Crime and Deviance in Sociology: Unraveling Social Norms and Aberrations

In sociology, crime, and deviance are essential concepts that help us understand the dynamics of social order and the boundaries of acceptable behavior within a society. While crime refers to actions that violate formal laws and regulations, deviance encompasses behaviors or actions that diverge from the norms and values established by a given social group. This article delves into the intricacies of crime and deviance, explores their sociological perspectives, and provides real-life examples to illustrate their significance in shaping human behavior and societal norms.

Understanding Crime and Deviance

• Crime: Crime refers to any action or behavior that violates the laws and regulations set by society. Criminal activities are deemed harmful to the welfare and stability of the community, and societies respond by imposing sanctions, such as fines, imprisonment, or probation. Sociologists study crime to comprehend the causes and consequences of unlawful behavior and to propose measures for prevention and rehabilitation.
• Deviance: Deviance, on the other hand, goes beyond criminal actions and encompasses behaviors, beliefs, or characteristics that fall outside the societal norms. Deviance is not inherently negative; it can also include positive deviations that challenge the status quo and lead to social progress. Sociologists explore deviant behavior to understand the boundaries of social acceptance and how they shift over time and across different cultures.

Sociological Perspectives on Crime and Deviance

• Structural Functionalism: From a structural-functionalist perspective, crime and deviance can serve as functional components of society. Durkheim argued that a certain level of deviance is necessary to maintain social cohesion and reinforce shared values. For example, when a high-profile criminal case captures public attention, it can bring people together and reinforce the importance of abiding by societal norms.
• Symbolic Interactionism: Symbolic interactionism focuses on the meaning and interpretation of deviant behavior within social interactions. It emphasizes how individuals attach labels to certain actions or people, leading to the stigmatization of deviants. For instance, an individual caught shoplifting might be labeled a “thief,” which can impact their self-identity and future interactions with others.
• Conflict Theory: Conflict theory views crime and deviance as outcomes of social inequality and power struggles. It posits that those in power define what is deviant and criminal to maintain control over marginalized groups. For example, the criminalization of drug use disproportionately affects disadvantaged communities, perpetuating social disparities.
  Examples of Crime and Deviance
• White-Collar Crime: White-collar crime refers to non-violent offenses committed by individuals in positions of authority or high social status. It includes financial fraud, embezzlement, and corporate corruption. The Enron scandal in the early 2000s, where high-ranking executives engaged in fraudulent accounting practices to deceive investors, is a well-known example of white-collar crime.
• Cyber-crime: The rise of technology has led to the emergence of cyber-crime, which involves illegal activities conducted online. Examples include hacking, identity theft, and cyber-bullying. The infamous case of the “WannaCry” ransomware attack in 2017 affected computer systems worldwide, highlighting the disruptive nature of cyber crime.
• Body Modification Subcultures: Certain body modification practices, such as extreme piercings, scarification, and tattooing, are considered deviant by mainstream society. However, they hold cultural significance within specific subcultures. Sociologists study these practices to understand how subcultures create their own norms and values that challenge mainstream ideas of bodily aesthetics.

Conclusion: Crime and deviance are integral aspects of sociology, providing insights into the complexities of human behavior and social norms. While crime involves explicit violations of established laws, deviance explores the boundaries of what is socially acceptable and challenges our understanding of norms and values. Through various sociological perspectives and real-life examples, researchers continue to explore these phenomena to foster better understanding, inform policy-making, and contribute to a more just and harmonious society.

By Khushdil Khan Kasi

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The assumption behind the theory is that, in an essence no action can be considered as criminal. Criminal behavior is defined by those people who are in power and interpreted by the law enforcement agencies and courts.  To understand the concept clearly it is important to know why some people are labeled as criminal and other are not. The legislature, judiciary and law enforcement agencies are the source of tagging people as criminal. These institution make the categories of deviance to fortify the power structure of society.

The rules for explaining the behavior as deviant or non-deviant behavior are formulated by the powerful people of the society. Such as ethnic majority impose and frame rules for minorities, rich for poor, older for younger and men for women. The dominant group of the society develop and impose the rules on subordinate groups and decides whether the behavior is deviant or not.

About 500 years ago the dominant and powerful institution in the west was church. The minister of the church decided which behavior is deviant and which is not. If a person was found drunk he would be considered as sinner and out casted by the minister of the church. But with the passage of time other institution came in to power and molded some rules of deviant behavior. Law enforcement agencies considered public drinking as criminal behavior and label the drunk trouble maker as criminal. Since late 19th century pharmaceutical companies and doctor became powerful and labeled the heavy drinking as a disease. The crimes committed by heavily drunk person like rape, child abuse and theft are considered as mental illness.

However, the laws for upper class and lower class are still different. If a rich lady is caught stealing in a store is treated for obsessive compulsive disorder. Whereas if same thing happen with lower class lady she will be arrested for theft and labeled as thief and criminal. If upper-class boy vandalize the property of school is medicated for hyperactivity. On the other hand, lower-class boy will be put in to jail for his outburst.
Those who obtain label for their deviant behavior as sick or mentally ill gets the sympathy for their condition. Those who secure the label of criminal for same action will be despised by the people and punished for their deviance. People in power often receive the label of sick or ill for their deviant behavior.      

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General Deterrence

General deterrence are for the general public who are not involve in any crime. The state punishes offenders to send a message to general public that, committing crime has serious consequences. Which is helpful for the state to prevent crimes in general public. Such action creates fear in general population that, if they violate the law of state there would be serious consequences for their actions. The example of general deterrence is corporal punishment which include, maiming, lashing and hanging. The physical pain inflicted upon the offender is known as corporal punishment. Saudi Arabia is the best example of corporal punishment, if an individual is caught stealing the state maim his hands. In Afghanistan during the Taliban regime adultery was punishable by lapidation or stoning. Once hanging in public was carried out in UK and USA and the family members of the offenders were allowed to watch the punishment. To make them aware of the punishment for breaking the law. Such severe punishment are carried out by the state, to make general public aware and witness the infliction of pain upon the people who violate the state laws. 

Specific Deterrence

Specific deterrence is designed to punish the offenders for their deviant behavior. Punishment for the deviant behavior is carried out for the purpose that the offender does not commit the crime in future. Proponent of specific deterrence believe that, severe punishment for deviance may stop the offenders in future to commit crimes. The state punishes the offenders severely for their crimes so that, the benefit of the crime become lower than the cost.              

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Learning process of human beings initiate since conception. Children are being conditioned with the norms and values of society. They learn gender roles via observing and interacting with their family members. Observation and social interaction are the tools of learning deviant behavior. Those individual who frequently interact with criminal minded people are most likely to learn criminal behavior.

An individual personality is formed through interaction, in a primary group. Parents, friends, girlfriend and siblings are the people who can influence the behavior of an individual because, interaction with them is inevitable. It is most likely for an individual to adopt the personality traits of primary group members. If someone among the members of primary group possess the criminal tendency and an individual frequently interact with him, the probability of adopting the criminal behavior is high.

Criminals are not born but made, no one is criminal by birth. They learn how to become a criminal, the crimes they commit is not rational for them in the beginning. However, they were taught to rationalize the unacceptable or deviant behavior, once which was alien to them.

In every country there is multiple cultures some cultural norms may differ from the state laws. Those cultures whose norms are hand in hand with state laws, members of such culture follows the state laws. However, cultures which norms differs from the state laws, members of such cultures might violate the state laws.

Those people who interact generally with criminals, compare to law abiding citizens are most likely to commit crimes or break the laws. The probability of deviant behavior can be identified through the number favorable and unfavorable associations.

Criminal behavior cannot be learned only from observation. There are many other ways to learn criminal behavior. For example, learning of criminal behavior might be the result of compulsion and seduction. Moreover, criminal behavior cannot be rationalized for gratifying basic needs because, majority satisfy their basic need trough normatively acceptable way in the similar scenario.    

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According to conflict theory, deviance occurs due to class conflict. Bourgeoisie owns and controls the means of production in capitalist society and proletariat work for bourgeoisie to produce goods. All the efforts are put together by working class for production but they do not receive the fair share of their work. The owners of capital accumulate their wealth by exploiting working class. The working class cannot afford to buy the same products, which they have produced in the factory, because they are not being paid for their work fairly. In such unfair living condition lower class are compelled to commit crime for their survival.

Furthermore, in capitalist society the goal of each and every individual is, to become economically prosper. However, most of them fail to obtain that goal because they do not have means to achieve the goal. For example, most organization prefer to hire a graduate (for managerial level job) from a renowned educational institution. Lower class do not have access to a reputable institution because they can’t afford it, that’s why they fail to accomplish their goal of economic prosperity. They are only left with an option of deviance to obtain their goals. Some might become drug dealer, some may choose prostitution for financial security and some may become killers. Structural functionalist, Merton and Durkheim shared a same view as explained in strain theory.  Conflict theory suggest that, mostly crimes are committed by the people who lack the resources for survival and exploited by the bourgeoisie.

Inequality in a society create chaos and unrest, if resources are distributed equally amongst the individuals there would be no crime. The root cause of the deviance is class struggle. Moreover, conflict theory suggest that, legislature, judiciary and executive branch of state are made and work for the people who are at the top of social ladder (upper class). They just function for the interest and protection of upper class. Those who are at the bottom of social ladder (lower class) are not entertain by law enforcing institutions as they entertain upper class.                 

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Collective efficacy is dependent upon the shared values of individuals living in a community. If members of community have shared values to prevent crimes and willing to cooperate with one another, to fight the violence and crimes are more likely to create safe environment in the community.

From sociological perspective, collective efficacy is informal norms which control the deviant behavior of the members of community. Practicing of such informal norms on the daily basis leads to prevent delinquent behavior in a community. In order to develop a collective efficacy, members of community should have unity and trust. Without solidarity and cooperation it is impossible for a community members to prevent crimes.

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In capitalist societies individuals’ goal is to become economically prosper. However, few have means to achieve that goal. If the gap between the goals and means to obtain that goal is widen, it may lead to deviance. To accumulate wealth in a society requires wealth, few may succeed in accumulating wealth without the means in culturally approved way but, majority turn towards committing crime to achieve goal of economic prosperity. According to Robert Merton individuals can adapt five ways, when they are in strain. Which are as follow, conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism and rebellion.

Conformity

Conformist are those individuals, who believe in the norms of society. They obtain their goal by culturally approved means. For example, getting degree from college and getting a job in a reputable firm or organization which pays well.

Innovation

Innovators are those individuals who approve of society goals. However, reject the culturally accepted means to achieve them. Such people use the illegitimate means to achieve society goals. For example, if an individual cheats in exams to get a degree or sell drugs to achieve financial security will be called innovator.

Ritualism

The people who have given up on the society goals. However, using the culturally approved means to earn their livelihood.

Retreatism

Those people comes under the category of retreatism, who have given up on society goals and the socially accepted means to obtain them. Such people are the dropout of society, people who lives on streets and drifters.

Rebellion

Such people rejects the society goals and the approved way of achieving them. However, they choose the alternative values. They are like revolutionaries who create alternate society for themselves.

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Functions of Deviance

Affirming Cultural Norms and Values

Deviance simplify the cultural norms of society. Which aid the understanding of an individual about good and bad behaviors, in a society. If an individual behavior is deviant in a society other members of society will resent him for his wrong behavior, which will inform other uninformed members that, such behavior is unacceptable in a society. Deviance sets an example for the members of the group that, how an individual ought to behave and how an individual ought not to behave in society.

Specifying Moral Boundaries

Deviance specify the moral boundaries in a society. When an individual is caught doing immoral activity, he is punished for his wrong doing in a society. Deviant behavior lead to punishment and resentment of other members in a society. Punishment for a crime sends the message to other members that, if an individual cross the moral boundaries, he will suffer the same fate. Which helps in maintaining social control.

Promote Solidarity

Deviance promote solidarity among the individuals in a society. When members of society witness the deviant behavior, they become unify against the common enemy, which increase the sense of solidarity among the individuals. For example, world trade center 9/11 incident and Pearl Harbor incident unified the US nation against the common enemy of terrorism and resented the incidents with one voice. Due to which culprit suffer a severe punishment in the form of war.

Encourage Social Change

Deviance plays vital role in social change process. Each society evolves with the passage of time, as the time passes individuals resent some old norms which they think are unfair to them, this deviant behavior of denouncing societal norms lead to the social change. For example women’s were not allowed to study and work in early 19th century, women unified together and created organizations to allow them to study and work and give them rights alike men. Such deviance lead to the social change, today every women has a right to seek education and work with men shoulder to shoulder. 

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Formal Social Control

Commonly social control in a state is maintained through the legislature, judiciary and law enforcement agencies of state, such type of social control is categorized as formal social control. Individual who violate formal social control is supposed to be punished. Punishment is dependent on the severity of the deviance. For example, in some countries punishment for murder is life imprisonment, whereas, in others murder is punishable by death. Each and every social organization and institute has its own norms, which helps them to control the behavior of individual in a group or society.

Informal Social Control

Social control which is maintained through the norms of culture and religion is called informal social control. Deviant behavior of an individual might be controlled via resentment of friends and family. However, deviant behavior of an individual is not punishable in informal social control. Moreover, informal social control is more effective than formal social control in some societies, where cultural and religious norms are more regarded than state laws. Informal control is more effective in the rural areas and in the societies where homogeneity of culture is very high. Formal social control is effective in the societies which comprises of heterogeneous cultures.       

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“When individuals fail to obey social norms and values of a particular society is called deviance”.
“Deviance can be explicated as, behaviors which are in conflict with the principles of a particular society”.
“Behaviors or actions that disrupts societal norms and are mutually disapproved by group members, is known as deviance”.

Deviance, Social Norms and Conformity

Good or bad — moral or immoral conducts are two sides of a coin, social norms decide whether, a particular conduct is moral or immoral — good or bad. Individuals are labeled on the basis of their choice of social conduct , those who conform to social norms they are considered respectable members of society however, those who violate social norms they are labeled as criminals.

Each society has its own formal norms or written rules. These formal rules are established to protect and reinforce the conducts or things which are collectively cherished by individuals within a given society. Social norms vary from society to society because individuals within different societies value distinct conducts or things. However, People are supposed to act or interact in accordance to the norms of their society. State Laws or formal norms are imperative for the survival and smooth functioning of every society. Formal rules regulate individual behavior within a society and these rules are established in order to sustain peace and order within a given society. When individuals break or violate norms of their respective society the phenomenon is called deviance in sociology.

The customary norms of each society differ from one another, normative conducts of one society might be considered deviant social behavior in other society. Polygyny is legal and considered normative behavior in many countries. However, it is considered deviant behavior in other countries and is punishable by law. For instance, men can have more than one wife in Middle Eastern countries or, in Muslim countries. On the other hand, in USA having more than one wife is considered as deviant behavior. Moreover, time and Situation is crucial to determine whether, a particular social conduct is deviant or, normative. For instance, in time of peace, taking someone life is disapproved by state law and considered as deviant behavior. Whereas, in time of war it is not considered deviant behavior. Therefore, to analyze individuals behavior whether, it’s deviant or, not. One should evaluate it on the basis of following factors, time, situation, social norms and conditions.

Punishment for deviant behavior depend upon the structure of society. In developed countries violating state laws are considered as deviant behavior and may lead to severe punishment. Whereas, in tribal or traditional societies violating religious norms and values are considered as deviant behavior. For example, In USA it is not against the law if, unmarried couple engage in intimate relationship. While, infidelity is considered as deviant behavior and could be punishable by death in Afghanistan tribal areas. In developed countries people have more regard towards state laws. On the other hand, tribal or traditional societies give more priority to their religious and cultural norms compare to state constitution, therefore, their judgment of deviant and non-deviant behavior is solely based on their religious values and norms.

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