NCJ Number
14241
Date Published
1973
Length
208 pages
Annotation
EXPLORES THE MANNER IN WHICH CONCEPTIONS OF DEVIANCY ARISE AND SHOWS HOW THE ATTITUDE OF NON-DEVIANTS, OF SOCIETY AND OF AUTHORITY ARE AS INSTRUMENTAL IN FORMING THESE CONCEPTIONS AS THE ACTIONS OF THE DEVIANT HIMSELF.
Abstract
A DISCUSSION OF DEVIANTS AND DEVIANCY COVERS TOPICS SUCH AS CONCEPTIONS OF DEVIANT ROLES, DEVIANCY AND STRATIFICATION, AND DEVIANCY AND RESIDUAL RULES. THESE COMMENTS INDICATE THAT CONCEPTIONS OF DEVIANCY ARE NO MORE THAN THE ORGANIZING BELIEFS WHICH GUIDE THE ACTIVITIES OF PEOPLE WHO SUSTAIN RULE-BREAKING BEHAVIOR. A STUDY OF THE EFFECTS OF DEVIANT ORGANIZATION CONCLUDES THAT THE RECOGNITION OF MOST INSTANCES OF DEVIANCY IS INHIBITED BY THE AMBIGUITY WHICH SURROUNDS NOT ONLY OUR UNDERSTANDING OF THE INTENTION AND MEANING OF ACTIVITY, BUT ALSO OUR APPLICATION OF DEVIANCY-DEFINING RULES. AN OUTLINE IS THEN PRESENTED OF HOW DEFINITIONS ARE TRANSLATED INTO RECIPES FOR EFFECTIVE SOCIAL ACTION, FOCUSING ON LAW AS AN OFFICIAL SYSTEM OF PROSCRIBING BEHAVIOR. THE FINAL CHAPTER, THE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, DEALS EXCLUSIVELY WITH POLICE ORGANIZATION AND FOCUSES UPON THE GOALS OF THE POLICE, AS WELL AS THEIR FUNCTIONS AS INHIBITORS, TRANSFORMERS, TRANSLATORS, AND CREATORS OF REALITY. (AUTHOR ABSTRACT MODIFIED)