Perspectives On Deviance

1. Perspectives On Deviance • There are many perspectives on crime and deviance. Some look at the differences between deviants and others while others argue that there is a relative dimension - there is a similarity between the 'deviant' and others.

2. Perspectives On Deviance Functionalism An aspect of society as not working Crime is a product of anomie - a breakdown of ‘normal’ behaviour Deviance can be necessary - shows us were the boundaries should be A Brief Overview

3. Perspectives On Deviance Subcultural Theories Highlights marginal groups in society eg. Young WC males (most common criminals) Explanations of deviant behaviour in:- Peer group influences, masculinity, rejection by society, educational failures etc. A Brief Overview

4. Perspectives On Deviance Marxism Capitalist society is to blame Ruling class make the laws and controls the police, courts etc. White collar and corporate crime is not dealt with as severely A Brief Overview

5. Perspectives On Deviance A Brief Overview The New Criminology Criticised traditional Marxist views. 2 types of realist approaches Left Realsim Criticise Marxists as it is not the powerful who lose most from crime. Crime is a problem for the most vulnerable members of society.

6. Perspectives On Deviance The New Right (Right Realism) Crime seen as a growing social problem. Point to decline in moral standards Lack of discipline in schools Breakdown of family life etc. Recommend promoting family values and giving harsh punishments A Brief Overview

7. Perspectives On Deviance Interpretive Models Key theory is ‘labelling theory’ Response of public to labels e.g. Yorkshire Ripper Emphasis on the relative nature of deviance How are definitions of the ‘deviant’ arrived at? A Brief Overview

8. Perspectives On Deviance Feminism Women ignored until 1970’s Is female crime increasing and why? Women as victims - particularly of male violence A Brief Overview

9. Perspectives On Deviance Recent Theories Issues raised by Postmodernism Patterns and trends for the future Fragmentation of society Will the future be increasingly lawless? A Brief Overview

10. The Difference Between Crime And Deviance Downs & Rock 1998 ‘Deviance is…banned or controlled behaviour which is likely to attract punishment or disapproval’ Defining Deviance

11. The Difference Between Crime And Deviance Wickman 1991 ‘Deviance is behaviour that violates the standards of conduct or expectations of a group or society’ Defining Deviance

12. The Difference Between Crime And Deviance An act can be criminal and deviant:- I.e. it breaks the law and the norms . Eg. Battering an old lady is clearcut But what about killing - in war it is legal!

13. The Difference Between Crime And Deviance An act can be deviant but not criminal:- I.e is seen as ‘not normal’ but doesn’t break the law. E.g. a male wearing a dress to work

14. The Difference Between Crime And Deviance An act can be criminal and not deviant:- i.e. it is so widespread that it is not against the norm e.g. speeding most people do this - but if caught you can be fined as it is against the law.

15. Difference Between Crime And Deviance Deviance is a relative concept and depends on :- 1. Time When an act takes place 2. Place Where it takes place 3. Social situation Context and who does it. A 3 year old weeing in the street a 35 year old weeing in the street

16. The Problem Of Order • Rules and whether we obey them or not have interested sociologists for a long time. • Durkheim was concerned with how rules bring about stability and order in society. His idea of the collective conscience showed how the majority shared the same overall ideas of good and bad behaviour. This social glue is maintained through the family, education, religion etc • Parsons continued this functionalist line when he argued that deviant acts are 'functinally necessary' - they test the boundaries of approved behaviour.

17. Developments In The Sociology Of Deviance • Early approaches came from the Functionalist school which stressed that deviants were 'different'. Deviance was a social fact which could be objectively measured. • More recent work such as Labelling Theory, Marxixm and Feminism has focused more on the relative nature of deviance. Particular emphasis in recent years has been on issues of power and social control - illustrating the unequal treatment and labelling of social groups by gender, class and ethnicity.

18. Deviance And Social Control Agencies Of Social Control Family Prime agency of socialisation and control Media Particularly strong influence in Western society TV, Mags, Newspapers, Advertising etc.

19. Deviance And Social Control Agencies Of Social Control Religion Can have a powerful effect on behaviour Arguably less so with secularisation Work Discipline of work requirements Controls on our time etc.

20. Deviance And Social Control Agencies Of Social Control Law and Courts Impersonal rules to guide behaviour and punishments when they are broken Police Most visible manifestation of social control Distinctive uniforms are a clear reminder of the consequences of wrong doing