Understanding Deviance, Crime, and Social Reaction

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Reading Assignment 1
Defining Deviance
Introduction, Tammy L. Anderson, https://books.google.com/books?id=MyKoAgAAQBAJ&pri…
Rules for the Distinction of The Normal and the Pathological, Emile Durkheim /
Notes on the Sociology of Deviance, Kai T. Erikson /
Definitions of Deviance and Deviance and the Responses of Others from Outsiders, Howard S. Becker /
Defining Deviance Down, Daniel Moynihan /
Connections: Definitions of Deviance and the Case of Underage Drinking and Drunk Driving, Tammy L. Anderson, Critical Thinking Questions /
Deliverable Length: 2-3 pages (Each question should be 1-5 pages total)
Answer two questions:
1. Durkheim treats deviance and crime as objective, measurable social facts. Deviance is both normal (ALL societies have patterns of deviance/crime) and pathological (patterns of deviance/crime are statistically infrequent compared to conforming behavior patterns). Explain how recreational marijuana use may be both normal and pathological social behavior. If most people have used marijuana (“normal”), how can it be defined as deviant (“pathological”)?
2. Erikson argues that deviance is NOT an objective quality of behavior; rather, social audiences label deviance based on directly or indirectly witnessing such behavior. In short, deviance is less about statistical evidence and more a quality of social reaction. Using drunk driving as an example, how does audience reaction establish boundaries between recreational drinking and drunk driving, especially the legal response to the latter? In your answer pay particular attention to age of offenders as an important boundary.
3. Emile Durkheim has written that crime is “normal.” Similarly, Kai T. Erikson maintains that deviant behavior functions to uphold community standards by punishing the deviant. Explain how deviance and crime can be normal and/or functional. Pay particular attention to the sociological context of crime/deviance in your answer. How does boundary maintenance relate to the sociological idea that crime/deviance is normal?
4. Summarize Becker’s four different viewpoints on deviance: statistical; medical/disease; failure to obey group rules; and labels defined through social interaction. Which of the four do you think is the most important in understanding the persistence of deviance in society?
5. Moynihan contends that society is in a constant state of defining and redefining what is considered deviant, “so as to exempt much conduct previously stigmatized and also quietly raising the “normal” level in categories where behavior is now abnormal by any earlier standard.” Discuss the three specific types of redefinition he covers: the altruistic, the opportunistic, and the normalizing.

Struggling with where to start this assignment? Follow this guide to tackle your assignment easily!

Guide to Understanding Deviance, Crime, and Social Reaction

Step 1: Understand Durkheim’s Concept of Deviance and Crime

Émile Durkheim considered deviance and crime as social facts—objective, measurable behaviors that can be analyzed through their role in society. He argued that deviance is both normal and pathological in different contexts.

  • Normal Deviance: According to Durkheim, deviance is normal because all societies have forms of deviance or crime. Every society has rules, and violations of these rules are inevitable. These violations can range from minor infractions to major criminal acts. For example, recreational marijuana use may be seen as normal because, in certain societies (like those where marijuana has been legalized), it is a common behavior. This does not necessarily threaten social cohesion in those contexts.
  • Pathological Deviance: Deviance becomes pathological when it becomes statistically infrequent in a society. If a behavior, like recreational marijuana use, becomes widespread in a particular society, it might initially be seen as deviant because it goes against legal or cultural norms. However, once a critical mass of people engages in that behavior, it becomes normalized. The same marijuana use might have been considered pathological when it was illegal or stigmatized.

Step 2: Analyze Erikson’s View on Social Reaction and Deviance

Kai T. Erikson argued that deviance is not an inherent property of behavior but is instead a social construct. Social groups or audiences define deviance based on how they respond to behaviors. The role of audience reaction determines whether an act becomes labeled as deviant.

  • Using drunk driving as an example, we can explore how deviance is defined based on societal reaction:
    • Recreational Drinking: Drinking alcohol is a common social activity. However, when someone drinks excessively and operates a vehicle, the behavior crosses the boundary into drunk driving—a legal and moral violation.
    • The legal response to drunk driving (e.g., DUI laws) establishes it as deviant because it puts others in danger. The age of offenders also plays a significant role in how this behavior is perceived. Younger drivers may face harsher penalties or more stigmatization due to societal expectations for responsible behavior and the legal drinking age.

Erikson’s approach emphasizes that deviance is not just about statistical behavior but about how society reacts and enforces norms.

Step 3: Understand the Functional Role of Deviance

Both Durkheim and Erikson have written about the role of deviance in maintaining social order. For Durkheim, crime and deviance are normal and even functional for society.

  • Durkheim’s Functionalism: Deviance can serve important social functions. For example, it can help reaffirm societal norms and clarify boundaries. When a crime or deviant act occurs, society reacts to it, reinforcing what is considered acceptable behavior. This reinforces social cohesion by reaffirming shared values and standards.
    • In the case of boundary maintenance, society uses deviance to set limits and ensure conformity. When someone breaks the rules (e.g., by committing a crime), society’s reaction helps maintain order and strengthens the collective conscience.

Step 4: Examine Becker’s Viewpoints on Deviance

Howard S. Becker provides four distinct perspectives on deviance, each offering a different way of thinking about why deviant behavior persists in society:

  1. Statistical: Deviance is defined by statistical rarity—behaviors that occur infrequently or outside the norm.
  2. Medical/Disease: Deviance is seen as a form of illness or pathology, where individuals deviate from societal norms because of mental health or social dysfunctions.
  3. Failure to Obey Group Rules: Deviance is understood as failure to follow the rules or expectations established by a social group, such as a school, family, or workplace.
  4. Labels through Social Interaction: Deviance is defined through social interactions, where individuals are labeled as deviant by society, and these labels often influence their future behavior (this is tied to labeling theory).

Becker’s labeling theory focuses on how deviant behavior is not just a reflection of statistical norms but is influenced by societal reactions and labels.

Step 5: Reflect on Moynihan’s Concept of Redefining Deviance

Daniel Moynihan argues that society is constantly redefining what is considered deviant. This process involves three main types of redefinition:

  1. Altruistic Redefinition: When behaviors previously viewed as deviant are excused or redefined as socially acceptable for the greater good. For example, civil rights protests may have been seen as deviant in the past, but they were later redefined as acts of moral courage and justice.
  2. Opportunistic Redefinition: This refers to redefinition based on self-interest or personal gain. An example could be the normalization of behaviors like corporate tax evasion or insider trading, where society may shift its perspective due to the influence of powerful groups.
  3. Normalizing: This involves the gradual redefinition of certain behaviors as normal or acceptable. Behaviors like marijuana use have undergone this shift as public perception changes and laws evolve.

Step 6: Answer the Questions Clearly

When answering the questions, be sure to:

  • Define key terms clearly and concisely (e.g., deviance, anomie, labeling theory).
  • Support your arguments with examples from real-life situations or the readings.
  • Apply theories: Discuss how Durkheim’s and Becker’s theories, in particular, relate to contemporary issues like marijuana use or drunk driving.
  • Provide analysis: Reflect on how the concept of deviance helps to maintain societal order or challenges our understanding of normal behavior.

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