Exam 9: B: Deviance

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Criminal recidivism refers to the tendency of a convicted criminal to reoffend, that is, to commit a crime after having been previously convicted and punished for a criminal offense. Recidivism is often measured by criminal acts that result in rearrests, reconviction, or return to prison with or without a new sentence during a specified period following the offender's release.

Recidivism rates are used as a key measure of the effectiveness of the criminal justice system, particularly in terms of rehabilitation efforts and the success of correctional programs. High rates of recidivism suggest that the system may not be effective in deterring individuals from committing further crimes or in providing the necessary support and resources for successful reintegration into society.

Various factors can contribute to recidivism, including individual characteristics (such as personal history and psychological traits), community and environmental influences (such as social support networks, employment opportunities, and neighborhood crime rates), and the nature of the criminal justice system itself (including prison conditions, parole supervision, and availability of rehabilitation programs).

Efforts to reduce recidivism often focus on addressing these factors through interventions such as education and vocational training, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, mentoring and support groups, and policies aimed at improving reentry into society. By reducing recidivism, communities can enhance public safety, lower the costs associated with the criminal justice system, and improve the outcomes for individuals who have been involved with that system.

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Primary deviance refers to the initial act of deviance or rule-breaking behavior that an individual engages in. This can be a one-time occurrence or a sporadic behavior that does not become a significant part of the person's identity. It is often seen as a normal and expected part of human behavior, and it does not necessarily lead to further deviant behavior.

On the other hand, secondary deviance occurs when an individual's primary deviant behavior is labeled as such by others and the individual begins to internalize this label. This can lead to a self-fulfilling prophecy, where the individual starts to see themselves as deviant and continues to engage in deviant behavior as a result. Secondary deviance can become a significant part of the person's identity and can lead to further and more serious acts of deviance.

In summary, the main difference between primary and secondary deviance is that primary deviance is the initial act of rule-breaking behavior, while secondary deviance is the continued and escalated deviant behavior that occurs after the individual has been labeled as deviant by others.

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The medicalization of deviance refers to the process by which behaviors or conditions that were once perceived as immoral, illegal, or socially deviant are reinterpreted and treated as medical issues. This means that certain forms of behavior that were previously understood and addressed within a moral, legal, or social framework are reclassified as medical disorders or diseases, and thus become subject to medical diagnosis, treatment, and intervention.

This concept is rooted in the field of sociology and is closely associated with the work of sociologists such as Peter Conrad. The medicalization of deviance can lead to a shift in how society responds to certain behaviors, moving from punishment and social stigma to therapy and medical care. For example, alcoholism and drug addiction were once seen purely as moral failings or criminal activities, but over time, they have come to be viewed by many as diseases or disorders that require medical attention and rehabilitation.

Medicalization can have both positive and negative consequences. On the positive side, it can reduce the stigma associated with certain behaviors, as individuals are seen as needing help and treatment rather than punishment. It can also lead to the development of more humane and effective forms of intervention, as medical and therapeutic approaches often focus on healing and recovery.

On the negative side, medicalization can pathologize normal behaviors, leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. It can also shift responsibility away from social and environmental factors that contribute to deviant behaviors, focusing instead on individual pathology. Furthermore, it can reinforce the power of the medical profession and pharmaceutical industry, which may have vested interests in defining and treating deviance as a medical issue.

Overall, the medicalization of deviance is a complex phenomenon that reflects changing societal attitudes towards health, illness, and human behavior. It raises important questions about how we define normalcy, who has the authority to label behaviors as deviant, and what the most appropriate responses to deviance might be.