Symbolic Interactionism and Deviance

Lesson 7-3

Bell Ringer

Is deviance a learned behavior or is a person born with a biological predisposition to deviance?

Differential Association Theory

Symbolic Interaction says that deviance is transmitted through socialization– It is learned

Differential Association Theory

Differential association theory- says people learn deviant behavior based on the number of deviant acts they are exposed to.

Can be learned by association

Differential Association Theory

A person who knows mostly deviants is more likely to be deviant

A person is more likely to copy deviant behavior from a significant other than from people less important to him or her

Younger children learn deviant behavior more quickly than older children

Labeling Theory

Theory that society creates deviance by identifying particular members as deviant

Degrees of Deviance

Primary deviance- a person engages only in isolated acts of deviance

Secondary deviance-an individual’s life and identity are organized around breaking society’s norm.

What are the consequences of labeling?

Can determine the direction of a person’s life Can cause a stigma

– An undesirable trait or label that is used to characterize an individual