Deviant Behavior

Prior scholarship has identified deviant identity, deviant peer groups, and limited pro-social opportunities as the primary mechanisms through which being labeled deviant relates to secondary deviance. This study extends labeling theory by considering negative emotions as an additional mechanism through which being labeled deviant may increase secondary deviance, thus integrating labeling and general strain theoretical perspectives. Data from Add Health (N = 13,570) are used to test if negative emotions mediate the relationships between deviant labels and deviant behaviors. Results show that being labeled deviant by parents and schools increases the odds of binge drinking, marijuana use, and delinquency. Furthermore, results show that each of these relationships is partially mediated by negative emotions. This study advances labeling theory by establishing negative emotions as a potential mediator for labeling-deviance relationships. Implications for future research that further extends labeling theory by incorporating other aspects of general strain theory are discussed.

Despite a considerable body of research examining the effects of strain on crime and deviance, relatively little is known about how workplace strains experienced by correctional officers contribute to their deviance at work. In this study, we examine whether specific sources of strain are associated with deviant behavior at work in the form of deviance toward others (i.e., co-workers, incarcerated people) and acts against the prison institution itself. A sample of 474 correctional officers employed within two state correctional systems (Massachusetts and Texas) is used to assess these relationships. The results suggest that when correctional officers encounter strains specifically tied to the job (e.g., negative interactions with incarcerated individuals, a lack of support from the administration, and emotional stress at work), they engage in more types of deviant behavior while at work. Findings also highlight those strains that are more likely to result in social deviance (acts targeting incarcerated people and co-workers) versus institutional deviance (acts targeting the institution). Policy implications are discussed.

This study examines how cybercriminals exploit deceptive recruitment tactics and digital platforms to entrap and exploit victims in human trafficking within the cybercrime context. It employs Migration and Transnationalism perspectives to elucidate the intersection of human trafficking and cybercrime operations in Cambodia. Using thematic analysis of victim testimonies, we identify six main themes: (1) Deception and Recruitment, (2) Manipulation and Control, (3) Exploitation and Forced Labor, (4) Trading and Movement, (5) Scamming Methods, and (6) Escape and Rescue. While the following analysis explores the victim's first-hand experiences within these themes, it also reflects the accounts of other victims referenced in his story. Human traffickers enticed victims with fraudulent job offers and misleading promises, compelling them to pay significant recruitment fees. After recruitment, they manipulated victims through tactics such as visa deception and bribery at immigration to ensure compliance and control. They subjected victims to harsh working conditions, enforcing extended hours, unrealistic targets, and physical punishments for underperformance. Strict security measures and trading between companies and compounds further complicated escape efforts. Criminals trained victims to forge identities and exploit targets via social media, effectively turning them into online fraudsters. However, some managed to escape with assistance from NGOs, highlighting the vital role of organizational support in rescue operations. We highlight the need for targeted interventions and support for victims of such complex cybercrime enterprises.

This review investigates the use of Virtual Reality and Immersive Virtual Environments to study Fear of Crime and avoidance behaviors linked to victimization risk. VR presents an opportunity to address challenges in the effective measure and operationalization of FoC by enabling real-time, immersive simulations that capture emotional responses and behaviors within controlled settings. Following SCIE guidelines and the PRISMA checklist , this systematic review identified 19 publications, highlighting the diverse methodologies employed to measure FoC in VR environments, and focusing on the introduction of novel indicators and metrics. These include surveys on situational fear, physiological measures, real-time behavioral data and enhanced contextual insights. By addressing some limitations of traditional surveys, VR methodologies could offer a more comprehensive understanding of FoC as it unfolds, capturing immediate reactions to environmental and social cues, including urban layouts, lighting conditions, and signs of (dis) order. This review underscores the potential of VR to redefine the study of FoC, providing actionable insights for urban planning, policy development, and crime prevention. It advocates for the standardization of VR-based methodologies to enhance comparability and suggests expanding the scope to explore under-researched areas such as guardianship and social dynamics.

The ban on dance bars in Maharashtra (India) in 2005 was intended to curb the alleged spread of prostitution/sex work within these establishments, linking their operation with criminality. It predominantly targeted bar dancers, framing them as an embodiment of deviant woman sexuality. The narrative of the ban disregarded the nuanced regulatory framework governing dance bars and perpetuated societal misconceptions surrounding the profession of bar dancing. Despite opposition from bar dancers seeking acceptance of their work within licensed establishments, this resistance inadvertently reinforced existing societal hierarchies, further marginalizing sex workers. Media representations often sensationalize bar dancers as morally dubious individuals profiting from the public display of their sexuality. Documentaries such as Mira Nair’s India Cabaret (1985), Saba Dewan’s Delhi-Mumbai-Delhi (2006), and Anish Patel’s The Fight to Dance (2006) sought to challenge these perceptions by portraying dancers as active agents shaping their own narratives. However, these documentaries encountered obstacles in dismantling stereotypes surrounding deviant woman sexuality. This article critically examines these documentaries, exploring how they negotiate agency and contest societal norms while shedding light on the persistent marginalization of sex workers within these narratives.

Economic cybercrime, also referred to as Sakawa, constitutes a significant challenge in Ghana’s digital landscape. There is a dearth of studies on the role of social networks, both virtual and real-world, in fostering such illicit activities. Drawing from a year-long qualitative field study conducted in Ghana, specifically delving into Sakawa, this paper examines economic cybercrimes through the lens of Granovetter’s “strength of weak ties” theory (1973). The study centers on how perpetrators leverage social capital embedded within their networks to perpetrate these offenses and delve into the dynamics of relationships accessible to offenders, encompassing both offline connections and online affiliations. The research findings show that weak social ties, fostered through referrals and social media platforms, provide offenders with essential social capital.