deviance and human rights Flashcards
absolutist definition of deviance
categorizes behavior as inherently “good” or “bad”, independent of social norms of subjective judgment
strong emotional reactions and stereotyping
stereotypes skew societal responses and enforcement priorities
relativist definition of deviance
views deviance as socially constructed rather than inherent in any act, belief, or condition
emphasizes what is considered deviant varies across cultures, as deviance is shaped by collective human judgments
who commits it, who labels it, and when it occurs
evolving deviance
deviance is not fixed; laws and societal norms evolve through time
relativist definition highlights that deviance depends on situational factors such as time, place, and the individual involved
the 3 things deviance requires:
a behavioral expectation or norm
a perceived violation of that norm
a societal reaction ranging from criticism to punishment
strain theory
deviance arises when individuals face a conflict between societal success goals and limited access to legitimate means (G & M)
conformity (GM)
innovation (Gx)
ritualism (xM)
retreatism (xx)
rebellion
symbolic interactionism
deviance is learned through interactions with close associates (friends and family) who influence behavior by transmitting techniques and attitudes for committing deviant acts
society -> symbols -> establish meaning -> develop views -> communicate with each other -> society
deterrence theory
shifts focus from exploring why individuals violate norms to examining the factors that discourage most people from engaging in deviant behavior
cost and benefit analysis!
labeling theory
explains how being labeled “deviant” alters how others perceive and interact with an individual
“ex-convict”
societies use formal (registries) and informal (social media) methods to condemn deviance
this reinforces deviance identities
deviant labels stick
deviance and power: conflict perspective
argues that definitions of deviance often reflect the influence of powerful groups imposing control over less powerful groups, shaping societal norms
capitalism’s encouraging of consumption while keeping wages low created a contradiction that leads to criminal behavior among those who cannot afford luxury
Marxian conflict theory suggests these contradictions are inherent in capitalism
conflict theorists believe the analysis of deviance tend to focus on the less powerful
the legal and criminal justice system benefit dominant societal groups
media’s role in shaping deviance
influence on crime perception (emphasizing violent over non-violent crimes)
selective crime portrayal
(television influencing public understanding of the crime problem)
focus on street crimes
(street crimes over corporate or government crimes)
tough on crime policies
not tough on crime enough -> leading to harsher sentences, reduced parole, & increased prison construction
growing prison populations (200,000 in 1970 to 2.1 mil todau)
US has highest incarceration rate
disadvantaged groups and deviance
poor people and people of color are disproportionately targeted and defined as deviant
this begins with financial vulnerabilities: those unable to pay fines or afford bail face jail time
economic status directly impacts justice outcomes
legal representation exacerbates these disparities
police bias
poor urban & disproportionately black individuals are often seen asthe “typical criminal”, fueling racial profiling and excessive use of force
systemic bias in law enforcement is driven by preconcieved notions of threat rather than objective danger
white collar deviance
wealthy people & corporations often face more lenient consequences for criminal behavior compared to marginalized groups
public perception underestimates the dangers of corporate white-collar crimes
corporations often avoid significant repercussions through money
medicalization of deviance
behavior categorized as medical conditions requiring treatment
behaviors once seen as mischeif or life stresses are now labeled as psychiatric diseases
drug companies influence criteria for diagnosis
replaces moral scrutiny with therapeutic treatment and reducing stigma
this depoliticalizes social issues by framing them as individual defects
