SOC101 Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Travis Hirschi, Social Control Theory, Counterculture
Document Summary
A behaviour that violates societal standards of conduct or expectations. Overt characteristics: explicit connection to the behaviour. Covert characteristics: lead to targeting a person or group. No act, belief, or characteristic is inherently deviant. How we prevent and respond to deviant behaviour. Techniques and strategies for preventing deviant juman behaviour in any society. Theories of deviance: social control theory, strain theory, subculture theory. People are less likely to commit criminal acts if they have a variety of social bonds and stakes in conformity. Lack of attachment to school, unemployment, no stable partner, no children. Pse, careers, or career prospects, stable relationship, children, home ownership, other financial obligations. Our culture provides us with desired goals and legitimate means to achieve them. Get education, get job, get a nice house and car. Crime stems from gap between culturally approved ends and means. Low achieving students denied official status in schools. Compensate by forming subcultures that invert official school values.