Social theory and social structure merton, robert k. It is associated with the concepts of selffulfilling prophecy and stereotyping. Conflict theory suggests that deviant behaviors result from social, political, or material inequalities in a social group. Drawing contributions from across the social and behavioral sciences, including sociology, anthropology, criminology, politics, psychology, and religion, the encyclopedia of social deviance introduces readers to the lively field of rulemaking and rebellion that strikes at the core of what it means to be an individual living in a social world. Encyclopedia of social deviance sage publications inc. Deviance, crime, and social control bc open textbooks. Social deviance is a phenomenon that has existed in all societies where there have been norms. B should be viewed as and treated like an ordinary human being in most respects.
From the absolutist definition of deviance, once a person is identified as a deviant, this person. In sociology, deviance describes an action or behavior that. Mertons strain theory is an important contribution to the study of crime and deviance in the 1940s it helped to explain why crime continued to exist in countries, such as america, which were experiencing increasing economic growth and wealth. Merton, on the other hand, is more concerned with social regulation of the means people use to obtain material goals. Sociological theories of deviance are those that use social context and social pressures to explain deviance. Labeling theory posits that selfidentity and the behavior of individuals may be determined or influenced by the terms used to describe or classify them. Mertons theory on deviance stems from his 1938 analysis of the relationship between culture, structure and anomie. Rather people manifest deviant behaviour in different spheres of social life. Consistent with this books public sociology theme, a discussion of several such. The deviant roles and the labels attached to them function as a form of social. Many sociological theories of deviance exist, and together they offer a more. Durkheims theory attributes social deviance to extremes of social integration. A should not be viewed as or treated like an ordinary human being. Theories of deviance cliffsnotes study guides book.
The sociological discipline that deals with crime behavior that violates laws is criminology also known as criminal justice. Criminology textbooks usually describe a series of criminal acts, one at a time, fostering the. Social deviance and crime unites two topics that are usually separated. Strain theory merton in his theory of deviance indicates that deviants are not a cubcultural group. Today, americans consider such activities as alcoholism, excessive gambling. The study of social deviance is the study of the violation of cultural norms in either formal or informal contexts.
Describe the functionalist view of deviance in society and compare durkheims views with social disorganization theory, control theory, and strain theory. Deviance is any behavior that violates social norms, and is usually of sufficient severity to warrant disapproval from the majority of society. A typology is a classification scheme designed to facilitate understanding. In his discussion of deviance merton proposed a typology of deviant behavior that illustrated the possible discrepancies between culturally defined goals and the institutionalized means available to achieve these goals.
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