Deviant Behavior in the Society, Essay Example

1 Why would John be considered a deviant? What social foundations of deviance appear to be evident in this case?

Deviance is the identified infringement of cultural rules. It is an extremely wide concept and lots of traits are employed by people in the society in recognizing deviance. One common feature of deviance is a crime, or infringement of rules officially ratified into criminal law. John was therefore, considered deviant because he decided to engage in illegal activities like robbery, gambling, and even taking part in organized crime.

2. Examine the three theoretical foundations of deviance (structural-functional, symbolic-interaction, and social conflict). Determine which foundation applies to John’s situation and why. Give specific examples. SOC 1010, Introduction to Sociology 3.

Structural-functional illustrates that deviance can be harmful to the society; according to Emile Durkheim deviance is a central part of all cultures and has four main roles. These consist of illuminating moral boundaries, establishing cultural values and norms, promoting social change, and encouraging social unity. Merton employs strain theory to depict inequality among socially endorsed ways obtainable to diverse groups of persons and the broadly held values and goals in the community. Consequently, some individuals are bound to deviant responses. The symbolic-interaction model illustrates deviance as a social practice. Labeling theory, the affirmation that conformity and deviance are outcomes of the rejoinder of others, emphasizes the relativity of deviance.

Social inequality is a foundation of social-conflict theory as it communicates deviance. Undoubtedly fewer powerful populaces in society are further probable to be regarded as deviant. This pattern is elucidated in three ways; the customs of society normally replicate the welfare of the status quo, they have the wealth to defy deviant labels and finally, rules and laws are generally never questioned. Steven Spitzer has recommended that abnormal labels are attached to individuals who hamper with capitalism. Four characters of capitalism are decisive to be acquainted with in order to comprehend who is branded a deviant. Symbolic-interaction is applicable in the case of John because of the social inequality, he come from a poor background.

3. Choose three theories, one within each theoretical foundation, that applies to this case. If a foundation does not have an applicable theory, state why and what behavior could have been exhibited that would have reflected that.

Strain theory by Merton depicts inequality among socially endorsed ways obtainable to diverse groups of persons and the broadly held values and goals in the community. Consequently, some individuals are bound to deviant responses Labeling theory, the affirmation that conformity and deviance are outcomes of the rejoinder of others, emphasizes the relativity of deviance. Social inequality is a foundation of social-conflict theory as it communicates deviance. Undoubtedly fewer powerful populaces in society are further probable to be regarded as deviant.

This pattern is elucidated in three ways; the customs of society normally replicate the welfare of the status quo, they have the wealth to defy deviant labels and finally, rules and laws are generally never questioned. Steven Spitzer has recommended that abnormal labels are attached to individuals who hamper with capitalism. Four characters of capitalism are decisive to be acquainted with in order to comprehend who is branded a deviant. Symbolic-interaction is applicable in the case of John because of the social inequality, he come from a poor background.