Deviant Behavior

Paper Summary:

This paper provides an overview of deviant behavior. The paper defines it generally as being any form of behavior that violates accepted social norms and laws. It examines both the roots of this behavior and the causes for its continuation. The paper argues that this understanding is essential to learning how to best stop deviant behavior. It concludes that successfully stopping deviant behavior through an understanding of its roots and causes is an important part of the law enforcement agent's job.

From the Paper:

"Deviant behavior plays numerous roles and functions, depending on the individual or group and the deviant behavior being taken. For example, deviant behavior often defines or affirms a particular culture's values or norms or clarifies the moral boundaries of a group. Deviant behavior can also be utilized to promote social unity by creating us/them dichotomies and encouraging social change. More so, deviant behavior has also led to the creation of numerous jobs aimed exclusively at controlling deviant behavior, most notably law enforcement agents. Often time, deviant behavior serves no further purpose than being an assertion of personal individuality and identity, often taking the form of a rebellion against an established norm. (Barron: 2007)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Barron, Marshall. (2007): Sociology of Deviant Behavior. New York: Wadsworth Publishing Company.
• Best, Joel. (2003): Development of Deviance. New York: Wadsworth.
• Johnson, Kevin. "MS-13 Gang Growing Extremely Dangerous, FBI Says." USA Today. 5 Jan. 2006.
• Kaplan, Howard B. (2001): Social Deviance: Testing a General Theory. New York: Springer-Verlag, L.L.C.
• Schmalleger, Frank M. (2005): Deviant Behavior. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

More papers on Deviant Behavior:

• Research Paper # 136913 : "Labeling and Deviant Behavior"
• Cause and Effect Essay # 118681 : "Criminality and Deviant Behavior"
• Analytical Essay # 134806 : "Deviant Behavior and Criminality"
• Analytical Essay # 57538 : "The Sociology of Deviant Behavior"

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