goals

: Strain between cultural goals and opportunities to get them; people may use illegitimate means (e.g. crime)

Inner rejection of cultural goal Reject means to accept this goal (e.g. work hard, do my job andgo home)

Dropping out (“I don’t really care”)

Seek new cultural goals (tries to create an entirely new system)

Those who threaten private property-----Will not work----Resisting Authority---Challenging status quo

Norms or laws reflect interests of rich and powerful---Powerful resist deviant labels---Belief that norms and laws are natural and good mask

The transformation of moral and legal issues into a medical condition