Deviance: Social Constructions and Blurred Boundaries

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. 

Table of Contents:
ContentsPreface 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 co-author of Down On Their Luck and Analyzing Social Settings, 4th Edition.

Review :
"[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."