Deviance is “the recognized violation of cultural norms” (Macionis, 2015, p. 198). In defining deviance, there is a different or unexpected action when compared to an established standard. A deviance might be an activity that is considered strange or unacceptable by society. Examples of deviance include stealing, assault, murder, a ten year old having a tantrum in the grocery store, wearing winter clothes in the summer, whistleblowing, or facing backward in an elevator. On the other hand, social control is “attempts by society to regulate people’s thoughts and behavior” (Macionis, 2015, p. 199). By way of explanation, social control is how society influences deviance to assist in moving from the deviant behavior to a socially acceptable standard.
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Social-conflict theories explain deviance as a result of social unfairness, or which people have power in society. According to this theory, individuals with little or no power have a greater probability of being deviant. The theory derives from the approach of Karl Marx, who viewed that laws bolstered the rich, however, “conflict leads…to ever-changing relations within…social structure” (Coser, 1957, p. 200). Social-conflict theory rationalizes deviance as a result of the powerful compared to the powerless as …show more content…
In the case of the young man from a poor and minority background, he is a powerless individual. Therefore, because the young man is powerless, or socially unequal in that he was from a poor background, the young man would more likely be labeled a deviant for stealing. Along these lines, Steven Spitzer contended that deviants were individuals who restricted capitalism. Hence, a poor person who stole from a rich person, would be labeled deviant because they have hindered capitalism by taking the rich person’s property. Accordingly, the poor young man stole from the rich local merchants, restricting capitalism, and consequently is deviant. A second theory of deviance and social control that explains the young man who turned to stealing to survive is structural-functional theories. Structural-functional theories explain that deviance is an essential element of society. In other words, deviance just exists. It exists in all societies and there is nothing unusual regarding deviance. In fact, Emile Durkheim stated that deviance accomplishes the following:
• Deviance upholds and reinforces societal standards (Macionis, 2015, p.
Social-conflict theories explain deviance as a result of social unfairness, or which people have power in society. According to this theory, individuals with little or no power have a greater probability of being deviant. The theory derives from the approach of Karl Marx, who viewed that laws bolstered the rich, however, “conflict leads…to ever-changing relations within…social structure” (Coser, 1957, p. 200). Social-conflict theory rationalizes deviance as a result of the powerful compared to the powerless as …show more content…
In the case of the young man from a poor and minority background, he is a powerless individual. Therefore, because the young man is powerless, or socially unequal in that he was from a poor background, the young man would more likely be labeled a deviant for stealing. Along these lines, Steven Spitzer contended that deviants were individuals who restricted capitalism. Hence, a poor person who stole from a rich person, would be labeled deviant because they have hindered capitalism by taking the rich person’s property. Accordingly, the poor young man stole from the rich local merchants, restricting capitalism, and consequently is deviant. A second theory of deviance and social control that explains the young man who turned to stealing to survive is structural-functional theories. Structural-functional theories explain that deviance is an essential element of society. In other words, deviance just exists. It exists in all societies and there is nothing unusual regarding deviance. In fact, Emile Durkheim stated that deviance accomplishes the following:
• Deviance upholds and reinforces societal standards (Macionis, 2015, p.