Crime, Deviance, and Social Control

Introduction

• Discussion on crime, deviance, and social control.
• Analysis of societal norms, expectations, and rules.

Key Concepts

• Deviance: Actions against societal expectations.
  • Examples: Arriving late, cross-dressing, jaywalking.
  • Severe deviance may lead to crime, e.g., murder.
• Social Control: Tools and strategies to manage deviance.
  • Includes laws defining deviant acts as crimes.

Understanding Deviance

• Functions of Deviance (Emil Durkheim)
  • Creates order: Establishes societal norms and expectations.
  • Can drive societal change: Example of civil rights movements and equal marriage laws.
• Robert Merton's Categories of Deviance
  • Conformity: Agreeing with societal goals and means (e.g., American Dream).
  • Innovation: Accepting goals but using unconventional means (e.g., celebrities, Donald Trump).
  • Ritualism: Accepting means without caring for goals.
  • Retreatism: Rejecting both goals and means.
  • Rebellion: Creating new goals and means (e.g., hippies, counterculture).

Social Control Mechanisms

• Formal Control: Laws and regulations with legal consequences.
• Informal Control: Societal expectations, family pressures, social norms.
• Sanctions: Both minimal and severe deviant acts can be sanctioned.

Theories of Deviance

• Cultural Transmission Theory
  • Environment influences deviant behavior (e.g., ghetto upbringing).
• Social Disorganization Theory
  • Ineffective social control leads to societal deviance.
• Labeling Theory
  • Society labels actions as crimes; societal norms evolve (e.g., sexism).

Conflict Theory Perspective

• Laws and societal norms are shaped by those in power (bourgeoisie).
  • Example: Marijuana laws, financial crimes.
• Differential Justice: Justice system biases, unequal treatment.

Types of Crime

• Misdemeanor: Minor legal infractions.
• Victimless Crime: Crimes harming no direct victim (e.g., gambling).
• Professional Crime: Crime as a livelihood (e.g., theft).
• Organized Crime: Hierarchical crime structures (e.g., mafias).
• White Collar Crime: Financial crimes, cybercrimes.
• Transnational Crime: Internationally organized crimes.
• Hate Crime: Crimes against individuals based on identity (e.g., race, sexual orientation).

Evolution of Crime

• Laws change over time (e.g., interracial marriage, LGBTQ rights).
• New forms of crime (e.g., revenge porn).

Conclusion

• Understanding crime and deviance involves exploring societal norms, laws, and the evolution of what is considered acceptable or criminal behavior.
• Open for questions and further discussion.