Saqlain Raza 05-171211-212

Saqlain Raza 05-171211-212

Question: What are the relevant theories of Deviant Behavior to analyze the deliberation
among the jury members of movie “12 Angry Men”. What does it tell about our biases when
we declared some individual or certain behavior as deviant?
Answer: "12 Angry Men" is a 1957 American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet. Set in a jury
room, it revolves around twelve jurors deliberating the guilt or innocence of a young man
accused of murder. Juror #8 challenges the initial unanimous guilty verdict, sparking intense
debates and revealing biases among the jurors. Through critical thinking and empathy, the
jurors reevaluate their preconceptions and prejudices, leading to a reconsideration of the
evidence. The film highlights the power of open-mindedness and dialogue in overcoming biases
and delivering a just verdict, emphasizing the importance of objective analysis in the pursuit of
justice.
When analyzing the deliberation among the jury members in the movie "12 Angry Men" from
the perspective of deviant behavior, several relevant theories can help shed light on the
dynamics at play. Two theories that are particularly applicable in this context are social control
theory and labeling theory.
Social Control Theory: According to social control theory, deviant behavior occurs when an
individual's bonds to conventional society weaken. This theory suggests that people are
naturally inclined to engage in deviant behavior unless they are adequately bonded to society.
In the movie, the jury members' deliberation can be viewed through this lens. Some members,
like Juror #3, initially demonstrate deviant behavior by holding biased attitudes and showing a
lack of respect for due process. However, as the deliberation progresses, the social bonds
among the jurors begin to strengthen through discussion and shared experiences. This
ultimately leads to a shift in behavior as the jurors reconsider their initial biases and work
toward a fair and just verdict.
Labeling Theory: Labeling theory suggests that deviance is not inherent in an individual or
behavior but is instead a product of social judgments and labels. In the movie, this theory is
evident in how the jurors' biases influence their perception and labeling of the accused
individual. Several jurors initially label the defendant as "guilty" based on stereotypes,
preconceived notions, and personal biases rather than objective evidence. However, as the
deliberation unfolds, some jurors challenge these labels and biases, emphasizing the
importance of fair judgment and the presumption of innocence. This highlights the impact of
societal biases on the perception and labeling of individuals as deviant.
The movie "12 Angry Men" demonstrates the biases that can influence our judgments when
declaring individuals or certain behaviors as deviant. It showcases how personal biases,
stereotypes, and preconceived notions can shape our initial perceptions and labeling of
individuals. However, the film also emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, open-
mindedness, and the reevaluation of biases when reaching fair and just conclusions. It
Saqlain Raza 05-171211-212

highlights the need for a more objective and evidence-based approach to determine deviant
behavior rather than relying solely on subjective judgments influenced by personal biases.