This week, still: Where we left off. Anomie. Anomie Theory! 9/18/12. Functionalist. Anomie

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1 First Anyone have a show & tell? object art ad video anecdote Anyone have any questions? down to go Deviance This week, still: Where we left off Theories of Dev. originates from society. But how it does is up for debate. Conflict Functionalist Feminist Anomie Anomie Theory! Let s situate this within: Anomie Functionalist Generalized explanation Rates between groups Deviance = result of social structural strains that pressure individuals to become deviant. Robert K. Merton 1

2 Wait, what is anomie? Anomie is the condition in society that results when the normative structure does not allow individuals to achieve valued goals. When Society Functions goals legitimate and illegitimate means. means Societal Anomie Discussion Question! goals What kinds of things could comprise that brick wall? What gets in the way of the means to success? means Adapting to Strain Same societal situation; different ways of dealing: Rebellion example? Innovation example? Retreatism example? Quick Summary Values (goals) Norms (means) Conformity + + Innovation + - Ritualism - + Retreatism - - Rebellion ± ± 2

3 In the field: Not too popular So why are we spending time on it? 1. Trampoline/punching bag 2. Media and regular folks 1. The assumption of universality assumes universal standards that distinguish legitimate means of pursuing goals from illegitimate means. How? What does that mean? Can you think of any example where that could be true? Speaking of Universal Deviance Henderschott reading Main argument? Absolutist perspective [Moynihan s] concern was that our refusal to acknowledge as deviant and negatively sanction the increase in out-of-wedlock births would have a detrimental effect on the black community. He was correct about that (p. 48). Moral Panics moral panic: thing becomes defined as a threat to society s values and interests (Cohen 1972) Henderschott argues: Fuzzy boundaries à moral panics Discussion Question! What do you think about Henderschott s argument, a call for more, rather than less, moral judgment of deviant behavior? 1. The assumption of universality 2. Class bias assumes that deviant behavior concentrates disproportionately in the lower class How is this a faulty assumption? Can you think of examples? 3

4 1. The assumption of universality 2. Class bias 3. Simplicity of explanation Although some individuals may feel pressure that resembles the strain of anomie, many other factors clearly influence deviant acts as well Like what? 1. The assumption of universality 2. Class bias 3. Simplicity of explanation 4. The trouble with retreatism This explanation lacks precision and oversimplifies a much more complex process through which alcoholism, drug addiction, mental disorders, and suicide develop What is meant by that? How is alcoholism not a retreat from society? Criticism or example? Deciding to Commit a Burglary Immediate need BUT: high living 1. Keep the party going 2. Keep up appearances 3. Keep surviving Discussion Question! So, does this example throw a wrench into Anomie Theory? Why or why not? Does it matter if their goal is survival, but they get sidetracked by luxury items? Do you agree with the authors that people were mostly telling the truth about drug use, but mostly lying about bill-paying? Discussion Question! What do you think about Henderschott s argument that there exists absolute morality standards throughout societies? Do you agree that society is threatened when we are forced to forge our own way through boundaries of right and wrong? Why or why not? 4

5 First Anyone have a show & tell? object art ad video anecdote Anyone have any questions? down to go Where we left off Conflict Feminist Theories of Dev. Functionalist Anomie Where we re going: Quick Intro to Labeling: Becoming a Marihuana User Theories of Dev. Describe the way Becker explained people learning how to get high. Conflict Functionalist Symbolic Interactionist Getting high only happened when it was labeled getting high. The label made the experience real? Feminist Anomie Labeling Would you favor legalizing marijuana? What effects on labeling do you think this would have? Show & Tell from Wende! 5

6 9/18/12 Consequences Agents of social control Processual Labeling Theory Howard Becker o The g elin Lab ry! Deviance is socially constructed doesn t exist in the action itself exists in the reaction to the action Deviance is consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender. The deviant is the one to whom the label has been successfully applied; deviant behavior is behavior that people so label. (Becker article) Are we backwards? Classic view: deviance evokes social control efforts What s the reverse of this? What does that mean? Social control efforts create deviance How do you think Hendershott would respond to this argument? (remember her from Monday? The morality-in-deviancestudies person?) Types of Deviance primary deviance labeling, sanctions, reaction secondary deviance master status 6

7 Do you find compelling the theoretical argument that social control leads to more deviance? Why or why not? Have any examples? How does it happen in real life? Self-Fulfilling Prophecy Mark Snyder s gender quasiexperiment & race quasi-experiment But, does everyone do this? No: Tertiary deviance Kitsuse (1980) Rebel against the label NOT: I am not this label. INSTEAD: This is not that bad, come on! Example of this: Can you think of other examples of tertiary deviance? In particular, can you think of any positive examples? What makes them successful in changing public opinion? Consequences of Labeling & SFP 7

8 How does labeling theory help us understand this? What about self-fulfilling prophecy? Mark of a Criminal Record Employment of job seekers with criminal record (Pager, 2003) Audit study Matched pairs Experiment in a real-world scenario Record No Record 0 Blacks Whites Source: Pager, The Mark of A Criminal Record, AJS Vol. 108 No. 5, p. 958 Discussion Questions! Are you surprised by these results? How much does this perspective resonate with the article findings? Does the theory privilege the power of institutions and the elite or the individual? Argue pro or con. Writeshare #1! First, read the questions. Then, take out a piece of paper and write your answer. Use info from lecture, readings, discussion. (10 minutes) Last, we ll share our thoughts with each other in small groups, and then open it up to the whole class. 8

9 The question(s)! Think of a time in which you were labeled. The object of the label doesn t have to be a crime (for example, it could be anything from being weird to gay to fat to nerd to whatever). Describe the situation. How did you react to the label? What about others with that label? How did it make you feel then? Looking back, how do you feel? What was your behavioral reaction? Does it coincide with or challenge labeling theory as laid out in your readings & today? Now turn to the people around you and get your ideas together. Just talk. Now let s talk as a group. What did you say? What did other people say? Again, these weeks: Deviance originates from society. But how it does is up for debate. 9