SOC211H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Elusive Quality, Luddite, Product Differentiation
Document Summary
General definition: deviant behaviour is defined as the actions of persons considered being not right, just or proper. This general definition includes a broad spectrum of acts (and statuses): crime, poverty, mental illness, drug use, suicide, etc. Crime used as a synonym for deviant behaviour. Goffman notes in his book, ( stigma refers to a mark of infamy or disgrace), the tendency for the scope of the subject of deviance to broaden, to include more statuses and behaviours. Refers to certain characteristics of what is admirable based on appearance and education and high status which is known as the identity norm. People who do not fall under the identity norm criteria are more subject to stigma, lower social status. Radical sociology may speak of oppression and alienation caused by the institutions of capitalist society. Deviance liberation and conformity collusion; it will point to endemic contradictions and crises that will culminate, perhaps, in a society rid of all deviance.
