Deviance Essay -- essays research papers fc

"Discuss how one of the sociological theories of deviance sight be used to explain complaisant phenomena, such as pornography, drug use, suicide and disability."By Vanessa Neil1 - Introduction2 - A Brief background to the Interactionist Perspective3 - More recent developments in the Interactionist Perspective4 - Using the Interactionist Perspective to explain social phenomena5 - ConclusionIntroductionDeviant behaviour has sadly been a ongoing position in society throughout history, more noticeably in life today. Sociologists have been provoked to study and form theories in order to try and explain why social phenomena such as suicide, prostitution and drug use occur in our society. The Interactionist Perspective, known to many as the Labelling Theory, is interested in social processes and examines deviant behaviour using such methods as social typing. The Interactionists emphasise the role that meanings play in the creation of deviant behaviour and gain a greater underst anding of what it means to commit actions that others label as deviant. A Brief background to the Interactionist PerspectiveIn order to discuss how the Interactionist theory can be used to explain deviance, it is necessary to understand the historical development and approach of this theory. The Interactionists firstly believe that there are no behaviours that are as such deviant. Secondly, Deviant actions are simply those which are defined as deviant within a certain culture or setting. Therefore Interactionists focus on social processes by which certain behaviours become known as deviant and the consequences for those who are labelled deviant. (Aggleton, 1987, chpt 4)The Interactionist approach was at its height during the 1960s and 1970s, shedding a whole new, fresh sight on the study of deviance. Here in Australia research on deviance was basically Functionalist and Positivist, Until 1970 when more critical approaches, like the Interactionist perspective began to appear. (Sarge nt, Nillan & Winter, 1997, pg 387) Interestingly the origins of the Interactionist approach go back as far as 18th century Philosophers, arguing with Positivists about how to trounce explain social behaviour. In 1938, professor, Frank Tannenbaum first observed the actual reactions to certain behaviours, rather than on beha... ...n going in our society due to the stickiness of labels and the self-fulfilling promise in which people grow into further careers of deviance, and the deviant cycle continues.BibliographyAggleton, P. (1987). Deviance. London Tavistock PublicationsAnleu, S.L Roach. (1991). Deviance, Conformity and Control. Melbourne Longman Cheshire Goode, E. (1990). Deviant Behaviour. brisk Jersey Prentice HallPontell, H.N. (1999). Social Deviance. New Jersey Prentice HallRubington, E & Weinberg M.S. (1999). Deviance, The Interactionist Perspective. Boston Allyn & BaconSargent, M & Nilan, P & Winter, G. (1997). The new Sociology for Australians. Melbourne L ongmanTraub, S.H & Little C.B. (1994). Theories of Deviance. Illinois F.E peacock PublishersAdditional ReadingCohen, S. (1977). Images of Deviance. England Penguin BooksMcGrath, J.H & Scarpitti F.R. (1970). Youth and Drugs, Perspectives on a Social Problem. Illinois Scott, Foresman and CompanyWilson, P.R & Braithwaite, J. (1978). Two faces of Deviance. Queensland University of Queensland Press