Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction by Peter Adler
Deviance is a complex and contested concept that has fascinated sociologists for decades. What makes some behaviors, beliefs, and identities deviant and others normal? How do societies define and control deviance? What are the consequences of being labeled as deviant? These are some of the questions that Peter Adler explores in his book Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction.
Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction: 7th (Seventh) Edition Peter Adler
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The book is a collection of articles by various authors that illustrate how deviance is socially constructed, organized, and managed. The book covers a wide range of deviant acts, such as drug dealing, prostitution, body modification, mental illness, rape, violence, and terrorism. The book also examines the theories and perspectives that explain deviance, such as functionalism, conflict theory, labeling theory, social control theory, and feminist theory.
The main argument of the book is that deviance is not a fixed or objective category, but rather a relative and subjective one. Deviance is not inherent in any act or person, but rather depends on the social context and the power relations that shape it. Deviance is a product of social interaction and negotiation between different groups and individuals who have different interests, values, and norms. Deviance is also a dynamic and changing phenomenon that reflects the historical and cultural changes in society.
The book aims to show the diversity and pervasiveness of deviance in society, as well as the complexity and ambiguity of its definition and regulation. The book challenges the readers to see deviance from multiple perspectives and to question their own assumptions and biases about it. The book also encourages the readers to empathize with the experiences of deviants, the deviant-making process, and the ways in which people labeled as deviant react to that label.
The Structure and Content of the Book
The book is divided into four parts, each containing several chapters that focus on a specific theme or topic related to deviance. The first part, titled \"Theoretical Foundations\", introduces the main sociological perspectives and concepts that inform the study of deviance. The chapters in this part discuss the functionalist, conflict, labeling, social control, and feminist approaches to deviance, as well as the issues of power, stigma, and identity.
The second part, titled \"The Construction of Deviant Categories\", examines how different types of deviance are defined and classified by various social actors and institutions. The chapters in this part explore the deviance of sexuality, mental disorder, physical disability, body modification, drug use, crime, and terrorism. The chapters also analyze how these categories are influenced by cultural norms, moral values, political interests, and media representations.
The third part, titled \"The Organization of Deviant Subcultures\", investigates how deviant groups and communities are formed and maintained by their members and outsiders. The chapters in this part describe the deviant subcultures of prostitution, stripping, exotic dancing, drug dealing, gangs, hackers, sports fans, and religious cults. The chapters also examine how these subcultures develop their own norms, values, identities, rituals, and networks.
The fourth part, titled \"The Management of Deviant Identity\", explores how deviant individuals cope with and resist their deviant labels and statuses. The chapters in this part illustrate the deviant identity management strategies of battered women, rape victims, homosexuals, transsexuals, ex-convicts, whistleblowers, and celebrities. The chapters also discuss how these strategies are shaped by social context and interaction.
The Strengths and Weaknesses of the Book
The book has many strengths that make it a valuable and engaging resource for students and scholars of deviance. Some of the strengths are:
The book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the field of deviance, covering both classic and contemporary theories and topics.
The book adopts an interactionist or constructionist perspective that emphasizes the social processes and power relations that shape deviance and its consequences.
The book includes a diverse and balanced selection of readings that represent different types of deviance, different methods of research, and different viewpoints and arguments.
The book uses ethnographic illustrations that offer rich and vivid descriptions of the lived experiences of deviants and the deviant-making process.
The book encourages critical thinking and reflection by posing discussion questions after each reading and by challenging the readers to question their own assumptions and biases about deviance.
However, the book also has some weaknesses that limit its scope and effectiveness. Some of the weaknesses are:
The book focuses mainly on the American context and does not adequately address the global and cross-cultural dimensions of deviance.
The book does not sufficiently explore the intersections of deviance with other social categories, such as race, class, gender, sexuality, age, and disability.
The book does not adequately address the ethical and practical challenges of studying deviance, such as the issues of access, rapport, validity, reliability, bias, harm, and consent.
The book does not offer a clear and consistent definition of deviance or a coherent framework for analyzing it.
The book does not provide enough guidance on how to apply the concepts and theories of deviance to real-world situations and problems.
The Relevance and Implications of the Book
The book is relevant and useful for anyone who is interested in understanding and explaining deviance in society. The book offers a comprehensive and critical overview of the field of deviance, as well as a rich and diverse collection of empirical studies that illustrate the various aspects and dimensions of deviance. The book also provides a valuable opportunity for students and scholars to develop their analytical and evaluative skills, as well as their ethical and social awareness.
The book has important implications for both theory and practice. The book contributes to the advancement of sociological knowledge by presenting an interactionist or constructionist perspective that challenges the dominant views and assumptions about deviance. The book also highlights the role of social power, context, and interaction in shaping deviance and its consequences. The book suggests that deviance is not a fixed or objective reality, but rather a dynamic and contested process that involves multiple social actors and institutions.
The book also has practical implications for social policy and intervention. The book reveals the complexity and diversity of deviance, as well as the potential harms and benefits of deviance for individuals and society. The book implies that deviance cannot be easily defined or regulated by universal or standardized rules or norms, but rather requires a context-specific and case-by-case approach that considers the perspectives and interests of all parties involved. The book also implies that deviance can be a source of social change and innovation, as well as a form of resistance and empowerment.
The Comparison and Evaluation of the Book
The book can be compared and evaluated with other books and sources that deal with the topic of deviance. Some of the books and sources that are relevant and useful for this purpose are:
Deviant Behavior by Erich Goode. This book is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the sociology of deviance. It covers the major theories and perspectives on deviance, as well as the empirical research on various forms and types of deviance. It also discusses the social control and social reaction to deviance, as well as the consequences of deviance for individuals and society.
Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance by Howard S. Becker. This book is a classic and influential work in the field of deviance. It introduces the labeling theory of deviance, which argues that deviance is not a quality of the act or person, but rather a consequence of the application of rules and sanctions by others. It also examines the process of becoming deviant and the development of deviant subcultures.
Deviance: The Interactionist Perspective by Earl Rubington and Martin S. Weinberg. This book is a collection of articles that illustrate the interactionist or constructionist approach to deviance. It shows how deviance is socially defined, negotiated, and managed by various social actors and institutions. It also explores the issues of power, resistance, and identity in relation to deviance.
The book by Adler and Adler has some advantages and disadvantages over these books and sources. Some of the advantages are:
The book by Adler and Adler is more current and updated than the other books, as it includes the most recent and relevant articles in the field of deviance.
The book by Adler and Adler is more diverse and balanced than the other books, as it covers a wide range of deviant acts and topics from different viewpoints and arguments.
The book by Adler and Adler is more engaging and interesting than the other books, as it uses ethnographic illustrations that offer rich and vivid descriptions of the lived experiences of deviants and the deviant-making process.
Some of the disadvantages are:
The book by Adler and Adler is less comprehensive and systematic than the other books, as it does not provide a clear and consistent definition of deviance or a coherent framework for analyzing it.
The book by Adler and Adler is less focused and coherent than the other books, as it does not have a central theme or argument that connects the various chapters and readings.
The book by Adler and Adler is less practical and applicable than the other books, as it does not provide enough guidance on how to apply the concepts and theories of deviance to real-world situations and problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the book Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction by Patricia A. Adler and Peter Adler is a valuable and engaging resource for anyone who is interested in understanding and explaining deviance in society. The book provides a comprehensive and critical overview of the field of deviance, as well as a rich and diverse collection of empirical studies that illustrate the various aspects and dimensions of deviance. The book also adopts an interactionist or constructionist perspective that emphasizes the social processes and power relations that shape deviance and its consequences.
However, the book also has some limitations and challenges that need to be addressed and overcome. The book does not adequately address the global and cross-cultural dimensions of deviance, the intersections of deviance with other social categories, the ethical and practical challenges of studying deviance, and the application of the concepts and theories of deviance to real-world situations and problems. The book also does not offer a clear and consistent definition of deviance or a coherent framework for analyzing it.
Therefore, the book can be seen as a useful and stimulating introduction to the topic of deviance, but not as a definitive or comprehensive guide. The book can be used as a starting point for further exploration and inquiry into the complex and fascinating phenomenon of deviance in society. d282676c82
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