Deviance and Social Control

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at deviance, which is any expressed thought or action that goes against the idea of the culture's social order and social control or the ways in which individuals are redirected toward behaviors that are more acceptable in the society. The author first defines and explains these two terms and gives several examples of deviance and social control. The paper discusses as well, deviance in terms of crime and explains how social control can be exerted through criminal prosecution and incarceration.

From the Paper:

"Deviance can serve the function of defining the norm, as deviant behavior even in the most banal form can be used as an example for others of what not to do or how not to act. One example of deviance that is culturally specific is such things as facial tattoos. In most cultures (though there are exceptions) facial tattoos are considered a form of self imposed deformity and people will likely develop preconceived notions regarding an individual who has such. To expand this example one might consider how an individual parent might warn their children never to tattoo their own face, or might visibly pull their children away from such "deviants" in public."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bridges, G. S. & Myers, M. A. (Eds.). (1994). Inequality, Crime, and Social Control. Boulder, CO: Westview Press.
• Harper, C. L., & Le Beau, B. F. (1993). The Social Adaptation of Marginal Religious Movements in America. Sociology of Religion, 54(2), 171-192.
• Hewitt, K. (1997). Mutilating the Body: Identity in Blood and Ink. Bowling Green, OH: Bowling Green State University Popular Press.
• O'Neill, J. (1986). The Medicalization of Social Control. Canadian Review of Sociology and Anthropology, 23(3), 350-364.

More papers on Deviance and Social Control:

• Analytical Essay # 140643 : "Deviance and Social Control"
• Article Review # 108920 : "Crime, Deviance and Social Control"
• Essay # 88925 : "How does Social Control Affect Deviance?"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: