Deviance Theories and Social Policy (From Understanding Deviance: A Guide to the Sociology of Crime and Rule Breaking, P 293-326, 1988, David Downes and Paul Rock, -- See NCJ-116986)

• NCJ Number: 116988
• Author(s): D Downes; P Rock
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 34 pages
• Sale Source: Oxford University Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

Translating deviance theories into policy entails complex stages in which implications for action are specified, proposals for monitoring and evaluation are made, and likely side effects are anticipated.

Abstract

Since the analytical aim of functionalism theory is the total interconnectedness of social institutions, such theory appears to offer the basis for policy that is at least comprehensive in scope. Translating radical theories into social policy has problems, mainly because these theories do not offer criteria for discriminating between the many possibilities for action that exist. Symbolic interactionism, now known as labeling theory remained largely untapped until the 1960's. The situational type of control theory has the most obvious salience for social policy. However, it does not necessarily coincide with traditional calls for more policing and harsher sentencing measures. Phenomenological theories favor a more austere set of relations between sociology and social policy than those sought by most sociologists. 73 references.