Deviance - Social Constructions and Blurred Boundaries

Deviance: Social Constructions and Blurred Boundaries is an engaging textbook that—as opposed to the mainstream approach of getting lost in the details—emphasizes the big, fundamental questions and approaches, and does so in a manner that is both intelligent and accessible. Study and review questions in the text are important—in terms of appropriate description and analysis. The structure of the textbook itself serves much the same purpose— students need ample reinforcement of key ideas. -- Richard Taradancino, Professor of Global and Sociocultural Studies, Florida International University

The teaching of deviance always seems to border on the voyeuristic in many texts. Anderson has done a great job avoiding that here. The material presented in the textbook will be accessible to undergraduates. It has the potential to generate good discussions in the classroom. Additionally, I enjoyed how Anderson addresses the topics in a way that isn’t blindly critical of the hegemonic images of the body in our culture but at the same time doesn’t take them for granted. -- Jack Spencer, Professor of Sociology, Purdue University

 

List of contents

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Views of Deviance
Introduction
Blurred Boundaries: The Drama of Deviance
Deviance as Demonic
Deviance as Psychotic
Deviance as Exotic
Deviance as Symbolic Interaction: A Sociological Approach
Social Acts
Focus on Observable Behavior
Symbolic Interaction
The Sociological Promise
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 2: Getting Close to Deviance
Blurred Boundaries I: Getting Close to Deviance
Sociology as a Mode of Inquiry
Counting Deviants
Value of Surveys and Official Statistics
Limitations of Official Statistics
Counting Rape and Sexual Assault
Official Statistics as Organizational Processes
Summing Up the Numbers
Challenges of Deviance Ethnography
Focus of Deviance Ethnography
Gaining Access
Getting People to Open Up
Fieldwork Roles
Getting Along in the Field
Collecting Data
Narrative Analysis
Understanding Social Worlds Different from Our Own
Getting the Big Picture: Sociohistorical Comparison
Blurred Boundaries II: How Close is too Close?
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 3: Positivistic Theories of Deviant Behavior
Blurred Boundaries I: Why is Mike in Jail?
Introduction to Positivistic Theories
Biological Theories of Deviance
Lombroso’s Italian School of Positivist Criminology
Biological Theories in Twentieth-Century America
Critique and Further Directions
Social Structural Theories
Social Disorganization Theory
Critique and Further Directions
Anomie Theory
Durkheim’s “Anomie”
Merton’s “Social Structure and Anomie”
Critique and Further Directions
Socialization Theories
Differential Association Theory
Sutherland’s Key Principles
Critique and Further Directions
Social Learning Theory
Critical Evaluation
Social Control Theories
Social Bond Theory
Self-Control Theory
Critical Evaluation
Blurred Boundaries II: “Influences” versus “Causes”
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 4: Symbolic Interactionist/Social Constructionist Perspective
Blurred Boundaries I: Consensus and Conflict in Constructing Deviants
The Roots of Symbolic Interaction: The Social Self
Labeling Theory and Social Construction
Social Construction of Deviance Categories
Resource Mobilization and Deviance Framing
Resource Mobilization
Deviance Framing
Credibility
Atrocity Tales
Cultural Resonance
Initial Rule-Breaking and Primary Deviance
Primary versus Secondary Deviance
Biography and Effective Environment
Techniques of Neutralization
The Roles of Others
Turning On
Limits of Voluntary Choice
Processing Deviants
Stereotyping and Master Statuses
Institutionalizing Deviance
Typifications and Recipe Knowledge
Stigmatization and Resistance
Stigmatization and Role Engulfment
Stigma Management and Resistance
Stigma Management among the Discreditable
Stigma Management among the Discredited
In-Group Stigma Management
Blurred Boundaries II: Framing Surprising Alliances
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 5: Murder
Blurred Boundaries I: Two Convicted Murderers
Current Constructions of Murder in the United States
Types of Murder
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Murder
Counting Murder
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Murder
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
History of Murder in the United States
Early America
Whites and Native Americans
Whites and Slaves
White-on-White Murder
Civil War to World War I
Post-World War II
Landscape of Murder in the New Millennium
Social Capital and Homicide
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Character Contests: Six Stages
Stage One: Personal Offense
Stage Two: Assessment
Stage Three: Retaliation
Stage Four: Working Agreement
Stage Five: Battle
Stage Six: Resolution
Contemporary Responses to Murder
Punitive Responses
Contextual Responses
Stigma Management and Resistance
Blurred Boundaries II: Is Assisted Suicide Murder?
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 6: Rape
Blurred Boundaries I: Two Sexual Assaults
Current Constructions of Rape in the United States
Types of Rape
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Rape
Counting Rape
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Rape
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
History of Rape in the United States
Early America
Post-Civil War Era
Feminist Era: 1960s–Present
Rape Proclivity and Routine Activity Theories
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Stranger Rape
Phase One: Preexisting Life Tensions
Phase Two: Transformation of Motivation into Action
Phase Three: Perpetrator–Victim Confrontation
Phase Four: Situation Management
Phase Five: Disengagement
Party Rape
Contemporary Responses to Rape
Identifying and Processing Rapists
Treatment of Rape in the Courts
Stigma Management and Resistance
Blurred Boundaries II: What is Too Drunk to Say Yes?
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 7: Financially Motivated Crime in the Streets
Blurred Boundaries I: Two Thieves
Current Constructions of Street-level Property Crimes in the United States
Types of Street-level Property Crime
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Street-level Property Crimes
Counting Street-level Property Crime
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Street-level Property Crime
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Response
History of Street-level Property Crimes in the United States
Merton’s Social Structure and Anomie
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Contemporary Responses to Street-level Property Crime
Stigma Management and Resistance
Blurred Boundaries II: A College Education for Prisoners?
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 8: White-Collar Crime
Blurred Boundaries I: Two White-Collar Crimes
Current Constructions of White-Collar Crimes in the United States
Types of White-Collar Crime
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching White-Collar Crime
Counting Crime in the Suites
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of White-Collar Crime
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
History of White-Collar Crime in the United States
Rise of the Robber Barons
Progressive Era and Regulatory Control
White-Collar Crime in the United States Today
Merton’s Social Structure and Anomie
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Contemporary Responses to White-Collar Crime
Stigma Management and Resistance
Blurred Boundaries II: Should Michael Milken Get a Presidential Pardon?
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 9: Alcohol Abuse
Blurred Boundaries I: Two Faces of Problem Drinking
Current Constructions of Alcohol Abuse in the United States
Types of Alcohol Abusers
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Alcohol Abuse
Counting Alcohol Abuse
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Alcohol Abuse
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
History of Problem Drinking in the United States
Pioneer America
The Road to Prohibition
The Medicalization of Problem Drinking
The Age of Ambivalence
Social Learning Theory and Alcohol Abuse
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
College Binge Drinker
The Alcoholic
Drunk Drivers
Contemporary Responses to Problem Drinking
Punitive/Treatment Response
Contextual Responses
Stigma Management and Resistance
In-Group Strategies
Out-Group Strategies
Alcoholics Anonymous and Identity Transformation
Blurred Boundaries II: Contextual Responses to College Drinking
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 10: Drug Abuse
Blurred Boundaries I: Two Drug Abusers
Current Constructions of Drug Abuse in the United States
Types of Drug Use and Abuse
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Drug Abuse
Counting Illegal Drug Use
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Drug Abuse
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
History of Drug Abuse in the United States
Unregulated Early America
Road to Punitive Prohibition
The War on Drugs
Social Learning Theory and Drug Abuse
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Marijuana
Hard “Street” Drugs
Contemporary Responses to Drug Abuse
Punitive Prohibition and Reducing Supply
Drug Courts
Harm Reduction
Stigma Management and Resistance
In-Group Stigma Management
Out-Group Stigma Management
Collective Action
Blurred Boundaries II: Is It Time to Legalize Drugs?
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 11: Sex Work
Blurred Boundaries I: The Street Prostitute and the Playboy College Girl
Current Constructions of Sex Work and Pornography in the United States
Types of Sex Work
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Sex Work
Counting Sex Work
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Sex Work
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
History of Sex Work in the United States
Antebellum America and the Wild West
The Gilded Age of US Prostitution
The Great Social Evil
The Internet Era
Merton’s Anomie and Social Learning Theories
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Prostitution
Street Prostitution
Massage Parlors and Brothels
Escort Services
Dancing for Dollars
Oppression and Empowerment Paradigms
Contemporary Responses to Sex Work
Policing Prostitution
Rehabilitation Programs
Legalization and Regulation
Stigma Management and Resistance
Techniques of Neutralization
Living in the Closet
Stigma Management with Customers
Mutual Support
Coming Out of the Closet and Collective Action
Blurred Boundaries II: The John Shaming Debate
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 12: Mental Illness
Blurred Boundaries I: Two Faces of Mental Illness
Current Constructions of Mental Illness in the United States
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Mental Illness
Counting Mentally Illness
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Mental Illness
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Treatments
History of Mental Illness in the United States
Era of the Asylum
Deinstitutionalization Era
Antidepressant Era
Social Stress Theory
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Alienation from Place
Definitive Outburst
Help-Seeking
The Medication Experience
Depression and Medication
Schizophrenia and Medication
Hospitalization
Contemporary Responses to Mental Illness
Community Care?
Criminalization of Mental Illness
Mental Health Courts
Stigma Management and Resistance
In-Group Stigma Management
Out-Group Strategies
Collective Action
Blurred Boundaries II: A Hyper Child of Your Own
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 13: Obesity and Eating Disorders
Blurred Boundaries I: Two “Fat” People
Current Constructions of Obesity and Eating Disorders in the United States
Types of Obesity and Eating Disorders
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in Researching Obesity and Eating Disorders
Counting Obesity and Eating Disorders
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural Constructions of Obesity and Eating Disorders
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
History of Obesity and Eating Disorders in the United States
Colonial America
Rise of the Antifat Campaign
Fat in the Feminist Era
Calories In-Calories Out and Self-Control Theory
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Dieting and Fitness Programs
Facing Failure
The Costs of Weight Obsession
Contemporary Responses to Obesity
Weight-Loss and Fitness Industry
Medical Drugs
Surgery
Social Policy and Government Regulation
Stigma Management and Resistance
Weight-Loss Support Groups
Challenging Frames
Blurred Boundaries II: Banning Weight Discrimination in the Workplace
Summary
Keywords

Chapter 14: LGBTQ Identities
Blurred Boundaries: Two Stories of Same-Sex Attraction
Current Constructions of LGBTQ Identities in the United States
Statistical Snapshot
Challenges in LGBTQ Research
Counting LGBTQ Identities and Sexual Behavior
Getting Close
Cross-Cultural LGBTQ Constructions
Different Definitions
Different “Causes”
Different Responses
LGBTQ History in the United States
Early American Secrecy
1890s to World War II
The Cold War on Homosexuals
Era of Collective Action and Conservative Responses
A Post-Gay Era?
The Limits of Positivistic Approaches
Interactional Contexts and Ethnographic Voices
Straight Gay Sex Today
Coming Out
Contemporary Responses to LGBTQ Issues
Stigma Management and Resistance
Blurred Boundaries II: “Gay” or “Straight”?
Summary
Keywords

References

About the author

Leon Anderson is Professor of Sociology at Utah State University. He is coauthor of Down on Their Luck and Analyzing Social Settings, 4th Edition. Before arriving at Utah State University, he was on the faculty at Ohio University. He has served as chair of the Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology at Utah State and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at Ohio University. He is best known for his collaborative research on homelessness and for his expertise in qualitative research methods.

Summary

Deviance: Social Constructions and Blurred Boundaries draws on up-to-date scholarship across a wide spectrum of deviance categories, providing a symbolic interactionist analysis of the deviance process. The book addresses positivistic theories of deviant behavior within a description of the deviance process that encompasses the work of deviance claims-makers, rule-breakers, and social control agents.
 
Students: 

• are introduced to the sociology of deviance
• learn to analyze several kinds of criminal deviance that involve unwilling victims—such as murder, rape, street-level property crime, and white-collar crime
• learn to examine several categories of “lifestyle” and “status” deviance
• develop skills for critical analysis of criminal justice and social policies

Overall, students gain an understanding of the sociology of deviance through cross-cultural comparisons, historical overview of deviance in the U.S., and up-close analysis of the lived experience of those who are labeled deviant as well as responses to them in the U.S. today.

Instructor Resources are available to easily help with lecture and exam preparation. 

Additional text

"[S]tudents who engage with this textbook can expect to establish a critical perspective of deviance and develop a theoretical understanding that will serve them well even beyond deviance studies."

Product details

• Authors: Leon Anderson, Anderson Leon
• Publisher: University Of California Press
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 22.08.2017
• EAN: 9780520292376
• ISBN: 978-0-520-29237-6
• No. of pages: 496
• Subjects: Social sciences, law, business > Law > General, dictionaries; Sociology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Sociology / General, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Criminology, SOCIAL SCIENCE / Violence in Society, Jurisprudence & general issues, Crime and criminology, Violence and abuse in society