SA 150 Lecture Notes - Symbolic Interactionism, Labeling Theory, Structural Functionalism

• School: Simon Fraser University
• Department: Sociology and Anthropology
• Course: SA 150
• Professor: Ann Travers

Document Summary

Deviance varies from culture to culture according to their norms. Not just breaking formal laws, its knowing the difference of right and wrong. Deviance is necessary for determining the rights and wrongs of cultural norms. We view norms as social constructed; varying from culture to culture. There"s a tendency to invest in our norms. Whether negative or positive deviant actions or attitudes, it is the difference that causes us to think of another person as an outsider . Whether such behaviour defines us as mentally ill or criminal depends on how others perceive, define and respond to it (also involves social power) How a society defines deviance, and who is considered deviant, and what people decide to do about deviance => based on organization of society. Causes of deviance? combination of biological traits with environmental factors. Cesare lombrosco 1876: biological approach says human behaviour is result of biological instincts= wrong.