Introductory Sociology: Deviance and Crime - Theories of Deviance Durkheims Anomie Mertons Strain Theory Labeling Theory Becker Lemert Differential Association Sutherland Social Control Theory Hirschi Conflict Theory Feminist

Durkheim’s Anomie Theory

What It Is

Anomie refers to a state of social disorganization where individuals feel disconnected from society's norms and values. For example, a person who has just lost their job and feels a sense of purposelessness is experiencing anomie. Sociologists care about anomie because it can lead to deviant behavior and social unrest.

Must-Know Facts

• Emile Durkheim (1893) coined the term anomie to describe a state of social disorganization.
• Anomie is characterized by a lack of social norms and values.
• Suicide rates are higher in societies with anomie.
• Durkheim's study of alcoholism in France found a correlation between anomie and deviant behavior.
• Social solidarity is the opposite of anomie, where individuals feel connected to society's norms and values.
• Anomie can lead to deviant behavior, such as crime and substance abuse.
• Social isolation is a key factor in anomie.
• Durkheim's theory of anomie is based on the idea that social norms and values are necessary for social order.
• Economic downturns can lead to anomie.
• Anomie is not the same as alienation, which refers to a feeling of disconnection from one's work or society.
• Social change can lead to anomie.
• Durkheim's theory of anomie is a structural functionalist perspective.
• Anomie theory has been applied to the study of crime and deviance.
• Anomie is a key concept in understanding social disorganization.

Merton’s Strain Theory

What It Is

Strain theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them. For example, a person who wants to be wealthy but lacks the education and skills to achieve it may turn to deviant behavior. Sociologists care about strain theory because it helps explain why individuals engage in deviant behavior.

Must-Know Facts

• Robert Merton (1938) developed strain theory to explain deviant behavior.
• Cultural goals refer to the values and norms that society expects individuals to achieve.
• Means refer to the resources and opportunities available to individuals to achieve cultural goals.
• Strain occurs when there is a discrepancy between cultural goals and means.
• Deviant behavior is a result of strain.
• Conformity is the opposite of deviant behavior, where individuals achieve cultural goals through legitimate means.
• Innovation is a type of deviant behavior where individuals find new ways to achieve cultural goals.
• Ritualism is a type of deviant behavior where individuals go through the motions of achieving cultural goals but do not actually achieve them.
• Retreatism is a type of deviant behavior where individuals withdraw from society and do not attempt to achieve cultural goals.
• Rebellion is a type of deviant behavior where individuals actively challenge cultural goals.
• Social learning is a key factor in strain theory.
• Cultural capital is a key factor in strain theory.
• Strain theory has been applied to the study of crime and deviance.
• Strain theory is a functionalist perspective.

Labeling Theory

What It Is

Labeling theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it. For example, a person who is labeled as a "thief" may begin to identify with that label and engage in deviant behavior. Sociologists care about labeling theory because it helps explain how society creates and maintains deviance.

Must-Know Facts

• Howard Becker (1963) developed labeling theory to explain deviant behavior.
• Labels are the terms used to describe deviant behavior, such as "thief" or "addict".
• Stigma refers to the negative connotations associated with labels.
• Deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it.
• Primary deviance refers to the initial deviant behavior, while secondary deviance refers to the deviant behavior that results from the labels and stigma.
• Labeling theory is a symbolic interactionist perspective.
• Erving Goffman (1963) developed the concept of stigma.
• Labeling theory has been applied to the study of crime and deviance.
• Labeling theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the social interaction between individuals and society.
• Labeling theory is a key concept in understanding social control.

Differential Association – Sutherland

What It Is

Differential association suggests that deviant behavior is a result of learning deviant values and norms from others. For example, a person who grows up in a family of thieves may learn to engage in deviant behavior. Sociologists care about differential association because it helps explain how individuals learn deviant behavior.

Must-Know Facts

• Edwin Sutherland (1939) developed differential association to explain deviant behavior.
• Differential association refers to the process of learning deviant values and norms from others.
• Deviant behavior is a result of differential association.
• Primary group refers to the family and close friends who teach deviant values and norms.
• Secondary group refers to the larger social group that reinforces deviant behavior.
• Differential association is a social learning theory.
• Cultural transmission is a key factor in differential association.
• Social interaction is a key factor in differential association.
• Differential association has been applied to the study of crime and deviance.
• Differential association is a key concept in understanding socialization.

Social Control Theory – Hirschi

What It Is

Social control theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls. For example, a person who lacks a strong attachment to family and friends may engage in deviant behavior. Sociologists care about social control theory because it helps explain why individuals engage in deviant behavior.

Must-Know Facts

• Travis Hirschi (1969) developed social control theory to explain deviant behavior.
• Social bonds refer to the ties that individuals have to family, friends, and society.
• Social control refers to the mechanisms that society uses to regulate behavior.
• Deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls.
• Attachment is a key factor in social control theory.
• Involvement is a key factor in social control theory.
• Commitment is a key factor in social control theory.
• Belief is a key factor in social control theory.
• Social control theory is a functionalist perspective.
• Social control theory has been applied to the study of crime and deviance.
• Social control theory is a key concept in understanding socialization.

Conflict Theory

What It Is

Conflict theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society. For example, a person who is oppressed by the dominant group may engage in deviant behavior as a form of resistance. Sociologists care about conflict theory because it helps explain how power and inequality shape deviance.

Must-Know Facts

• Karl Marx (1848) developed conflict theory to explain social inequality.
• Conflict theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society.
• Power is a key factor in conflict theory.
• Inequality is a key factor in conflict theory.
• Resistance is a key factor in conflict theory.
• Deviant behavior is a form of resistance to the dominant group.
• Conflict theory is a Marxist perspective.
• Conflict theory has been applied to the study of crime and deviance.
• Conflict theory is a key concept in understanding social inequality.

Feminist Theory

What It Is

Feminist theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the patriarchal society and the oppression of women. For example, a woman who engages in deviant behavior may be doing so as a form of resistance to the patriarchal society. Sociologists care about feminist theory because it helps explain how power and inequality shape deviance.

Must-Know Facts

• Feminist theory emerged in the 1960s and 1970s as a response to the patriarchal society.
• Patriarchy refers to a society in which men hold power and control over women.
• Feminist theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the patriarchal society and the oppression of women.
• Resistance is a key factor in feminist theory.
• Deviant behavior is a form of resistance to the patriarchal society.
• Feminist theory is a critical perspective.
• Feminist theory has been applied to the study of crime and deviance.
• Feminist theory is a key concept in understanding social inequality.

Common Misunderstandings

Misunderstanding: Anomie is the same as alienation.

Correction: Anomie refers to a state of social disorganization, while alienation refers to a feeling of disconnection from one's work or society.

Misunderstanding: Strain theory is the same as labeling theory.

Correction: Strain theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them, while labeling theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it.

Misunderstanding: Differential association is the same as social learning theory.

Correction: Differential association refers to the process of learning deviant values and norms from others, while social learning theory refers to the process of learning behavior through observation and imitation.

Misunderstanding: Conflict theory is the same as Marxist theory.

Correction: Conflict theory is a broader perspective that suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society, while Marxist theory is a specific perspective that suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between the capitalist class and the working class.

Practice Questions

Question: What is the main idea of Durkheim's anomie theory?

A) Deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it. B) Deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them. C) Deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society. D) Deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls.

Answer: B) Deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them.

Why correct: This is the main idea of Durkheim's anomie theory, which suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them.

Question: What is the main idea of labeling theory?

A) Deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them. B) Deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it. C) Deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society. D) Deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls.

Answer: B) Deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it.

Why correct: This is the main idea of labeling theory, which suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it.

Question: What is the main idea of conflict theory?

A) Deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them. B) Deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it. C) Deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society. D) Deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls.

Answer: C) Deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society.

Why correct: This is the main idea of conflict theory, which suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society.

Question: What is the main idea of social control theory?

A) Deviant behavior is a result of the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them. B) Deviant behavior is a result of the labels and stigma attached to it. C) Deviant behavior is a result of the conflict between different groups in society. D) Deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls.

Answer: D) Deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls.

Why correct: This is the main idea of social control theory, which suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the lack of social bonds and controls.

Quick Revision

• Emile Durkheim developed anomie theory.
• Robert Merton developed strain theory.
• Howard Becker developed labeling theory.
• Edwin Sutherland developed differential association.
• Travis Hirschi developed social control theory.
• Karl Marx developed conflict theory.
• Feminist theory emerged in the 1960s and 1970s.
• Patriarchy refers to a society in which men hold power and control over women.
• Anomie is a state of social disorganization.
• Strain refers to the discrepancy between cultural goals and the means to achieve them.
• Labeling refers to the process of attaching labels and stigma to deviant behavior.
• Differential association refers to the process of learning deviant values and norms from others.
• Social control refers to the mechanisms that society uses to regulate behavior.
• Conflict refers to the conflict between different groups in society.
• Feminist theory suggests that deviant behavior is a result of the patriarchal society and the oppression of women.
• Anomie theory is a structural functionalist perspective.
• Strain theory is a functionalist perspective.
• Labeling theory is a symbolic interactionist perspective.
• Differential association is a social learning theory.
• Social control theory is a functionalist perspective.
• Conflict theory is a Marxist perspective.
• Feminist theory is a critical perspective.