What Are The Three Main Theories Of Deviance And Crime

This chapter focuses on deviance, theories of deviance, crime, and types of crimes. Deviance can be interpreted in many ways. “Deviance is socially defined” (p 126) Deviance van be defined as a thing someone has done that breaks the social norms of a large group and results in a punishment, like mores. Deviance has been shifting its meaning overtime. An example of the book gives is of a once deviant act that is not seen as deviant anymore is someone have a tattoos. Everyone used to have to hide their tattoos because it was seen as a deviant act to have one, but now many people have tattoos and show them off. The way deviance is defined easily flows through societies. The three main theories of deviance are structural/ functional theory, conflict/
Durkheim said that deviance has been around since day one, meaning that something good has to be coming out of it or society would have dropped it a long time ago. Durkheim explained that the good that comes out of deviance is that it allows societies to define their norms and values better. “Merton identifies five possible relationships between means and ends and associated them with five types of adaptation” (p.129). The five types of way people adapt are; conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, and rebels. Conformists are people are the good, non-deviant people of society. Innovators are deviant because they choose a nonconventional way to success in life. Ritualists are people that continuously work at a job that isn’t going to help the economy, which Merton found deviant. Retreatists have given up completely on success in life/ or the system. Rebels are the most deviant group of them all. Conflict/ critical
People learn criminal behaviors from other people. Making who someone interacts with very important. Crime can also be learned/ taught through the internet. The criminal justice system in the United States is there to help keep social order and ensure public safety. “The United States has the highest rate of incarceration” (p.136). The criminal justice system likes to focus on how the incarcerated person act after their sentence, known as specific deterrence. Studies have shown that most prisons do a poor job of reducing recidivism. There are seven specific types of crimes; white-collar crimes, corporate crimes, organized crimes, political crimes, hate crimes, cybercrime, and consumer crimes. White-collar crimes are crimes that are committed by a high social status person. Corporate crimes are crimes are done by breaking the law by legal organizations. Organized crime uses violence to corrupt the public, such as people in the mafia. Political crimes are “offenses against the state to affect its policies’ (p.140) Hate crimes are caused by people that have hatred towards a group. Cybercrime are crimes committed using computers. Consumer crimes are crimes such as shoplifting. “Globalization makes cross-border crime increasingly possible and more likely” (p.140). The criminal justice system is trying to slow done the increasing global crime