MODULE SIX - DEVIATION, SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND CONTROL

Lesson 1 – Meaning and Nature of Deviance

Deviance is unavoidable. No matter how deep the religious upbringing of one culture is,
there will always be someone who will go against the expectations of most members of
society. Discussions in philosophy tell us about ignorance and concupiscence, thus
explaining the presence of an irrational soul that makes deviance impossible to eliminate.
The study of sociology, on the other hand, is optimistic in declaring that culture is dynamic
as it always changes. Sociologists view lifestyle, cultural, or ideational changes which are
initially rejected as temporary. Sooner or later, these changes will either disappear or get
accepted. Examples of possible deviant behaviors that may gain public acceptance include
same sex marriage, sex organ transplant, and the medicinal use of marijuana.

Some members of a given society may oppose acts they consider immoral like same sex
marriage, but there are mitigators that lessen guilt of those who commit it like the concept of
“equality” or “equal opportunities before the law.” As long as most people continue to cherish
the established norms, then it is up to the new generation who will replace them to set up
their new norms acceptable to them as demanded by time and circumstances.

Meaning and Nature of Deviance

What is NORM? - Refers to the rules, standard, or patterns that every member of the
community is expected to follow.
Norms emanate from different sources or origins: they may come from a religious belief or
an enacted law. Most norms are supported by reason, almost are considered moral while
some have scientific explanations.

Deviant – certain individual fails to act according to the norms and expectations of society.
Deviance – violation of social norms. In every society, there are rules to be observed.

According to Kendall (2012), deviance is any behavior, belief, or condition that violates
significant norms in a society or group. These norms include rules observed and cherished
because they are products of a long period of tradition. A deviant person who goes against
conventions usually receives strong opposition from the society; there are forms of deviant
behavior that carry harsh penalties.

Deviance may almost always have negative connotation; people usually get annoyed easily
by deviant behavior. In different light, high-profile personalities who are creative or artistic
may be describe as “deviants.” In this case, the term “deviance” is somehow positive.

In order to understand deviance, it is imperative to study norms, their history, their evolution,
and the changes as society shifts or evolves.

Consequences of Deviance

Deviance has positive and negative effects on individuals and society.

Positive Effects:
  It teaches people what acceptable behavior is.
 It strengthens group norms and values.
 It is a sign and source of social change.

Negative Effects:
 It harms group stability.
 It induces distrust and ill will
 It drains human and economic resources
 It weakens people’s faith in and conformity to social norms.

Social Tolerance of Deviance.

Why do people deviate from social norms? Reactions to deviance vary by intensity.
Violations of some norms of etiquette, for instance, may meet with only mild disapproval and
sanctions whereas violations of the rule of law such as murder, rape, or robbery, may
receive strong condemnation and severe punishment. Each particular norm has a tolerance
limit, the degree to which norm violations are tolerated or suppressed by a group. As
expected, the severity of the sanctions serves as an index of the seriousness that the
society gives to the violations of the norms. Because some norms are seen as more
important or vital than others, more stringent tolerance limits and more severe sanctions
applied to violations of them.

Deviance as Relative

Deviance is relative in nature. It depends upon the cultural norms. An individual appears
deviant because other people see his/her that way. Deviance relies on how people interpret
social behavior. To some people, a behavior is deviant; to others, it is not. Judgment as to
whether an act is deviant or not depends on various factors like culture, situations, place,
time, and the doer of an act. For example, having two wives is immoral for Christians but it is
an acceptable practice among Muslims.

Lastly, no act is by nature deviant. Even killing may be justified; incest is part of tradition; or
gambling is tolerated. Not all deviants are immoral or wrong, not all immoral behaviors are
deviant.

Lesson 2 – Theoretical Explanations of Deviance

Deviance is regarded as the non-observance of various kinds of norms ranging from simple
infractions of etiquette to the grievous and hateful crimes like rape.

Tracing the root cause of deviance is difficult. Several sociologists have attempted to identify
various causes of deviance like social change, interaction, and social inequality but
whenever they raise related questions, a probable cause always shifts to the micro-level
which points to individual behavior. In a given society, the deviant behavior of an individual
is tolerated and gradually influences a larger group but not necessarily the majority of
members. Simply put, a deviant act like the practice of cross-dressing and sex organ
transplant flourishes if it gains support from a certain group.
Theoretical Explanations of Deviance
Some of the most familiar theories that explain deviance are the following:

A. Structural-Functional View
Under this perspective, people deviate from given social norms because of the rapid
social changes that are taking place. Thus, the norms of society become unclear and are
no longer applicable to current conditions.

Emile Durkheim, one of the proponents of this perspective, called this situation as
“anomie,” or a breakdown of societal norms. He believed that it is the major cause of
suicide in industrialized countries.

Nevertheless, structural-functional theorist argue that without some amount of deviance,

society could not exist at all.

Durkheim asserted that there is nothing abnormal about deviance, since it is an integral
part of the society.
B. Social Strain Theory
Introduced by Robert Merton, each society has a primary set of values and goals with
corresponding means of achieving them.
• SOCIAL STRAIN – the gap between the desired goals and the means people use in
order to achieve them. • Maintains that people react to the gap between the set of values
prescribed by the society and their own circumstances through innovations, retreatism,
rebellion, and ritualism.
Typology of Individual Adaptation

Mode of Adaptation Cultural Goals Institutional Means

1. Conformity Accepted Accepted
2. Innovation Accepted Rejected
3. Retreatism Rejected Rejected
4. Rebellion Rejected/Replaced Rejected/Replaced
5. Ritualism Rejected Accepted

C. Symbolic-Interaction Theory
Deviance is a product of a specific face – to – face interaction and not a direct product of
social structure.
FOUR SUB – THEORIES

• Differential Association Theory – “the more contact a person with people who
commit deviant acts, the more likely that person is to engage in deviant activities”

• Self – esteem theory – people choose deviance or conformity depending on which

will do the most to enhance their self – esteem.

• Control Theory – develop by Travis Hirschi, suggested that deviance arises from
particular social arrangements, specifically the inability of society to control
adequately the activities of its member.
 Four types of social control: a. attachment b. commitment c. involvement d. belief

• Labeling theory – deviance is a result of being labeled by society. - Howard Becker

D. Conflict Theory
• Social inequality is the root of numerous social problems such as deviance and crime.
• Macionis (2007) cited three ways of explaining the social conflict theory of deviance.
• First, it is the interest of those in charge, the rich and powerful, which are reflected in
any society’s laws and norms.
• Second, the ruling class has enough power to keep themselves from being labeled as
deviant.
• Third, there is a widespread belief that all laws and norms are good and natural.

Lesson 3 – Forms of Deviant Behavior and Social Problems

Drug Abuse – relates to the subjective effects of drugs on the individual. -

repeated misuse of drugs. - the persistently or sporadically excessive drug
use inconsistent with or unrelated to acceptable medical practice.
CLASSIFICATIONS OF DRUGS
1. Sedatives (depressant drugs) – these are drugs that exert calming
effects on the nervous system. 2. Stimulants (uppers or pep pills) –
these drugs increase the alertness and physical disposition of the
individual.
2. Hallucinogens or “psychedelics” – these are drugs capable of
provoking changes of sensation, thinking, self – awareness, and
emotions.
3. Narcotics – these are drugs that relieve pain and make one drowsy
and relaxed.
CAUSES OF DRUG ABUSE
1. Childhood trauma
2. Family history
3. Escape from reality
4. Self – medication
5. To feel high or to get a thrilling experience or sensation
6. Peer pressure
7. Low self – esteem
COMMON SIGNS OF DRUG ABUSE
1. Changes in behavioral patterns
2. Changes in appearance
3. Changes in mood
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
1. Establish close and harmonious family relationship.
2. Government should promote the physical well – being of the youth by
initiating various sports programs of the gross – roots or community
level.
3. Government should launch a massive campaign through the use of
various media.
4. The barangay council should establish an anti – drug abuse committee
to monitor the activities of the members of the community.
5. The national legislature must enact a laws that will limit the access of
citizens to prohibited drugs and other paraphernalia.
6. Educational institutions must constantly monitor the behavior of
students and report immediately to proper authorities suspected users
of illegal drugs.
7. The church must also do its share by constantly reminding members
about the sanctity of human body.
CRIMES One form of deviance, specifically behavior that violates certain
criminal laws.
Two divisions of crime
1. Misdemeanor. A crime of lesser degree that typically involves
punishment by paying a fine rendering community service or getting
imprisoned for not more than one year.
2. Felony. A serious crime such as killing ,overthrowing the
government, destroying other people’s property, abusing minors, etc. in
which a grave penalty is imposed ranging from more than a year of
imprisonment to death penalty.
CLASSIFICATION OF CRIMES
1. Crimes against person
2. Crimes against property
3. Crimes against chastity
4. Crimes against public morals
5. Crimes against the state
CAUSES OF CRIME
1. Unemployment forces many individuals to engage in illegal and
immoral acts in order to provide for living.
2. Crimes like theft are committed due to poverty.
3. Crimes are committed due to behavioral disorders like kleptomania
and pedophilia.
4. Crimes are committed by people who want to remain in power
(politics) or protect their financial interests (businessman)
5. Crimes are a product of uncontrollable or involuntary behavior
caused by excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages or
addiction to drugs.
6. Crimes may arise from concupiscence (passion); too much
infatuation sometimes leads to tragic death.
7. Crimes may be a product of individual ignorance (abandoning
someone who is in danger is punishable under our penal code).
8. Crimes are sometimes caused by individual/group advocacy,
political beliefs, or aspirations.
 9. Crimes may be a result of an individual desire to gain profit using
illegal means like prostitution, illegal recruitment, etc.
10. Crimes may be a product of one’s failure to take precautionary
measures, observe proper diligence and prudence that result in the
death of another person or in the destruction of property
ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS
• Strengthen family relationships
• Coordinate the efforts of the police and the community, and enhance
their cooperation.
• Foster the relationship between the church and the family.
• Weed out the misfits and scalawags in our law-enforcement agencies
• Completely ban smut magazines and other pornographic reading
materials.
• Restrict violent films and sex movies
PROSTITUTION
Prostitution is the act of submitting one’s self in sexual relations in
exchange for money or other valuables. It is the practice of submitting to
sexual relation usually sexual intercourse, for pay. It is then, a type of
sexual deviation through indiscriminate provision of sexual services for
money. Humphrey (in Rosales 1983) says that the typical prostitute is a
girl who is not conscience-stricken in the area of sexual deviation and
who has entered into such occupation as a means of improving her
economic status. According to Rosales (1983), women in industry are
considered as an economic commodity and sexual merchandise, which
bring it in profit. There are also males who are engaged in prostitution. It
was observed that most of the clients of the so-called ‘call boys’ are
homosexual males and rich matrons
TYPES OF PROSTITUTION
1. Streetwalkers
2. Bar/hotel prostitution
3. escorts services/call girls/boys
4. House or brothel prostitute
5. Other prostitutes
CAUSES OF PROSTITUTE
1. Poverty
2. Acculturation
3. Tourism

EFFECTS OF PROSTITUTION
1. Prostitution causes the spread of various venereal diseases
including HIV/AIDS.
2. Prostitution leads to moral degradation and deviation to the norms
that most communities protect and cherish
 3. It takes away the initiative, creativity, and perseverance of the
people in searching for a decent means of livelihood.
4. Prostitution promotes exploitation of children, uneducated, poor,
and the unemployed.
5. Prostitution promotes illicit sexual relationship and destroys
marriage.

ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME (AIDS)

- it is undeniably a dreaded disease.
- a viral disease that destroys the human body cells that resist infection,
living the individual vulnerable to infectious disease.
- it is caused by human immunodeficiency syndrome virus (HIV), which
cripples the immune system.

PREVENTION AND CONTROL OF AIDS

1. Avoid promiscuous relationships.
2. Know more about the personality of your partner.
3. Stay away from illegal drugs that lead to addiction and possible
infection with the HIV/ AIDS viruses through sharing needles.
4. Make sure the donated blood comes from a healthy source and is
safe to use.
5. Learn all the possible ways of avoiding HIV/AIDS and share this
knowledge with other people. Maintain healthy living, submit
yourself to a regular check – up.
6. Report to the proper authorities anybody who is infected with the
AIDS Viruses.

Lesson 4 – Social Control

SOCIAL CONTROL - Simply means the attempt by the society to regulate
people’s thought and behavior (Macionis, 2011).
TYPES OF SOCIAL CONTROL
1. Internal social control – is a process of internalizing the norms and
standards of a given society and recognizing them as ideal and
reasonable.
2. External social control – is an effort to rectify or reform people who
violate norms through a system of reward and punishment.
3. Informal social control – is an interpersonal action between and among
people in response to a good or bad behavior.
4. Formal social control – is a means to ensure observance of laws using
the agents of the government like the police, courts, or social welfare
agency.
TYPES OF SOCIAL CONTROL
1. Informal social control – is a self – restraint exercise because of fear of
an individual of what others might think.
 2. Formal social control – when society becomes more complex, formal
social control is needed to maintain order among the members.
TWO MAIN TYPES OF FORMAL SOCIAL CONTROL
a. Those instituted by agencies other than the estate
b. Those imposed by the political state.
SOME MECHANISMS USED TO ENCOURAGE CONFORMITY
1. Pakikisama
2. The tendency to level an individual who is out of line
3. Indirect method of criticism or gossip
4. Curbing of anti – social attitudes by making a person painfully aware of
his/her shortcomings.