Theories of Deviance
Question
Requirements: cover page, 3 pages of content, reference page with at least 2 APA references: (you must use the references in the paper giving credit to the authors and on the reference page in APA )
The paper must be written in APA style of writing.
Rubric for Portfolio:
-20 for not using references in paper (this is plagiarism)
-20 for not have a reference page (this is plagiarism)
-10 for not having a cover page (name, name of course, date, topic and my name)
Topics (choice one of the following topics):
1) Different types of Deviances
2) Crimes of Interpersonal Violence
3) Theories of Deviances


Solution
Theories of Deviance
Deviance is when someone does something different from what
society normally accepts. People might think this is bad and not normal.
Usually, anything illegal is also considered deviant, but not everything that
is deviant is illegal (Rotenberg, 2018). People who engage in deviant
behaviors, like thieves, drunkards, and people who buy prostitutes’ services,
are known as deviants. The definition of deviance can vary depending on a
person’s culture and norms. What is considered deviant in the USA might not be
considered deviant in China. For example, female circumcision is considered bad
in America, but it is not considered bad in Malaysia. Theories about deviance
rely on the social context and pressure to understand why something is
considered deviant. So, these theories are based on sociology. Scholars like
Edwin Sutherland and Walter Reckless have developed different theories about
why people break the law. These theories are called structural functionalism,
labeling, and conflict theory.
Differential
Association Theory
Differential association theory is a theory that explains how
people learn to break the law. According to the theory, people learn from the
people around them. For example, a child starts learning what is right and
wrong from those close to them. Different groups can determine what actions are
considered deviant, which then influences how people view the world (Rebellon
& Anskat, 2018). People who live in societies usually have norms that keep
them from breaking the law. But some people think that this theory is not true
because it has been scientifically disproven.
Conflict Theory
Walter Reckless’s theory discusses the relationship between
socialization, social controls, and behavior. The theory argues that inner and
outer controls can help to control any deviant tendencies. Such internal
controls can include conscience, integrity, morality, intuition, and morality.
Outer controls are the people they rely on for support in someone’s life-
friends, family, religious figures, and authorities. Inner controls are the
things that make someone think twice about doing something that goes against
social norms (Rotenberg, 2018). If someone doesn’t have self-control, they are
more likely to commit crimes. But some people don’t agree with this idea
because it might make it look like people are criminals only because they don’t
belong to a certain group.
Anomie Theory
Robert Merton developed the theory of social strain typology in
the 1960s. The theory explains how people can become confused when there are
conflicting or no social norms. Robert Merton used the theory to explain the
difference between socially accepted goals and the struggle to achieve them.
The theory alternates between motivation and urges to adhere to cultural goals.
It is based on conformity, innovation, rebellion, retreatism, and ritualism
(Rotenberg, 2018). An example of this is when many people want riches, but not
everyone has the same opportunity to get them. This might be because of
discrimination or other factors. Some people, like minorities, might have to
use deviant behaviors like prostitution or selling drugs to get wealth and
acceptance from others. This theory explains that breaking one norm can lead to
breaking another norm. This theory is important because it tries to explain why
people break norms and the role of social forces in doing so. However, this
theory is generalized and hasn’t been scientifically validated.
Labeling theory
The labeling theory is the belief that society decides what is
considered to be deviant behavior. Once society has labeled a behavior as being
deviant, people are then told how to behave. The labeling theory focuses on
understanding why certain people label certain behaviors as deviant and
determine who will conform to these behaviors. Additionally, people in power
often label people who don’t fit in as deviant. For example, if a doctor labels
someone as mentally ill or a religious leader label someone as a drug addict or
prostitute, that person is rejected by society. This might make them act more
defiantly. People who are labeled as deviant find it difficult to change their
opinions, even if they have evidence. To be more specific, William Chambliss
gave the results of a study he conducted on two high school students groups
involved in committing crimes. The two groups he labeled, the ‘saints’ and the ‘roughnecks’,
were involved in committing deviant crimes and deviance. However, one group of
students was labeled as being good. This helped them from getting in trouble
with the police. The ‘roughnecks’ were always getting into trouble with the
police because they were labeled delinquents. This theory focuses on the attitudes
and reactions of others towards a particular group rather than looking at the
actual actions of the group (Rotenberg, 2018). The theory is criticized for its
unclear concepts, which invalidates it scientifically.
Deviance cannot exist without norms. Norms help define what is
deviant and help society understand it. However, many theories about deviance
lack scientific validation. But they can still be helpful in understanding how
societies work. Social norms are not limited to a certain time or place. They
can change depending on the cultural diversity around the world.
Rebellon, C. J., &
Anskat, P. (2018). Crime, deviance, and social control: Travis Hirschi and his
legacy. The handbook of the history
and philosophy of criminology, 189-206.
Rotenberg, M.
(2018). Damnation & Deviance:
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Failure. Routledge.




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