Deviant Behavior
Crimes and deviance are committed by people on a daily basis. Many sociologists have tried to explain the deviant behavior of individuals that may lead up to more serious crimes. Functionalist believes that crime and deviance are due to a lack moral organization within a society, reinforcement theorists suggest that an individual’s deviant behavior is obtained through the influence of others. Control theorists view crime as a chosen act that individuals take advantage of when given the chance. The conflict theory argues that individuals deliberately choose to commit deviant acts in response to political circumstances that they don’t agree with. Finally, the labeling theory claims that “deviant” behavior is the result of certain labels that
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Those who are living the “decent” lifestyle are considered to be “committed to middle-class values” (Anderson171). Individuals within this society are less likely to commit deviant behaviors that involve violence because it is not how they are taught to act. Those within the “decent” society are similar to those in the “street” in which they both learn the rules of society through the interactions with their peers. However, they differ in the aspect of what is considered deviance and crime. Unlike the “street culture” the “decent” are known to “harbor hopes for a better future for their children” (Anderson 173). They tend to avoid a lifestyle that is surrounded by constant aggression and violence. So what is coined deviance in this society may be considered to be normal for those living in the “street culture”. For example, allowing a eight year old kid to stay out past ten o’clock on a school night might be considered normal for those in the “streets”, but for those living on the “decent” side of town, it is considered a to be a deviant act because that sort of behavior is out of the “norm” for them. In using a different type of society as an example, it is clear to see that the reinforcement theory still plays a big part in explaining why deviance occurs. Even though the idea of deviant behavior differs from one society to another, the reinforcement theory doesn’t fail to prove that it is still through social interactions, rewards, and punishments that individuals learn what type of behavior is allowed in their
Those who are living the “decent” lifestyle are considered to be “committed to middle-class values” (Anderson171). Individuals within this society are less likely to commit deviant behaviors that involve violence because it is not how they are taught to act. Those within the “decent” society are similar to those in the “street” in which they both learn the rules of society through the interactions with their peers. However, they differ in the aspect of what is considered deviance and crime. Unlike the “street culture” the “decent” are known to “harbor hopes for a better future for their children” (Anderson 173). They tend to avoid a lifestyle that is surrounded by constant aggression and violence. So what is coined deviance in this society may be considered to be normal for those living in the “street culture”. For example, allowing a eight year old kid to stay out past ten o’clock on a school night might be considered normal for those in the “streets”, but for those living on the “decent” side of town, it is considered a to be a deviant act because that sort of behavior is out of the “norm” for them. In using a different type of society as an example, it is clear to see that the reinforcement theory still plays a big part in explaining why deviance occurs. Even though the idea of deviant behavior differs from one society to another, the reinforcement theory doesn’t fail to prove that it is still through social interactions, rewards, and punishments that individuals learn what type of behavior is allowed in their