John Rommel Case Study Why Would John

John Rommel Case Study

Why would John be considered a deviant? What social foundations of deviance appear to be evident in this case study?

Deviance is defined as the recognized violation of cultural norms. Social deviance is defined as any behavior that violates the social norms within a culture or greater community. This behavior can be criminal but does not necessarily need to violate a law to qualify. Criminal acts such as theft or assault are common types of social deviance, but so are incidental behaviors like lying, excessive drinking, or nose picking. The theory of social deviance is the foundation of the study of criminology and splinters into three classes of deviant behavior: conflict, structural functionalism, and symbolic interactionism.

2.Examine the three theoretical foundations of deviance (structural-functional, symbolic-interaction, and social-conflict). Determine which foundation applied to John's situation, and why. Give specific examples.

British sociologist A.R. Radcliffe-Brown developed the structural-functionalism theory, a perspective on deviance linking the established social structure to individual development of accepted social behaviors. The symbolic interactionism theory is considered a major perspective on social deviance formed by German sociologist and economist, Max Weber, and the American philosopher, George H. Mead. The four theories of symbolic interactionism indicate a subjective rather than structural explanation of deviance. They include: differential association, neutralization, labeling, and control.

The social-conflict is based on the paradigm that society is composed of competing groups, which are not harmonious. The focus of social conflict theories is on inequalities in society and the struggle to gain control over scarce resources. Once a group achieves dominance over others, it seeks to use the available mechanisms of social control to its advantage in order to maintain a dominant position. The conflict theory, rooted in the theories of Karl Marx, views deviance as a by-product of oppression and the personal quest for material gain.

Based on John's situation, his life may be classified and in all three foundations. For example, his life was shaped by social structure. Consequently, his lifestyle was shaped by social behaviors that were deemed acceptable. His illegal activities, such as Campbell Lane, stealing, and dabbling and organize crime, became a way of life. Furthermore, symbolic interactionism was evident by his association, which brought about assimilation. His neighborhood brothers became involved in the business as well. Last, the social conflict is evident based on the perceived inequities of the social classes. Insomuch, John felt society was an unfair and unforgiving system, which repressed the lower social class.

3.Choose 3 theories, one within each theoretical foundation, that apply to the case study. If a foundation does not have an applicable theory, state why, and what behavior could have been exhibited that would have reflected that.

Structural-Functional: Social facts ~ A social fact is every way of acting, fixed or not, capable of exercising on the individual an external constraint; or again, every way of acting which is general throughout a given society, while at the same time existing in its own right independent of its individual manifestations.

Symbolic Interactionism: Differential Association Theory ~ American sociologist Edwin H. Sutherland is credited with the theory of differential association. His work suggests that criminal behavior is learned in interaction with other deviants. Through association and communication with deviant personalities, an individual can learn the motives and methods for criminal activity. The theory places emphasis on the impact of peer relationships on the determination toward or away from social deviance.