Durkheim On Deviance
As society evolves through time, concepts and perceptions in relation to the construction of deviance are altered as new cultural customs are installed; and when analyzing such topic, two different approaches can be analyzed. To a functionalist approach, Emile Durkheim argues that deviance is bound to occur through an individual's experience with freedom, once norms developed are distinct in different societies. Conjunctively, the sociologist argued that deviance is necessary for a successful society. On the contrary,, Michel Foucault's ideas on punishment rely on how individuals perceive and behave towards surveillance. Concepts constructed within a given society may vary, and are not legally imposed. Yet, individuals still perceive it as rules. Correlating such thoughts, deviance can be perceived as a social construction.
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A deviant behavior is described as a way to act within society, that violates social norms and evokes negative social reaction.
It is important to emphasize that such behavior can be perceived as relative -being dependent on its given time and space. Such behavior may also vary in judgement from one society to another, each one singularly defining what it is and what is not considered a deviant behavior. When relating to such norms, the concept of collective consciousness is brought to discussion.
In such sense, the collective consciousness is defined as the conjunction of characteristics and common knowledge developed within society, deriving on individuals thinking and acting upon similar sense, and corresponding to social norms, cultural codes, morals and collective representative. As a functionalist, Durkheim states that an individual in many of its practices is influenced by the society one is inserted. Consequently, a member of a society and their actions are strongly influenced by its individual and collective consciousness, having their train of action influenced by social norms and
patterned.
Additionally, collective consciousness is placed on a structural level, meaning it is sociological and psychological, and it constitutes the development of culture and common sense of individuals members of a society. When correlating such developed concept to deviance, it should be considered that these norms developed within social construction. Although these set of behaviors do not have a consequence regarding law, individuals are presented as more careful and vigilant while under it, the concept of surveillance discussed by Michel Foucault on his ideas about punishment.
According to Foucault, the disciplinary power evolved in the late 19th century with the new prison system. Foucault proposed the idea of the Panopticon, observation tower in the center of the prison with the objective of maintaining prisoners under observation at all times. Such possibility would make the prisoners monitor their own behavior at all times, since under surveillance constantly, they ended up disciplining themselves. Such concept may also be perceived when discussing deviance, since it can portray society as the constant surveillance and the prisoners the individuals within society.
In short, when comparing Foucault's idea with Durkheim functionalism, it is possible to see how deviance is viewed as both a societal imposition or as an internal control. Durkheim argues that society has control individuals and one cannot diverge from it. Cohesion exterior to the individual, framing in a determined sense, in a sense that the individual is not able to escape it. In contrast, Foucault which argues that modern society is constantly under surveillance. The advance in technology also influence this constant need for observation. In such sense, the thinker argues that since individuals are under the observation of society, one will self-monitor.
Therefore, a deviant behavior can be understood in both points of view. As a functionalis, where the individual acts coercion towards societies and it refuses to undertake to external influences. As opposed to Foucault's idea, that an individual may overcome its own needs and desires.
A deviant behavior is described as a way to act within society, that violates social norms and evokes negative social reaction.
It is important to emphasize that such behavior can be perceived as relative -being dependent on its given time and space. Such behavior may also vary in judgement from one society to another, each one singularly defining what it is and what is not considered a deviant behavior. When relating to such norms, the concept of collective consciousness is brought to discussion.
In such sense, the collective consciousness is defined as the conjunction of characteristics and common knowledge developed within society, deriving on individuals thinking and acting upon similar sense, and corresponding to social norms, cultural codes, morals and collective representative. As a functionalist, Durkheim states that an individual in many of its practices is influenced by the society one is inserted. Consequently, a member of a society and their actions are strongly influenced by its individual and collective consciousness, having their train of action influenced by social norms and
patterned.
Additionally, collective consciousness is placed on a structural level, meaning it is sociological and psychological, and it constitutes the development of culture and common sense of individuals members of a society. When correlating such developed concept to deviance, it should be considered that these norms developed within social construction. Although these set of behaviors do not have a consequence regarding law, individuals are presented as more careful and vigilant while under it, the concept of surveillance discussed by Michel Foucault on his ideas about punishment.
According to Foucault, the disciplinary power evolved in the late 19th century with the new prison system. Foucault proposed the idea of the Panopticon, observation tower in the center of the prison with the objective of maintaining prisoners under observation at all times. Such possibility would make the prisoners monitor their own behavior at all times, since under surveillance constantly, they ended up disciplining themselves. Such concept may also be perceived when discussing deviance, since it can portray society as the constant surveillance and the prisoners the individuals within society.
In short, when comparing Foucault's idea with Durkheim functionalism, it is possible to see how deviance is viewed as both a societal imposition or as an internal control. Durkheim argues that society has control individuals and one cannot diverge from it. Cohesion exterior to the individual, framing in a determined sense, in a sense that the individual is not able to escape it. In contrast, Foucault which argues that modern society is constantly under surveillance. The advance in technology also influence this constant need for observation. In such sense, the thinker argues that since individuals are under the observation of society, one will self-monitor.
Therefore, a deviant behavior can be understood in both points of view. As a functionalis, where the individual acts coercion towards societies and it refuses to undertake to external influences. As opposed to Foucault's idea, that an individual may overcome its own needs and desires.