Theories of Deviance

I. Rational choice. The emphasis is on individual decision-making. People are seen as pursuing enlightened self-interest, which means they pursue the maximization of rewards and the minimization of costs in light of the opportunities and information that is available to them. Includes classical deterrence theory, control theory, routine activities theory.

II. Structural-functional theories. The emphasis is on the role of culture (along the lines of Durkheim's collective conscience) in providing rules for living. When cultural norms are relatively clear-cut and consistent with the structure of statuses and roles in the society, deviance rates will be low. There is less concern with accounting for whether individual A will or will not become deviant than with rates of deviance among collectivities. Includes:

Classic functionalism
Social Disorganization Theory
Anomie Theory

III. Symbolic interactionalist theories. The emphasis is on the way in which socially constructed meanings, excuses, and justifications are involved in generating criminal behavior by individuals, with special attention to the ways in which deviant labels are applied and individuals embrace or resist those labels. Includes:

Classic symbolic interactionist theory
Differential Association theory
Neutralization theory
Labeling theory

IV. Conflict theories. The emphasis is on the way in which advantaged groups, defined in terms of class, race, ethnicity, or gender or even just bureaucratic position, use the criminal justice process (and indeed, the whole legal system) to their advantage. Includes Marxian Theory, Group Conflict Theory, and Feminist Theory.