{"id":3860,"date":"2018-09-07T14:52:30","date_gmt":"2018-09-07T14:52:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/?post_type=chapter&p=3860"},"modified":"2024-04-25T14:47:16","modified_gmt":"2024-04-25T14:47:16","slug":"reviewing-theories-on-deviance","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/wm-introductiontosociology\/chapter\/reviewing-theories-on-deviance\/","title":{"raw":"Reviewing Theories on Deviance","rendered":"Reviewing Theories on Deviance"},"content":{"raw":"
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Learning Outcomes<\/h3>\r\n
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  • Differentiate between functionalist, conflict theorist, and symbolic interactionist explanations on deviance and crime<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/div>\r\n

    Summary of Theoretical Explanations of Deviance<\/h2>\r\n

    The three major sociological paradigms offer different explanations for the motivation behind deviance and crime. Functionalists point out that deviance is a social necessity since it reinforces norms by reminding people of the consequences of violating them. Violating norms can open society\u2019s eyes to injustice in the system.<\/p>\r\nConflict theorists argue that crime stems from a system of inequality that keeps those with power at the top and those without power at the bottom.\r\n\r\nSymbolic interactionists focus attention on the socially constructed nature of the labels related to deviance. Crime and deviance are learned from the environment and enforced or discouraged by those around us.\r\n\r\nReview each of the main theories associated with each perspective below.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
    Functionalism<\/strong><\/td>\r\nAssociated Theorist<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDeviance arises from:<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Strain Theory<\/td>\r\nRobert Merton<\/td>\r\nA lack of ways to reach socially accepted goals by accepted methods<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Social Disorganization Theory<\/td>\r\nUniversity of Chicago researchers<\/td>\r\nWeak social ties and a lack of social control; society has lost the ability to enforce norms with some groups<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Social Control Theory<\/td>\r\nTravis Hirschi<\/td>\r\nDeviance results from a feeling of disconnection from society; social control is directly affected by the strength of social bonds<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Conflict Theory<\/strong><\/td>\r\nAssociated Theorist<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDeviance arises from:<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Unequal System<\/td>\r\nKarl Marx<\/td>\r\nInequalities in wealth and power that arise from the economic system<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Power Elite<\/td>\r\nC. Wright Mills<\/td>\r\nAbility of those in power to define deviance in ways that maintain the status quo<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Symbolic Interactionism<\/strong><\/td>\r\nAssociated Theorist<\/strong><\/td>\r\nDeviance arises from:<\/strong><\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Labeling Theory<\/td>\r\nEdwin Lemert<\/td>\r\nThe reactions of others, particularly those in power who are able to determine labels<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n
    Differential Association Theory<\/td>\r\nEdwin Sutherlin<\/td>\r\nLearning and modeling deviant behavior seen in other people close to the individual<\/td>\r\n<\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody>\r\n<\/table>\r\n
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    Watch It<\/h3>\r\nWatch this video to review some of the major theories covered in this module. You'll examine the symbolic interactionist paradigms of differential association and labeling theory, and also the functionalist paradigm of strain theory.\r\n\r\n