Deviance And Crime Analysis

In Wayward Puritans Erikson argues that there is no notable difference between people who participate in deviant acts and those who do not. Deviance therefore is a social construction; it is defined by what society deems normal. What is considered deviant in one society is not necessarily deviant in another. The label of deviance is conferred upon certain behaviors, often by those in power. Dominant groups in society set expectations for what is acceptable behavior, which helps to keep people in line with dominant group expectations. In this respect, we could argue that certain behaviors are considered deviant not because they are inherently wrong but because powerful groups in our society label them as deviant and can impose their morals

In the textbook, the book goes on to list police crime, occupational deviance, police corruption, and abuse of authority as the four kinds of typologies of police deviance (Schmalleger & Worrall, 2009). Starting with police crime, the term simply means when an officer uses their official powers and uses them in illegal means. An example for police crime would be whenever an officer uses their official powers in what could be considered criminal conduct (Schmalleger & Worrall, 2009). Second, occupational deviance, which means when officers preform actions under the guise of police authority that either fails to meet with the standards set by the department, or when not a part of their official duties (Schmalleger & Worrall, 2009). Examples of

Deviance is defined as "any violation of norms, whether the infraction is as minor as driving over the speed limit, as serious as murder, or as humorous as Chagnon 's encounter with the Yanomamo" (Henslin 194). One statement that stuck out to me was sociologist Howard S. Becker 's definition of deviance: "It is not the act itself, but the reactions to the act, that make something deviant" (Henslin 194). One reaction that acts as a punishment for a deviant or minor criminal is the criminal justice system. On page 211 in our book, it is stated that "the working class and those below them pose a special threat to the power elite" (Henslin). As a result of this threat, the law and punishment comes down harder on the lower class than it does on the upper class.

Deviance has many functions in society. Although deviance violates social norms, without it, we would not have rules, so it helps form, guide, and shape society’s norms and goals. Social norms are different from culture to culture. Norms that may be acceptable in one culture may be frowned upon in another. Emile Durkheim quotes that “deviance and deviant behavior is an integral part of all healthy societies (Adler, 2014, p74).” The Mafia and organized crime would be an example of deviance in society. Differential Association Theory and Social Structure sheds light on how individuals learn to become criminals, the conditions in social structures that lead to deviant behavior, and how both are similar.

Crime is any act which breaks the laws of society, such as murder, rape, speeding etc. Social control is enforced by agencies such as police and the courts, more specifically defined than deviance.

Foucault work of “The Gentle Way in Punishment” describes the shift from the excessive force of the sovereign towards a more generalized and controlled forms of punishment. It emphasizing on transforming and improving the individual into a socius through public works and introspection. It discusses the crime and how it is dealt with in a more rehabilitating sense that specific crime need specific moral counterparts. For example, those who are lazy give the counterpart of work. It have moralistic system in which the purpose is not merely to cut off the bad part, but to provide a series of exercises and forced repeated behaviors which are supposed to negate that crime tendency by giving it a built habit that is virtuous which will counteract

Criminal behaviour has always been an interest for psychologists, for they could never quite come to a conclusion between nature and nurture. Research concerning this topic has been organized for many years and due to the never ending debate, is still being conducted. I have decided to read and write about this myself, for I was genuinely curious about the matter and wanted to be a part of the research, as I felt responsible to do so. I believe that in order to stop something, it must be discussed and scrutinized. What effects do genes have on criminal behaviour, why do peer pressure and habitat influence a person to commit crimes and are men really more violent than women? My paper aims to discuss the three different factors of criminal behaviour, what causes it and why. My essay will examine and focus mainly on the genetic makeup of a person, the environment in which they are raised in and gender differences.

In 1892 the Canadian Criminal Code was proclaimed for a country that was never thought of to become a nation with more than 35 million individuals and as developed as it is politically, socially, and economically. Our great nation has expanded into an ever changing and transitioning society that as it moves forward crimes are committed across the board by individuals of Canada’s various different races and cultures, where in which sentences are demanded to ensure Canada remains fair and just. The 1892 Criminal Code didn’t account for the developments, expansions, and transitions that Canada has endured over a hundred years, and Canada looks nothing like it did in 1892. Due to the changes, our provinces and territories have all developed substantially;

Media has played a pronounced role in distributing information over time on various issues that are affecting citizens worldwide. The various types of media include television, radio and newspapers which reach a large number of people with various biases and preferences within a short period of time. Deviant behavior has become rampant in society today as many young and old people are deviating from the usual due to the common structural differences in society that range from economic, health, faith and social cults. To curb the deviant behavior observed in society, the media educates the people on the impacts of their behavior. At the same time, it informs the person who is not aware of the happenings in the community. In some instances where

Indigenous youth have not found their place in the world. Their pasts are lost to them due to colonialism and their futures are vague and not promising. As a former Indigenous youth I can attest to the despair that one feels when there seem to be little to no options left to you. Various Canadian studies indicate that Aboriginal youth are overrepresented at every stage of the criminal justice process. In many jurisdictions, the proportion of Aboriginal youth in custody far outstrips their representation within the overall population. As a result, critics charge that the criminal justice system fails to meet the needs of these youth (A One Day, 2015).

People’s feelings and mental health play a large role in crime being committed today in Canada. Most crimes done in Canada are involved with the use of guns, drugs, abuse and theft. Also the main reasons crimes are being committed can be because of depression or other mental disorders, family conditions (poor parenting skills) discrimination based on racism, politics and poverty. To lower crime rates we can firstly get guns & drugs out of the streets and into the hands of the government but also convert criminals into civilized citizens, Apply different punishments other than jail time, send ex offenders to certified rehabilitation centers.

Crimes will always be in society and involve many strict decisions as well as judgements to resolve them. In our society, the government dictates many polices that all the citizens have to follow to reduce crimes and to reduce the harm caused by crimes. Many people in society are not prepared from childhood to raise their voice against criminals and feel uncomfortable when they have to voice an opinion in community issues. Furthermore, a lot of acts and decisions over the past few years have become criminalized due to the expansion of the legislation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act which will help to stop and reduce the harm caused by crimes. This helps the residents of Canada to feel safe and protected through the different methods that have been issued out. Even though we have rules and regulations, some improvements can be made to help protect and guard our citizens.

Revenge is an unnecessary action that people still continue to do. The reason for this is because maybe revenge is the only option they can think of. In the article, “Crime without Punishment?” , it explains how people's desire for punishment against someone increases if they feel revenge is the only available option to restore justice. The narrator says “Motivation to punish appears to be a function of the landscape of choices presented. Giving people more ways to restore justice, could actually change how people feel about punishing a crime” (Sokol-Hessner). This shows that people's perception of getting justice is by punishing but that is incorrect. There are several ways to avoid revenge and chose a different path in order to receive justice

As defined by Edwin Lemert, primary deviance, “ is polygenic, arising out of a variety of social, cultural, and psychological factors” (Lemert 1951). This is the type of deviance that occurs initially and does not necessarily have a deep impact on an individual’s life. Lemert could argue that everyone has performed acts of primacy deviance but this primary deviance does not associate completely with the deviant label. Those who commit acts of primary deviance often do not know that they are going against the norm or it is out of their usual character to act in a deviant manner. For example, a 4.0 student who decides to steal a small snack from a gas station is classified under primary deviance because it is an initial isolated incident. Now, secondary deviance occurs when this isolated incident comes in contact with social interactions that may continue someone’s deviant behavior. To be more specific, secondary deviance, “affects their identity or conceptions of themselves and narrows their ability to choose conventional over wayward paths” (Lemert 1951). This type of deviant does affect someone’s life in a profound way. Using the same example, the student who stole the snack from the store might come in contact (social interactions) with those who may label them a thief. Their identity transitions from being a 4.0 student to the person

Why are some successful? Why do some commit crimes? Society has general laws, offenders who break those laws are known as being deviants. Society views robbery, assault, and murder, as deviant acts. Cultural Deviance Theory is a, “branch of social structure theory that sees strain and social disorganization together resulting in a unique lower-class culture that conflicts with conventional social norms” (Siegel, 2018, P. 581). Acts that are viewed as deviant vary between social orders. Deviance can be said to be socially built; the general public chooses what is degenerate, individuals or an individual can be named as aberrance because of their societal position, race, ethnicity