Deviance

© Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.1

© Robert J. Atkins, Ph.D.2

What causes deviance?

Biological Psychological Sociological

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What are the biological explanations? A real but small effect in

causing crime. Caesar Lombroso

Genetically destined to become criminals

Atavistic = Throwback in evolution

XYY Chromosome theory

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What is the “medicalization of deviance”? Treating deviant behavior by medical means Depo-provera for rape Methadone for heroin Redefining

Theft as “compulsive disorder”Drinking as “alcoholism”Promiscuity as a “sexual addiction”

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What are the psychological explanations? Personality patterns Individual traits Majority of crimes are

committed by people with normal personalities

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Do you remember?

What are the biological explanations of crime?

What is the medicalization of crime? What are the psychological explanations

of crime? Are most criminals mentally ill?

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What are the sociological explanations?(Overview)

Strain theory Differential association Differential opportunity Labeling theory

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What is the strain theory?

Robert Merton Conformist Innovator

(Al Capone) Ritualist Retreatist Rebellion

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What is the differential association explanation? Edwin H. Sutherland Crime is learned in association with others Deviance is linked to the amount of

contact a person has with others who encourage or discourage that behavior.

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What is the differential opportunity explanation? Cloward & Ohlin Reflects both limited legitimate and

accessible illegitimate opportunities Reduce crime by reducing criminal

(illegitimate) opportunity

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What is the labeling theory explanation? Deviance and conformity result not only

from what people do, but how others respond to those actions.ReinforcementLabelingRetrospective labeling

Interpreting someone’s past as consistent with present deviance.

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Do you remember?

What is the Strain theory? What is the Differential Association

theory? What is the Differential Opportunity

theory? What is the labeling theory?

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What are the types of crime? (overview) Street crime White-collar crime Victimless crime

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What is street crime?

Crimes against personsE.g. Murder

Crimes against propertyE.g. Burglary

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What is white-collar crime?

Crimes committed by people of high social standing as part of their occupation

Little reaction from others Cases heard in civil court (rather than

criminal court) This is changing with the WorldCom,

Enron, and ponzi scheme problems.

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What is victimless crime?

Prostitution

Drugs

Gambling

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Do you remember?

What is street crime? What is White-collar crime? What is victimless crime?

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How does the judicial system operate?

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What is plea bargaining? (Legal negotiation) Most criminal cases in the courts are

resolved by plea bargaining. In exchange for a guilty plea, you get:

Reduced chargeReduced sentenceConcurrent sentences

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Why does society punish offenders? Retribution

The oldest reason“An eye for an eye”

DeterrenceThe threat of punishment to discourage crime

Rehabilitation Removal from society

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Criminal recidivism

Subsequent offenses by people convicted of crimes

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Do you remember?

What is plea bargaining?Why does society punish offenders?What is recidivism?

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