Introduction_to_Sociology / Deviance
* Summary
What is Deviance?
Deviance in Sociology is attitude which violates common standards(norms) in society. There are formal deviance and informal deviance. Formal deviance is crime and Informal deviance is not a crime but some attitudes that cannot be able to accept in society such as picking one's nose in public. It is subjective by culture to culture which means particular attitude can be seen as 'deviance' in 'A' culture but cannot be seen as 'deviance' in 'B' culture. Also, There is a term 'deviance vacation'. It means a temporary movement of someone in high status go down to low status.
Theories of Deviances
In psychological research, a person who is deviant has different points in brain structure. This differences present in childhood and an adolescent period.
Merton made typology of deviant attitude. He divided in two types with two standards, one is motivations and adherence to cultural aims and second is belief to keep one's cultural aims. Based upon these standards, Merton found five types of deviance(conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion). Conformity includes accpetance of cultural aims and means to achieve cultural aims. Innovation only accept cultural aims but It usually use illegal means to achieve these aims. Ritualism is far from cultural aims but use institutionalised means. Retreatism do not accept both of cultural aims and means. This typology implies some attitudes can be turn into deviance in widely-accepted social values and pursuit of goals.
Structural functionalism theory tells us 'three roles of deviance in society'. Deviance makes us think what is right/wrong and accepted/unaccepted. It also lead to social integration and social change.
In Conflict Theory, Deviance is related to power imbalance and inequality of social resources. Deviance occurs because of inequality and lack of resources. White-collar crime illustrates deviance due to power imbalance.
In Labeling Theory, people do disorder behaviour when they negatively labeled by someone. This theory includes the idea of 'stigma'.
When someone has stigma, deviant identity overwhelms other identity.
Crime Statistics
Incarceration Rates and Populations : US is high rate in recidivism, one factor is 'stigma'
Gender : Men are more likely to commit crime than women
Race : In arresting system, there is racial discrimination. African Americans are more likely to arrest than Whites.
Current Research
Video games : Lots of concerns of video games made video games 'deviance'. There is a guess that video game will make children violently. But, this guess is unaccurate because it decontextualizes violence. For example, People do violent activities in the context of games and they aware of doing so in game is okay. Video game is also good representation of social conflict and racial discrimination.
Tattoos : Men and Women do tattos for various reasons. However, still today, people associate tattos with deviance.
* Interesting Points
Among many theories of Deviance, Labeling Thoery was most interesting. It makes me think of importance of labeling someone. We usually give someone a nickname and call a nickname instead of his/her name. It is part of labeling. I feel I should not label someone bad for fun because It can make his/her identity and cause 'deviance.' Also, When I read Labeling Theory, I feel again that people are social animals and are affected by surroundings and others very well. People eventually form their identity through what others think of me and what others say.
* Discussion & Questions
As 'Deviance' is subjective, Let's discuss about some examples of it. For example, Wearing school uniforms in middle/high school in korea is common. But, In other countries, wearing school uniforms can be 'deviance'. What other examples of it?
*References
There is a Youtube Video about Deviance. It shows lots of examples of deviance in life. It's easy to understand and fun.
Another Video is really good and useful because It explains 'deviance' as shown in Disney/Dreamworks animation movies.
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