DEVIANCE AND

SOCIAL CONTROL

Prepared by: Rosana F. Rodriguez R.N.

 DEVIANCE

 is defined as behaviour that violates significant

social norms and is disapproved by majority of
people.
 The sociology of deviance is concerned
primarily with the violations of behaviour that
are considered unacceptable or offensive by
majority because society all of us to social
control, an attempt to regulate people’s
thought and behaviours.
 DEVIANCE

 Deviance also varies from one situation to

another. A behavior only becomes deviant
when it is socially defined as such and
definitions vary according to time, place and
group.
 Deviance is relative, meaning it is based on
the social definition of some groups.
 Behavior can be considered deviant only with
the context of the norms and values of a
particular culture.
 TYPES OF DEVIANCE

 Primary- refers to a person’s behavior which

violates or does not conform to prescribed
norm of conduct but is tolerated or concealed
by others.
 TYPES OF DEVIANCE

 Secondary- refers to the behavior of a lifetime

conformist, the behavior of a person who killed
others because of self -defense or the
behavior of branded criminal. Such behavior
stigmatizes a person from the rest of the
society.
 TYPES OF DEVIANCE

 Individual- refers to a violation against

group’s norm of sub culture.
 TYPES OF DEVIANCE

 Group- refers t the act of the members

or group to conform to the group’s norm
but which disagree to the norms of larger
society.
REASONS FOR DEVIANCE

 Biologists say that deviance is caused by

factors coming from within the individual. They
say that deviant behaviour is a result of
aberrant genetic traits, as in the case of
homosexual’s criminals and mentally ill
individuals.

REASONS FOR DEVIANCE

 Sociologists say that factor outside the

individual cause deviance. In other word they
presume that an individual’s environment may
cause him to show deviant characteristics.

REASONS FOR DEVIANCE

 Psychologist however explains that the

deviant behavior of people is caused by
abnormalities in their personalities or what we
call personality disorders. Likewise there are
other psychologists who deviant behavior as a
form of aggression against others or against
society caused by frustration.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Biological Theories of Deviance.

 Focus on the genetic endowments of
human beings or their anatomical or
psychological composition. Person who are
biological deviant are assumed to have
mental illness or are unhealthy organisms
due to some defects or weaknesses in their
physical condition
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Cesare Lombroso-
 Who become interested in the scientific study of
crime , believed, that the physical characteristics of
a criminal should be thoroughly analyzed.
 He was convinced that the major determinants of
crimes committed by individual were biological..
 His conclusions were based on comparisons of 400
prisons inmates with a group of Italian soldiers.
 His findings showed that the prisoner displayed
physical abnormalities such as deviation in head
size and shape, eye defects, receding chins and
excessively long arms. This led him to believe that
criminal tendencies are hereditary.
Face of a criminal
( Lambroso)
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Earnest Hooton
 An American anthropologist, also made a research
on the biological factors, of deviance in 1930. He
claimed that criminal s are organically inferior to
“NORMAL PEOPLE”. ( Inherited criminal
characteristics)
The speaking portrait
( Hooton)
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 William Sheldon
 In 1940 also attempted to link body type to behavior
by classifying people into three categories, the
endomorphs, the mesomorphs and ectomorphs.
Endomorphs- refer to people who are soft round
and usually fat. Mesomorphs- are people who are
muscular, stocky and athletic. Ectomorphs- are
people who are skinny and fragile.
 According to Sheldon, a disproportionate
percentage of criminals were found to be
mesomorph, but the reason for this remained
unclear.
 Sheldon's Character Shape Picture
Somatotype

Endomorph relaxed, sociable, plump, buxom,

[viscerotonic] tolerant, comfort- developed visceral
loving, peaceful structure

Mesomorph active, assertive, muscular

[somatotonic] vigorous,
combative

Ectomorph quiet, fragile, lean, delicate, poor

[cerebrotonic] restrained, non- muscles
assertive, sensitive
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Psychological Theories of Deviance.

 According to Zulueta(2002) focus on personality,
motives, aggression, frustration or ego strength.
This are often rooted in the mind of the people
rather than in their bodies and focus on factors such
as personality structure, learning goals, interest,
motivation, willpower, frustrate, anxiety, guilt and
other psychological condition and response. It is
often associated with mental illness, personality
observation or psychopathic personality.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Psychological Theories of Deviance.

 According to Freud it is usually the result of
weakened ego and are likely unable to
control impulses, defer gratification or
adhere to planned, rational course of action.
 Motivation, intelligence, stress, unconscious
needs and personality traits are found to
contributory to deviance.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Focus on the socio cultural, organizational,
environmental and group factors.
Sociologists consider the breakdown or
determination, if not the absence of values
of social norms as in displaced person.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Symbolic Interaction Perspectives- individuals
interpret their action through symbols learned from
the groups to which they belong.
 Differential Association Theory
indicates that people learn to deviate or to
conform to society’s norms mostly by people
whom they associate.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Symbolic Interaction
 Labelling Theory
Cling or labelling a person by whatever
names such as ”criminal”, “thief”, etc may
cause deviant behavior in that person. The
labelling theory states that once people are
labelled as deviants, they are thus into
deviant roles and reacted to by others as
deviants.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Functionalist Perspectives
views society as a whole unit made up of
interrelated parts that work together and
serve a function. This theory further states
that if society is function smoothly, its various
parts such as culture trait and cultural
practices must work together in harmony
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Functionalist Perspectives
 Anomie Theory
it focuses on value conflicts between
culturally- prescribed goals and socially-
approved ways of achieving them. This theory
claims that group in power consider as
deviant the acts of weaker groups in order to
exploit them. Robert Merton further explained
that deviance occurs when there is no
congruence between expected goals and the
means used to achieve such goals.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 5 Ways of Adaptation ( Robert Merton)
A. Conformity- to both goals and means is
considered non- deviant
B. Innovation-includes the acceptance of
social goals and the rejection of prescribed
means of achieving them.
C. Ritualism-- refers to rituals rigidly following
the rules without regards for the ends, ways
or effects of their behavior. Ritualistic are
those who adhere traditions without taking
chances
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 5 Ways of Adaptation ( Robert Merton)
D. Retreatism-is more drastic behavior
manifested by alcoholics, drug addicts,
psychotic, vagabonds and the like. These
people are indifferent to society for they
reject both the cultural goals and
institutional means.
E. Rebellion-is shown by people who seek
change for the whole social order. They
withdraw allegiance to society which they
consider corrupt or unjust and with an
attempt to introduce a new order
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Functionalist Perspectives
 Control Theory
 this states that all of us are prone to deviance by
temptations,hostility, resentment, pressure from
peers, and so on. However, the inner control
system (which includes, conscience ideas of right
and wrong, and internalized religious beliefs and
principles) make us withstand these pressures.
Likewise the fear of punishment and the desire to
be a good person all fall under the inner control
system.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Functionalist Perspectives
 Control Theory
The opposite of this is the outer control
system (family, friends, community, and
the military and the police) which
influences us to stay away from crime.
 Thus if our control system are weak,
deviance results

THEORIES OF DEVIANCE

 Sociological Theories of Deviance.

 Functionalist Perspectives
 Cultural transmission theory
it sees deviant behavior as learned
through the process of differential
association, meaning an individual
become deviant if the associations or
socializations with individual who have
deviant behavior are frequent.
 DRUG ABUSE AND ADDICTION AS
EXAMPLES OF DEVIANT BEHAVIOR

 Drug Addiction- is a state of physical or

psychological need of an individual for a drug
which stems from its continuous use.
 Drug abuse- when the use of, lawful or
unlawful, results in person’s physical, mental,
emotional or social impairment.
THE MOST COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS
 Sedatives-
 produce calming effects on the nervous system and
may reduce anxiety and excitement in a person. An
overdose of sedatives may depress the brain’s
respiratory control and may lead to cessation of
breathing and eventual death.
 Ex. barbiturates, tranquilizers, and alcohol.
THE MOST COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS
 Stimulants-
 are also called pep pills which increases a
person’s alertness and physical
disposition, Furthermore, the use of stimulant
creates a state of euphoria and hides
fatigue in a individual. Excessive use of stimulants
may lead a person to insomnia and deep
depression.
 Ex. Amphetamines, cocaine, and caffeine.
THE MOST COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS
 Hallucinogen
 are also called psychedelics and affect, sensations,
thinking, self-awareness and emotion. These drugs
may lead to changes in person’s perception of time
and space, create delusion, or trigger false beliefs in
him.
 Ex. Lysergenic Acid Diethylamide (LSD), mescaline
and marijuana
THE MOST COMMONLY
ABUSED DRUGS
 Narcotics
 relieves pain, make one drowsy and relax and
induce sleep. Continuous use of
narcotics leads a person to physiological and
psychological dependence
 SOCIAL CONTROL

 Refers to the “techniques and strategies”

for regulating human behavior

 Refers to the “techniques and strategies”

for regulating human behavior in any
society.

 SOCIAL CONTROL

 Refers to the “techniques and strategies”

for regulating human behavior

 Refers to the “techniques and strategies”

for regulating human behavior in any
society.

 SOCIAL CONTROL

 Conformity- means getting along with one’s

peers- individuals with the same
status that has no right to defect’s a person
behavior.
 Obedience- compliance with higher
authorities in a hierarchal structure
 Sanctions- rewards for conformity, like
social approval which serves as means of
social control
 TYPES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 Internal Social Control
 Lies within the individual, and is developed
during socialization.
 You are practising internal social control when
you act according to your conscience
 (ie. you do something because it is the right thing
to do). Most people act according to this internal
social control (ie. they do the right thing) – most
of the time.
 TYPES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 2. External Social Control
 The process of socialization does not ensure that all
people will conform all of the time.
 For this reason, external social control must also be
present.  External social control is based on social
sanctions – rewards and punishments designed to
encourage desired behaviour.
 Positive sanctions (e g. smile o f approval,
awards, raises ) are used to encourage conformity.
 Negative sanctions (e g. criticism, fine s,
imprisonment) are intended to stop socially
unacceptable behaviour.
 TYPES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 Sanctions
 Sanctions may be formal or informal
 Formal (eg. low grades, awards, jail time)
 Informal (eg. ridicule, gossip, smiles
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 1. Control Theory
 Looks at how some social structures have led
to higher rates of deviance.
 Communities where there are high rates of poverty,
conflict and disorganization have been found to lack
the structure needed to exert control over their
citizens.
 In these communities, there are often high rates of
crime, mental illness, suicide and substance abuse
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 1. Control Theory
 It investigates the ways in which behaviour is
regulated, including the influences of family,
school, morals, values, beliefs, etc.
 It is this regulation that is seen as leading to
conformity and compliance with the rules of
society
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 1. Control Theory
 The mere existence of rules or norms cannot in and
of itself explain conformity. Control theorists want to
know why people conform to norms
 Clearly controlling forces are present in the lives
of some people but not of others. Everyone gets
tempted to break the rules, but not everyone
does. Why?
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 1. Control Theory
 Crime is the result of a loss of social control
normally imposed through social institutions such
as:
 Family  Religious faith / spirituality
 Education
 Community values  If such informal social
control is weakened, formal means of social
control (eg. criminal justice system) may be
imposed.

 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 2. Containtment Theory
 Sociologist Walter Reckless (1967)
suggested that people are drawn toward
deviance for various reasons (frustration,
media influence, poverty, etc).
 These negative influences pull all individuals
toward deviance in some way. There must, then,
be some way of “containing” individuals within
the norms
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 2. Containtment Theory
 Reckless suggested that people could be “insulated”
from crime
 If properly socialized by his parents and peers, the
individual will control (or “contain”) himself. The
individual provides his own “containment”
(controlling those natural impulses that could lead to
the violation of norms).
 If the individual cannot “contain” himself from
violating norms, his family and/or peers may try to
contain him. If that fails, the other social institutions
of informal social control may provide containment.
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 3. Social Bond Theory
 Expanding on Reckless’ theory, sociologist
Travis Hirschi developed a theory
suggesting that deviant behaviour is
minimized when people have strong bonds
that connect them to,Families school, peers,
Church, other social institutions.
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 4 elements to Hirschi’s theory:
1. Attachment -
Refers to sensitivity to and interest in others; it is
how strongly we are tied to others. This requires
sensitivity to the needs of others and an interest
in their welfare. There are 3 prime locations for
attachment: parents , school and peers
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 4 elements to Hirschi’s theory:
2. Commitment
This refers to the extent, to which we are
committed to conventional forms of action
(school, work, etc).
Commitment requires time, energy and effort.
The more we develop this commitment, the more
we have to lose if we commit deviant acts and
are caught
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 4 elements to Hirschi’s theory:
 3. Involvement
This refers to the amount of time that we are
involved in conventional activities (primarily
through school recreation and family).
Involvement in conventional activities leaves little
time for deviant behaviour.
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 4 elements to Hirschi’s theory:
 4. Beliefs
This refers to an acceptance of conventional
morality and a respect for authority. Beliefs
refers to / implies adhering to such values
as:  Sharing  Sensitivity to others 
Respect for society’s legal code
 THEORIES OF SOCIAL
CONTROL
 Social Bond Theory in a nutshell:
 Basically, Hirschi is arguing that if a person
is bonded to society, they are not as likely to
break the law.
 they have too much to lose
 they have little time to break the law
 they are too sensitive to the feelings of
others to victimize them

