Chapter 6 Flashcards
Deviance
A behaviour that strays from what is “normal”
– Does not mean bad, criminal, perverted, “sick”, or inferior in any way
– It is different from the norm, the usual.
– Is a category that changes with time, place, and culture.
– Definitions of deviance often reflect power.
Characteristics of Deviance:
Overt characteristics
Covert characteristics
Covert characteristics
the unstated qualities that might make a group a target for sanctions
– e.g., age, ethnic background, “race” and sexual orientation, sex, and physical and mental ability
Overt characteristics
actions or qualities taken as explicitly violating the cultural norm
Deviance Is Contested across Cultures
– Deviance differs from culture to culture.
– Deviance changes over time
• e.g. Tattooing was a respectable practice for generations before becoming a cultural taboo and then over time, being more acceptable
– Deviance is contested
Deviance Is Contested within Cultures:
– Definitions of deviance differ not only across but within
cultures
– Deviance is a social or cultural construct – Deviance can be contested
Conflict Deviance
is a disagreement among groups over whether or not something is deviant.
– e.g. legalization of marijuana
• Social constructionism
proposes that certain elements of social life, such as deviance, are not natural are created by a society or culture
Essentialism
argues that there is something natural, true, universal, and therefore objectively determined about these characteristics.
– When we look at certain social phenomena, we can see that each of these two viewpoints applies to some degree
• e.g. Alcoholism
• Goffman’s study on stigma and deviance, (1963)
illustrates the interplay of essentialism and social constructionism. He identified three types of stigmata (the plural of stigma):
Bodily
Moral
Tribal
Stigma
: human attribute that is seen to discredit an individual’s social identity
– Bodily stigmata:
physical deformities
– Moral stigmata:
blemishes of individual character
Tribal stigmata:
transmitted through group association
The Other
An image constructed by the dominant culture to characterize subcultures
• Can be depicted as mysterious, mystical, or mildly dangerous, but somehow it is ultimately cast as inferior
The Other
e.g. Edward Said’s Orientalism/ Canadians and indigenous
discussion how the dominant West constructed the Middle East as Other
• Dominant Canadian culture defines “Indigenous” as Other
Deviant behaviour and otherness
Deviant behaviour, once it has been associated with Otherness, is often subject to negative sanctions or punishment. The ‘Other’ label can be difficult to erase.
Moral panic
is a campaign designed to arouse concern over an issue or group
e.g racialized deviance and illegal drugs
Moral entrepreneur
ading…
– According to Becker (1963), a person who tries to convince others of the need to take action around a social problem that they have defined
• e.g., Zoot-suiters, niqab debate in Canada
What does racializing deviance refer to?
Linking particular ethnic groups, especially visible minorities, with certain forms of deviance.
How does racializing deviance affect perceptions of ethnic groups?
It makes ethnic background a covert characteristic of deviance, leading to differential treatment of these groups.
Can you provide an example of racializing deviance?
Muslims wearing a niqab may be seen as deviant due to their covered faces, which can lead to stereotypes and discrimination.
What does Canada’s formal subscription to multiculturalism entail?
It includes a set of policies and practices designed to encourage respect for cultural differences.
What pressure do racialized minorities face in Canada?
They often face pressure to assimilate, becoming culturally similar to the dominant culture.
How can the refusal to assimilate be perceived?
Not assimilating can be viewed as deviant, leading to social stigma and discrimination against those who maintain their cultural identities.
How is deviance racialized through racial profiling?
Through actions taken for safety or security that are based on stereotypes about race, color, ethnicity, religion, and other factors, rather than on reasonable suspicion.
What are visible characteristics used for in the context of racial profiling?
They are used to predict illegal activity, often unfairly associating those characteristics with deviance.
How does a person’s “otherness” affect their treatment in society?
: A person’s otherness can be used as grounds for differential treatment, leading to discrimination in various sectors.
Can you provide examples of areas where racial profiling may occur?
Racial profiling can occur in law enforcement, by employers, service providers, and landlords.
What characterizes a patriarchal society?
A patriarchal society is one dominated by men, where “male” is considered normal and “female” is treated as the Other, often seen as inherently deviant.
What does the term “misogyny” mean?
Misogyny literally means “hating women,” reflecting deep-seated biases and negative attitudes toward women in society.
How are images of women constructed in patriarchal societies?
Images of women are often constructed in ways that contain and reflect misogyny, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and social norms.
What is a patriarchal construct?
A patriarchal construct refers to social conditions that favor boys/men over girls/women.
How are male values normalized in society?
Male values are normalized through customs, laws, and cultural production, reinforcing gender inequality.
Can you provide an example of a patriarchal construct in the workplace?
An example is that well-paying jobs are often dominated by men, reflecting gender disparities in employment and pay.
What is sexual deviance in the context of gender?
Sexual deviance is gendered, often reflecting a double standard that applies differently to male and female sexual activity.
What were Magdalene asylums?
Magdalene asylums were institutions where women were sent for being perceived as sexually deviant, often focusing on reforming “fallen women.”
How did the Female Refuge Act impact women in Ontario?
Between 1913 and 1964, thousands of women in Ontario were placed in reformatories under the Female Refuge Act for being sexually active outside of marriage, branded as “incorrigible.”
What does the term “incorrigible” signify in this context?
The term “incorrigible” was used to label women who engaged in sexual activity outside of marriage, reflecting societal views of female sexuality as deviant.
How can poverty be viewed in relation to deviance?
Poverty can be considered a covert characteristic of deviance, influencing how behaviors are perceived based on socio-economic status.
How is drug or alcohol use viewed differently based on socio-economic status?
Drug or alcohol use is often considered deviant among poor people but is viewed less negatively among wealthy individuals.
What did Reiman (1998) suggest about the criminal justice system?
Reiman argued that the criminal justice system has a distinct class bias, favoring the interests of the wealthy while punishing the poor more severely.
What does research predominantly focus on regarding crime?
Research often focuses predominantly on the poor and the crimes they commit, reinforcing stereotypes about poverty and criminality.
