Deviant Behavior

by Thio, Alex B.

• ISBN13: 9780205388837
• ISBN10: 0205388833
• Edition: 7th
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2004-01-01
• Publisher: Allyn & Bacon

Summary

This best-selling text offers comprehensive coverage of all aspects of deviance and is noted for its blend of readability and scholarship. Deviant Behavior covers a wide spectrum of theories of deviance, and analyzes specific deviant behaviors. The author utilizes an abundance of research data, including much that debunks our common assumptions about deviant behavior. Thus students are not only exposed to the full range of theories and data about deviance, but are challenged to think about and evaluate their own biases and preconceptions.

Table of Contents

Each chapter includes “Summary,” “Further Reading,” and “Critical Thinking Questions.”

Preface.

About the Author.

I. PERSPECTIVES AND THEORIES.

1. What Is Deviant Behavior?
Conflicting Definitions.
The Positivist Perspective.
The Constructionist Perspective.

2. Positivist Theories.
Anomie-Strain Theory.
Social Learning Theory.
Control Theory.

Constructionist Theories.
Labeling Theory.
Phenomenological Theory.
Conflict Theory.

II. INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE.

4. Physical Violence.
Assault and Aggravated Assault.
Who Is More Likely to Kill?
Patterns of Killing.
Characteristics of Homicide.
Mass and Serial Murder.
Social Profile: Serial Killers.
School Violence.
Stalking.
Hate-Motivated Violence.
Genocide.
Terrorism.
Why Do People Kill?

5. Rape and Child Molestation.
Patterns of Rape.
Consequences of Rape.
The Culture of Rape.
Why Men Rape Women.
Males as Victims.
Child Molestation.

6. Family Violence.
Myths about Family Violence.
The Extent of Family Violence.
Marital Rape.
Wife Beating.
Child Abuse.
Elder Abuse.
Female Genital Mutilation.
Social Profile: Family Abusers.
Theories of Family Violence.
Social Responses to Family Violence.

III. SELF-TARGETED DEVIANCE.

7. Suicide.
Varieties of Suicidal Experience.
Groups with Higher Suicide Rates.
Social Profile: Suicide Bombers.
Situational Factors in Suicide.
Social Responses to Suicide.
Sociological Theories of Suicide.

8. Mental Disorder.
Popular Myths.
Types of Mental Disorder.
Social Factors in Mental Disorder.
Social Profile: Depressed Teens.
Societal Responses to Mental Disorder.
Perspectives on Mental Disorder.

IV. DIVERSE LIFESTYLES.

9. Heterosexual Deviance.
Teen Sex.
Extramarital Sex.
Pornography.
Sexual Deviance in Cyberspace.
Social Profile: Cyberporn Surfers.
Phone Sex.
Nude Dancing.
Sexual Harassment.
The World of Prostitution.
Theories of Prostitution.

10. Gays and Other Victims of Stigma.
Myths About Homosexuality.
Gays and Lesbians.
Same-Sex Practices Among Nonhomosexuals.
Homophobia.
Social Profile: Homophobes.
Other Victims of Social Stigma.

V. DRUG USE.

11. Legal and Illegal Drug Use.
Drug Use in Perspective.
Illegal Drugs: Their Effects and Users.
Social Dimensions of Drug Use.
Becoming a Drug User.
Social Profile: Illegal Drug Users.
What Causes Illegal Drug Use?
The War on Drugs.
Abusing Prescription Drugs, Particularly OxyContin.
Smoking Cigarettes.

12. Drinking and Alcoholism.
The Extent of Drinking and Alcoholism.
Myths About Alcohol Use.
What Alcohol Does to Its Users.
Social Factors in Drinking.
What Is Alcoholism?
Becoming an Alcoholic.
College Students and Alcohol.
Social Profile: College Binge Drinkers.
Women and Alcohol.
What Causes Alcoholism?
Controlling Alcohol Use and Abuse.

VI. InNEQUALITY IN DEVIANCE.

13. Privileged Deviance.
What Is White-Collar Deviance?
Corporate Deviance.
Social Profile: Corporate Crooks.
Occupational Deviance.
What Makes White-Collar Deviance Unique?
Causes of White-Collar Deviance.
Governmental Deviance.
Official Ways of Neutralizing Deviance.
Causes of Governmental Deviance.

14. Underprivileged Deviance.
Robbery.
Auto Theft and Carjacking.
Burglary.
Shoplifting.
Organized Crime.