Notes

Outline

Definition of Deviance and Crime The Violation of Rules/ Norms Crime – violation of rules written into law Not behavior, but group’s definition of behavior determines deviance Relativity of deviance: Marriage in Iraq, rape Nebraska Coca in Bolivia and the US

How widespread is deviance? Acts of deviance…. Exceeding the speed limit “Borrowing” office supplies or equipment Cheating on income tax Working for “under the table” pay Shoplifting Consuming alcohol while under age

Types of Crime

Crime Index Offenses, 1998

Criminal Victimization: 1993 to 1997

Inmates in the US prisons, 1995

Homicide and Young Males

Violent Death among Youth in Selected Countries, 1991

Crime Arrest Rates and Age, 1983-1985

Crime Clock, 1998

Crime Index (Percent Change 1994-1998)

Property Crime Rates, 1973-1998

Drug Arrests by Age, 1970-1999

Violent Crime Rates by Gender of Victim, 1973-1998

Adult Correctional Populations, 1980-1999

Direct Expenditure by Criminal Justice Function, 1982-1997

Direct Expenditure by Level of Government, 1982-1997

Change in Crime Rates in New York City, 1990

Persons under Sentence of of Death, 1957-1998

Persons Executed, 1930-1998

The Medicalization of Deviance The view that deviance, including crime, is a mental sickness

Prison Industrial Complex

Growth in the U.S. Prison Population

Deviance: Multiple Perspectives

Symbolic Interactionist Explanations of Crime and Deviance Differential Association Theory (group membership) Deviance is learned Friends, neighbors, subcultures (gangs) Control Theory (balance of pressures to conform and/or deviate = social bonds) Inner controls: consciousness, morals, religiosity; fear Outer controls: family, school, police Labeling Theory (significance of labels given to people)

Functionalist Explanations of Crime and Deviance

Conflict perspective on Crime and Deviance