Control Theory of Deviance in Drug Use - Research Paper Example

Control Theory of Deviance in Drug Use An Assignment Submitted by Fall Control Theory of Deviance in Drug Use In sociology, deviance is referred to the actions or attributes that are found diverging from any socially or culturally established norms. Deviant behavior of an individual normally depends on the societal response to their actions and the way it is observed or perceived, in respect to the social norms, values, and beliefs. Actually, there are many external and internal factors associated with the attitudes of deviants and their social behaviors. These factors collectively control the deviant actions of the individuals including their abnormal tendencies to act upon certain stimulus. In that direction, the book titled Deviance Today by Alex Thio, Thomas Calhoun, and Addrain Conyers discusses the current trends in the study of deviance, emphasizing the concepts as well as various perspectives regarding constructionist and positivist theories. As presented by the authors, there are many theories related to deviance and the focus here is particularly on one of the positivist theories, the control theory of deviance. The application of this control theory to the deviant behavior of drug use is discussed extensively relating to its causal factors and interventions within the society. The discussion here provides some insights into the understanding of this particular social behavior and how the individual is seen as both deviant and/or criminal from society’s perspective. Deviance is “a behavior that is socially defined as a problem, a source of concern, or as undesirable by the norms of conventional society and the institutions of adult authority, and its occurrence usually elicits some kind of social control response” (Osgood, Johnston, OMalley & Bachman, 1988, pg.81). The fact that culture and people’s perceptions are marked by continuous changes in the course of time, deviance can be suggested as a relative phenomenon that reflects or acts against the cultural norms and social psychological processes of the temporal period. In short, deviance can be considered as any activity that arouses a range of emotions or actions that are an indicative of social disapproval, in respect to time, place, and culture. Essentially, deviance is a socially constructed aspect and has to be analyzed without limiting to people, their actions or attributes; but in a broader sense, relating to the cultural, economic, social, educational, and spiritual context of socialization. Drug use can be clearly linked to a delinquent or antisocial behavior that is socially nonconformist. Drug users are identified as violent and aggressive individuals, directly or indirectly engaging in acts that are troublesome and disrupting to the society. All deviant behaviors act in contravention to the conventional social standards and are influenced by the social labeling of it as normal or deviant. From the perspective of the deviant, they identify deviance as a pleasure-seeking, out-of-the-norm activity that makes them feel independent, tolerant, and rebellious (Thio, Calhoun & Conyersl, 2012). One of the common reasons for the individuals to get involved in the subculture of drug use and thereby get negatively labeled by the society is that they mental neutralize the stigma that arises because of their drug use. The psychological processes within the minds of these deviants tend to shape the reality and perceptions of their deviance. Highly addictive deviance can possibly reach a level of criminality, owing to their violation of legal codes and social laws. Sociologists analyze criminology through various constructionist or positivist theories that implies on the causal factors and effects of the deviance behavior. These theories fundamentally identify drug use as a societal phenomenon that has wide cultural, social, and economic implications. These external causes, other than the biological, genetic, and psychological traits that drive the attention of sociologists in understanding both the immediate and extended or distant social worlds around the individuals. The approach of drug abuse in sociology theories differ dramatically from that of the societal interpretation. Positivists believe that individual behavior is highly influenced by their biological, social environmental, and/or psychological traits (Thio, Calhoun & Conyersl, 2012). They argue that social conditioning has a great influence in shaping the deviant behavior of any individual. In that sense, if a person can be conditioned to indulge in a criminal behavior, then the possibilities of reforming and rehabilitating the individual is also likely through conditioning. This is the reason why control theory is chosen for analyzing drug use as it validly examines the factors contributing to the behavior, from the perspective of the deviant. Control theory focuses solely on the refraining attitudes of people rather than the causes of deviant behavior. It tends to concentrate on the individual’s strength and weakness in relation to the inner and external social forces that promote or deter the deviant behavior. The theory denies viewing individual personality as a source of drug use, but focuses on social bonds and absence of control as the significant contributors to the deviance. According to Walter Reckless, there are both inner and outer controls that influence the deviant tendencies of individuals (Thio, Calhoun & Conyersl, 2012). Internal restraints such as desire, conscience, morality, values, and integrity; and external controls like family, friends, community, and religious groups; which tend to work against the individual’s tendency of drug use. As a result, the individual is left with an internal psychological dilemma that initiates the action, either committing to or refraining from the deviance. Self-control can be the basis for an individuals propensity to refrain or commit to drug use. Most notably, drug users are not able to refrain from the behavior and repeat their crimes occasionally. This is mainly because of their lack of self-control and their personal willingness. Travis Hirschi identified certain control factors in his self-control theory as reasons for individuals’ conformity with the social norms (Thio, Calhoun & Conyersl, 2012). These control variables include lack of attachment, involvement, commitment, and belief. It can be suggested that no motivational factors are needed to commit drug use, but self-control is the necessity that helps in weighing the benefits and costs of this deviant behavior, from the individual perspective. Control theories also explain why some individuals are more engaged in using drugs than others in the same society. This is analyzed with “the four major types of control – direct control, stake of conformity, beliefs condemning deviance, and self-control.” (Thio, Calhoun & Conyersl, 2012, pg.14). Though direct control influences the individual to refrain from drug use, it is processed out of fear of being caught and sanctioned. This type of control is exercised mostly by the legal authorities, religious institutions, and criminal justice system. Similarly, high level of commitment, reputation, and prestigious status could lower the use of drugs as the stake of conformity is relatively greater for those individuals. The reason for adolescents to engage in drug use than adults is mainly because of their low level of self-control at the early development stage and lower stake of conformity because of lack of commitment and societal reputations. Similarly, they are also less subjective to direct control in their adolescence age than during their childhood days. Additionally, lack of moral belief and skepticism regarding the morality of the law can possibly contribute to this. Poor commitment and involvement in conventional activities can deter conformity and let delinquent behaviors like drug use in later stages of life. The entire concept of control theory explains why people conform to the society, rather than focusing on why they deviate from the norm. On theorizing drug use, the theory suggests that people with addictive practices would not indulge in that behavior, if they were prevented from doing so. Drug use is likely to be an outcome of improper socialization and ineffective bonding between the social community and environment (Thio, Calhoun & Conyersl, 2012). When there is an ineffective socialization process right at the start of the individual’s childhood, it hinders his/her self-control. The role of parents, peers, and schools is important, and when there is inadequate commitment or attachment at that stage, it consequently has a profound impact in controlling the individuals’ drug use behavior in the adulthood. “The primary cause of a variety of deviant behaviors, including many different kinds of crime and delinquency, is ineffective bonding with parents or poor child rearing. They maintained this produced people with low self-control.” (Bohm & Vogel, 2010, p.106). Social learning and differential association has a major influence in explaining drug use among adolescents, apart from ineffective socialization. The social situation of an individual can influence a lot into his/her drug use behavior, which would ultimately lead them to a life of crime, incarceration, destruction or on the contrary a difficult path of reformation. The control theory is successful in explaining the behavior of drug use and the factors that contribute to its existence. The control theory examines the individuals’ internal and external controls, suggesting that lack or abundance of it can possibly lead or prevent them from involving in a deviant behavior like drug use. It is evident that there is always a strong interrelationship between deviant behavior and socialization and social controls. Moreover, self-control is a developed personal trait that influences the individuals’ tendency to drug use. Not only does the social and community environment contribute to the development of self-control, but other biological factors, socialization, and peer-pressure also play a significant role. References: Osgood, D. W., Johnston, L. D., OMalley, P. M. & Bachman, J G. (1988). The generality of deviance in late adolescence and early adulthood. American Sociological Review, 81-93. Thio, A., Calhoun, T. C & Conyers, A. (2012). Deviance today. Pearson. Bohm, R. M. & Brenda Vogel. (2010). A primer on crime and delinquency theory. Cengage Learning. Read More