Compare/Contrast Deviance, Essay Example

The concept of deviance is related to that of power.  Those people who are involved in the determination of deviance have more power than those who are without it. Deviance is caused by the political and economic forces in society. In conflict theory deviance differs from that of crime by the manner in which the needs are controlled by society. “Social -control theory argues that deviance is largely a matter of failed social controls. Merton believes that the strain between the norms that define socially appropriate goals and the norms that specify socially appropriate means for attaining these goals creates an atmosphere in which deviance will appear” (Sociology Guide, 2010).

Defining what constitutes deviant behaviour can prove difficult. Killing someone in western society my certainly be construed as an act of deviant behaviour.  However with the Eskimos it has been routinely accepted that killing the disabled, infirm or very elderly may be acceptable circumstances. (Aggleton, 1987).  In the 1950’s sociologists had a very transparent view of deviant behaviour. Those who transgressed the acceptable rules of human society were considered to be deviants.   The concept of being deviant and breaking criminal laws is a somewhat of a grey area. Person smoking marijuana may be doing so as a means to counteract pain or a means of relaxing and as such might be perfectly acceptable in certain communities, nevertheless it contravenes the law.

Current theories on deviance illustrate where rules concerning the governance of one aspect of human behaviour is found to be contradictory to another i.e.  Rules for a workforce posted by the employer and showing a course of action that is required to be followed whilst the company pursues an entirely opposite policy.  This sort of ambiguity creates a serious issue for the employee as by following one set of demands he violates another (the company policy statement).  (Ericson, 1962)

Similarities & Differences Between Us Elite and Global Elite Deviance

The US has power elite that comprise such institutions as:

• Large Corporations
• Federal Government
• Military
• All headed by people of power, wealth and influence and further influenced by a sub group comprised of the mass media. They are often linked in many ways to two or more organizations.

The global elite are divided into two distinct categories of good and bad influences, as described in the table below:

Some of these are linked in the sense that they can be a force of good or bad. For example large Corporations like that of pharmaceutical Companies can either be a force of good by finding cures to diseases and distribution of drugs to countries that need them or like Enron focused on the personal greed of powerbrokers at the expense of others. Similarities exist between the US Elite i.e. Government and FBI and that of world police authorities like INTERPOL.  Each working in collaboration towards the resolution of international crime.

Works Cited

Aggleton, P. (1987). Deviance Society Now. London : Tavistock Publications.

Ericson, K. T. (1962). Notes on the Sociology of Deviance. Social Problems No 9 Vol 4, pp. 307-314 .

Sociology Guide. (2010). Questions on Deviance and Social Control. Retrieved 11 27, 2010, from Sociology Guide: http://www.sociologyguide.com/questions/deviance-socialcontrol.php