Posted: May 21st, 2022

Theories of Deviance

Theories of Deviance
Deviance can be described as any behavior that violates social norms. In other words, it is behavior that suffices the disapproval of a majority of society. The behavior can be classified as either criminal or non-criminal, although this is entirely based on the time, place, and the affected parties. For instance, in some parts of Indonesia, circumcision is considered a norm and part of their culture, whereas, in America and most other parts of the world, such a practice is frowned upon and considered deviant. Thus, due to the relative nature of deviance, sociologists and criminology experts have fashioned theories in a bid to help others understand deviance (Thio, Taylor & Schwartz, 2012). Among them are the control theory, the labeling theory, the Merton’s strain theory, the broken windows theory, and the reinforcement theory, which stand out as the most well-known theories of deviance.
Control Theory
This theory highlights how people have within them the want to act in deviant ways, although they mostly do not due to their ability to use their internal controls, and their obedience to outer controls. Therefore, according to Walter Reckless, these inner and outer controls are what governs people’s morality to act against their deviant tendencies, a virtue that Travis Hirschi defines as self-control (Downes, Rock & McLaughlin, 2016). Socialists point out that this theory begins to take effect right from when an individual is a child. If the child grows up in an environment that lacks proper socialization and self-control, then the child may end up developing deviant behavior, which may lead them to commit a crime when they are older. Hence, the theory views authority and domination at an early age as the only tools that can help in maintaining law and social order.
Labeling Theory
Labeling is a process of social reaction by people within a society, basing an individual’s behavior as deviant or not. Therefore, this theory holds behaviors as deviant if society labels them as such. What follows is that the individuals ascribed to this way of thinking; that certain behavior is deviant, then label those participating in a practice as deviant. Common practice within society shows that politicians and police, among other people of influence within society, are the ones that impose the most significant labels with which others tend to follow. Based on a study conducted by William Chambliss in 1973, people’s attitudes and reactions also play a big role in the determination of what is deviant and what is not (Thio et al., 2012). The negative aspect of this theory is that those labeled as deviant suffer the consequences of lower self-images; they may reject themselves, and even act more defiantly as a result. Also, those ascribed to the practice of labeling usually have a difficult time changing their opinion even in spite of evidence that proves the contrary.
Merton’s Strain Theory
This theory was promulgated by Robert Merton as he tried to understand why financial disparities within a society affect deviance or its lack thereof. Poor people were seen as engaging in deviant behavior more that richer members of society (Downes et al., 2016). As a result, the Strain Theory was modeled to represent how societal pressures to achieve certain goals have a way of impacting an individual’s behaviors. Deviance was seen to occur when people reject the accepted means of reaching a goal or when they cannot pursue these achievements through socially accepted means such as affording to attend college in order to get a well-paying job that will make them rich. And so, according to Merton, people can turn into deviance in the pursuit to achieve social goals and values whereby the deviance will be based upon conformity, innovation, ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion.
Broken Windows Theory
This theory states that visible signs of crime and anti-social behavior create an environment for further crime and disorder. Thus, the theory generally calls for greater authority and control from the point in which a small deviant behavior is noticed in order to prevent the occurrence of larger transgression. This theory was tested in the ’90s in New York, making a comparison with the entire countries average crime rate and was proved to show that policing minor deviances lead to a decrease in the number of major crimes.
Reinforcement Theory
This theory posits that social behaviors are heavily shaped by the consequences that follow a behavior. As such, people are likely to behave in a particular way based on positive or negative reinforcement from outside forces. Consequently, the idea of reward and punishment reinforces or restrain acceptable behavior (Thio et al., 2012). This theory works with human psychology showing that if a child receives positive reinforcement from when they are little, they are bound to grow into better shaped non-deviant adults. It also explains why incarceration may often lead some individuals into participating in further crime in the future.
Conclusion
In criminal justice, deviance serves as one of the most relative aspects of criminology. Take the example of murder, which is generally considered deviant; but, when governments permit it during warfare, it is seen as non-deviant. Understanding the theories of deviance allow sociologists to analyze how and why certain behaviors are classified as deviant.

References
Downes, D., Rock, P. E., & McLaughlin, E. (2016). Understanding deviance: a guide to the sociology of crime and rule-breaking. Oxford University Press.
Thio, A., Taylor, J. D., & Schwartz, M. D. (2012). Deviant behavior. Pearson Higher Ed.

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