Describe one way in which deviance can be seen to be socially constructed.
AQA
GCSE
2022
👑Complete Model Essay
Free Essay Plan
Outline: Deviance as a Social Construct
Introduction:
- Define deviance - straying from social norms. - Briefly introduce the concept of social constructionism. - Thesis statement: This essay will argue that deviance is socially constructed, with a particular focus on how the social situation influences perceptions and definitions of deviant behaviour.
Body Paragraph 1: The Influence of Social Situation
- Explain how social situations provide context for behaviour. - Example 1: An act considered deviant in a formal setting (e.g., shouting) might be acceptable in an informal one (e.g., a sporting event). - Example 2: Behaviors accepted within a certain subculture (e.g., tattoos in certain groups) might be deemed deviant in broader society. - Link to sociologists: Howard Becker's labeling theory – the social reaction to an act, not the act itself, determines deviance.
Body Paragraph 2: Variations Across Time and Culture
- Deviance is not static; it changes with societal values. - Example 1: Historical changes in attitudes towards premarital sex or drug use. - Example 2: Cultural variations in perceptions of appropriate clothing, greetings, or displays of affection. - Link to sociologists: Cross-cultural studies highlight the relativity of deviance (e.g., Durkheim’s study of suicide).
Body Paragraph 3: The Role of Power and Social Control
- Acknowledge that while social constructionism is key, power dynamics influence what is considered deviant. - Example: Laws and regulations are often created by those in power, potentially reflecting and reinforcing existing social hierarchies. - Example: Media representation can shape public perception of deviance and influence responses (e.g., stereotypes around certain crimes). - Link to sociologists: Marxist perspectives on how the ruling class defines deviance to maintain their power.
Conclusion
- Reiterate that deviance is not inherent; it's a product of social processes. - The social situation, time, culture, and power dynamics all play a role in shaping what is considered deviant. - Briefly mention any limitations of the social constructionist perspective (e.g., some acts are universally condemned) while reaffirming the significance of social factors in understanding deviance.
Deviance, the violation of social norms, is not an inherent quality of an act but rather a label bestowed upon it by society. This essay will argue that deviance is socially constructed by exploring how cultural context significantly influences what is considered deviant behaviour.
Culture, encompassing shared values, beliefs, and practices, plays a crucial role in defining acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. What is considered deviant in one culture might be entirely acceptable, even celebrated, in another. For instance, consider the consumption of alcohol. In some cultures, particularly those with strong religious prohibitions, alcohol consumption is considered highly deviant and even illegal. Conversely, in many Western societies, moderate alcohol consumption is socially acceptable, even encouraged in social settings.
This difference highlights how the same act - consuming alcohol - can be labelled as deviant or normative depending on the cultural lens through which it is viewed. The cultural context provides a framework for understanding the meaning attributed to specific behaviours. In societies where alcohol holds religious or cultural significance, its consumption might be viewed as disrespectful, taboo, or even a threat to social order, hence its designation as deviant. In contrast, cultures that integrate moderate alcohol use into social gatherings and rituals may view it as a symbol of camaraderie and celebration, thereby rendering it acceptable.
Furthermore, cultural norms evolve over time. Acts once considered deviant in a particular culture can become normalized, and vice versa. For example, smoking cigarettes was once considered fashionable and sophisticated in many Western societies. However, with increased awareness of its health risks and changing social values, smoking is now widely viewed as deviant behaviour, facing restrictions in public spaces and social stigma.
It is important to acknowledge that cultural context is not homogeneous within a society. Subcultures, with their own distinct values and norms, can exist within broader cultural frameworks. What might be considered deviant in the mainstream culture might be perfectly acceptable within specific subcultures. For example, certain styles of dress or body modifications might be frowned upon by mainstream society but embraced within specific youth subcultures as symbols of identity and belonging.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the social construction of deviance is powerfully illustrated through the lens of cultural context. The same act can be deemed deviant or normative depending on the prevailing cultural values, beliefs, and historical period. This understanding challenges the notion of deviance as an inherent quality of specific acts, emphasizing instead the dynamic interplay between behaviour and the social interpretations that shape its meaning.
Free Mark Scheme Extracts
Social Construction of Crime
Social construction refers to patterns of behaviour based on the norms and expectations of society – in this instance the idea that crime is determined by social processes.
Factors Influencing Social Construction of Crime
Time eg what period of time the act took place in.
Place eg where the act took place.
Social situation eg the social setting of the act.
Culture eg the cultural setting of the act.