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Deviant actions are actions that violate informal and formal norms in society. There are three theoretical frameworks through which we can study deviance.

Structural functionalist theories place an emphasis on the role of culture in creating our norms. By their logic, when our norms are clear and stable, there will be less deviance. Popular structural functionalist theorists in the study of deviance are Emile Durkheim and Robert Merton. Durkheim introduced the concept of ‘anomie’ to sociology and Merton brought forth his Strain Theory.

Symbolic interactionist theories posit that socially constructed meanings interpreted a certain way help people create justifications for their own deviance. Influential theories in this framework include Sutherland’s Differential Association, Neutralization Theory, Labeling Theory and Control Theory.

Conflict theories tend to agree that advantaged social groups use the criminal justice system to their advantage and to the disadvantage of disadvantaged groups. These theories are typically Marxist in nature. They have been influential in helping find the root causes of the correlation between socioeconomic status and criminal behaviour although most of the theories fail to address both societal and individual levels of deviance.

Categories within Theories

Conflict Theories in Deviance

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Conflict Theory is one of the theoretical frameworks sociologists can use to study deviance. It includes, but is not limited to Marxian theory, Group Conflict Theory and Feminist Theory.

Social Disorganization

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Social disorganization theory links crime rates to neighborhood ecological characteristics.

Predictors of Criminal Conduct

What are the major risks associated with the psychology of criminal conduct and what might be used as predictors for criminal behavior? Criminal conduct can often be predicted by an individual's upbringing. Possible predictors include being raised in poor families, run-down neighborhoods, and those from dysfunctional fami

Theories of Crime

I am needing help with this assignment: Describe the following sociological theories of crime listed, and discuss their strengths and weaknesses. Pick someone who has recently been convicted of a crime, and discuss which of these theories would have the most relevance in explaining the criminal actions of this offender. Provi

Intro to Sociology

1. What does "deviance is a cultural creation" mean? What is an example of something that used to be deviant but is now commonly accepted? Or something that was accepted but is deviant? What caused the changes? 2. How do the three sociological perspectives differ? Does one make more sense to you than the others? Which one and

From four different perspectives, what is considered deviant behavior?

In explaining DEVIANCE, how do certain perspectives differ in their ideas of what is considered to be deviant behavior (i.e., statistical, absolutist, reactivist and normative perspectives)? What is considered deviant behavior? Are there other views and theories? Please identify and explain and include references.