The Conditions Under Deviant Behavior Problems Criminology Essay

The Conditions Under Deviant Behavior Problems Criminology Essay The conditions under which deviant behavior exists have presented an enduring question for researchers. Within the literature the majority of definitions of deviance share one commonality: that social norms and values subjectively label behaviors as deviant. Similar to the number of theories of deviance there exist a number of motivations why individuals choose to engage in deviant behavior. Existing theories-general strain, anomie, labeling, control, and learning-examine these factors and attempt to clarify the hows and whys of deviant behavior. The most common factors which facilitate individual deviance include personal strain, social disorganization, a lack of self-control, and the perception that the benefits for engaging in deviance outweighing the potential costs. Because of these variations there is currently no universally-accepted theory of deviance. Introduction An urgent question in contemporary social sciences is how and why certain behaviors, attributes, or classes of individuals come to be defined as deviant.  [1]  Since social groups make the rules, deviant behavior results from individuals who fail to adhere to said rules. When behaviors are defined as deviant it is assumed that they will either promote or inhibit individual motivation to engage in such acts and will evoke certain social responses which serve to influence subsequent behavior by those within said society.  [2]  A number of theorists attempt to identify a commonality to the different types of deviant behavior. The underlying theme is that this type of behavior offends societys normative order and deviance becomes a theoretical construct of this consensus. There exist a number of theories which seek to define how individuals and their behavior are identified as deviant. Definitions of and Motivations for Deviant Behavior Despite a wide variety of definitions of deviance there is consensus that deviance refers to behaviors or attributes manifested by specified kinds of people in specified circumstances that are judged to violate the normative expectations of a specified group.  [3]  This consensus perspective serves to promote collective agreement as to what core values, norms, and goals should be. Behavior that falls outside of the specified parameters are deemed deviant. The degree of deviance is directly correlated to the perceived serious of the punitive response it elicits. Many questions abound as to individual motivations to engage in deviant behavior. Fundamentally, if one anticipates that satisfaction will ensue from engaging in the behavior then he will do so. Hirschi (1969) asserts that the motivation for deviance is always present and that research should examine the circumstances which permit individuals to act on these motivations.  [4]  In another view, Merton (1938) argues that societal strain increases motivation for deviance in order to achieve certain unattainable culturally-sanctioned goals.  [5]  Where the majority of individuals will embrace conformity as a response to strain others resort to deviance. Similarly, Tittles (1995) control balance theory assumes that individuals have a strong need to exercise control over themselves and to escape having control exerted over them by others while Katz (1988) argues that the motivation to deviance occurs to protect ones self esteem, encourage a desired reputation, establish autonomy, [ or] demonstrate competence, for example.  [6]   These theories all share the presumption that deviance is motivated by the need to adapt to psychological distress which results from the failure to achieve desired goals through conventional means. Accordingly, when pushes, or psychological impulses which compel an individual to engage in deviant behavior, and pulls, or the attraction of deviant opportunities, interact then motivation for deviance increases.  [7]  Deviance results from individuals motive to engage in deviant behavior being stronger than the motive not to amidst the existence of the opportunity to do so. Theoretical Foundations There are two primary types of theories to explain deviance: structural and processual. Structural theories are labeled sociological theories while processual ones are termed social psychological theories due to the differences in goals and scope.  [8]  Structural theories emphasize the relationship of deviant behavior to particular structural conditions within society and attempt to explain why deviance is higher in certain areas, such as those with lower socioeconomic status.  [9]  On the other hand, processual theories seek to describe the processes by which people engage in deviant behavior by attempting to explain the conditions which lead to the commission of deviant acts.  [10]  With respect to scope, structural theories address the epidemiology, or distribution in time and space of deviance and processual theories focus upon the etiology, or specific causes, of deviance.  [11]   Specific Theories of Deviance General Strain Theory (GST) GST addresses the interrelatedness of strain and its emotional response, individual coping mechanisms, and deviance.  [12]  As a theory it focuses not upon strain itself but upon individual responses to strain and seeks to identify those characteristics which enable non-deviant responses amid strain. Sharp, Brewster Love (2005) argue that certain types of strain create certain actions which influence delinquent behaviors. Anger, for example is an emotional response which has a high likelihood of encouraging deviant behavior. Therefore, where there is a strain-particularly one perceived as unfair-low social control creates pressure which, in turn, causes deviant behavior.  [13]  Research indicates that gender is a strong predictor of strain-induced deviance with males more overt in their responses than females who tend to internalize strain. GST has been used considerably in the study of juvenile deviance. Repeated exposure to stressful life experiences has been found to both escalate and accelerate juvenile delinquency and depending upon when during ones life-course trajectory the strain occurs different implications ensue. The literature suggests that involvement in delinquency begins to increase during early adolescence, peaking around age 16 and 17, and followed by a decline in such behavior.  [14]  Agnew (1997, 2006) claims that this life-course trajectory highlights that adolescence is a period of high transitions, that adolescents perceive their environment as negative more so than adults, and that there is an increased propensity for juveniles to react to adversity through deviant behavior.  [15]  The lack of useful coping mechanisms in juveniles makes it difficult to react to strain more effectively. Anomie Theory According to anomie theory-much like GST-deviance results from social disorganization in that elements in society promote deviant behavior by making such behavior a feasible adjustment to society. Where the earliest form of this theory hypothesized that anomie results from a failure to achieve positively-valued goals Agnew (2001) expanded upon this theory by including that anomie can also result when positive stimuli are removed and when negative stimuli are applied.  [16]  One criticism of anomie theory is that it assumes universality in what should be defined as deviant and how most individuals should behave; however, in reality, deviance is a relative concept so this universality is erroneous.  [17]   Labeling Theory Labeling theory presents an interactionist perspective to the study of deviant behavior by stressing the importance of the processes through which society labels a particular act as deviant and the subsequent negative social sanctions which influence the individual to engage in further deviance.  [18]  Becker (1973) claims that deviance is a consequence of the application by others of rules and sanctions to an offender.  [19]  Therefore, while the act or the person may not be inherently deviant, existing social controls create deviance by defining acts that the majority believes to be so and, consequently, labeling individuals who engage in such acts as deviant. This creates a self-fulfilling prophecy by amplifying the very phenomenon that it is intended to suppress.  [20]  Of primary importance is that subsequent events serve to reinforce the deviance because an individual internalizes the label attached to him by societys stigmatizing and creates secondary, or tertiary, deviance. The labeling itself serves to ensure that every society has a percentage of deviants which is critical to maintain the majority consensus.  [21]   Control Theory Control theory is similar to anomie and social disorganization theories to the degree that deviance results from the lack of social controls on individual restraint to engage in deviant behavior.  [22]  Durkheim (1933) asked why people conform to social norms instead of why they engage in deviant behavior. Under this theory it is assumed that everyone would engage in deviant behavior if given the chance, that a small amount of social controls will increase deviance, and that there exists a central value system which defines deviance in society.  [23]  There are four components of an individuals societal bond which serve to prevent deviance: attachment to specific groups through affection, respect, and socialization; commitment to accepting conforming behavior; involvement in non-delinquent behavior; and a belief in the dominant value system of any particular group.  [24]  When social bonds are reestablished or strengthened then the deviant behavior ceases. Accordingly, individuals who engage in deviant behavior do so due to low self-control. Under this theory low self-control is comprised of six personality traits: anger, impulsivity, preference for simple tasks, risk-seeking, being more physical than mental, and being self-centered.  [25]  Gottfredson Hirschis (1990) self-control theory asserts that inadequate child-rearing results in lowered self-control which facilitates a predisposition to engage in deviant behavior.  [26]  They also claim that individuals who engage in one type of deviant act will commit other deviant acts. Learning or Socialization Theory These theories suggest that deviance is a learned behavior similar to how non-deviant individuals learn conforming behavior. By attempting to distinguish variations in behaviors theorists assume that differences in rates of deviance among various groups can be determined. One of the most widely-cited learning theories is Sutherlands (1947) differential association theory which postulates that deviant behavior results from normative conflicts in neighborhood structures, peer group relationships, and the organization of family in society.  [27]  The fundamental tenets of Sutherlands theory are that criminal behavior is learned, that learning is a result of personal interaction, that primary learning occurs in intimate group settings, that people learn that socially-normative attitudes are either favorable or not, that deviant behavior results when conditions favorable to deviance exceed those unfavorable to violating the law, and that deviant behavior cannot be explained by general needs and values.  [28]  Accordingly, an individual learns various motives which are favorable to engaging in deviant behaviors as well as rationalizations and techniques for achieving them. While the behavior may be defined as deviant to the rest of society, within a particular individuals in-group the behavior may adhere to the groups norms. Akers (1985, 1989) expanded upon Sutherlands work by adding that deviance results when a person learns definitions that portray some conduct as a desirable, even though deviant, action.  [29]  If an individual is rewarded for a deviant act by his in-group then he becomes socialized to continue the behavior under the expectation of similar positive experiences for subsequent acts. Other Theories Deterrence theory asks whether the expectation of certain, severe, and swift punishment for engaging in deviant behavior would deter such behavior.  [30]  Rational choice theory addresses an individuals anticipated cost-benefit ratio of acting on deviant impulses. A greater expected or perceived benefit increases the likelihood that the individual will commit the act. Finally, conflict theory asserts that the development of formal social controls and laws are legitimized by the more powerful societal groups.  [31]   Conclusion The wide variation of social psychological theories of deviant behavior seeks to answer why individuals become motivated to engage in deviant behavior, how behaviors and attitudes are defined as deviant, what factors facilitate deviant behavior, why some deviant behavior is escalated, and what consequences exist.  [32]  Despite the number and variety of theories of deviance the commonality is that this concept is a socially-defined construct utilized to maintain a societys normative values. The disparities in definitions of deviance among societies make it difficult to establish an all-encompassing theory to explain the existence of deviant behavior in contemporary society.

Patting Down the TSA

Patting Down The TSA Before 9/1 1 happened our country was not as strict with security as we are today. You could once go through air travel without the hassle of having to go through full body scanners and taking off your shoes, belts, hat, etc. Ever since 9/1 1 our country has made a huge change in the security industry. They havent made many changes to buses, ships, and trains. Buses may have security cameras, but no one is checking people for bombs or weapons. Cargo ships get searched, but not to the extent they should be.Tons of people ride the subway system in big cities such as New York and Chicago, but there is no security on the subway. Our country is so worried about air travel security that they do not put enough time and money into the other types of transportation security. â€Å"Transportation is often likened to the bodys circulatory system† (Kulash 5). The circulation of blood is essential for the human life. In the same way the circulation of goods and people is critical to keep society running smoothly. If people and goods are not circulated smoothly, then society will start to slowly fall apart.Doctors remove blood clots and replace valves that have sprung leaks; transportation and logistics rofessional practice the same concept. They are used to keep the distribution system running by eliminating congestion and managing the flows of human traffic. Today there are new concerns about the transportation security (Kulash 5). September 1 1, 2001 shocked the United States by showing us exactly how dangerous our transportation system can be. It made us realize terrorists can make weapons out of any transportation vehicle.The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recognized early on the threats that a terrorist can put on the transportation system. It is not Just an attack by terrorists we should worry about; we have a massive ransportation system that can go virtually anywhere. There are hundreds of thousands of people that are employ ed in the transportation department; an attack could also be an inside Job by an agents. They know how the security system works and could easily get by. Any company can ship goods all around the world on cargo ships, train, cars, and having every container, car, boxcar, and ship inspected would cause the flow to freeze.The goods that are being shipped would take a very long time to get to their destination. The buyers would start to get angry about their goods not arriving on ime, and would stop buying the good from their supplier. The problem has to be solved by not slowing down the transportation flow. The transportation flow is how quickly and efficiently people and goods get from one place to another. Security is a top priority at the U. S Department of Transportation. Their goal is to come up with the most advanced technology and safest and smoothest way to run security. The range of discussions at the meetings are from inexpensive technological gizmos to sophisticated electro nic systems, from common sense business practices to sophisticated end-to-end programs governing the entire supply hain† (Kulash 5). Their are many agencies and companies that have ideas they want to put in place, but they are weighing the costs and benefits, and assessing what really needs to be changed. As decisions get made at many levels, change may come. As they discuss more and more about these issues they will come to an agreement about what is best for the transportation security, and where they should put their time and money.Airport security is the most secure type of public transportation. In the past people did not have to take their shoes or belts off, and they could even bring their drinks through security, but not anymore. Airport security has become more and more secure after the terrorist attacks on September 11 2001. Up until recently everyone had to take their shoes and belts off and throw their drinks away. Everyone is still required to throw any food or dr ink item they may have away. The TSA is becoming more lenient with older people and young children, so they no longer have to take their shoes off and can leave their Jackets on.They feel that these two certain age groups are less likely to commit a terrorist attack. Now the airports have full body scanners that everyone has to step into. This is an upgrade for the TSA so that they an be absolutely sure that no one has any type of weapon on them. The airplane itself is also more secure by adding bullet proof doors to the cockpit, so only people with access to this door can get in. Security is a very time consuming and costly expense. Since 2001 there has been 57 billion dollars spent on the TSA. Most of the money is used by the airports.The TSA is also not as trustworthy as most of us may think. There have been reports of agents stealing money, harassing passengers, and misuse of the money they are given for security. This table explains vey well the cost of security and exactly wha t he TSA does with the money and what they are doing wrong. Elliott, Christopher. â€Å"Patting Down The TSA. † Newsweek 159. 12 (2012): 16. As the table shows there is an awful lot of money that goes into airport security. It also shows how they are loosing money by the inconvenience of screening.Everyone has to take everything off and out of their pockets when they go through a medal detector. Screening is enough for the airport security. It takes up more time and money to have the metal detectors there when the screeners see everything else. More money could be used for other types of transportation. Recommended Security Guidelines for Airport Planning, Design, and Destruction† is a book that describes all the guiltiness that airports and other types of transportation need to follow. 96 percent of this book is followed by airports and only 5 percent is tollowed by all other types ot transportations.Security is virtually percent non-revenue overhead cost; every dollar spent on security is unavailable for new or upgraded facilities, operations, maintenance, manpower, public amenities etc (Kosatka 32). Security requirements are continually changing and the costs are out of the airport managements control. Buses, Trains, and ships do not have nearly the amount of security that airports do. Since there has been no terrorist attack in the United States on a bus, train, or ship, the transportation security administration does not feel the need to spend the time and money to keep these types of transportation very secure.There has been talk about putting bag scanners on ships and trains. As they talk about this more scanners on trains and ships may come into play ( Frank 3a). Money is the most important part, so if the TSA put more money and time into the security of these types of transportation then they would be more secure. Other aspects of the airport may be at risk also. Fuel trucks, construction vehicles, catering equipment and air cargo could b e dangerous if not thoroughly checked. Yes these people have all gotten background check, but someone could easily by-pass that.Michael Boyd, president of the Boyd group international, an aviation consulting firm, says the solution is simple to keep these aspects of the airports secure. â€Å"Having a TSA run by trained security professionals at all levels, with total performance accountability' (Boyd 10a). Today there are Federal Security directors who have very little experience in this field. Boyd says, â€Å"We've also had TSA with zero background in security. † He is saying even though they have strong security there may be a chance a TSA agent with no experience may slip up and let something happen that they did not mean to happen.They have become too concerned with finding things that can be used as weapons than identifying or deterring security threats (Boyd 10a). However, with these other types of transportation only following 75 percent of security guidelines Homel and Security Janet Napolitano says, â€Å"l plan to focus more on mass transit, possibly through redeployment of resources from other areas† (Frank a). She said that they have done a lot of work in that aviation department and could pay more attention to ground transportation.Just before Napolitano took office she found that 37 out of 48 of the nations largest transit systems are not complying with the security guidelines. Paul Lennon, head of mass transit for the TSA, says, † there is no sanction for non-compliance† (Frank 3a). Major systems in big cities such as New York and Washington have greatly improved security while the other smaller agencies to do not see the need of urgency that the larger agencies see. Greg Hull, ecurity director for the American Public Transportation Association, says, â€Å"The industry knows it has difficulty fully complying with guidelines† (Frank 3a).Hull said transit agencies simply need more money from the government to im prove their security. Money is a huge part of security so, the TSA uses it to purchase new and more modern technology and hire more staff member. Without tons of money being poured into the transportation security industry the security would be very weak. They have used a lot of money for the updating technology and new ideas for the airports, but they have not put a lot of money into trains, buses, and ships. The more money these other services can get the better their security will be.The subway system is a huge part ot public transportation in big cities. In major cities such as Boston, New York and Chicago people use more public transportation than in the smaller cities. These cities are so fast moving that putting extra security on them would slow everything way down. In New York City millions of people ride the subway every day. It is more efficient for people to take the subway than drive a car. There can be a high risk of an attack because these cities are so congested and e verybody is moving so quickly. Because of this the subway systems are not very safe.Putting security scanners on every subway system would cost the cities a lot more money and more taxes from the people. Most people do not like paying taxes and most would be very frustrated if they had to pay more for security. Some may argue that nothing terrible has ever happened on a subway to make security necessary on it. Everyones that takes the subway would have to change their routine. They would no longer get to where they are going fast. They would have to plan their schedules accordingly. No on really excepts security to be the best it can be.No matter how much is spent on security, there will always be more that could be done. The challenge is whether or not where and how much security there should be. Wherever the line is drawn, we will have to live with the risk (Kulash 7). For example, everything that has been done to diagnose, prevent, and treat coronary heart disease, they still are America's number one killer. One in five Americans suffer from some form of coronary disease; 954,000 americans die each year from it (Kulash 7). It cost the United States 259 billion dollars each year in health costs and productivity losses (Kulash 7).These numbers do not discourage medical progress, they encourage it. In the same way, exposure to transportation security risks will lead to new organizations, new technologies, and new system. Maintaining the flow of secure transportation has a down side. â€Å"Don't hold your breath and wait for a solution this will be evolving for years; improvements can and will be made† (Kulash 7). It is vital that the United States transportation system be kept running smoothly. U. S transportation and security have made incredible progress in the last twenty years. International trade and freight are expected to double in the next twenty years.Excellent transportation capabilities will continue to spur the nations economic growth (Kulas h 7). Just about everything in life needs money to operator or become better. Security gets better and better the more money that is poured into it, so more money needs to be put into other types of transportation. All types of transportation need to be as safe as possible. Money should not be an issue if it deals with saving a life. No one wants anything tragic to happen to their family so the TSA needs to do whatever it takes to take the security as far as it can go, because you cant put a price on family.

Style Analysis

Cassidy Carter 3/19/13 Engl 1302- Prof. Evans Style Analysis Firoozeh Dumas' essay, â€Å"The F-Word,† addresses the very relatable struggle every person with an ethnic name faces in the American culture. Her prime example being herself, Dumas humorously and realistically depicts the trauma a person endures from constantly having to educate people about your name. She also uses the names of her siblings to provide a comparison of the names' meaning in Persian versus their American mispronunciations. Dumas' seamless use of analogies, word choice and quotations assists in her goal of making the reader understand and sympathize with her frustration.The analogy used throughout â€Å"The F-Word† that assists Dumas with explaining how people's refusal to say her name correctly, involves, interestingly enough, spices. Paralleling different linguistic sounds with uncommon spices, Dums jokingly suggests that common sounds like ‘cinnamon and sumac. ‘ Dumas later retur ns to her analogy toward the end of her piece while referencing a particularly annoying parent at her children's school who refers to Dumas as â€Å"F-Word,† the title of the piece non-coincidentally.This parent eventually is transferred to another school where Dumas hopes she â€Å"might have to make some room in her spice cabinet. † This analogy connects and ends the story while making it humorous to the reader and more relatable. Dumas' word choice also relates to adding humor to the piece as she dissects the names of her family and how they are abused in American culture. Her explanations of how Farbod became ‘Farthead' amongst his peers as well as how Farshid became the abhorrent ‘Fartshit,' not only exposes the silly cruelty of children.Such instances also express a humorous exasperation with her American peers who refused to even try to pronounce their names. Further in the essay, Dumas regales the reader with a tale of an unfortunate encounter with a hematology technician that she has an appointment with. â€Å"Having been called Froozy, Frizzy, Fiorucci and Froozy and just plain ‘Uhhhh.. ‘ I am highly accommodating. I did not however respond to Fritzy because there is not in my name. † This bit of humor at her own expense makes the piece all the more personable and relatable.Dumas' use of quotations as she sarcastically impersonates her offenders also adds humor to her essay. Her references to what she believes are her offenders’ excuses for mispronouncing her name were particularly humorous as they effectively allow the user to understand her point of view. â€Å"My name, Firoozeh, chosen by my mother, means ‘Turquoise’ in Persian. In America, it means ‘Unpronounceable’ or ‘I’m Not Going to Talk to You Because I Cannot Possible Learn Your Name and I Just Don’t Want to Have to Ask You Again and Again Because You’ll Think I’m Dumb of You Mig ht Get Upset or Something. â€Å" Dumas’ word choice in choosing to explain the Persian meaning of her name aids in her use of quotations because by giving the correct meaning of the name she further ridicules the people who refuse to use her correct name. â€Å"The F-Word† is a witty essay that makes relatable the struggle of having an ethnic name in ‘this land of Joes and Marys. ’ The essay should allow the reader an opportunity to focus on their own name faux pas’ and hopefully make a change in their behavior in the future when dealing with people with names that require a little more spice in their linguistic ‘spice cabinet. ’

A Comparison of God and Religion in Jane Eyre and Wide...

God and Religion in Jane Eyre and Wide Sargasso Sea Jane Eyre, from Charlotte Brontes Jane Eyre, and Antoinette Mason, from Jean Rhys Wide Sargasso Sea, both depict very different creeds. While Bronte created Jane with a Christian background, Rhys has birthed Antoinette into a more primitive, confused faith. Analyzing each writers description of the red room will reveal the religious nature of their characters. In both texts, the rooms are symbolic of church. As Jane is sent to the bedroom of her dead uncle, Bronte relates it to a place of worship. A bed supported on massive pillars of mahogany, hung with curtains of deep red damask, stood out like a tabernacle in the center. Due to the vast size and illustrious beauty†¦show more content†¦However, she did recognize the room as a church. I looked around for the altar for with so many candles and so much red, the room reminded me of a church. Rhys vocalizes through Antoinette that the room was like a church without an altar. Void of a sanctuary, the room is in essence, void of God. Despite her want of God, Antoinette has no Divine guidance as she remains in the altar-less room. Rhys has created this room in Antoinettes dream ergo she has control over Antoinettes religious state. Due to this circumstance, Antoinette will never remember God because Rhys will never allow her to dream of Him. Heaven is exemplified in both books. Out of these deep surrounding shades rose high, and glared white, the piled up mattresses and pillows of the bed, spread with a snowy Marseilles counterpane. With this image of white pillows and mattresses floating up in the red room, clouds in the celestial skies are represented. Bronte has brought to Jane a church, a tabernacle, Gods throne, and now heaven. Since Bronte has deluged Jane with all of these pious suggestions, she has adumbrated Janes religious associations. No doubt Jane believes in God; Bronte has assured the readers by making His omnipresence known through the images in the room and allowing Jane to accept them. On the other hand, Rhys makes Antoinette out to be a skeptic. I lit them [candles] carefully from the one I was carrying but I couldnt reach