THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

Theories of Deviance

Functionalist Labeling Obedience to Authority Constructionist Structural Strain Differential Association

The Functionalist Theory

Nothing is abnormal about deviance. In fact it performs four essential functions:

1. Deviance affirms cultural values and norms.

2. Responding to deviance clarifies moral boundaries.

3. Responding to deviance brings people together.

4. Deviance encourages social change.

Labeling Theory

The idea that deviance and conformity result not so much from what people do as from how others respond to those actions.

Labeling theory stresses the relativity of deviance – the idea that people may define the same behavior in any number of ways.

Four categories of people

According to Labeling theory, four categories of people exist for every rule a social group creates:

Conformists Pure deviants Secret deviants Falsely accused

Obedience to Authority

Rule makers and enforcers persuade people to accept the authorities’ definitions of deviance and to conform to orders about how to treat people classified as deviant.

The Constructionist Approach

Focuses on the way certain groups, activities, conditions, or artifacts become defined as problems.

Structural Strain Theory

A situation in which a disjuncture exists between culturally valued goals and legitimate means for achieving these goals

Responses to Structural Strain

Conformity Innovation Ritualism Retreatism Rebellion

Differential Association Theory

Deviant behavior, especially criminal behavior, is learned.

“When persons become criminal, they do so because of contacts with criminal patterns and also because of isolation from anticriminal patterns.”