Deviant behavior is not a subject that you study in school and then file away. It is a study of life and is ever changing. Defining the concept of deviant behavior is one of the most difficult tasks to overcome when studying the subject. Sociologists probably disagree more over the meaning of deviant behavior than any other subject. Deviant Behavior is an easy-to-read text that defines and explains the concepts and issues involved in the study of deviant behavior.
The book begins by exploring the nature and definition of deviance. It discusses why certain conduct is labeled as deviant and some is not. It examines the two major perspectives on what constitutes deviance—positivism and constructionism. It goes on to look at the various theoretical explanations for deviant behavior, including free will or lack thereof, rational choice, social control, cultural transmission, strain theories, and biological and psychological explanations.
The book provides an in-depth explanation of the many categories of deviant behavior—interpersonal violence, self-destructive behavior, family violence, business and organized crime, governmental deviance, cybercrimes, and human trafficking and commercial sex. The authors take an international approach and emphasize that what is deviant in one culture may not be deviant in another. To aid understanding, each chapter concludes with a detailed summary, review questions, and definitions of the relevant key terms.
Preface
About the Authors
What Is Deviant Behavior?
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Defining Deviance and Deviant Behavior
Working Solution
Faces of Deviance
Positivist Perspective
Constructionist Perspective
Deconstruction of Deviance
Normative and Situational Perspectives
Positive Deviance
Social Rules
Social Controls
Norms
Socialization
Sanctions
Deviance as a Shifting Concept
Utility of Deviant Behavior
Politics and Deviance
Behavior Assessment
Undetected Deviance
Tolerable and Acceptable
Dimensions of Deviance
Overview of Deviance Theories
Are Deviants Different?
Study of Deviance as a Separate Discipline
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Organizations and Websites of Interest
Endnotes
Theoretical Explanations
Chapter Objectives
Free Will or Lack of Free Will
Free Will Concept of the Classical School
Lack of Free Will
Social Determinism
Rational Choice Explanations
Social Control Theories
Social Disorganization
Concentric Zone Theory
Cultural Transmission Theory
Symbolic Interactionism
Differential Association
Differential Association Reinforcement Theory
Strain Theories
Robert Merton
Biological Explanations
Body Type Theories
Chromosomal Abnormality
Psychological Explanations
Intelligence
Personality
Impulse Control Disorder
Aggression
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Routine Activity
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Constructionist Approaches
Chapter Objectives
Constructionist Perspectives
Labeling Theory
Looking-Glass Self
Frank Tannenbaum
Edwin Lemert
Howard Becker
Erving Goffman
David Matza
Labeling Process in Nondeviant Behavior Situations
Process of Labeling Behavior
Critiques of Labeling Theory
Modified Labeling Theory
Hard and Soft Labeling
Conflict and Critical Theories
Karl Marx
C. Wright Mills
Alan Sears
Critical Theories
William Chambliss
George Vold
New Criminology
Controlology
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Endnotes
Interpersonal Violence
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Violence
Interpersonal Violence
Human Capital Approach
Homicide
Criminal Homicide
Murder
Voluntary Manslaughter
Involuntary Manslaughter
Euthanasia
Suicide
Sexual Assault
Rape
Consent
Rape Shield Laws
Spousal Rape
Stalking
Hate Crimes
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Self-Destructive Deviance
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Suicide
Durkheim
Sociological Risk Factors
Threatening to Commit Suicide
Suicide Attempts
Assisting a Person to Commit Suicide
Preventing Suicide
Theoretical Explanations of Suicide
Emile Durkheim
Andrew Henry and James Short
Interpersonal–Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior
Interpersonal Theory of Suicide
Drugs and Alcohol Abuse
Alcohol Abuse
War on Drugs
Eating Disorders
Anorexia Nervosa
Bulimia Nervosa
Eating Disorder Myths
Self-Inflicted Violence
Poor Personal Health Habits
Smoking
Is Sitting the New Smoking?
Killing Ourselves
Diverse Lifestyles
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Unacceptable Terms and Definitions
Endnotes
Family Violence and Deviance
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Relationship Violence
Myths About Family Violence
Intimate Partner Violence
Why Is Family Violence So Common?
Who Are the Victims of Family Violence?
What About the Batterer?
Why Batter?
Dating Violence
What Causes Family Violence?
Intergenerational Transmission of Violence
Social Stress
Strain Theories
Power
Marital Dependency
Alcohol
Marriage
Self-Control
Social Learning Theory
Feminist Theory
Subculture of Violence
Psychopathological Theory
Sociocultural Model of Family Violence
Exchange Theory
Parent Abuse
Law Enforcement Response to Family Violence
Civil Protective Orders
Who Can Get a CPO?
Problem With CPOs
Mandatory Arrests
The Duty of Law Enforcement to Come to the Rescue
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Social Inequality and Deviance Issues
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Equality for Women
Racial Equality
Economic Inequality
Economics of Unauthorized Migration
Inequality and Law Enforcement
Inequality and Crime
Crime and Incarceration in the United States
Income and Crime
Structured Inequality
Behavior of Law
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Physical and Mental Differences as Deviance
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Stigma
Stereotype Threat
Physical Appearance
Tattoos
Prison Tattoos
Physical Disability
Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990
Individuals With Disabilities Education Act
Fair Housing Act
Air Carrier Access Act
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act of 1978
Mental Illness
Genetics
Biology
Other Conditions
Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD)
Narcissism
Schizophrenia
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
Long-Term Crisis Reaction
Developmental Disability
Insanity
Legal Tests for Insanity
Diminished Responsibility
Intoxication
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Business and Organized Crime
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
White-Collar Crimes
Edwin H. Sutherland
Theories on Causation
Organizational Needs
Routine Activity Theory
Situational Crime Prevention Theory
Structural Dimensions of Opportunity
Money Laundering
Insider Trading
Punishment for White-Collar or Business Crime Offenses
Organized Crime
Criminal Gangs and Drug Cartels
Criminal Gangs
Drug Cartels
Mafia
Sicilian Mafia
American Mafia
Practicum
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Governmental Deviance
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Bribery and Illegal Gratuity
Elements of Bribery and Illegal Gratuities
Public Official or Witness
Value
Official Act Requirement
Prosecution and Informant Agreements
Intent
Intent Required to Establish Bribery
Intent in Illegal Gratuity Offenses
Criminal Conflict of Interest
Acts Affecting Financial Interest
Illegal Outside Salaries for Federal Employees
Honest Services Fraud
Election Deviance
Explanation of Governmental Deviance
Law Enforcement Deviance
Environmental Crime
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Cybercrimes
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Extent of the Problem
Common Cybercrime Fraud Schemes
Tips for Avoiding Internet Auction Fraud
Tips for Avoiding Nondelivery of Merchandise
Tips for Avoiding Credit Card Fraud
Tips for Avoiding Investment Fraud
Tips for Avoiding Business Fraud
Extortion
Nigerian Letter or 419 Fraud
Tips for Avoiding the Nigerian Letter or 419 Fraud
Causation
Preventing Cybercrime
Prosecution by CCIPS
Computer-Related Criminal Statutes
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying Signs
Tips to Overcome Cyberbullying
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Human Trafficking and Commercial Sex
Chapter Objectives
Human Trafficking
What Constitutes Slavery?
Where Does Trafficking Take Place?
Who Are the Victims?
Antislavery Legislation
Indications of Trafficking
Sex Trafficking
Victims of Sex Trafficking
Types of Sex Trafficking
Prostitution
Why Do People Engage in Prostitution?
Customers of Prostitution
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Unconventional Beliefs and Behaviors
Chapter Objectives
Introduction
Social Belief Systems
Deviant Drinking Behavior
Workplace Deviance
Computer and Internet Addiction
Who Becomes Addicted?
The Addiction Process
Diagnostic Criteria
Paranormal
Abnormal Religious Practices
Summary
Questions in Review
Key Terms
Endnotes
Index
Biography
Cliff Roberson is professor emeritus of criminal justice at Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas, and a retired professor of criminology at California State University, Fresno. He previously served as editor in chief of the international police journals Police Practices and Research and Professional Issues in Criminal Justice Journal. He is also an adjunct professor for Kaplan University.
He has authored or coauthored more than 60 books and texts on legal subjects. His previous academic experiences include associate vice president for academic affairs, Arkansas Tech University; dean of arts and sciences, University of Houston, Victoria; director of programs, National College of District Attorneys; professor of criminology and director of the Justice Center, California State University, Fresno; and assistant professor of criminal justice, St. Edwards University.
Elena Azaola is professor emeritus at the Center for Advanced Studies and Research in Social Anthropology located in Mexico City. She earned a PhD in anthropology and did her postgraduate study on deviant behavior at Columbia University. She is also a psychoanalyst. Dr. Azaola is presently Mexico’s representative to the Human Rights Commission. In addition, she was an advisor with the National Commission of Human Rights and a council member at the Federal District Commission of Human Rights. She coordinated the European Commission project for street children in Mexico (1999–2003).
Dr. Azaola has published more than 125 journal articles and numerous books on human behavior, crime, and human rights. Her research on the commercial sexual exploitation of children was sponsored by the United Nations Children Fund.
