Sociological Theories Of Deviance

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Sociological theories of deviance can be applied to many different scenarios. They can be real life situations or even applied to scenarios we see on television. In episode 15, season four, of the popular television show Walker, Texas Ranger, Officer Walker takes a group of troubled youth on a camping trip to help correct their deviant behavior. However, on the way to the retreat one of the teens, named Joey, decided to break into a car and steal a briefcase full of cash. Joey hides the cash in a boat house on the lake the kids are camping on. He only tells one of the other campers, Clifton, about the money and agrees to split it with him if he helps sneak it out. Joey is knowingly and willingly breaking a law. On page 11 in our class text, Constructions of Deviance by Patricia and Peter Adler, “Laws are the strongest norms because they are supported by codified social sanctions.” These are the norms that society has chosen to be written down because they feel that the violation of these …show more content…

According to Adler and Adler, on page 71, Hirschi’s control theory looks “less at the specific dynamics of interaction and more at the relationship between individuals and society.” Hirschi doesn’t focus on the causes of deviant behavior but rather why some people choose not to commit those behaviors. He wanted to know why most people conform to their society’s norms. Hirschi concluded that people who conform have a “greater investment in society” and will take fewer risks so that they do not lose this status. (Adler & Adler 71) Hirschi describes four ways individuals can be bonded to society, “attachment to conventional others; commitment to conventional institutions; involvement in conventional activities, and deep beliefs in conventional norms.” (Adler & Adler

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