Sociological Theories of Deviance

(from: Allen Liska (1987). Perspectives on Deviance, 2nd ed.)

Structural Theories:

Deviance is characterized as a product of stable, macro level patterns of interaction characteristic of a particular society.

Opportunity Structures

Culture: Values

Normative Structure

Process Theories:

Deviance is characterized as a product of a fluid sequence of stages, decision points, and negotiations through which behavior and its meaning emerges.

Learning

Interpretation

Socialization

Normative

Definitional/Reactive

Structural

Strain, Social Disorganization

Cultural/Pluralistic Conflict, Radical Conflict, Feminist Structuralism

Process

Subcultural, Control, Differential Association

Labeling Theory, Ethnomethodology/Phenomenology

Durkheim and Suicide

URL: http://www.umsl.edu/~keelr/200/soctheor.html
Owner: Robert O. Keel rok@umsl.edu
References and Credits for this Page of Notes
Last Updated: Thursday, July 14, 2005 1:56 PM

	Normative	Definitional/Reactive
Structural	Strain, Social Disorganization	Cultural/Pluralistic Conflict, Radical Conflict, Feminist Structuralism
Process	Subcultural, Control, Differential Association	Labeling Theory, Ethnomethodology/Phenomenology