NCJ Number
184705
Editor(s)
Patricia A. Adler,
Peter Adler
Date Published
2000
Length
588 pages
Annotation
This anthology on deviance has chapters on defining deviance, theories of deviance, studying deviance, constructing deviance, deviant identity, relations among deviants, deviant acts, and deviant careers.
Abstract
This third edition has changed significantly from the second edition. Nearly half the selections are new, with most selected from empirical research in the sociology of deviance. New studies include work on positive deviance (including a study on labeling redheads), corporate deviance, robbery, satanic scares, bisexuality, boiler rooms, prostitutes' unions, and the relational satisfactions of gay Christian couples. Works retained from the previous editions include those on drug scares, tobacco politics, racism, classism, homophobia, eating disorders, rape, college cheating, women athletes, punks, sexual asphyxia, inner-city gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, table dancing, tattoos, and drug dealing. At the recommendation of reviewers, this edition has added a new section on theories of deviance, which describes classical theoretical statements in the field, as well as locating these theories in broader structural, cultural, and interactionist perspectives; they are also discussed in relation to other theories summarized in the text but not specifically excerpted. In the section on studying deviance, chapters have broadened the discussion to address the strengths and weaknesses of official statistics, survey research, and participant observation. The general introduction offers a broader discussion of definitions of deviance and contrasts the absolutist with the social constructionist perspectives. This edition continues to lean toward the social constructionist approach, building on the editors own intellectual backgrounds in symbolic interactionism and ethnographic research. For some of the individual chapters, see NCJ-184706-10. Chapter references