Deviance
Deviant Behavior: Interpret the strengths and weaknesses in studying deviance and explain the impact of such studies on the field of criminology.
Deviant behavior, by definition, is behavior that transgresses what is considered a given norm. From a criminologist's point-of-view, studying deviant behavior is important because it can provide insight into why certain persons or groups do not find fulfillment in positive societal roles and instead chose to violate the laws of society. Psychological profiles of individual deviance, or explanations of deviant criminal subcultures can enable law enforcement authorities to find the perpetrators of crimes. Studies of deviance can help law enforcement understand what sort of a man might be the serial killer of young women, or why a new immigrant group has formed a subculture within a city. It can also provide potential preventative solutions, by understanding why people behave in deviant manners. The study of deviance can help law enforcement construct better anti-juvenile delinquency or drug use programs, for example.
Unfortunately, the problem with the label of deviance is that it tends to normalize the rest of society as good, and the criminal as bad, which can make reintegrating violators of the law back into society even more difficult. Furthermore, the label of deviance does not encourage society to question its supposed normalcy, although not so long ago, homosexuality or using birth control was labeled a criminal, deviant act. Finally, not all criminal acts are deviant per se, as speeding or drinking before the age of 21 and other actions that are technically violations of the law are often tolerated by the majority rather than the minority of society.
There are also crimes, like cheating on one's taxes, that may be clearly deviant, but are viewed as less pathological than crimes of violence. Understanding why so-called normal society views certain deviant acts with greater disapproval than other acts, or marginalizes certain individuals who are more likely to become criminals as a result might thus be a more important area of study.
Works Cited
Simon, David R. (2006). Elite Deviance.
7th Ed.
Thio, Alex & Thomas C. Calhoun. (2006). Readings in Deviant Behavior. 3rd Ed.
