Derek Cedeno-Mina
1/27/24
Constructions of Deviance 8th edition
GENERAL INTRODUCTION:
The text provides an overview of the sociological study of deviance, covering different
perspectives, methodologies, and the social construction of deviant behavior. It
emphasizes the importance of field research in understanding deviance and explores
different theories, including absolutist, functionalist, and social power perspectives. The
social constructionist approach focuses on how social norms are created, defined, and
applied, emphasizing the consequences of labeling individuals as deviant. The chapter
concludes by examining how deviants organize socially, engage in deviant acts, and
navigate their deviant careers.
PART I: DEFINING DEVIANCE:
The text explores the concept and true meaning of deviance, discussing different types of
norms (folkways, mores, and laws) and how violations of these norms can lead to deviant
labels. It delves into the relationship between deviance and crime, highlighting the
extensive overlap and noting distinctions. The discussion covers different dimensions of
deviance, including attitudes, behaviors, and conditions, categorizing them as achieved or
ascribed deviant statuses. The text also examines historical shifts in the perception and
categorization of deviance, transitioning from a religious framework to medicalization
and, subsequently, a demedicalization movement.
“On the Sociology of Deviance,” Kai T. Erikson.
The chapter discusses deviance as a multifaceted phenomenon, suggesting that societal
reactions to deviant behavior play a crucial role in shaping social boundaries. The chapter
shows how institutions tasked with managing deviance can unintentionally reinforce it.
Deviants struggle to reintegrate because of the enduring labels created by the
commitment rituals linked to their behavior. The chapter presents an alternate perspective
that acknowledges the existence of factors that support both diversity and conformity in
social institutions, challenging the generally held notion that societies are designed to
suppress deviant conduct.