Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Social Deviance and Social Work
Social Deviance and Social Work
Social Deviance and Social Work
AND
SOCIAL WORK
“
Deviance is difficult to define because
of the inherent complexity in
determining what is right and good
SEVERAL QUESTIONS NEED TO BE ASKED
BEFORE ATTEMPTING TO DEFINE
DEVIANCE
Who determines which Is deviance defined by what people do, what they
behaviors are deserving believe, or who they are, or by society’s reactions
of censor? to these characteristics?
DEFINING DEVIANCE
FORMAL INFORMAL
POSITIVIST PERSPECTIVE
Absolutism: Deviance is absolutely, intrinsically real, in that
it possesses some qualities that distinguish it from conventionality.
Similarly, deviant persons are assumed to have certain characteristics that
make them different from conventional others. This perspective tend to
view deviant behavior as an attribute that inherent in the individual.
PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE
POSITIVIST PERSPECTIVE
Objectivism: It is based on the thinking that each society creates a set of
norms to prevent chaos; deviance is the violation of those norms. What is
being seen and recorded as violation of norms is considered deviance.
Determinism: Deviance is a determined behavior, a product of causation.
Deviance is determined or caused by forces beyond the individual’s
control.
PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE
POSITIVIST PERSPECTIVE
In sum, the positivist perspective on deviant behavior consists of three
assumptions.
First, deviance is absolutely real in that it has certain qualities that
distinguish it from conventionality.
Second, deviance is an observable object in that a deviant person is like
an object and thus can be studied objectively.
Third, deviance is determined by forces beyond the individual’s control.
PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE
CONSTRUCTIONIST PERSPECTIVE
Relativism: Deviance is a label, defined as such at a given time and place.
deviant characteristics do not come from the behavior itself; they come
instead from some people’s minds. To put it simply, an act appears deviant
only because some people think it so.
PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE
CONSTRUCTIONIST PERSPECTIVE
Subjectivism: places more emphasis on society’s reaction to given
behaviors than on trying to define deviance. Deviant behavior is a
subjective, personal experience and the supposedly deviant person is a
conscious, feeling, thinking, and reflective subject.
Voluntarism: Deviant behavior is a voluntary act, an expression of human
volition, will, or choice.
PERSPECTIVES ON DEVIANCE
CONSTRUCTIONIST PERSPECTIVE
In brief, the constructionist perspective consists of three assumptions.
First, deviant behavior is not real in and of itself; it is, basically, a label.
Second, supposedly deviant behavior is a subjective experience and
therefore should be studied with subjectivity and empathy.
Third, deviant behavior is a voluntary, self-willed act rather than
one caused by forces in the internal and external environments.
NORMS
Functionalism suggests that the best way to understand the way things
work in a society is to understand their function.
It is the deviance in society that allows those established moral boundaries
to be constantly reexamined and, if necessary, redefined.
Durkheim’s view of society was that it is a shared moral sense, a collective
conscience that goes beyond any individual. He was interested in society
and how it functions as a unit
FUNCTIONALISM THEORY
The social mind is the way a society conceives of itself; the moral sense or
normative ways a society believes it should behave.
a. When the moral sense of a society is violated, the society is
outraged but also unified.
b. It is the deviance that allows the moral sense to be debated,
defined, redefined, and reinforced.
FUNCTIONALISM THEORY
a. Deviance allows people the opportunity to discuss and debate their moral
conscience in ways they would not otherwise do.
b. The problem with group solidarity is it often causes an ingroup and an
outgroup.
FUNCTIONALISM THEORY
It is when the goals and means are not in balance with each other that
deviance is likely to occur. This imbalance between cultural goals and
structurally available means can actually lead an individual into deviant
behavior.
Merton also classified people into five general categories with regards to
their relationship to culturally accepted goals and the means to achieving
those goals
Category Goals Means
Conformists + +
Ritualists - +
Innovators + -
Retreatists - -
Rebels - -
Conformists are people who believe in both the established cultural goals
of society as well as the normative means for attaining those goals. They
follow the rules of society.
Ritualists are individuals who do not believe in the established cultural
goals of society, but they do believe in and abide by the means for
attaining those goals.
ANOMIE THEORY
Innovators are those individuals that accept the cultural goals of society
but reject the conventional methods of attaining those goals. These people
usually have a blatant disregard for the conventional methods that have
been established in attaining wealth and are generally those we regard as
criminals.
Retreatists are individuals who reject both the cultural goals and the
accepted means of attaining those goals. They simply avoid both the goals
and means established by society without replacing those norms with their
own counter-cultural forces.
ANOMIE THEORY
Rebels not only reject both the established cultural goals and the accepted
means of attaining those goals, but they substitute new goals and new
means of attaining those goals.
LABELING THEORY
People learn criminal behavior, like other behaviors, from their interactions
with others, especially in intimate groups, The differential-association theory
applies to many types of deviant behavior.
For example, juvenile gangs provide an environment in which young people
learn to become criminals. These gangs define themselves as countercultural
and glorify violence, retaliation, and crime as means to achieving social
status. Gang members learn to be deviant as they embrace and conform to
their gang's norms.
DIFFERENTIAL
ASSOSCIATION THEORY
In the process, they often exclude the interests of others from consideration.
In this respect, the conflict perspective conceives of society as a collection of
groups with competing interests in conflict with one another; those with
sufficient power create laws and rules that protect and promote their
interests.
CONFLICT THEORY
Some groups promote their own ideas by trying to persuade other groups of
the special importance of certain norms, advocating strong sanctions for
violations in these areas.
Conflict theory looks to social and economic factors as the causes of crime
and deviance. Unlike functionalists, conflict theorists don’t see these factors
as positive functions of society. They see them as evidence of inequality in
the system.
CONFLICT THEORY
Conflict theory asserts that all problems are created by disparities between
groups or classes and how they struggle with each other for dignity and the
necessities of life where justice is served.
The main ideas of conflict theory are the following:
Groups & individuals try to advance their interests over the interests of
others
Power is unequally divided & some groups dominate others
CONFLICT THEORY
The theory of deterrence that has developed from the work of Hobbes,
Beccaria, and Bentham relies on three individual components: severity,
certainty, and celerity. The more severe a punishment, it is thought, the
more likely that a rationally calculating human being will desist from
criminal acts. To prevent crime, therefore, criminal law must emphasize
penalties to encourage citizens to obey the law. Punishment that is too severe
is unjust, and punishment that is not severe enough will not deter criminals
from committing crimes.
Abnormal Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Person must have at least five of the symptoms above and must
included either symptom #1 or #2 or both as a part of the
minimum of five.
Bipolar Disorder
Formerly called “manic-depression” – diagnosis requires the
person experience at least one full-blown manic episode and
will also likely (but not necessarily) involve a shift from mania
to a full-blown depressive episode -- person often will
fluctuate between episodes of mania and depression (over the
course of several days/weeks).
Mood Disorders
Symptoms of a manic episode include:
○ dramatically elevated, euphoric mood or irritable mood
○ highly inflated self-esteem (belief one can do anything
without any chance of failure)
○ decreased need for sleep (maybe only a few hours every
couple of days)
○ extremely talkative, much more than usual
○ racing thoughts
Mood Disorders
Symptoms of a manic episode include:
○ easily distracted, unable to focus attention
○ increased goal directed behavior (like abruptly deciding to
put a new roof on the house and be finished in one day while
working solo)
○ involvement in pleasurable activities that have painful
consequences (like spending sprees, multiple, indiscriminate
sexual acts)
Mood Disorders
Cyclothymic Disorder
The person has frequent but mild symptoms of depression,
alternating with mild symptoms of mania. Although the
symptoms do not reach the severity of full-blown hypomanic or
depressive episodes, people with the disorder and those close to
them typically notice the ups and downs.
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder
This is repeated panic attacks, unclear fear of something bad
happening in the absence of a threatening stimulus.
This is a sudden attack of tense apprehension, terror, feelings of
impending doom, accompanied by at least four other symptoms
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder
Physical symptoms can include shortness of breath, heart
palpitations, nausea, upset stomach, chest pain, feelings of
choking and smothering, dizziness, light-headedness, sweating,
chills, heat sensations, numbness or tingling sensations and
trembling.
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder
Other symptoms include depersonalization, derealization, fear
of losing control, of going crazy or even dying.
A panic attack is considered misfire of the fear system.
Anxiety Disorders
Panic Disorder
This can be diagnosed if the person experiences at least one
month of concern or worry about the possibility of more attacks
occurring or the consequence of an attack or maladaptive
behavioral changes because of attacks.
Anxiety Disorders
Phobia
This is an intense, irrational fears that dominate a person’s life
on many levels. The person recognizes that the fear is excessive
but still goes to great lengths to avoid the feared object or
situation. In addition, the object of phobia may elicit intense
disgust.
Anxiety Disorders
Phobia
Specific Phobia: intense irrational fear of an object, creature or
specific situation (snakes, spiders, heights, enclosed spaces, air
travel are examples).
Anxiety Disorders
Conversion Disorder
The person converts an emotional trauma into a major physical
symptom like blindness, deafness or paralysis as a result of an
emotional trauma.
Not faking or consciously making the symptom. In theory, an
unconscious defense mechanism is at work.
Somatoform Disorders
Dissociative Amnesia
Significant memory loss that cannot be explained by a physical
cause or trauma. Believed to result from extreme psychological
trauma. Also know as repressed memory syndrome. Occurrence
is believed to be generally rare.
Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative Fugue
Sudden, distinct loss of identity and inability to recall one’s past
resulting in wandering travel away from one’s home and
creation of a new identity. Not consciously controlled.
Dissociative Disorders
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
Involves a disconcerting and disruptive sense of detachment
from one’s self or surroundings.
Depersonalization is a sense of being detached from one’s self.
Derealization is a sense of detachment from one’s surrounding,
such that the surroundings seem unreal
Dissociative Disorders
Depersonalization/Derealization Disorder
People with this disorder may have the impression that they are
outside of their bodies, viewing themselves from a distances or
looking at the world through a fog. Sometimes they feel
mechanical as if they are robots.
Schizophrenia
○ Odd/Eccentric Cluster
□ Characterized by bizarre thinking and experiences
○ Dramatic/Erratic Cluster
□ Characterized by symptoms that range from highly inconsistent behavior to inflated
self-esteem, rule-breaking behavior and exaggerated emotional displays
○ Anxious/Fearful Cluster
□ Characterized by being prone to worry and distress
Odd/Eccentric Cluster
PROCESS OF ADDICTION
Experimentation or Initiation. Usually in the company of peers, someone tries
heroin to satisfy curiosity; most users terminate opiate use after this stage, but some
continue.
Escalation. A pattern of frequent use develops over a number of months, leading to
daily use, physical addiction, and increased tolerance; some chippers continue
using heroin infrequently without developing physical dependency at this stage.
Substance Use Disorder
PROCESS OF ADDICTION
Maintaining or “Taking Care of Business.” Relatively stable heroin use still
allows the addict to get high; psychologically, the addict maintains confidence
about keeping up with job duties and other responsibilities, despite the
unquestioned addiction.
Dysfunction or “Going through Changes.” The addict may experience jail or a
treatment program for the first time, and other negative effects of the habit may
become evident as well; the addict may try to quit the habit, either in combination
with others or alone, but fail.
Substance Use Disorder
PROCESS OF ADDICTION
○ Recovery or “Getting Out of the Life.” The recovered addict develops a
successful attitude to quit drugs, either within or outside a formal treatment
program; this progression involves major life changes.
○ Ex-Addict. The user acquires a new social identity as an ex-addict. Successfully
treated addicts adopt this role through their work in treatment programs;
untreated ex-addicts very seldom adopt such a role. (Waldorf, 1983)
Substance Use Disorder
Drug Classifications Based On Effect
Depressants
More commonly referred to as “downers,” Depressants create feelings of relaxation and
tiredness. While many serve legitimate purposes in the fight against mental illness and sleep
deprivation, they are very commonly abused because they may also create feelings of
euphoria. Depressants are not only some of the most highly addictive drugs, but they are also
some of the most highly dangerous and likely to cause overdose.
Examples of Depressants
○ Alcohol
○ Opiates
○ Barbiturates
Substance Use Disorder
Drug Classifications Based On Effect
Stimulants
Also known as “uppers,” the primary use of Stimulants is to increase energy, concentration,
and wakefulness. Stimulants are said to provide a “rush.” In the short term, Stimulants are
believed to increase productivity and performance while producing an excited high of
pleasure. In the long term, Stimulants are incredibly addictive and have a very high potential
for abuse.
Examples of Stimulants
○ Adderall
○ Cocaine
○ Meth
Substance Use Disorder
Drug Classifications Based On Effect
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens alter the user’s perception of reality. Often this results in auditory and visual
hallucinations, a process known as “tripping.” Although Hallucinogens are generally less
addictive than other drug classifications, their immediate impacts are generally more severe
and dangerous.
Examples of Hallucinogens
○ LSD
○ Psilocybin Mushrooms
○ PCP
Substance Use Disorder
Drug Classifications Based On Effect
Inhalants
Inhalants are a vast range of chemicals that are ingested primarily by breathing them in, or
huffing. Most inhalants are commonly used materials that are in no way designed to be
ingested by humans. While there is incredible variety between inhalants, most produce
feelings of a high. Inhalants are less studied than most other drugs. While they tend to be less
addictive than many other substances, the use of Inhalants is incredibly dangerous and
causes many serious health effects.
Examples of commonly abused Inhalants include
Paint thinner Gasoline
Nail polish remover Rugby
Impulse Control Disorder
Kleptomania
Kleptomania is the inability to control the urge, or impulse, to steal. This
definition does not refer to stealing for necessity, such as food. Instead,
kleptomania refers to stealing items that are unneeded, meaningless or
lacking in value.
Impulse Control Disorder
Pyromania
Pyromania refers to the inability to control the impulse to set fires. A
person with pyromania feels an intense urge, which may present as
anxiety or emotional blockage, that is only relieved by setting fires.
Relief from these difficult feelings is the main reason people with
pyromania set fires, though some people with the condition also report
feeling intense pleasure as well.
Impulse Control Disorder
Pathological Gambling
While once considered an impulse control disorder, the most recent
update to diagnostic criteria has recategorized pathological gambling as a
process addiction. Also called compulsive gambling, a person with
pathological gambling cannot resist the impulse to gamble. The thought
of gambling becomes so overwhelming and intrusive that the only relief
is to engage in gambling.
Impulse Control Disorder
Trichotillomania
Trichotillomania refers to a disorder in which a person experiences
irresistible impulsive urges to pull out their hair. They may pull hair from
their scalp or other areas of the body. Not everyone who has this disorder
finds the act of pulling out hair to be pain-free. However, even for people
who find it to be unpleasant, the urge to do it is so intense that it
overrides concerns for pain.