5: Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
- Page ID
- 2038
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\(\newcommand{\avec}{\mathbf a}\) \(\newcommand{\bvec}{\mathbf b}\) \(\newcommand{\cvec}{\mathbf c}\) \(\newcommand{\dvec}{\mathbf d}\) \(\newcommand{\dtil}{\widetilde{\mathbf d}}\) \(\newcommand{\evec}{\mathbf e}\) \(\newcommand{\fvec}{\mathbf f}\) \(\newcommand{\nvec}{\mathbf n}\) \(\newcommand{\pvec}{\mathbf p}\) \(\newcommand{\qvec}{\mathbf q}\) \(\newcommand{\svec}{\mathbf s}\) \(\newcommand{\tvec}{\mathbf t}\) \(\newcommand{\uvec}{\mathbf u}\) \(\newcommand{\vvec}{\mathbf v}\) \(\newcommand{\wvec}{\mathbf w}\) \(\newcommand{\xvec}{\mathbf x}\) \(\newcommand{\yvec}{\mathbf y}\) \(\newcommand{\zvec}{\mathbf z}\) \(\newcommand{\rvec}{\mathbf r}\) \(\newcommand{\mvec}{\mathbf m}\) \(\newcommand{\zerovec}{\mathbf 0}\) \(\newcommand{\onevec}{\mathbf 1}\) \(\newcommand{\real}{\mathbb R}\) \(\newcommand{\twovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\ctwovec}[2]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\threevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cthreevec}[3]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfourvec}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\fivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{r}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\cfivevec}[5]{\left[\begin{array}{c}#1 \\ #2 \\ #3 \\ #4 \\ #5 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\mattwo}[4]{\left[\begin{array}{rr}#1 \amp #2 \\ #3 \amp #4 \\ \end{array}\right]}\) \(\newcommand{\laspan}[1]{\text{Span}\{#1\}}\) \(\newcommand{\bcal}{\cal B}\) \(\newcommand{\ccal}{\cal C}\) \(\newcommand{\scal}{\cal S}\) \(\newcommand{\wcal}{\cal W}\) \(\newcommand{\ecal}{\cal E}\) \(\newcommand{\coords}[2]{\left\{#1\right\}_{#2}}\) \(\newcommand{\gray}[1]{\color{gray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\lgray}[1]{\color{lightgray}{#1}}\) \(\newcommand{\rank}{\operatorname{rank}}\) \(\newcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\col}{\text{Col}}\) \(\renewcommand{\row}{\text{Row}}\) \(\newcommand{\nul}{\text{Nul}}\) \(\newcommand{\var}{\text{Var}}\) \(\newcommand{\corr}{\text{corr}}\) \(\newcommand{\len}[1]{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\newcommand{\bbar}{\overline{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bhat}{\widehat{\bvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\bperp}{\bvec^\perp}\) \(\newcommand{\xhat}{\widehat{\xvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\vhat}{\widehat{\vvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\uhat}{\widehat{\uvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\what}{\widehat{\wvec}}\) \(\newcommand{\Sighat}{\widehat{\Sigma}}\) \(\newcommand{\lt}{<}\) \(\newcommand{\gt}{>}\) \(\newcommand{\amp}{&}\) \(\definecolor{fillinmathshade}{gray}{0.9}\)- 5.1: Prelude to Deviance, Crime, and Social Control
- This page addresses recent mass shootings in the U.S., focusing on Robb Elementary School, and highlights the increasing frequency of such crimes. It raises questions about the causes of deviance, societal norms, and crime reduction strategies. Emphasizing a sociological perspective, it suggests that understanding societal influences is vital for addressing crime and deviance, advocating for a reevaluation of behavior definitions and exploring potential societal changes to mitigate crime.
- 5.2: Social Control and the Relativity of Deviance
- This page examines deviance and crime as behaviors that breach social norms, with crime being a formalized subset of deviance. Citing Émile Durkheim, it argues that deviance is a normal societal component with key functions. It emphasizes the relativity of deviance, varying across contexts, cultures, and time. The page concludes with reflective questions to prompt sociological analysis of these concepts.
- 5.3: Explaining Deviance
- This page examines the multifaceted explanations of deviance, encompassing biological, psychological, and various sociological perspectives. It highlights how individual differences and social environments influence deviant behavior, referencing theories like functionalism, social ecology, strain theory, and labeling theory. The discussion includes feminist insights on gender inequality and crime, the role of societal norms, and the experiences of women in the justice system.
- 5.4: Crime and Criminals
- This page examines crime perceptions in the U.S., underscoring the influence of gender and race on fear and opinions. Women often fear crime more, especially sexual assault, while African Americans have heightened concerns due to urban crime. It discusses limitations in crime measurement, focusing on the UCR and NCVS. The page differentiates between conventional and white-collar crimes, noting socioeconomic links to victimization. It addresses the debate on victimless crimes, contrasting U.S.
- 5.5: The Get-Tough Approach - Boon or Bust?
- This page critiques the U.S. "get-tough" approach to crime, noting its rise since the 1970s without clear crime reduction benefits and its roots in racial fears. Alternatives focusing on sociological factors such as poverty are suggested. It also highlights shortcomings in traditional views of deviance, particularly regarding white-collar crime, pointing out societal greed and weak regulations.
- 5.S: Deviance, Crime, and Social Control (Summary)
- This page discusses deviance as behaviors that break social norms, influenced by context and time. It highlights Durkheim's insights on its societal functions, including norm clarification and social cohesion. Various explanations for deviance are presented, encompassing biological, psychological, and sociological perspectives. The page addresses the ongoing crime issue in the U.S.


