Social Deviance

Paper Summary:

The paper refers to James Henslin's "Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach" and explains Henslin's belief that our notions of deviance are tied to our culture. The paper explores how people with obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) are a category of 'deviants' who do not share other common characteristics. The paper discusses how some forms of deviance are only a liability if society penalizes such traits, but for deviant traits like OCD, treatment might be better for the sufferer than tolerance.

From the Paper:

"One of the most emotionally charged concepts in the study of sociology is that of what constitutes "deviance." In common conversation, to call someone is a "deviant" is usually meant as an insult to that individual's character. It suggests that he or she lives beyond the pale of the law, or engages in aberrant sexual or social behavior. However, in James Henslin's Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach, it becomes clear that our notions of deviance are tied to our culture, and what constitutes deviant behavior as a category is not a pre-existing 'fact.' For example, some Indian tribes accept hallucinogenic drug use as natural, rather than as illegal, unlike our own society (Henslin 2005: 139)."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bell, Jeff. (6 Feb 2008). "When Anxiety is at the Table." The New York Times. Retrieved 6 Feb 2008 at http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/06/dining/06obsess.html?ref=health
• Henslin, James. (2005). Sociology: A Down-to-Earth Approach. Allyn & Bacon.

More papers on Social Deviance:

• Term Paper # 106369 : "Social Deviance"
• Poem Review # 46144 : "Lady Lazarus" and Social Deviance"
• Essay # 56791 : "Social Deviance"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: