UCSP Lesson 1

A behavior that violates expected rules and norms. Non-conformity or a behavior that departs significantly from societal expectations.

The study of deviance can be divided into:

• Fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.

• Why people violates laws or norms.

• Theoretical basis of a particular branch of knowledge or experience.

• How society reacts to this violation.

Societies are characterized by both culture and social structure. In a well-integrated society, people use accepted and appropriate means to achieve the goals that society establishes.

• Structural Strain Theory

• Labeling Theory

• Social Control Theory

He developed the Structural Strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. He started with “goals” set by society for its members to reach and the “means” it provided them to do so.

According to _____, deviance occurs when individuals set themselves to reach societal goals despite the absence of conventional means to achieve them.

• Robert Merton

• Howard Becker

• Travis Hirschi

These are people who believe in both the established cultural goals of the society, as well as the normative means of attaining those goals; they follow the rules of society.

These are individuals who do not believe in the established cultural goals of the society, but they do believe in and abide by the means for attaining those goals.

These are individuals that accept the cultural goals of society but reject the conventional methods of attaining those goals; these are generally those we regard as criminals.

These are individuals who reject both cultural goals and the accepted means of attaining those goals.

They not only reject both the established cultural goals and the accepted means of attaining those goals; they also substitute new goals and new means of attaining these goals.