The Concept of Deviant Acts

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Drawing on Module 5, explain Dagher and Hughes’s “Identity Change Process” (p. 261). Use a concrete example to illustrate how this change in identity takes place (note: do not use the example from the chapter on “fat” identity). Discuss whether or not you accept their model of how this happens; do you think this happens in another way? Explain.

According to Degher and Hughes (1991), Identity change is a process, which they have commonly referred to as the Identity Change Process (ICP). This process has four basic stages namely: the initial stage, the recognition of new identity stage, the placing of new identity stage, and the new identity stage. In Dagher and Hughes’ model, this process occurs within both internal (cognitive) and external (social) influences. Degher and Hughes (1991) add that these cognitive processes are activated by social cues present in the external setting (social interaction).

Following Dagher and Hughes’ (1991) model, the formation of masturbation is seen as a deviant behavior, which follows the four stages identified in the ICP. Initially, the individual goes through a period of recognition and that their identity is not appropriate (they need to have sexual gratification). During this stage, the individual dislikes the fact that they are not sexually gratified. According to Adler and Adler (2006), the next stage involves the recognition of new identities and as such, the individual who is sexually not gratified will find other ways to sexually gratification, including masturbation. This stage also includes the recognition of the stigma that comes along with such deviant acts. The individual may soon find support and acceptance from other people, especially those going through the same challenge. This is attained through social interaction. When this happens, the individual fully develops a new identity and is not apologetic about it.

While Dagher and Hughes’ (1991) model, seems plausible there are other models that proposed the formation of a new identity as explained by Weinberg, William, and Pryor (1995) who give four stage developmental stages of the new identity. According to Weinberg, William, and Pryor (1995) explain that the initial stage is characterized by confusion about identity, soon followed by the discovery and of a new identity. After the discovery, Weinberg, William, and Pryor (1995) argues that that state of confusion about the old and new identity continues

Drawing on Module 5, describe and explain conforming behavior, primary deviance, and secondary deviance. Give a real-life example of each type of deviance (note: do not use the example of eating disorders) Jose – please make sure the text in bold really stands out such as using a larger font; select an example from your own observation or from one of the many videos we have viewed in the second half of this course.

There are a number of sequent social processes involved in the formation of the deviant act. Adler and Adler (2006) argue that conformity is one such and that it involves an individual conforming to certain cultures, mostly for personal gains. As such people conform to deviant cultures mainly when they realize that they are much likely to gain from deviance. During the process of conformity to such a group, the individual learns and applies such behaviors in their lives. Such conformity includes cheating in exams as well as other from of behaviors such as fraud and Corruption and arises from an individual’s desired ambitions and aspirations.

Once the individual has conformed to such a group, he or she commits the act for the first time. This constitutes primary deviance and as explained by Lemert (1967) the behavior is committed before the actor (person committing the deviant act) is labeled as a deviant and may attract a penalty upon the actor. Acts such as having sex outside marriage with the first partner are considered primary deviance. Continued commitment to deviant acts may lead to harsh reactions from authorities, friends, and relatives. This may also lead to stigmatization of the actor. When the actor still commits deviant acts even after labeling, this constitutes secondary deviance. At this stage, people see themselves a normal and commit the acts possibly out of enjoyment. Furthermore, the actor may continue to commit the act since they have already accepted the social tag associated with that particular deviant act. Such secondary acts include drunkenness.

Drawing on Module 6, define and discuss the concept of “loner deviance.” Discuss how cyber communities have impacted many of these formerly “loner” forms of deviant behavior. Find an example of an online community that provides “deviant” support for those who would otherwise be engaging in a loner form of deviance. Do you think these communities have a positive or negative impact on the deviants you are describing? Explain.

Adler and Alder (2005) describe various types of the deviant organization including deviant loners. According to Adler and Adler (2005), loner deviants are people who indulge in self-injurious behavior, in private as they may be ashamed of their actions in public. According to Best and Luckenbill (1980) not only do loner deviants engage in self-injurious behavior but also their deviance may form repeated patterns. This is due to the fact that they perform their deviant acts in private and thus lack any platform for variations of acts. Furthermore, Best and Luckenbill (1980) add that loner deviants do not have any “association for deviance” (out of their tendency to be loners). Therefore, Loners are unable to sustain their behavior for long (Adler and Adler, 2006). Best and Luckenbill (1980) conclude that there two types of loners: one-time deviant loner and systematic deviants. Best and Luckenbill (1980) further explain that there are a number of deviants acts characteristic of loner deviants. These behaviors include rape, drug abuse, and overuse, nerds as well as delinquents.

There are a number of variables that affect loner deviation, and these include cyber communities. According to McDonald, Horstmann, Strom, and Pope (2009) and Adler and Adler (2006) the internet has a big impact on people’s behaviors. Loner deviants have been affected immensely by the internet, as they not only use it to execute their acts but also to organize and prey on their possible victims if need be. Loner deviants can use the internet to access information. Furthermore, through the internet, pedophiles, bug chasers, bulimics, and other lone deviants can liaise with other loner deviants which helps them overcome their loner nature in the real world. There are a number of cyber communities through which have impacted loner deviants. Through “pro ana” people with bulimia have been able to access information regarding their conditions. The “Pro ana” community has been criticized by many professional experts as it helps loner bulimics to practice harmful activities such as purging to control eating disorders. Because such communities as “pro ana” are not composed of professionals, as such most of the information passed is propaganda. “Pro ana” as well as other cyber communities that are purported to help former loner deviants are detrimental since they propagate harmful practices.

Drawing on Module 7, define the three kinds of deviant acts. Provide examples of each of the three types of deviant acts. For each type, provide the goal and structure of the act. Are there some acts that fall into more than one of these categories? Explain.

It is generally assumed that deviant acts are bad or injurious. As such the term deviant act is taken negatively. However, according to Sociology (n.d.), this is not the case. Some deviant acts are actually not negative. “Good” or “Admirable” actions are a break from the established social norms and within that definition are thus deviant acts. Extremely good behaviors are altruistic in nature; putting other people’s needs before one’s own. Such behaviors include committing one earning to charity and other forms of philanthropic acts. The main goal of good deviance is the attainment of heroism. Other than good deviance, “Odd” behavior is the other form of deviant act. This does not necessarily constitute bad acts but odd, peculiar, irregular, or abnormal behavior. “Odd” behavior includes such acts as keeping too many pets, abnormal dressing among others.

Basically, the goal of odd acts of deviance is to stand out from the majority. Some of them are also an expression of one’s personal philosophies, especially those associated with liberal movements. Sociology (n.d.) describes “Bad” behavior as a kind of deviance that is outright criminal. As such this kind of deviance includes criminal acts such as burglary, violent crimes, murder, rape, sexual molestation among others. While there are numerous explanations for the goals of criminal behavior Adler and Adler (2006), explain that most of these deviants commit such acts in conformity to such social tags. Some deviant acts can fit in more than one category described above. These include good deviant behaviors such as philanthropy. Depending on the degree of the act, a person who continuously commits his or her salary to philanthropy may be doing so out of altruism. However, if the actor lives in relative poverty it becomes odd behavior.

Drawing on Module 8, define and explain the concept of a “deviant career.” Provide a real-life or hypothetical example of a deviant career, and follow this example through each of the five stages. Does your example represent a deviant career that is easy or difficult to get into? Is it easy or difficult to exit? Explain

According to Adler and Alder (2006), deviant behavior develops over a long period, of time and out of the labeling processes, in sequential stages. This is what is referred to as a deviant career. Entering deviance is the initial stage in the development of a deviance career and scholars believe that intervention is most effective at this stage. In the podcast “Pimp Anthropology,” Iceberg Slim presents this stage by describing his entry into pimp identity through social interaction with other neighborhood pimps (Chicago Public Media, 2011). Adler & Adler (2006) argue that the second sequential stage in the development of a deviant career is training and socialization. Through Iceberg Slim, training and socialization are evident through observations of violence, selling drugs, and other forms of pimp behavior as well as learning to internalize the “rules of the game.” Sequentially, the development of deviant behaviors is not static and changes over time. This is evident through Iceberg Slim pimpism and the evolution and development of other behaviors, such as engagement with prostitutes such as Louise (Chicago Public Media, 2011).

Training and socialization further lead to remorse and the victim wants to get out of the deviant act. During this period, intervention measures are fairly helping the individual come out of the problem. Iceberg Slim describes this process less dramatically and that the pimp slowly lost interest in pimpish behavior. Adler & Adler (2006) describes Exiting Deviance as the last stage of a deviant career. Not much is known about this stage since post deviants leave their deviant behaviors and disappear from the public limelight. However, Iceberg Slim’s post-deviant career is evident through making jewelry for musicians. Slim’s musician prefers jewelry that portrays pimp culture (Chicago Public Media, 2011). This proves that deviant culture can be used positively in post-deviant life. Adler and Alder’s (2006) deviant career development is plausible but a hard act to follow since deviant behavior is not structural but subject to so many influences. It is also possible for a deviant to drop out at any stage.

The formation of deviant behaviors is thus progressive and follows certain logical steps. Deviant behavior is not necessarily committed deliberate but formed slowly over a long period of time. The external environment plays major role in determining the type of deviant behavior formed. However, as Adler and Alder (2006) explain not every form of deviant behavior will lead to absolute destruction of the deviant persons. Deviant culture, as an exhibit through Iceberg Slim, can be used to contribute positively to a person post deviant life.

List of references

Adler, A., and Adler, P. (2005). Self-Injurers as Loners : The Social Organization of Solitary Deviance self-injurers as loners : the social organization of solitary deviance. Deviant Behavior.

Adler, P. and Adler, A. (2006). Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction. Pennsylvania: Thomson/Wadsworth.

Best, J. and Luckenbill, D. (1980). The Social Organization of Deviants Social Problems.Society for the Study of Social Problems. Web.

Chicago Public Media. (2011). 127: Pimp Anthropology. Web.

Lemert, E. (1967). Human deviance, social problems and social control. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

McDonald, H., Horstmann, N., Strom, K. and Pope. (2009). The Impact of the Internet on Deviant Behavior and Deviant Communities. Web.

Sociology. (n.d.) Types of Deviance. Web.

Weinberg, M., Williams, C. and Pryor, D. (1995). Dual Attraction: Understanding Bisexuality Oxford: Oxford University Press.

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The Concept of Deviant Acts

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