Nature of Deviance

• Because there are so many norms governing behavior, occasional violations are unavoidable in scoiety

• What is considered deviant varies from society to society

Social Functions of Deviance

• Clarifying Norms – defines the boundaries of acceptable behavior

• Unifying the Group – serves to draw the line between conforming members of society and “outsiders” >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> the nonconforming members

• Diffusing Tension – acts that allow individuals to relieve tension without disrupting the basic fabric of society

• Promoting Social Change – can help prompt social change by identifying problem areas

• Providing Jobs – provides legitimate jobs for a wide range of people

American Criminal-Justice System

• Police – have most immediate control over who is arrested for a criminal act

• Courts – determine the guilt or innocence of an accused person by means of a trial and assigns some form of punishment if there is a guilty finding

• Corrections – sanctions used to punish those found guilty of crimes

• Juvenile-Justice System – used to punish offenders younger than age 18*