Toward Social Justice

Deviance and Social Control

Deviance

• Deviance results from social inequity.– A behaviour that violates standards of conduct or

expectations of group or society• Can be driver of social change

– Eg. Protests over rights violations may be considered deviant in a particular culture

– Minor violations are frequent, sociologists consider deviance to be violations that are of great importance to society.

Deviance

• Deviance can include– Actions– Unique/ different appearance or dress

• Tatoos, piercings, hairstyle– Physical ability

• Sociologists use the term stigma to describe labels society uses to devalue members of certain groups– Nerds (smart kids)– Goths (dress in gothic style)– Jocks (athletic types)

Social Control

• Violations of social norms dealt with via social control– Internal

• Part of socialization process for individuals. • Practice internal self control when you do the right thing or

avoid the wrong thing– External

• Based on social sanctions– Positive sanctions (smile, words of approval, award) encourage

conformity– Negative sanctions (fine, punishment, criticism) discourage

unacceptable behaviour

Sanctions

• Informal Sanctions– Rewards/ punishments that can be applied by

most members of a group• Mocking, thanking for help, gossip, facial expressions

• Formal sanctions– Rewards/ punishments that can be imposed by

people with special authority• Judges/ police/ teachers