Reading Assignment 1 (Section 1)
Defining Deviance
Introduction, Tammy L. Anderson,
Rules for the Distinction of The Normal and the Pathological, Emile Durkheim /
Notes on the Sociology of Deviance, Kai T. Erikson /
Definitions of Deviance and Deviance and the Responses of Others from Outsiders, Howard S. Becker /
Defining Deviance Down, Daniel Moynihan /
Connections: Definitions of Deviance and the Case of Underage Drinking and Drunk Driving, Tammy L. Anderson, Critical Thinking Questions /
Answer one question:
Durkheim treats deviance and crime as objective, measurable social facts. Deviance is both normal (ALL societies have patterns of deviance/crime) and pathological (patterns of deviance/crime are statistically infrequent compared to conforming behavior patterns). Explain how recreational marijuana use may be both normal and pathological social behavior. If most people have used marijuana (“normal”), how can it be defined as dev iant (“pathological”)?
2. Erikson argues that deviance is NOT an objective quality of behavior; rather, social audiences label deviance based on directly or indirectly witnessing such behavior. In short, deviance is less about statistical evidence and more a quality of social reaction. Using drunk driving as an example, how does audience reaction establish boundaries between recreational drinking and drunk driving, especially the legal response to the latter? In your answer pay particular attention to age of offenders as an important boundary.
3. Emile Durkheim has written that crime is “normal.” Similarly, Kai T. Erikson maintains that deviant behavior functions to uphold community standards by punishing the deviant. Explain how deviance and crime can be normal and/or functional. Pay particular attention to the sociological context of crime/deviance in your answer. How does boundary maintenance relate to the sociological idea that crime/deviance is normal?
4. Summarize Becker’s four different viewpoints on deviance: statistical; medical/disease; failure to obey group rules; and labels defined through social interaction. Which of the four do you think is the most important in understanding the persistence of deviance in society?
5. Moynihan contends that society is in a constant state of defining and redefining what is considered deviant, “so as to exempt much conduct previously stigmatized and also quietly raising the “normal” level in categories where behavior is now abnormal by any earlier standard.” Discuss the three specific types of redefinition he covers: the altruistic, the opportunistic, and the normalizing.
Reading Assignment 1 (Section 2)
Functionalism, Anomie, General Strain Theory
Introduction, Tammy L. Anderson. /
Social Structure and Anomie, Robert Merton /
Homeboys, New Jacks, and Anomie, John M. Hagedorn /
A General Strain Theory of Community Differences in Crime Rates, Robert Agnew /
Connections: Understanding Doping in Elite Sports through Anomie and General Strain Perspectives, Tammy L. Anderson, Critical Thinking Questions /
Answer one question:
Discuss Merton’s concept of anomie (the disjunction of cultural goals, institutionalized means, and the actual distribution of opportunities (e.g., educational, economic) to achieve the cultural goals. What is the most important cultural goal according to Merton? Define and discuss the five individual adaptations to anomie Merton identifies.
Define and discuss Hagedorn’s ideal types of “homeboys, dope fiends, legits, and new jacks” (p. 57). Pay particular attention to how each of these types represents Merton’s five adaptations to anomie. How does Hagedorn update Merton’s theory with the addition of racial discrimination as obstacle to goal achievement?
3. In his general strain theory, Agnew extends Merton’s anomie to factors influencing community deviance. Identify and discuss any five of the factors increasing the likelihood of a criminal response (pp. 81-84).
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