Degher and Hughes' model of identity change and deviance in sociology

¶ … Deviance

Using interactionist perspective in sociology, Degher and Hughes explain a four-step process that characterizes identity change. The first step is the "initial status" where an individual assumes oneself to be in a state of normal behavior. The second step is "recognizing" where, in response to external and internal cues (and the cues can be active or passive), an individual comes to assume that the present status is an inappropriate one. The third step is "placing" where the individual continues to respond to cues and find a new "place" which he or she considers appropriate among those available. And the fourth, "the final phase of the identity change process involves the internalization of a negative (deviant) definition of self" (Adler & Adler, 2012, pp. 260-5).

As the authors note, the model can be fruitfully applied to the study of other deviant behaviors. As an example, we can take homosexuality. Although in a perfect world it would be wrong to label homosexuals as "deviant," most societies in the world consider it to be. And the study by Farrell and Nelson (1976) confirmed the validity of the model offered by Degher and Hughes. Their research suggests that homosexuals tend to define their identities largely in response to external cues (to a lesser extent, by internal cues, as well) and eventually internalize the external stereotypical descriptions of themselves.

Degher and Hughes' model, however, should not be generalized, as many "deviants" may come to realize their status to be perfectly normal, as is the case with homosexuals in the Netherlands or within liberal communities in the United States.

Question 2 Answer 2

Conforming behavior refers to a type of conformity in which an individual conforms to the wishes of others. The individual acts in compliance with the accepted values set by family, peers, workplace, the state, popular culture, or a combination of these factors. For example, an adolescent who lives in a family where most family members smoke or is friends with peers most of whom smoke, is more likely to start smoking than an adolescent who lives and spends time with non-smokers. In both cases, the individuals follow accepted norms and conform to the wishes of those who surround them. Research now shows that, in addition to family and peers, media plays a powerful role in disseminating popular culture that adolescents find appealing and therefore conform to (Villanti, Boulay, & Juon, 2011).

Primary deviance refers to norm violations that provoke limited reaction and has little effect on individual's self-esteem. For instance, an adolescent who smokes is considered deviant by a larger society, but it has little effect on him or her if he or she smokes in the presence of peers who are also smokers. Primary deviance is usually a temporary period, often leading to secondary deviance.

Secondary deviance refers to acts that provoke condemnation or widespread disapproval, and "alters the individual's self-concept, and affects the performance of his/her social roles" (Adler & Adler, 2012, p. 285). If the aforementioned adolescent moves to a school where his/her peers do not smoke and disapprove of his/her smoking habit, the adolescent then internalizes the identity of a deviant behavior and perhaps goes into a seclusion and smokes even more as a responsive mechanism.

Question 4 Answer 4

Deviant acts can be categorized into three forms: individual, cooperation, and conflict. Individual deviant act is an act that can be accomplished by one individual. Many individuals can participate in the same act or accomplish it separately from each other, but in essence individual deviance "can be committed by one person, to that person, on that person, for that person" (Adler & Adler, 2012, p. 460). An example of individual deviance is alcohol addiction. The goal of such a deviant is to satisfy himself/herself with alcohol and the structure of the act involves the causes, process, consequences, and duration of addiction since use and conception of time can distinguish a deviant act from other conventional acts (Reese, 1989).

Cooperative deviance involves at least two voluntary participants. These include transfer of illicit goods, exchange of money, trading reciprocal acts, and other forms of cooperation where both parties gain and act consensually (Adler & Adler, 2012, p. 460). An example of cooperation is sex by two consensual adults in public space. The goal of such an act is to get gratification and feel the excitement. The structure includes the duration, the extent the participants try to hide from others, the nature of act, and consequences.

Conflict is characterized by domination of one participant over the unwillingness of another or others. At the core of conflict is "hostility, with one person getting the more favorable outcome (Adler & Adler, 2012, p. 461). Rape is an example of conflict. The goals include domination and gratification of sadistic ego. The structure of this act would be the process, the nature, the use of violence, duration, and consequences.

Question 5 Answer 5

The concept of "deviant career" refers to an analysis of deviance from a career perspective. This may offer fruitful analysis because "[w]orking in deviant fields holds many similarities to the skills, professionalism, connections, and attitudes needed for conventional jobs" (Adler & Adler, 2012, p. 524). A deviant act such as prostitution is also a career for many individuals.

Although the textbook suggests that most people become involved in deviance by conforming to others, research shows that women enter prostitution primarily to earn money and the entrance to this career is relatively easy but involves significant risks (Oselin, 2010). There is no formal training and socialization for this deviance, as participants gain experience through direct participation. Socialization may consist of emotional crisis, frustration, or sometimes gratification thanks to financial gains and companionship with other participants in this deviance.

Involvement in prostitution leads to participants' changes over time. A research conducted on Taiwanese prostitutes concluded that these changes include resistance, development of interpersonal connections, self-injury and loss of hope, and acceptance of prostitution (Shu-ling & Bedford, 2004). The same study identified difficulties associated with exiting prostitution. The deviants remained in their careers due to financial, emotional, drug-related, and identity-related reasons. Post-deviant features of prostitution involve the challenges of returning to conventional life, and is generally hard for most because of the past association with deviance and stigma (Oselin, 2010). In a few countries like Netherlands, prostitution is not a deviant career but a legitimate one.