Anaya Nolan
Deviance is behaviour that violates social norms and arouses negative social reactions. Crime is a type of deviance that breaks not only a norm but a law. Criminal deviance involves actions that are against the law, from theft to more severe crimes like murder. Not all deviant behaviour is criminal, and not all criminal behaviour is deviant. For example, breaking a law against selling alcohol on a Sunday does not involve committing an act of deviance in a society where selling and consuming alcohol is acceptable. Similarly, people who break minor laws, such as jaywalking or littering, may be considered deviant but not criminal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Social disorganisation theory | Broad social factors cause deviance |
| Travis Hirschi's control theory | Social control is directly affected by the strength of social bonds |
| Criminal deviance | Actions that are against the law |
| Non-criminal deviance | Raises eyebrows but doesn't break laws |
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What You'll Learn
Criminal vs non-criminal deviance
Deviance is behaviour that violates social norms and arouses negative social reactions. Crime is behaviour that is considered so serious that it violates formal laws prohibiting such behaviour. Not all deviant behaviour is criminal. For example, social norms around clothing styles and hairstyles may vary from place to place. So, someone who wears unconventional clothes or has an unconventional haircut may be considered deviant in one community but not in another. Similarly, people who break minor laws, such as jaywalking or littering, may be considered deviant but not criminal.
On the other hand, not all criminal behaviour is deviant. For example, breaking a law against selling alcohol on a Sunday does not involve committing an act of deviance in a society where selling and consuming alcohol is acceptable.
Deviance can be as minor as picking one's nose in public or as major as committing murder. Criminal deviance involves actions that are against the law, from theft to more severe crimes. Both types stir different reactions and consequences in society.
Social disorganisation theory points to broad social factors as the cause of deviance. A person is not born a criminal, but becomes one over time, often based on factors in their social environment. According to Travis Hirschi's control theory (1969), social control is directly affected by the strength of social bonds. Many people would be willing to break laws or act in deviant ways to reap the rewards of pleasure, excitement, and profit, etc. if they had the opportunity. Those who do have the opportunity are those who are only weakly controlled by social restrictions.
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Social disorganisation theory
According to social disorganisation theory, broad social factors are the root cause of deviance. Deviance refers to behaviour that violates social norms and arouses negative reactions, ranging from minor acts like jaywalking to more severe crimes like murder. While not all deviant behaviour is criminal, any behaviour that breaks the law can be considered deviant. For example, drug use, violence, theft, vandalism, and public intoxication are all acts of deviance that are also illegal.
The theory suggests that individuals who have the opportunity to engage in deviant behaviour and reap the rewards of pleasure, excitement, or profit are those who are weakly controlled by social restrictions. In other words, strong social bonds and effective social control can deter individuals from breaking the law.
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Control theory
Hirschi's theory suggests that people who have weak social bonds are more likely to break the law because they are not as strongly controlled by social restrictions. They may feel that they have less to lose by breaking the law, or that they are less likely to be caught.
Additionally, control theory can help to explain why some people who break the law do not see themselves as deviant. If they have weak social bonds, they may not be as strongly influenced by societal norms and expectations. They may feel that they are simply doing what is necessary to survive or get ahead, rather than breaking the law.
Overall, control theory provides a useful framework for understanding why law-breaking can be seen as social deviance. It highlights the importance of social bonds and social restrictions in shaping people's behaviour. By understanding the factors that influence people to break the law, we can develop more effective strategies for preventing and reducing crime.
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Challenging existing social norms
Deviance is behaviour that violates social norms and arouses negative social reactions. Crime is behaviour that violates formal laws prohibiting such behaviour. Not all deviant behaviour is criminal, and not all criminal behaviour is deviant.
Deviance can be used to challenge existing social norms and bring about change. For example, people who engage in deviant behaviour may do so to express themselves and their individuality. Deviance can also be used to test the limits of what is considered 'normal'. History is full of examples where what was once considered deviant led to significant social change, such as the courageous acts of Rosa Parks and Mahatma Gandhi.
Social disorganisation theory points to broad social factors as the cause of deviance. According to Travis Hirschi's control theory (1969), social control is directly affected by the strength of social bonds. Many people would be willing to break laws or act in deviant ways to reap the rewards of pleasure, excitement, and profit, etc. if they had the opportunity. Those who do have the opportunity are those who are only weakly controlled by social restrictions.
Deviance can be classified in terms of its perceived harmfulness and the degree of consensus concerning the norms violated. For example, non-criminal deviance might raise eyebrows but doesn't break laws, like wearing pyjamas to a formal event. Criminal deviance, on the other hand, involves actions that are against the law, from theft to more severe crimes. Both types stir different reactions and consequences in society.
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Reinforcing existing social norms
Deviance is behaviour that violates social norms and arouses negative social reactions. Crime is behaviour that is considered so serious that it violates formal laws prohibiting such behaviour. Not all deviant behaviour is criminal. For example, social norms around clothing styles and hairstyles may vary from place to place. So, someone who wears unconventional clothes or has an unconventional haircut may be considered deviant in one community but not in another. Similarly, people who break minor laws, such as jaywalking or littering, may be considered deviant but not criminal.
According to Travis Hirschi's control theory (1969), social control is directly affected by the strength of social bonds. Many people would be willing to break laws or act in deviant ways to reap the rewards of pleasure, excitement, and profit, etc. if they had the opportunity. Those who do have the opportunity are those who are only weakly controlled by social restrictions.
Deviance can also be a way for people to express themselves and their individuality. Any behaviour that breaks the law or goes against societal norms can be considered deviant. One example of deviant behaviour is drug use. Using illegal drugs is considered deviant behaviour in most social groups. Committing acts of violence, such as assault or murder, is also considered deviant behaviour. Other examples of deviant behaviour include but are not limited to theft, vandalism, graffiti, public intoxication, loitering, and littering.
Deviance isn't just about shaking things up; it plays a crucial role in defining what's "normal". By testing the limits, deviant acts help reinforce or challenge societal norms. History is full of examples where what was once considered deviant, like the courageous acts of Rosa Parks or Mahatma Gandhi, led to significant social change.
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Frequently asked questions
Law-breaking is considered social deviance because it violates social norms and arouses negative social reactions.
Examples of law-breaking that are considered social deviance include drug use, acts of violence, theft, vandalism, public intoxication, loitering, and littering.
People may engage in law-breaking and social deviance for various reasons, such as challenging existing social norms, expressing their individuality, or seeking pleasure, excitement, or profit.
