The Concept of Sociological Perspective of Deviance free essay sample

The concept of Sociological Perspective of Deviance also known as â€Å"rule-breaking† behavior or â€Å"counter culture† can be defined as culture norms, values, and morals which shape the social acceptance of individuals or group through their actions or â€Å"unmoral or illegal† behavior. In order to gain a better understanding of Sociological Perspective of Deviance it is important to understand the broad consensus of behavior and its place in society. Situational deviance pertains to a group who engages in behavior that is considered â€Å"non- defiant and acceptable â€Å"however the behavior is still viewed as societally deviant. Bad† deviance pertains to criminal behavior such as murder, rape, theft, and physical, mental or emotional abuse inflicted on an individual or group. â€Å"Good† deviance pertains to heroism, selflessness or behavior that involves placing the needs of others ahead of the needs of your own. Then there is â€Å"odd† deviance, which involves eccentric but questionable behavior; such as an older woman with over 40 cats. We will write a custom essay sample on The Concept of Sociological Perspective of Deviance or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Although it may not negatively affect society or affect society at all; their need to own so many cats is considered odd/off.Although conforming to culture norms, values and morals shape social acceptance; the reason behind negative deviance through criminal behavior has captured my interest. In order to understand or change what is not viewed as acceptable or normal behavior; depends on who is distributing the behavior, who has been affected by the behavior, and in what environment did the behavior or action have occur. Without those components, consequences inflicted on individuals’ or groups will not sway them to conform to â€Å"formal† norms, will only increase informal means of enforcing norms in general.Formal norms are centered on law and organizational rules. Involved are punishments implemented pertaining to particular situations involving particular rule breakers; all meant to deter others from violating or going against negative sanctions. For example, the punishment inflicted on an individual who has committed murder, in society is followed by a lifelong prison sentence of 25years or more. The punishment is a significant form of deterrence because its consequences are illustrated in a manner that allows everyone (even those who have not broken the law) a clear depiction of the punishment inflicted on those who do.Although based on violations against social norms, which in turn warrants disapproval from majority of society; deviance in sociology can be viewed as criminal or non-criminal. Those violations can vary from ones participation in alcoholism, excessive gambling, public nudity, arson (playing with fire), theft, lying, and refusal to maintain proper hygiene (refusal to bathe). Other acts of deviance can include; prostitution and engaging in sexual activity with members of the same sex.Because ones behavior can be determined as a crime from one society to another; understanding sociology allows a better understa nding of how ones society is affected by crime as a whole. The punishment implemented on the individual or group varies between cultures and time periods. In order for societies to remain ahead of deviance, they must initiate ways to control it through internal and external control. Internal pertains to what exist within individual’s moral or social codes of behavior.The external control of deviance pertains to systems created by society for the sole purpose of regulatory deviance. Deviance can be labeled pathological to the point of those defined as deviants; are â€Å"sick† individuals who are unhealthy contributions to society. Two main theories of Deviance and its neutralization include; Control theory and Learning theory. Learning Theories are important contributions to the neutralization of deviant behavior because its purpose is aimed towards educating individuals of the criminal attitudes and behaviors from trusted friends or family members.From that moment on it becomes typical for the criminal career to progress if no one intervenes and incorporate conformist behaviors. Statistics show those with close friends and family members who distribute delinquent behavior because the environment they are exposed to is greater than the attitudes, definitions, and thinking patterns towards society and the laws they are expected to abide by. Although the theory works towards explaining who is more likely to divert towards deviance rather and social rules; problems with the theory come into play because it lacks the ability to explain the delinquent values.The theory causes people to question if hints towards easily influenced individuals and the people around them, instead providing proof that the person was negatively influenced by delinquent friends or family’s behavior. Ronald Akers introduced a more simplistic thought involving learning theory; which explained One an individual has begun partaking in criminal acts, the continuous participation is based solely on the behavior that protected though interactions with other people.There are claims that the learning theory claims delinquent behavior does not arise simply based on other deviant of norms. It reason as to why anyone violate the law is because they believe that it is their normal; not a deviant act against social rule. Assessments claim the learning theory states delinquent behavior do not arise based on other deviance or norms. The response as to why people violate the laws they believe to be normal or do not go against social rule.Techniques of Neutralization pertaining to the learning theory is based on the denial of responsibility such as; denial of injury, denial of victim, condemnation of condemners, and appeal to higher loyalties. An example of denial of responsibility includes; I have no control over other peoples driving ability, the accident was not my fault. Denial of injury; I should not have to pay because he has insurance or he knew he had no insurance before driving recklessly. Denial of victim is based on the victim being a victim because they deserved to be the victim (no compassion).Lastly, there is condemnation of condemners; the judgment was in your favor because the judge was biased. Lastly, there is appeal to a higher loyalty; but my actions were based on what I thought I should do for my children. The Delinquent control theory claims; the deviant actions committed is based on the individuals weakened bond with society. As a result, the bonds are categorized as; attachment (sensitivity towards the opinion of others), commitment (investing time in activities that promote positivity such as work, the gym, playing a sport or attending school).Involvement ( lacking the ability to do wrong because you are too distracted to commit a crime, Juggling school and work takes up the majority of day). Finally there is belief (individuals believe there is a beneficial consequence to abiding by the laws implemented by society. If there is no bond, people are less likely to break the rules society wants them to abide by. When interacting with those who possess little to no self-control, they do not engage in any criminal act more than another.