Deviance and Conformity

Deviant behavior is defined as behavior that elicits a strong negative reaction from others. Learners will understand the socially constructed nature of deviance as evidenced by how the definition of the same act as deviant or not varies by time and place. Thus, they will understand that one of the central sociological questions about deviance is whose definitions of deviance prevail, an understanding that links deviance to power in society. Learners will understand the social backdrop of deviance and will be able to describe the relationship between deviance, social control, and the criminal justice system. Learners will discover that different categories of people experience deviance, social control, and the criminal justice system differently and they will understand the social processes by which individuals are labeled deviant or conforming. Learners will be able to identify processes of social control, including positive and negative sanctions.

Learning Goals:

1. Understand that deviance is socially constructed. The same behavior may be defined as deviant or not, depending on the time and place.
2. Learn that deviance is defined as behavior that elicits a stong negative reaction from others.
3. Understand that whose definition of deviance prevails is linked to who has power in society.
4. Understand the relationship between deviance, social control, and the criminal justice system.
5. Discover that different categories of people experience deviance, social control, and the criminal justice system differently.
6. Understand the social processes by which individuals are labeled deviant or confoming, including stigmatization and positive and negative sanctions.

Outline:

There is an outline for this unit, course narrative, and an Instructor's Manual.