Theories of Deviance from the Conflict Perspective

Visibility in school wasn’t any different, the Saints unlike the Roughnecks were able to get out of class, due to their clean “good boy” perceptions. Once the Saints were out of the sight of instructors, they could leave almost immediately with the help of their cars— strategically parked for an effortless escape. On the other hand, the Roughnecks, didn’t enjoy the same freedom, even if one managed to get out of class, downtown was too far away for someone with no means of transportation. Additionally, the Roughnecks, drew even more attention to themselves as they frequently made remarks to people passing by. Secondly, the demeanor of both gangs were complete opposites of each other, if one of the Saints was stopped by a police officer, his “demeanor was apologetic and penitent” (Chambliss, 2011, pg. 192). On the contrary, Roughnecks, didn’t have much respect for authority, and their animosity, enmity, and aggression was clearly obvious. Finally, society members, perceived the delinquent acts of the Saints less serious than delinquent acts of the Roughnecks. In their view, someone who showcases public drunkenness is committing a more serious crime than someone who drinks in bar.

Human nature is very peculiar and different based on a multitude of reasons ranging from the atmosphere in which they are raised in or even psychological troubles that can affect their day to day living. A child raised with an abrupt childhood and a child raised in a well-educated family are both likely to become future incarcerated individuals due to deviant behavior. Genetics has no role in determining criminality however social interaction with the world and individuals can be a leading factor in a person’s criminogenic nature. Crime within the world is indeed prevalent everywhere and is just as common as it was in the Victorian or Egyptian era. However, to prevent the expansion of a broad and wide topic, this essay will stay microscopic and study the comprehension of Edwin Sutherlands “Differential Association theory” and Gresham Sykes and David Matza’s “Techniques of Neutralization”. Various sources and scholarly written articles alongside Barry Cartwright’s text-reader “Sociological Approach to Crime and Deviance” will be used to support the key responses to specified questions on the main topic.

Karl Marx is the founder of conflict theory which views a society that is capable of being a principle of competition and conflict. Conflict theory is simple to understand in which it suggests that society has inequality between people and social groups. Conflict theory would suggest that conflicts and tensions emerge when power, resources, and status are distributed unevenly between distinct groups in society. Its groups who are

One of these being William Chambliss’s handling of the “Saints and the Roughnecks” where the ‘Saints’ are a collection of 8 white upper- middle- class boys on the pre-collage trail in high school, who participate in astonishing large amounts of truancy, a countless acts of drinking and driving, minor stealing and vandalism, and a lot of cheating in school all while maintaining the perfect image. On the other hand, the ‘Roughnecks’ were a group of six lower-class boys who engage in studious amounts of fighting (typically between themselves or alongside other lower-class boys) and shoplifting, who are frequently detained, and whose appearance in the public is horrendous. In Chambliss 's view, the Saint’s behavior partook at least as much prospect of impending community harm as the behavior of the Roughnecks. (Chambliss, 1973)

Conflict theory means you are labeled based on who you are. Karl Marx states that someone will be labeled based on the social class they belong to. He also states that the society that you belong to gives you the power in making laws. Those who are not privileged, are poor or are in a lower social class suffer the consequences of being treated differently.

The Three Main Theories of Deviance and Their Strengths and Weaknesses A functionalist analysis of deviance looks for the source of deviance in the nature of society rather than in the biological or psychological nature of the individual. Although functionalists agree that

“Unlike the structural functional theory, which views society as a peaceful unit, conflict theory interprets society as a struggle for power between groups engaging in conflict for limited resources. Karl Marx is the founder of conflict theory”. The social class most likely to implement or adopt the use of conflict theory are the capital class. As stated in class the social class has a minority called the “Bilderberg Group”; they hold incredible influence over government policies, Represent shared intra-class interests have large Economic power, political and social power, it is in theses hands that majority of the resources are held and controlled, while the majority are left remnants of whatever resource they are able to obtain. As said in class the, Max weber defined this social class as one composed of those who hold similar life chances, such as Income, Marketable abilities, Access to consumer goods and services,Ability to generate investment income, Power

Marx stressed that history is a continuous clash between conflicting ideas and forces. He believed that conflict is necessary in order to produce social change and a better society. Ax Weber said that sociology should be value free and people should become more aware of how others see the world. Marx and Max Weber shared the similarities that exist was that they both felt like sociology should be studied but in different ways. They both studied on social change in society and agreed on the idea of the economy causing class conflict.

Deviance is defined as the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior. There are many different forms of deviance in today 's society. Something that is viewed as being deviant in one culture might be seen as normal in another. There are many different types and theories in which define deviance, however their are 3 broad categories, these 3 categories are positivist, relativist, and critical conceptions of deviance. These 3 categories are important in defining deviance because they break down deviance as a whole and better help understand the different acts in which we label as being deviant. Deviance as a whole is important to study especially in today 's society with their

Deviance is “any behavior that does not conform to social expectations.” The statement, “Deviance is socially constructed” means that because individuals that rebel against the norms of social group, and use deviant behavior, others will join in and this creates a whole new social group. For instance, gay marriage. This has always been considered something wrong and people shouldn’t do it. Although, people started to become deviant and say that it isn’t wrong and that people should be able to love who they so please. Now, since the summer of 2015, gay marriage has been legalized all across the nation and all of these people fit under one social group. Deviance is relative because the rules for each group vary, so in that case it is relative

In “The Saints and the Roughnecks” by William J. Chambliss, he examines two groups of delinquents from the same high school. He analyzed the behavior and activities of both parties. He analyzed them in several aspects, such as from a Monday to Friday, weekends, in school, and the encounters or interactions with the police. He concluded that the activities of both groups involved continuous and delinquent acts, however one group was looked as roughnecks, and gang members, while the other were distinguished as saints. He realizes the probable causes in each group’s way of performing their criminal acts, and depicts why they are viewed in such far extremes before society. Then he places two

Theorists Karl Marx and Max Weber has based social conflict due to the inequality of class divisions. Karl Marx's interpretation of social class is defined by the relation to the means of productions. Marx's theory of social class simply consists of the proletariat and the bourgeoisie; those who work for the means of production and those who owns the means of production. In other words, the two classes are the middle class and the upper class. While Weber took Marx's broad definition of stratification, Weber argued that each individual's relationship by the means of productions only determines part of the person's social class. Weber also included the factors of wealth, prestige, and political power. Weber had two aspects of class or also known as economic standing: wealth and income. Wealth is determined by the assets of an individual. Income is the amount an individual makes per year. Weber's personal definition of prestige is social respect, admiration, and recognition. Weber argued that wealth and prestige were intertwined since society is more likely to hold rich people in higher regard rather than those of lower class. Power was also linked to social class, where an individual had the ability to compel groups to do that which they otherwise wouldn't do. Both theorists had their own personal

In the 1998 film American History X, Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for brutally murdering two black men who were breaking into his truck. Through his Brother Danny’s narration of a paper he is writing, it is learned that Derek was the leader of a large Neo-Nazi group known as D.O.C., or Disciples of Christ, that committed many acts of racial crime throughout Los Angeles. During his time in prison Derek decides that hate is a waste of time after being violently raped by fellow white supremacists, and his only friend being a black man, who was only in prison for a misunderstanding. After getting out on parole, Derek learns that Danny is headed down the same racist path as him, and decided that he must put a stop to it. Throughout this film there are many examples of the five theories of deviance; Functional, Conflict, Labeling, Broken Windows, and Differential Association. From Derek’s initial exposure to racism, all the way to him deciding to change, all five theories are exemplified through Derek, Danny, their Father, Cameron, or the D.O.C. as a whole.

As we all have observed, throughout history each culture or society has unique norms that are acceptable to that group of people. Therefore, to establish and come to the acceptance of these basic norms, each society must develop its’ own strategies and techniques to encourage the fundamentals of behavior, which is clear in our modern society. Most do assume that everyone in a society will follow and respect such norms. However, some tend to deviate from the adequate norms and demonstrate deviant behavior. Nevertheless, we are inclined to ask ourselves, why do people decide to violate such important standards of living?

Karl Marx: Conflict Theory The most influential socialist thinker from the 19th century is Karl Marx. Karl Marx can be considered a great philosopher, social scientist, historian or revolutionary. Marx proposed what is known as the conflict theory. The conflict theory looks at how certain social interactions occur through conflict. People engage in conflict everyday to gain more power then others in society. Karl Marx is known for studying the conflicts that occur between different classes. Karl Marx has introduced some radical ideas and theories to society through his writings. As the industrial revolution moved forward in society, so did the widening gap between class structures. Karl Marx studied the differences arising between the