Abstract This paper presents a review of an article on deviant teenagers. The article addresses adolescents' attitudes toward delinquent behaviors and the issue of punishments. Based on this article, the paper expands to a discussion about juvenile delinquency theories and types of behaviors that are considered delinquent.
From the Paper "Kalat defines the term deviancy as meaning psycho-emotional behavior that is markedly different from the norm. One example of deviancy in adolescent populations has long been juvenile delinquency. The purpose of this paper is to ..."
Abstract This paper analyzes a 1999 journal article that shows that preteens and teens of addicted parents have a high rate of substance and alcohol use and other deviant behaviors.
From the Paper "In "Early Deviance and Related Risk Factors in the Children of Narcotic Addicts", Nurco, Blatchley, Hanlon and O'Grady report the results of a meta-analysis on the self-reported behaviors of male and female adolescents ages of narcotic-addicted parents participating in methadone programs. The results of the self-report measures found that early deviance is related to current adolescent drug and alcohol use, association with deviant peers, a negative view of self and psychological symptomatology. There are a number of risks and protective..."
Tags: preteens, teenagers, addicted parents, deviance, deviant behavior, alcohol and substance abuse, protective and at-risk factors, crime
Abstract This paper discusses and analyzes the occurrence of deviant behavior in the context of life on the street. The paper contends that street life is predominated by people who live in poor inner-city neighborhoods. The paper reviews Elijah Anderson's book, "Code of the Street," that studies this very phenomenon. Applying the basic concepts associated in the study of the sociology of deviant behavior, the paper argues that Anderson's analysis of street life in "Code of the Street" puts into context the labeling theory of deviant behavior, wherein people's attitudes and behavior are associated with the labels that other people give them as deviants in society. The paper discusses this issue extensively, providing references to both Schaefer and Anderson's discussions on deviant behavior.
From the Paper "Despite the establishment of these social norms and rules, there are still individuals who do not conform, or "deviate," from the established norms and rules in the society. Schaefer (1998) identifies deviance as a "behavior that violates the standards of conduct and or expectations of a group or society" (160). Directly linked with the study of deviant behavior is the concept of social control, which regulates human behavior within society. Thus, deviance may include some form of social control in order to inculcate in society that deviant behavior are undesirable for the society. Social control may be formal or informal, wherein the former imposes a legal procedure, such as imprisonment, or simply, by making the individual an "outsider," isolated from his/her society and not welcomed to interact with other people."
Abstract 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)."
Abstract This paper explores the issue of homosexuality in a wider social context, with particular focus on it being deviant behavior. The author considers this behavior in different contexts, including how homosexual families are deviant. The paper also discusses the issue of homosexual marriage.
From the Paper " Socially homosexuality is considered deviant, by many, as it does not meet the social needs of the development of a traditional family, capable of creating offspring. Though the definition of family is changing even as this work is being written, the homosexual, same gender couple cannot and will likely never be able to create offspring, without the intervention of an outside party. Many would also say that the social implications of a homosexual couple of either gender raising a child is deviant as said child would then not be exposed to the norm of the family with regard to a man a woman and a child, or all the implications of it. (Zingo & Early, 1994, p. 1)"
Tags: homosexuality, society, deviant, behavior, prosocial, heterosexuality, homosexual, marriage
Abstract This paper begins with a brief look at the history of punk music and its formation as a subculture. It then addresses individual aspects of punk subculture and offers explanations as to why these characteristics may be considered 'deviant', as opposed to 'normal'. It addresses the norms, values and revolutionary nature of punk culture in light of the strain theory of deviance and the appearance, style and behaviour of punks from a labelling perspective of deviance. Through this analysis, the paper examines why punk subculture has generated a consistent social reaction for the last three decades that has led to its classification as a 'deviant' subculture.
Table of Contents:
History of Punk Music
Strain Theory
Labelling Theory
Labelling Theory and Punk Style
From the Paper "The labelling theory proposes that no act is inherently deviant. In applying this premise to punk fashion, it can be argued that punk fashion itself was not deviant. However, as has been explored by Becker, it is argued that things become deviant only when it is labelled as such. Whilst punk may pride itself on its values of free will and autonomy from the status quo, many theorists argue that the punk subculture could not possibly exist without the status quo (Traber 2001, p. 33). This is because if there were no status quo, there would be no one to label punk subculture as 'deviant'. Whilst the punk style was revolutionary when it first appeared, even as early as the 1980s punk style had filtered into the mainstream. Black clothes, leather, and the signature Doc Marten shoes all became integrated into the mainstream fashion (Cox 1994, p. 10). This is a clear example of the ability held by some to label and define others as deviant. When punk clothing and fashion first emerged it was generally at large classed as deviant. However, the filtering of punk fashion into mainstream culture put a whole new interpretation to punk style. This example illustrates the power of the dominant culture to change labels to suit its own needs, and as such determine what is classed as 'normal' and 'deviant'."
A discussion of risk factors for adolescents and the development of antisocial behavior and the role of school and family in the development of deviant and criminal behavior.
Abstract This paper discusses the impact of schools and family on future deviant or criminal behavior and discusses the proven correlation between negative school and family environments and future deviant or criminal behavior. It describes risk factors for adolescents and the development of antisocial behavior. The paper looks at the role of escape conditioning during family interactions in the development of aggressive and antisocial behavior and discusses the application of the social learning theory.
From the Paper "According to Williams (2000) Long Beach school officials found that in the year following implementation of the school uniform policy, overall school crime decreased thirty-six percent, fights decreased fifty-one percent, sex offenses decreased seventy-four percent, weapons offenses decreased fifty percent, assault and battery offenses decreased thirty-four percent, and vandalism decreased eighteen percent. Unexpectedly, fewer than one percent of the students have elected to opt out of the uniform policy."
"Some school systems have allowed students to decide whether to wear uniform clothing, but others have determined that a mandatory school uniform policy with no opt out provision is necessary to address a disruptive atmosphere. According to Cruz (2001) a Phoenix, Arizona school, for example, adopted a mandatory uniform policy requiring all of its students to wear school uniforms, or if they choose to defy the policy, attend another public school. Encouragingly, this Phoenix school uniform policy was recently upheld by a state trial court."
Abstract This paper examines how classically male vampires in horror films are portrayed in a sympathetic light as tortured men who are suffering from a compulsion rather than having homicidal tendencies. It looks at how the female vampires of the 1970?s, however, are depicted in a completely different manner. They are young, beautiful, and unrepentant; their goal is not only to satisfy their cravings, but also to corrupt and consume the souls of their victims. It analyzes how filmmakers of this era depict these strong, sensual women as sexual deviants through a review of such films as "The Vampire Lovers" (1970), "Lust for a Vampire" (1971), and "A Filha de Dracula" (1972).
From the Paper "By the 1970?s, monsters in horror films changed a great deal, especially in the case of female monsters. The stereotypical masculine lesbian expected by audiences was replaced by the heterosexual male fantasy of the hyper-feminine woman (Cook 45). In female vampire films, young, nubile women strut about, often without their clothes, purely for the benefit of the heterosexual male audience. They are portrayed as carefree and unrepentant; the curse that burdens the male vampire is conspicuously absent from these films. "Hedonism above compulsion" (Silver 112) is accentuated as the primary source of motivation for their deviant behavior. The female vampire's victims, similar to those of the male vampire, are young and na?ve, yet there is a romantic aspect that is not present in male vampire films. The female vampire derives as much pleasure from the seduction of her victim as she does from drawing blood."
Tags: death, dracula, lesbian, monsters, female, fantasy
Abstract This paper examines how violence in the media has become a commonplace affair and discusses whether television violence results in more aggressive or deviant behavior and whether it is likely to lead to criminal behavior. Through a literature review, the paper looks at how studies have proved that media violence can lead to criminal behavior and how many sociologists have concluded that violence in television media impacts viewers in a negative manner. It also shows how television violence impacts youths and adolescents much more frequently than it impacts adults.
From the Paper "The effects of "media" on human behavior have been closely examined for centuries. Even the earliest of philosophers such as Freud hypothesized that human behavior is a product of external influences. Approximately 50 years ago, before television became a mainstay in modern households, a researcher by the name of Hovland analyzed the potential implications of the science of communications, foreseeing much change in communications of the future. He stated "how can stimuli"bring about various desired changes in response?? (Vos Post, 1995). He noted that analysis would be required of the stimuli transmitted by the communicator, in this case the television (Vos Post, 1995)."
Abstract This paper examines the book book "Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places" by Laud Humphreys which redefines the sociology of deviance by showing that men from mainstream society were the main participants of a highly deviant activity?impersonal sex in restrooms dubbed the tearoom. It discusses how he demonstrates that unlike prevalent conceptions of deviant acts as belonging solely to a deviant subculture, such as the gay culture, tearoom sex involves men who are married and live with their wives. It evaluates the criticism on his research strategies such as passing as a deviant in the bathroom in order to be permitted to enter into a deviant world as one and the degree of deception and misrepresentation he uses in order to obtain his information.
From the Paper "According to Humphreys (1975), the participants engage in tearoom sex in accordance with this fundamental rule: maximize the reward and minimize the cost. In this case, the reward is to obtain sexual satisfaction while the cost is exposure to unwanted intruders such as friends from mainstream society, police and bullies (pp. 45-7). The tearoom environment suits men from mainstream societies for several reasons. The most popular restrooms used are located near freeways?the main commuter routes. These men can always use the excuse that they stop to use the restrooms on their way home. They risk being seen if they go to gay bars and baths. Furthermore, the silence and the impersonality of the tearoom atmosphere allow the men to dissociate themselves from the deviant world the moment they leave the bathrooms, without risking any relationships (Humphreys, 1975, pp. 152-4)."
Abstract The paper looks at different definitions of the term "deviance" by quoting different sociologists and discussing their views as to what is considered deviant behavior. The paper then discusses labeling theory which looks at the reaction of others to "deviant" behavior and the subsequent effects of such reactions. The paper also explores the different views of criminologists, psychologists, and sociologists as to the causes of deviant behavior.
From the Paper "One sociologist, Erdwin Pfuhl, believes that the label "deviant" depends on a group's notion of actions and conditions that should and should not occur. This view also suggests that labels of deviance can change within different societies and times. One might ask why there are so many interpretations of deviance. The answer is rather simple. Due to its relative nature, people will interpret activities quite differently (Clinard, 1998)."
Abstract This paper will discuss what deviant behaviors mean and how they can affect a person in how they relate to society. By analyzing what the definitions of a deviant might be, by showing an example, a better understanding can be met on how it is defined within the scope of psychology. By taking for instance, a drug abuser, a perception of deviancy can be found in describing an example of what it means to be deviant.
This in-depth paper analyzes a specific case study from two different sociological perspectives, the micro social constructionist and the macro social conflict perspective.
Abstract This well-researched paper details a specific case study of multi-generational spousal and child abuse in a particular family while focusing on the two different sociological perspectives, the micro social constructionist and the macro social conflict perspective. The case study in point discusses the issue of spousal and child abuse and how it is passed from generation to generation. The writer contends that from a social historical perspective, spousal and child abuse are symptomatic of underlying social conflict experienced by members of the family. This paper delves into Karl Marx's theory that social inequity causes deviant behavior. This paper defines the term deviant behavior and discusses whether or not it conforms to norms or meets with group or societal expectations. This paper also explores the various therapies and treatments available in treating deviant behavior.
From the Paper "From a social historical perspective spousal and child abuse are symptomatic of underlying social conflict experienced by the members of the family. The family as an economic unit struggles against other families and other economic units for survival. The emotional and physical ramifications of that struggle which result in spousal and child abuse are natural. The family participates in a capitalistic society and has over four generations because of poor marriage and The Depression spiraled down from lower upper class to upper lower class. The family is a microcosm of the social macrocosm. This study covers a period from 1850 to present. In 1850, the man or father was the unequivocal head of the family. He owned all property including his wife and children who had no legal status except as property."
Abstract In this article, the writer reviews and critiques the respondent learning theory and the operant learning (or conditioning) theory. It is the opinion expressed in this paper that by studying the operant conditioning in people one can best explain the dynamics behind deviant (delinquent) behavior. Further, the writer maintains that B.F. Skinner's approach to the operant learning (conditioning) theory is the most practical way to launch research into deviant behavior. The writer concludes that Skinner even developed teaching machines that were the forerunners to today's computer-based self-instruction; he was a pathfinder, and his theories hold a great deal of value and respect today.
Outline:
Respondent Thoery
Operant or Instrumental Learning
Similarities and Differences between Operant and Respondent Theories of Behavior
Operant Behavior is the Most Practical, Applicable in Explaining Deviant Behavior
From the Paper "Organisms either acquire an aversion to something or they acquire an attraction. That explains how humans learn to respond, the theory goes. The first descriptive incidence that led to the formulation of this theory was the famous Pavlov experiments with dogs. The canines in his research were seen to be salivating when the kennel door was opened, because they knew there was the distinct possibility that food would be forthcoming.
"Anyone with a dog or a cat can create the same response by banging a fork on an open can of dog food or cat food; while the animal is resting or snoozing somewhere else in the house, and the owner bangs on the can of dog or cat food, that critter will come scurrying into the kitchen in the believe that something tasty awaits."
Abstract This paper defines police culture, deviance from the standard and acceptable behavior. The paper illustrates the traditional, historical purpose of a police force and the functions it performs today, in respect to deviant police behavior and how it can be modified. The paper then provides suggestions on how to amend the organizational culture that promotes police deviance.
Table of Contents:
Abstract
Defining Culture
From the Past to the Present of Policing & Police Culture
Police Culture and Sub-Culture
Deviant Police Behavior
Changing Deviant Police Culture
Conclusion
From the Paper "Culture affects a society by laying down norms and values which manifest in the behavior of the people who make up a society. A strong, healthy culture breeds strong, healthy individuals and a weak, ineffectual culture will breed weak, inadequate individuals. Police and other law enforcing agencies, within their organizations, have a culture which is learned and reflected in attitudes and behavior by the police officers within that culture. In order to produce an effective and honest law-enforcing force, the central culture of each policing body has to be analyzed, its defects studied and modified. Selection of appropriate candidates, continuous training, well-defined management/supervisory roles, clear roles of inspectors/policemen, strict professional standards/internal investigation and the responsibilities of the top brass can all be looked into and revised to promote a productive workforce who enforce law responsibly and conscientiously."
