Match each character type in robert merton’s strain theory of deviance to its definition.

Chapter 6:

Deviance

1

Getting Warmed Up! Lecture Launcher Questions 1

Sociologists are interested in numerous questions pertaining to deviance. Match the following questions with the theoretical framework that would best explore it.

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

2

a. How do certain acts come to be defined as deviant? aa. structural functionalism

b. Why are punishments distributed unequally? bb. symbolic interactionism

c. How does deviance clarify norms and expectations? cc. conflict theory

Instructors: Use these questions at the beginning of class to gauge prior student knowledge and comprehension, to elicit discussion, or to emphasize important parts of the upcoming lecture and class session!

Answers: a/bb, b/cc, c/aa

Feedback: This chapter focuses on deviance. A researcher can use a variety of social lenses to study deviance depending on the “layer” or “angle” that is to be researched.

Learning objective: To assess understanding of key theories prior to reading Chapter 6.

Section: Theories of Deviance

2

Getting Warmed Up! Lecture Launcher Questions 2

Select ALL of the following that are acts of deviance:

driving faster than the posted speed limit

yelling at your spouse in a movie theater

grocery shopping in bare feet

texting friends during class

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

3

Instructors: Use these questions at the beginning of class to gauge prior student knowledge and comprehension, to elicit discussion, or to emphasize important parts of the upcoming lecture and class session!

Answer: a, b, c, d

Feedback: All of the above are deviant acts. Each is a behavior that departs from a norm or expectation and generates a negative reaction. It is safe to say that everyone has been deviant as some point in life.

Learning objective: To assess knowledge of key terms prior to reading Chapter 6.

Section: Defining Deviance

3

Getting Warmed Up! Lecture Launcher Questions 3

There are times when deviance is considered positive.

true

false

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

4

Instructors: Use these questions at the beginning of class to gauge prior student knowledge and comprehension, to elicit discussion, or to emphasize important parts of the upcoming lecture and class session!

Answer: a

Feedback: Certain acts can be a principled act that generates a positive rather than negative

reaction. This often happens in hindsight, once people have had a chance to consider the good that has come from the act.

Learning objective: To assess knowledge of key terms prior to reading Chapter 6.

Section: “Positive” Deviance?

4

Getting Warmed Up! Lecture Launcher Questions 4

_____ is/are the violation of a norm that has been codified into law.

stigma

crime

folkways

mores

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

5

Instructors: Use these questions at the beginning of class to gauge prior student knowledge and comprehension, to elicit discussion, or to emphasize important parts of the upcoming lecture and class session!

Answer: b

Feedback: Crime is a type of deviance. Violating a norm that has been codified into law has serious consequences including arrest and imprisonment.

Learning objective: To assess knowledge of key terms prior to reading Chapter 6.

Section: Crime and Punishment

5

Getting Warmed Up! Lecture Launcher Questions 5

Match the type of stigma (according to Erving Goffman) with the appropriate explanation:

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

6

Moral aa. external deformations or mental impairment

b. Physical bb. membership in a discredited or oppressed group

c. Tribal cc. signs of a flawed character

Instructors: Use these questions at the beginning of class to gauge prior student knowledge and comprehension, to elicit discussion, or to emphasize important parts of the upcoming lecture and class session!

Answer: a/cc, b/aa, c/bb

Feedback: Stigma is a central concept in the sociology of deviance. Erving Goffman published a book by the same name in 1962. It is still considered relevant and important today. To learn more about the types of stigma mentioned above, read “Stigma and Deviant Identity” in the text.

Learning objective: To assess knowledge of key terms prior to reading Chapter 6.

Section: Stigma and Deviant Identity

6

Getting Warmed Up! Lecture Launcher Questions 6

When a sociologist refers to an act as deviant, she or he is making a _____ judgment, not a _____ judgment.

moral; social

personal; social

social; personal

social; moral

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

7

Instructors: Use these questions at the beginning of class to gauge prior student knowledge and comprehension, to elicit discussion, or to emphasize important parts of the upcoming lecture and class session!

Answer: d

Feedback: A deviant behavior is one that violates the norms of a particular group. The very same behavior may not be considered deviant among other groups or during a different time period. Defining an act as deviant does not mean that the act is inherently wrong.

Learning objective: To assess knowledge of key terms prior to reading Chapter 6.

Section: Deviance across Cultures

7

Defining Deviance

Deviance is a behavior, trait, or belief that departs from a norm and generates a negative reaction in a particular group.

Defining something as deviant requires us to examine the group norms and how the group reacts to the behavior.

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

8

Deviance isn’t necessarily bad, it’s just different from what the group considers to be normal. For instance, a woman having a size 13 shoe isn’t bad, but it’s definitely different, so it may elicit a reaction from the group that makes up the majority (those with average shoe sizes). When sociologists use the term deviant, they are making a social judgment, not a moral one.

Whether or not something is considered deviance is somewhat contingent on the time period. For example, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson both farmed cannabis during a time in which doing so was not deviant.

Every state had made the use of marijuana illegal by 1937 and marijuana was associated with criminals around the same time.

Farming of hemp and the increasing legality of recreational use of marijuana shows that its deviance is changing once again.

8

Deviance Across Cultures

What is deviant in one culture may not be deviant in another culture!

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

9

For discussion, ask your class to discuss whether these images represent examples of norms or deviance in the United States. You can also mention C. Wright Mills to remind students of how norms change over time. Was tattooing a norm in the 1900s? The 1950s? The 2000s? What social factors might influence changing norms?

[Gavriel Jecan/Corbis; Remi Benali/Corbis; Donna McWilliam/AP Photo; Ron Hoskins/NBAE via Getty Images]

9

Theories of Deviance: Functionalism

Functionalism

Deviance serves a function in our society.

According to Émile Durkheim, deviance serves a positive social function by clarifying moral boundaries and promoting social cohesion.

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

10

Without seeing deviant behavior, we would have a hard time classifying what is normal. It isn’t until our group norms are challenged that we come together as a group to defend these norms. For example, the tragic events of September 11, 2001, challenged a norm that many people in the United States took for granted: safety. When the norm was challenged by the terrorist attacks, new policies and procedures were put into place (for instance, airport security) to preserve it.

10

Functionalism: Social Control Theory

Social Control Theory

Theory developed by Travis Hirschi explaining crime

Strong social bonds increase conformity

Strong social bonds decrease deviance

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

11

Social bonds include family, religious, and civic ties among others.

Suggested internal and external forces influence behavior.

11

Functionalism: Structural Strain Theory

Structural strain theory

Developed by Robert Merton

states that there are goals in our society that people want to achieve, but they cannot always reach these goals. This creates stress (or strain).

© 2018 W. W. Norton & Co., Inc.

12

12

13

Structural strain theory, sometimes just called strain theory, acknowledges that there are certain goals that society deems acceptable. Ask your students if they can think of what these goals might be. Common responses include: a nice car, a big house, a family, a good job, lots of money, and so on. You may be able to discuss the “American Dream” and the idea that there is a common theme about what Americans should achieve to be called successful. Strain theory then discusses the difficulties that many people have in trying to achieve these goals. The frustration that occurs between knowing what the goals are and not being able to achieve them is the basis of Merton’s strain theory typologies.

13