SOC 1000 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Cesare Lombroso, Thomas Theorem, Labeling Theory
Document Summary
Deviance: the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted, especially social or sexual behavior. (breaking the law/rules) There is a social response with deviance called stigma. Behavior that does not conform to social expectations. Separate people who are deviant from the people who are not (criminals, ex cons) People become deviant to what others define them that way. The definition and application of norms reflect power and inequality. No one is always and every where deviant. Norms change, which means what is considered deviant changes too. Contex matters (how people respond tonus creates the deviance) As times change, what is considered deviant changes as well. Frees the system of any blame (government, education, justice and economy) The established order is protected from criticism. Systems of inequality go unexamined and unquestioned. Social problems have symmetric and individual origins. Equates people to robots (we are not) Absolves the individual from responsibilities for his/hers actions.
