Sociology 30

Deviance, Stratification, Gender, Family, Education and Religion

Deviance
Deviance is behavior that departs from the societal norm. There are two kinds: Negative deviancebehavior that under-conforms to accepted norms Positive deviancebehavior that over-conforms to societal expectations (this leads to imbalance and extremes of perfectionism, such as anorexia)

Deviance
Social controlways to promote conformity to norms. There are two categories: 1) Internal social controllies within the individual

2) External social controlbased on social sanctions (rewards or punishments designed to encourage the desired behaviorcan be as simple as a smile of approval or disapproval, or as serious as a promotion or firing)

Functionalism and Deviance

Functionalism says that deviance has both positive and negative consequences for society: Positive: it clarifies norms, can be a temporary safety valve, and promotes needed social change Negative: it erodes trust, can be expensive, and can encourage non-conforming behavior in others

Functionalism and Deviance

A social situation in which norms are weak, conflicting or absent is called anomie. Strain theory suggests that deviance is more likely to occur when a gap exists between cultural goals and the ability to achieve these goals by legitimate means. People respond to strain in various ways, including innovation (in this case, meaning resorting to illegal means to achieve something) and rebellion.

Functionalism and Deviance

Control theory says that conformity to social norms depends on the presence of strong bonds between individual and society. The idea is that social bonds control peoples behavior, and this prevents deviant acts. (For example, people conform because they dont want to embarrass themselves in front of others.)

Conflict theory and deviance

Conflict perspective looks at deviance in terms of social inequality and power. The most powerful members of a society decide who is deviant. In an industrial society, those considered deviant are: Those who dont want to work Those who dont have or make much money Those who disagree with the capitalist system, and protest against it Sometimes, minorities who are perceived to be deviant just because they are not strongly represented in the power groups in society

Symbolic interactionism and deviance

Symbolic interactionism says that deviance is transmitted through socialization. Two theories about how this happens are: 1 Differential association theorythe more that people are exposed to deviant behavior, the more likely they are to become deviant themselves. 2 Labeling theorysays that deviance is relative, always a matter of social definition. For example, pregnant teenage girls are more negatively viewed than teenage fathers.

Symbolic interactionism and deviance

Labeling theory identifies two main types of deviance: 1) Primary deviancewhen a person only occasionally engages in acts of deviance 2) Secondary deviancewhen a persons lifestyle is primarily deviant

Social Stratification
Social stratification is the division of society into classes that have unequal amounts of wealth, power and prestige. Karl Marx described society as having two main groups: 1) The proletariatthose who work for wages

2) The bourgeoisiethose who control the means of production

Social Stratification
Some terms related to social stratification: Incomethe amount of money received by an individual or group over a specific time period

Wealthall the economic resources possessed by an individual or group

Absolute povertythe absence of enough money to secure lifes necessities Relative povertypoverty as described by comparing the economic disparity between the upper and lower classes

Social Stratification
More terms related to social stratification: Feminization of povertywhen women and children are making up an increasing proportion of the poor Social mobilitythe movement of people between social classes. This includes horizontal mobility (changing from one occupation to another in the same social class) and vertical mobility (actually moving up or down among social classes)

Caste systemno social mobility

Open-class systemthere is social mobility, based on merit and individual effort

Gender issues
Biological determinism is the belief that behavioral differences are the result of inherited physical characteristicsthis theory lacks scientific proof. Gender identity is a sense of being male or female based on culture. Researchers have not been able to prove that any particular behavioral different between the sexes is because of biology. Sexisma set of beliefs used justify sexual inequality

Functionalism and Gender issues

Functionalism argued that the traditional division of responsibilities between females and males lasted for a long time because it benefited human living. Functionalism says that today, however, this division of labor is not necessarily appropriate, and has caused dysfunction in some cases.

Conflict Theory and Gender issues

Conflict theory says that it is to mens advantage to prevent women from becoming involved in politics, economics, and social decision-making (it is better to maintain the statusquo). Conflict theorists also say that traditional gender roles are outdated (for example, male physical strength doesnt mean as much today, and women have the right to compete for status).

Symbolic Interactionism and Gender issues

Symbolic interactionists focus on gender socializationhow boys and girls learn to act Family and institutions like school will have a strong impact on gender socialization

Functionalism and Family

Functionalism says that the family plays many roles, including: Socializing the young

Providing social and emotional support

Managing reproduction

Identifying social status

Being an economic centre

Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism and Family

Conflict Theory focuses on family structure throughout history being patriarchal (maledominated). Many feminists today believe this is still the case. Symbolic interactionism focuses on how relationships within a family are constantly changing, especially when family members are introduced (children) or leave (children grow up and leave, separation, etc.)

Functionalism and Education

Functionalism says that education systems are a response to societies needs. Manifest functions (intended results) of education are transmission of culture, creation of a common identity, selection and screening of talent, and promotion of personal growth and development. Latent functions (unintended results) of education include: they provide day-care, help prevent delinquency, train athletes, and promote socialization (finding significant others).

Conflict Perspective and Education

Conflict theory suggests that education is not actually a meritocracy (status is achieved strictly through ability and achievement). Instead, many assessments are infused with cultural bias (unfair measurement of cognitive abilities of people in some social categories). This is why schools now make some efforts to promote educational equality.

Symbolic Interactionism and Education

Symbolic interactionism focuses primarily on how schools transmit culture through the socialization process, in particular the hidden curriculum (the nonacademic agenda that teaches discipline, order, cooperativeness and conformity).

Functionalism and Religion

Functionalism identifies several social functions of religion, including: o It gives formal approval to existing social arrangements o It encourages a sense of unity o It explains the world o It promotes a sense of belonging

Conflict Theory and Religion

Conflict Theory looks at how religion helps or hinders social change. Marx thought that religion is used by the ruling class to justify its oppression of the lower classes. Max Weber, conversely, thought that religion could promote social change. He thought that protestantism supported the rise of capitalism.

Symbolic interactionism and Religion

Symbolic interactionists believe that people use religious traditions and symbols to guide them as they deal with the secular (non-religious) world.