The Sociology of Deviance

Book excerpt: Sociology of Deviance: Differences, Tradition, and Stigma is dedicated to a sociological analysis of deviance, a term reframed to imply differences. Deviance is approached from the outset as meaning differences: differences in attitudes, behaviors, lifestyles, and values of people. The terms OC devianceOCO or OC deviant behaviorOCO are understood as labels themselves and are used sparingly, such as in the title and in Chapter 14, OC Elite and Power DevianceOCO (OC devianceOCO appears with frequency in the theory chapters since it is a term used by the theorists addressed). Part of the title of the text is OC TraditionOCO meaning traditional topics are covered such as suicide, mental disorders and physical disabilities, addictions and substance abuse and use, criminal behaviors, and sexual behaviors and differences. The book has one chapter devoted to criminal behaviors, with emphasis placed on violent and property offenses. The term OC stigmaOCO appears in the title for two reasons: it is to honor the contributions of Erving Goffman to the study of differences, and it is used to accentuate the importance of societal reaction to attitudes, behaviors, lifestyles, and values that are varied and different in a heterogeneous society. Nowhere is this more evident than in Chapter 12, OC Societal Reaction and Stigmatization: Mental Disorders and Physical Disabilities.OCO"