Functionalism and
Deviance
Lesson 7-2
Costs and Benefits of Deviance
 Functionalists believe there are positive
and negative affects of deviance
Costs and Benefits of Deviance
 Deviance clarifies
 Erodes trust
norms
 May be a safety valve
 If not punished,
for teens
deviance can cause
 Increases unity within
nonconforming
a society
behavior in others
 Deviant behavior is  Cerates jobs- new
prisons
expensive
 Promotes social
change
Strain Theory
 Anomie- a social condition in which norms
are weak, conflicting, or absent
– Individuals are unsure how they should act
 Strain Theory- deviance is more likely to
occur when a gap exists between cultural
goals and the ability to achieve these goals
by legitimate means.
How do People Respond To
Strain Theory
 Innovation- Person accepts the goal of
success, but use illegal means to achieve it.
– Robbery, drug dealing
 Ritualism- Person rejects goal of success,
but continues to go through the motions
How do People Respond To
Strain Theory
 Retreatism- Both the legitimate means and
the approved goals are rejected.
– Drug addicts, bag ladies,
– People that have dropped out by choice not
by circumstance
 Rebellion- reject the goal and the means,
but substitute a new set of goals and means
– Some militia groups
Basic Elements of Social Bonds
 Attachment- the stronger your attachments
to groups or individuals, the more likely
you are to conform.
 Commitment-Greater your commitment to
social goals, more likely you are to
conform
Basic Elements of Social Bonds
 Involvement-Participation in approved
social activities increases the probability of
conformity
 Belief- Belief in norms and values of
society promotes conformity.
Teen Smoking and Deviance
 Is Teen smoking a deviant behavior?
 Discuss ads in the 1960’s and 1970’s
– Marlboro Man
– Virginia slims
 How has advertising changed today?
 How does this reflect changes in beliefs in
society?
Strain Theory