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summary and Review 187

absence of fundamental changes that would bring about an equitable society, most
efforts are, unfortunately, like putting a Band-Aid on a gunshot wound. What we need is
a more humane social system, one that would prevent the social inequalities that are the
focus of the next four chapters.

MySocLab Study and Review on MySocLab

ChAPtER 6 Summary and Review

What Is Deviance? Labeling theory focuses on how labels (names, reputations)
help to funnel people into or divert them away from devi-
ance. People often use techniques of neutralization to de-
6.1 Summarize the relativity of deviance, the need of norms, and flect social norms. Pp. 164–168.
the types of sanctions; contrast sociobiological, psychological and
sociological explanations of deviance.
the Functionalist Perspective
Deviance (the violation of norms) is relative. What people
consider deviant varies from one culture to another and 6.3 Explain how deviance can be functional for society, how
from group to group within the same society. As symbolic mainstream values can produce deviance (strain theory), and how
interactionists stress, it is not the act but the reactions to the social class is related to crime (illegitimate opportunities).
act that make something deviant. All groups develop systems
of social control to punish deviants—those who violate How do functionalists explain deviance?
their norms. Pp. 158–161. Functionalists point out that deviance, including criminal
How do sociological and individualistic acts, is functional for society. Functions include affirming
explanations of deviance differ? norms and promoting social unity and social change. Ac-
To explain why people deviate, sociobiologists and psycholo- cording to strain theory, societies socialize their members
into desiring cultural goals. Many people are unable to
gists look for reasons within the individual, such as genetic achieve these goals in socially acceptable ways—that is, by
predispositions or personality disorders. Sociologists, in institutionalized means. Deviants, then, are people who ei-
contrast, look for explanations outside the individual, in social ther give up on the goals or use disapproved means to attain
experiences. Pp. 161–162.
them. Merton identified five types of responses to cultural
goals and institutionalized means: conformity, innovation,
the symbolic Interactionist ritualism, retreatism, and rebellion. Because of illegitimate
Perspective opportunity structures, some people have easier access to
illegal means of achieving goals. Pp. 168–173.
6.2 Contrast three theories of deviance: differential association, the conflict Perspective
control, and labeling.
How do symbolic interactionists explain deviance? 6.4 Explain how social class is related to the criminal justice
Symbolic interactionists have developed several theories to system and how the criminal justice system is oppressive.
explain deviance such as crime (the violation of norms that
are written into law). According to differential association How do conflict theorists explain deviance?
theory, people learn to deviate by associating with others. Conflict theorists take the position that the group in power
According to control theory, each of us is propelled toward imposes its definitions of deviance on other groups. From this
deviance, but most of us conform because of an effective sys- perspective, the law is an instrument of oppression used by the
tem of inner and outer controls. People who have less effec- powerful to maintain their position of privilege. The ruling
tive controls deviate. Pp. 162–164. class, which developed the criminal justice system, uses it to