Theoretical Explanations of Deviance

THEORETICAL
EXPLANATIONS OF
DEVIANCE
BIANCA FIONA G. ESPESO
DEVIANCE
❏ It is defined as the non-observance of various
kinds of norms ranging from simple infractions
of etiquette to the grievous and hateful crimes
like rape.
❏ A violation which causes a negative reaction.
❏ Its definition varies across culture, time, and
situations.
❏ It depends on the reactions from those who
witness the act.
THEORIES OF DEVIANCE
I. STRUCTURAL FUNCTIONAL VIEW
❏ Under this perspective, people deviate from given social norms because of the rapid social changes
that are taking place. Thus, the norms become unclear and are no longer applicable to current
conditions.
❏ Emile Durkheim, one of the proponents of this perspective, called this situation as anomie, lack of
the usual social or ethical standards. He believed that it is the major cause of suicide in
industrialized countries.
❏ There is nothing abnormal about deviance for it is an integral part of the society according to
Durkheim.
II. SOCIAL STRAIN THEORY
❏ Each society has a primary set of values and goals with corresponding means of achieving them.
❏ SOCIAL STRAIN - the gap between the desired goals and the means people use in order to achieve
them.
❏ The desired goals and values in the Philippine society emphasize achieving success through
individual effort.
❏ These days, success is measured in terms of material possessions, popularity and social status.
❏ THE UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED MEANS OF ACHIEVING SUCCESS ARE HARD WORK,
PERSEVERANCE, AND EDUCATION
❏ Failure is regarded as a personal shortcoming.
SET OF VALUES PRESCRIBED BY THE SOCIETY

INNOVATION
❏ Innovation is a mode in which an individual

acknowledges the society’s goal but his position
within a society hinders hm from attaining such goal
via legal means.
❏ The individual then resorts to unlawful means to
attain culturally approved goals such as economic
development, material possessions and social status.

RETREATISM
❏ It is a mode in which the individual abandons

the goal and the means of achieving success
in life.
❏ The individual rejects both the goals and the
norms of one’s culture.
❏ Usually, the individual likely uses illegal
drugs, becomes alcoholic, and eventually
commits suicide.

REBELLION
❏ Involves rejection of both society’s goals and

the expected means of achieving them.
❏ Forms a new society that has different goals
and values.
❏ In their attempt to withdraw from the
established society favoring a counter
culture, they are treated as deviant.

RITUALISM
❏ This value occurs when when people give up

on societal goals but continuously adhere to
the socially approved means of achieving
them.
❏ It is the opposite of Innovation
❏ A person who cannot afford to acquire
luxurious goods may seek to preserve his
reputation by being a law-abiding, religious,
and honest citizen.
III. SYMBOLIC INTERACTION THEORY
❏ It states that deviance is learned through
interaction with other deviant people
developing the deviant concept.
❏ Deviance is a product of face to face
interaction and not a direct product of social
structure.
SUB-THEORIES PRODUCING FORMS OF DEVIANCE

DIFFERENTIAL ASSOCIATION THEORY
“The more contact a person has with people who commit deviant acts, the more likely that person is to
engage in deviant activities,” Edwin Sutherland (1961)
According to him, all human behavior, including deviance, is learned through association with others,
especially in primary groups.
Individuals pattern their thinking, acting, and feeling to the norms, values, and beliefs characteristics of
these subcultures. A person’s tendency in engaging in criminal activity depends on his frequency of
association with those who encourage violation of norms compared with those who encourage
conformity.

SELF-ESTEEM THEORY
This theory states that people choose defiance or conformity depending on which will do the most to
enhance their self-esteem.
For example, people who do not get reward for their efforts usually resort to deviant behavior to attract
attention. In Filipino, this is termed as “Kulang sa Pansin (KSP) or nagpapapansin”

CONTROL THEORY
Developed by Travis Hirschi (1969), according to him, deviance arises from particular social
arrangements, specifically the inability of society to control inadequately the activities of its members.
Deviance occur when individuals lack the ties to the conventional society such as family, school, church,
peer that are necessary to curb their normal tendency to deviance.
CONFORMITY IS A FUNCTION OF FOUR TYPES OF SOCIAL CONTROLS

Attachment - strong social attachments to other people enhance conformity; weak relationships within
the family, peer group, and school, leave people freer to engage in deviance.
Commitment - the higher one’s commitment to legitimate opportunity, the greater the advantages of
conformity.
Involvement - extensive involvement in legitimate activities such as working on a job, going to school, and
completing homework or hobbies inhibits deviance.
Belief - strong belief in conventional morality and respect for authority figures also control tendencies
toward deviance.
LABELING THEORY
According to Howard Becker (1973), deviance is a result of being labeled in the society. This states that
social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance.
Deviance is nothing more than behavior that people are labeled with. People may also be labeled for
involvement in situations completely beyond their control.
IV. CONFLICT THEORY
According to this theory, social inequality is the root of numerous social problems such as deviance and
crime. It starts when an influential group imposes their norms and values on less powerful groups.
Usually, these norms favor the powerful group, their own interests, and standards of morality. Those who
are regarded as deviant are subjected to punishment by authorities that represent and enforce the views
and norms of the strong or powerful group.
IV. CONFLICT THEORY
THREE WAYS OF EXPLAINING THE SOCIAL CONFLICT THEORY OF DEVIANCE
1. It is the interests of those in charge, the rich and powerful, which are reflected in any society’s laws
and norms. Those who threaten their wealth or power are labeled as criminals or radicals.
2. The ruling class has enough power to keep themselves from being labeled as deviant; those in
scandals are rarely arrested or sent to jail.
3. There is a widespread belief that all laws and norms are good and natural. People tend to be
concerned over the fact that laws are not equally applied to all members of the society.
FUNCTIONS OF DEVIANCE
❏ Promotes social unity

❏ Affirms cultural values
❏ Clarifies moral boundaries
❏ Encourages social change
❏ Provides jobs for people
❏ Provides a safety valve for society
DYSFUNCTIONS OF DEVIANCE
❏ It is a source of harm, injuries and

deaths
❏ Endangers social norms
❏ Expensive
❏ Creates a disorder in the society
❏ Can lead to another deviant act

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THEORETICAL

SET OF VALUES PRESCRIBED BY THE SOCIETY

❏ Innovation is a mode in which an individual

SET OF VALUES PRESCRIBED BY THE SOCIETY

❏ It is a mode in which the individual abandons

SET OF VALUES PRESCRIBED BY THE SOCIETY

❏ Involves rejection of both society’s goals and

SET OF VALUES PRESCRIBED BY THE SOCIETY

❏ This value occurs when when people give up

SUB-THEORIES PRODUCING FORMS OF DEVIANCE

SUB-THEORIES PRODUCING FORMS OF DEVIANCE

SUB-THEORIES PRODUCING FORMS OF DEVIANCE

CONFORMITY IS A FUNCTION OF FOUR TYPES OF SOCIAL CONTROLS

SUB-THEORIES PRODUCING FORMS OF DEVIANCE

THREE WAYS OF EXPLAINING THE SOCIAL CONFLICT THEORY OF DEVIANCE

❏ Promotes social unity

❏ It is a source of harm, injuries and

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