ipl-logo

Symbolic Interactionism: A Sociological Analysis

856 Words4 Pages

Symbolic interactionism explains how societies view behaviours as deviant or conventional. Labelling theory, differential association, social disorganization theory, and control theory represent interactionist perspective on deviance. Labelling theory explains that deviant behaviours are determined by the reaction of others to those behaviours and it is vary across cultures (Introduction to Sociology 2e, 2015, p.141). Two types of deviance are Primary deviance and Secondary deviance. Primary deviance is a violation of norms that does not affect the individual’s reputation or interaction with others. Wearing white dress or shirt to the wedding ceremony is considered deviant in Thailand, White dresses are reserved only for the bride and the groom in honour of their special occasion. If you as a guest, unintentionally wear white dress to the wedding ceremony, people might just gossip or tease you. They won’t view you as a bad person. Secondary deviance is when one’s behaviours start to change after others …show more content…

It depends on a person who commit an act and those who perceive it to be deviant or not. One behaviour that legally allow to do in one country might violates the law of another country. Alcohol is strictly prohibited in Iran and Muslim countries while it is commonly sold in super market in Switzerland and many other countries. Sociology perspectives help us to view things differently, not from the one involve but from an outsider’s view. There is always a reason for every situation that occurred. The consequences of action and history are what make us who we are today. Functionalism, Feminism and conflict theory suggest us to perceive deviance as a whole, whereas symbolic interactionism view deviance individually. These perspectives very helpful not to understand culture differences, but also one’s own cultural norms in depth. There is no society without deviance. Positive and negative deviant behaviours are function

Show More
Related

Deviance By Colin Kaepernick

714 Words | 3 Pages

Deviance can be defined as behavior that violates social expectations and norms. Deviance can be something small like dressing like a hippy or in gothic clothing, or something big like robbing a bank. Each society has laws and rules to keep one from committing deviant acts. Colin Kaepernick is going against NFL policies, going against his duty as an American citizen, and finally, he is disrespecting the men and women who fought and died for this country. I believe Colin Kaepernick is being deviant when kneeling to the flag.

Read More

Explain How Does Strain Theory Explain Deviance

1048 Words | 5 Pages

1. How does Strain Theory define and explain deviance? Strain theory defines deviance as the situation whereby there exists a gap or difference between societal success goals and the determined means available to the society for achieving these goals. In a society, individuals share similar goals towards success and thus have agreeable means of achieving the same, however, when such an agreement is foregone such a society has a high rate of deviance.

Read More

The Labeling Theory Of Deviance

190 Words | 1 Pages

The labeling theory of deviance is how different people interpret the same action many different ways. This concept does not result from what people do but the way people react to certain actions. Primary deviance is the act itself then secondary deviance occurs if the label from primary deviance sticks. The taking on a deviant identity by talking, acting, or dressing in a different way, rejecting the people who are critical, and repeatedly breaking the rules. In this approach deviance is offered when anyone who breaks important rules would be then labeled as a deviant.

Read More

Symbolic Interactionism: Sociological Theories

223 Words | 1 Pages

Symbolic interactionism is a micro level theory, study of individual interaction, which focuses on the creation, development, and use of symbols. This theory emphasizes how personal interactions shape one’s behavior. Symbolic interactionism also focuses on one’s social identity, including their self-concept, self-esteem, and the looking-glass self. Self-concept is the known attributes of one’s self. The million of people living in poverty are fully aware that they are living in poverty and have a redefined self-concept that includes being a victim to poverty.

Read More

The Sociology Of Deviance: An Obituary By Erich Goode

736 Words | 3 Pages

Deviance and its role in shaping norms and reactions is a fundamental component of every person’s experience in societal life regardless of the active mutability of society and values. In the article “Does the Death of the Sociology of Deviance Claim Make Sense?” Sociologist Erich Goode dissects Colin Sumner’s “The Sociology of Deviance: An Obituary” and his claim that the sociology of deviance is dead. Goode makes six different points, all varying in importance and applicability, as to why he believes Sumner’s claims are false and that the study of deviance is alive and well. Although certain points of Goode’s seem relatively unimportant, his argument that the field of deviance holds validity and successfully identifies the flaws in Sumner’s

Read More

Evaluating Howard Becker's Labeling Theory

1125 Words | 5 Pages

Criminality established by those in power through the formulation of laws and their interpretation of those laws by police, courts and correctional institutions. The behavior of deviant, their norms and values are totally opposite of the dominant group. Sociologists believe that there is a process of labeling by which deviance will recognize easily. Based on

Read More

Deviance And Crime Analysis

637 Words | 3 Pages

Deviance and crime is a common characteristic of Canadian society. Deviance is defined as: “recognized violation of cultural norms” (2013, pg.465). While crime is defined as: “recognized violation of society’s formally enacted criminal law” (2013, pg.464). There are some universal similarities about what we as humans consider morally deviant, still, what is regarded as deviant or criminal behavior in Canada may not resonate with other societies. Some behavior “can fall right in between deviant and criminal” (Healy, 2012).

Read More

Structural Functionalism Sociology

1003 Words | 5 Pages

. Additionally, it explains how various social forces affect people’s outcomes in the society. This is where deviance comes into the picture. In some countries, a change may lead to stability, reduction of social tension and productivity. Whereas in some other countries, it may lead to worse and more difficult problems like marginalization, one problem leading to another and abuse of power.

Read More

Definition Of Deviance Essay Examples

1073 Words | 5 Pages

To answer these questions you must first understand that our knowledge about “what” is deviant is marginal at best. Also what we comprehend about its origins, benefits and consequences is even less understood. The word deviance is simply describes an action or behavior that violates social norms. This includes formal and informal violations of social norms. It’s a known fact that acts of deviance are consider violations of social norms, however these same violations are more often than not the catalyst for change, the catalyst for

Read More

Labelling Theory Essay

808 Words | 4 Pages

What is seen as deviant and criminal behaviour has been redefined numerous times throughout history. Some sociologists argue that deviance has been around since before the time of Christianity, madness (Deviance) was seen as a sign of demonic/supernatural possession. Similarly, with the Ancient Greeks who also saw deviance as a sign of something demonic or angelic. Furthermore, with the rise of prominent theorists/sociologists such as Émile Durkheim and Edwin Lemert, sociologists have established many theories when looking at deviance, such as labelling theory. Labelling theory is the tradition that ‘seeks to understand behaviour through one’s interactions’ (Chicago School).

Read More

The Role Of Deviance In Sociology

1304 Words | 6 Pages

Deviance is a big concept in Sociology and understanding deviance, why it occurs and why we react the way we do to it is an essential part in understanding the norms of a society. Deviance is defined as, the violation of norms (rules or experiences) placed on us by society. In one of our articles The Outsiders (1963) author Howard S. Becker states that all social groups make rules and attempt to enforce them. He continues by saying that social rules define situations and the kind of behavior deemed appropriate. It is important to recognize that different social groups have different definitions of deviance.

Read More

Labeling Theory Of Deviance Essay

806 Words | 4 Pages

In our society the way we perceive things is at times considered more defining than how we actually are; hence the importance of how we construct our labels and who defines them. Not only do these labels affect how others see us but also they influence how we view ourselves. They can be beneficial in how we construct our self-identity, but damaging when inaccurately applied. There are many ways in which to define people, but a crucial one is the way we define deviance, which more often than not boils down to whether or not someone is a part of a society. With this in mind it is important to recognize that what may be considered deviant to some is acceptable to others; for those in power are the ones defining deviance, at times to their own advantage.

Read More

Essay On Positive Deviance

1443 Words | 6 Pages

Although the term deviance usually carried a negative characteristic in first impression trough out history, afterward the term positive deviance was also introduced and analyzed. To begin with according to (“positive deviance.org”2015), “Positive Deviance is established on the inspection that in every community there are certain individuals or groups whose uncommon behaviors and strategies enable them to find better solutions to problems than their colleagues, while having access to the same resources and facing similar or even worse challenges”. “Positive deviance somehow exceeds social expectations. Moreover positive deviance can also be defined as individual or acts of individuals in a society that are superior because they super pass

Read More

Homosexuality And Deviance

1044 Words | 5 Pages

Many groups or cultures have different views on what is considered deviant.

Read More

Crime As A Social Problem Essay

1877 Words | 8 Pages

As far as crime is concerned, it is defined by the law. Deviance is unexpected behaviour, but not exactly considered criminal. Many consider crime as a social problem – a problem as defined by society, such as homelessness, drug abuse, etc. Others would say crime is a sociological problem – something defined as a problem by sociologists and should be dealt with accordingly by sociologists. This essay attempts to discover the boundaries between these two and ultimately come to an appropriate conclusion.

Read More

More about Symbolic Interactionism: A Sociological Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document