...For my deviance experiment, I chose to visit Gulf View Square Mall and strike up uninhibited talks with various mannequins, and have a friend observe the shoppers’ reactions from a distance. The first store I entered was one that sells only teenage and adult female clothing, called Body Shop. I waited until there was a significant amount of people close enough to hear me (about 10-15), then began to talk to the mannequin: a tall, shiny black one wearing a short, leopard dress. I talked for about 10 minutes, making sure to appear to hear her talk back, and tried to ignore the looks and rude comments I could hear various patrons making at me. I completed my one-way conversation, bought a pair of earrings, and left- my friend trailed behind me after a few minutes so no one would associate the two of us and get the idea that it was an experiment. The second store we tried was Claire’s, a jewelry store for pre-teen and teenage girls. Due to a lack of mannequins, I chose instead to get into an intense argument with a set of orange, floral earrings. We followed the same pattern, with a friend observing reactions so I could focus on my social project. The final store experiment was at Macy’s, which was buzzing with various sorts of people. I felt that this would be the perfect place to really test my results, as a department store in Gulf View is an adequate example of a microcosm of New Port Richey. I walked in, then began my standard conversation with another mannequin...
Words: 593 - Pages: 3
...Deviance is defined as as a violation of social norms, in regards to sociology. But what if deviance is actually just the opposite? What if deviance is simply a social norm? Cultural deviance theory suggests that the conformity to cultural norms of lower class societies actually causes crime. Simply stated, if you are in a lower class of society, committing a crime is actually an act of conformity. In the case of these poor societies, it is more obscure to not conform to the consistent lifestyle of crime. Moreover, does deviance really even exist in these societies? Those born into a lower class society, according to the cultural deviance theory, are born into a life of crime. Members of the poor society are expected to commit crimes, due...
Words: 397 - Pages: 2
...SOC 413- Social Deviance Paper #2 4/25/14 “Uncaring Carts” Deviant acts are done every day in society, so much so that sometimes these same acts that were frowned upon or looked upon as deviant eventually turn the tide, and become the norms of society. With technology getting more and more advanced and hundreds of millions of people are using social networks as a tool to connect with the world, trends are starting more quickly and it’s easier to get a topic or act trending the video and audio moves this day and age. Whether an act is deviant or not does not mean it still won’t go “viral” or trend in today’s society, in fact the phrase “bad news travels the fastest” is more relevant than ever with the ability to access media or social networks has become easier and more advanced with the popular use of “smart phones”. This assignment was actually something a student could get excited about as we can play a role outside of a classroom setting, use our education of this course and apply it to a situation that forces you to be uncomfortable and step outside of your comfort zone. It was one of the more testing yet enjoyable assignments that I have come across this semester at Lincoln University. “Sociologists define deviance as an act or behavior that falls outside social norms; deviance ranges from criminal acts to interrupting someone who’s speaking.” (Inderbitzin) Even though when most people hear that a deviant act was committed, they conclude that it was negative, “positive...
Words: 1157 - Pages: 5
...Social Control and Criminal Deviance: Bullying By: Professor: Lisa Riggleman Course: Intro to Sociology Date: November 15, 2015 What is a bully and who can be considered a bully? The term bully can be defined as a noun or a verb. The definition of a bully is a person who uses strength or power to harm or intimidate those who are weaker. This is the noun version of this word. Now the verb definition is, use superior strength or influence to intimidate (someone), typically to force him or her to do what one wants. The most important step in a student’s guide to research in this situation would be frame your research question. To me this means finding out what you are planning to ask and discuss with someone or about something. Having the proper questions and research is the best way to have a successful project. The one question I would like to know is why people are bullying in the first place. Where does bulling take place the most is something that should be asked by everyone? Bullying relates the most to the agents of socialization (i.e., family, teachers and school, peers). School is one of the many places that bullying seems to take place the most. Anyone being bullied should take their concerns to a higher authority or adult. Being bullied in school can also affect the person at home. This can lead to them lying to their parents, eating problems, or depression. Most kids today would rather keep the fact that they are being bullied to themselves because they don’t...
Words: 450 - Pages: 2
...Advertisers use emotions as a tactic to get the general public to react to a certain way. Fear is one of the emotions that receive a high reaction from audience. Fear is used in political in advertising, public health advertising, and commercial advertising causing viewers to take precaution and do what advertisers want them to do. Political ads use fear to perceive a candidate or party as corrupt or incompetent, by dismantling one party it persuades the public to vote or agree with another party’s idea. For Example, in UK’s 2010 General Election the Conservative Party attacks Gordon Brown’s character, by putting and add out with his face that states “I let 80000 criminals out early, vote for me.” This ads tone is very sarcastic and encourages voters to vote for the conservative Party and reject Browns policies on law and order (Walker 2010). The tactic of fear is successful because people do not want criminals on the streets. The problem with the justice system and prisons being “too full” which further fosters the fear in voters. For this particular ad if a parent saw this they would agree because he or she’s best interest is to make sure the household and children are protected. Public Health Advertising informs the public on health concerns in a specific community or area. The most recent public health scare is Ebola entering the United States. The Department of Defense released fliers with information on the infectious disease and asking for people with the symptoms to...
Words: 1272 - Pages: 6
...Describe an example of a television program that you believe clearly displays social deviance, and explain why you specifically selected it. One example of a television program that I believe clearly displays social deviance is Jersey Shore. It’s a show about eight Italian-Americans housemates spending the summer at the Jersey Shore. Every member of the house is known for getting drunk and sleeping around with random people. The show is full of fights and drunken moments with other people and within the house. It is a show that wants the viewers to see the portrayal of Italian American stereotype and their defiant behavior. The show was very popular it ran from 2009 to 2012 it had a dedicated following. Even though the show showed public...
Words: 417 - Pages: 2
...accepted path. Many sociological definitions of deviance simply elaborate upon this idea. Thus deviance consists of those areas which do not follow the norms and expectations of a particular social group. Deviance may be positively sanctioned (rewarded), negatively sanctioned (punished), or simply accepted without reward or punishment. In terms of the above definition of deviance, the soldier on the battlefield who risks his life above and beyond the normal call of duty may be termed deviant, as the physicist who breaks the rules of his discipline and develops a new theory. Their deviance may be positively sanctioned; the soldier might be rewarded with a medal, the physicist with a Noble...
Words: 760 - Pages: 4
...HOW DOES SOCIAL POWER AFFE\ ;L’;’’;’PL;L[P[P0O;;;.’;/;.’[‘’;/;L.L,/,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,M QQQQWQW4FCW2 C ‘T DEVIANT LABELLING, AND HOW DO G ENDER, RACE AND CLASS FEATURE IN THIS PROCESS JJJJJJJ N JJJ JJ JJJJJJJJJ JJJJ,,,, ‘ ‘’ \\ \ D \eviance as a violation of social norms Norms are rules and expectations by which members of society are guided.[2] . They are not necessarily moral, or even found grounded in morality; in fact, they are just as often pragmatic and, paradoxically, irrational. (A great many of what we call manners, having no logical grounds, would make for good examples here.) Norms are rules of conduct, not neutral or universal, but ever changing; shifting as society shifts; mutable, emergent, loose, reflective of inherent biases and interests, and highly selfish and one-sided. They vary from class to class, and in the generational "gap." They are, in other words, contextual. Deviance can be described as a violation of these norms.[3] Deviance is a failure to conform to culturally reinforced norms. This definition can be interpreted in many different ways. Social norms are different in one culture as opposed to another. For example, a deviant act can be committed in one society or culture that breaks a social norm there, but may be considered normal for another culture and society. Some acts of deviance may be criminal acts, but also, according to the society or culture, deviance can be strictly breaking social norms that are intact. ...
Words: 3198 - Pages: 13
...Running head: FINAL PAPER- DEVIANCE AND SOCIAL CONTROL Final Paper Deviance and Social Control Sociological Foundations Oklahoma Wesleyan University Matthew Charles Colaw November 16, 2010 Abstract This paper is covering the different forms of deviance and social control. The word deviance is defined by actions or behaviors that violate a cultural norm. Deviance can be a formal crime or an in-formal act that is not perceived as normal in the culture. Each culture or group in this paper has different sets of norms and moral standards. This paper will discuss deviance within cultures and that many cultures can have different views on deviance. Social control is developed within a culture to punish the deviant acts. These topics will be discussed in the paper. Deviance in text book and from the internet source refers to any violation of a culture’s norms. This violation of cultural norms could be as insignificant as simply speeding a few miles an hour over the speed limit or a major crime such as murder. Deviance is further explained when Howard Becker stated, “It is not the act itself, but the reactions to the act, that make something deviant.” Each culture has a set of cultural norms and when an action or behavior causes a negative connotation in this culture it becomes deviant. (Jim Henslin, 2010) (Robert Keel, 2007) In the textbook it discusses different cultures and how certain acts are deviant. The...
Words: 2366 - Pages: 10
...2006 Litzky, Eddleston and Kidder 91 The Good, the Bad, and the Misguided: How Managers Inadvertently Encourage Deviant Behaviors by Barrie E. Litzky, Kimberly A. Eddleston, and Deborah L. Kidder* Executive Overview Recent estimates of the costs associated with deviant behavior in the workplace are staggering. While part of the managerial function requires the establishment of rules and policies that promote good customer service and product consistency, managers who lead with a firm hand or place too much pressure on sales quotas, may be unknowingly contributing to their employees’ deviant behaviors. Managers must learn to identify the role that they play in triggering employee deviance. Once recognized, there is much that managers can do to ameliorate the triggers that encourage otherwise honest employees to engage in deviant behavior. M “I wouldn’t say what I did was unethical. Rather, it was more, say, questionable. But hey, my manager says, ‘The customer is always right.’ So basically, I was following her orders.” “Come on – everybody does it. It’s almost expected. I bet even my manager did it when he had my job.” “Considering how much money I bring into this place, I deserve it. They should be paying me more anyway.” anagers often face employees like these who try to justify their actions after being caught behaving inappropriately. Some managers may terminate these employees in an attempt to rid the organization of such unscrupulous individuals...
Words: 8340 - Pages: 34
...Jane Ha Dr. Wagner Sociology of Deviance April 11, 2013 A Visit to the Detention Center My visit to the Clark County Juvenile Center provided many helpful and interesting insights on my own study of deviance, specifically on how social power and social context play a significant role on the definition, legalization, and construct of deviance and the deviant being. Based on the information from the two informants I interviewed about their life and the events that led them to the juvenile center, I noticed several patterns and similarities in the family structure and the reference group, whom they interacted with every day. The first similarity was the absence of the father figure; both informants’ parents were divorced and they reported having more communication with their mothers than their dad. My first informant, who was Eddie, 15 years old, simply stated their parents were separated and the informant was living with his mom and sister, with little mentioning of his dad. Similarly, Tyeal, 16 years old, said she rarely saw her dad and even though she added that he tried to be there for her. “…My dad lives in Springfield, he tries to be there for me, but he is an alcoholic and I don’t see him often.” However, the relationships between Eddie and Tyeal’s moms were significantly different. While Eddie seemed to have a good relationship with his mom and his sister; he described his mom as “cool and has a great sense of humor”, the relationship between Tyeal and her...
Words: 1958 - Pages: 8
...Deviance is a term coined by William Graham Sumner meaning a violation of established contextual,cultural or social norms whether folkways,mores,or codified law (Lesson 7, Textbook). Deviant behavior can be divided into two broad categories mild and severe also known as primary and secondary. What is deviant behavior cannot be answered straightforward it is dependent on location, audience, and individual committing the act (Lesson 7, Textbook). Primary deviance also known as "mild" is a violation of a norm that does not result in any long-term effects on the individuals self-image or interactions with others (Lesson 7,Textbook). One example of this is a high schooler going to a party and decides to try alcohol, this does not make the teen...
Words: 323 - Pages: 2
...made it obvious that he would not comply with the rules and made an enemy named Nurse Ratched. His deviance inevitably led to the sealing of his own fate when his actions became more pronounced and more severe. Throughout his stay, he was denied many of his rights as a mental patient and was subjected to wrongful treatment from the staff of the institution. According to the text, abnormality can be defined by comparing the behavior of the person in question to a set of criteria. This set of criteria consists of: Unusualness, Social Deviance, Faulty Perceptions or Interpretations of Reality, Significant Personal Distress, Maladaptive or Self-Defeating Behavior, and Dangerousness (Nevid et al. 5-7). These criteria are only useful in deciding whether or not someone is exhibiting abnormal behavior if the behavior is appropriate for that specific situation. For example, if someone is depressed after the loss of a loved one, then that would be appropriate for the situation and would not be considered abnormal. Similarly, if someone is depressed for no apparent reason, then it would be within the realm of possibility that the person is exhibiting abnormal behavior (Nevid et al. 5). Unusualness is a relatively simplistic term used to describe whether or not someone is acting in a strange way. However, unusualness is not to be mistaken with a behavior that is a statistical deviance or a rare occurrence (Nevid et al. 6). In the movie, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Randle McMurphy...
Words: 2404 - Pages: 10
...A. Deviance and social control—Our society is constantly changing. Deviant behavior is not necessarily wrong, but it is not preferable in our society. Someone who exhibits behavior that is not normal will be rejected or discredited due to this behavior. B: The problem with deviant behavior may be subtle or it may have a large impact on the society. Social control creates laws and legislatures that add depth to what it expected in our society. Those who do not follow these laws are punished by the severity of the deviance. Deviance that has less impact on the society is likely treated less severely than those with a greater impact. If not handled correctly, the overall society will frown on misuse of social control to handle deviant behavior. C: I believe teenagers would be most affected by this. The nature of the transition from childhood to early adult stages of development present certain challenges. Some of these challenges trace back to the development of the child and if they were given the knowledge to be able to act and react in the larger society. Many teenagers who had a rough childhood may not have the ability to differentiate between “right and wrong” as our society sees it. D: a) Post high school education i) Implement education to reinforce proper behavior in society ii) Teach them to communicate more effectively iii) Implement various life skills workshops for teenagers b) Teenagers not completing a high...
Words: 310 - Pages: 2
...Deviance is “a behavior, trait, belief, or other characteristic that violates a norm and causes a negative reaction.” When I was younger, it was deviant for younger girls to wear any makeup. When I was in the third and fourth grade, none of my friends wore any makeup. I’m 17 years old and barley know how to apply makeup, because my mom didn’t let me wear any until I was in the seventh grade. Even when I was allowed to wear makeup, I still didn’t wear any, except for cheer competitions. Today, there are third and fourth graders who wear more makeup then my friends or I have ever worn. Young girls make makeup tutorials and post them on YouTube. I see young girls walking around with a face full of makeup. Also, their parents are buying them makeup...
Words: 340 - Pages: 2
