Deviance is not an inherent quality of the deviant, rather, it is in the social interaction of one group in power having the ability to label the. Beckers outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in. According to john macionis, deviance is the recognized violation of cultural norms. Becker belongs to the group of sociologists, usually called interactionists, who examine social behavior from the viewpoint of the actor. Beckers classic study in which he introduced his labelling theory and the famous quotation. Howard beckers outsiders broke new ground in the early 1960s, arguing that social deviance is a more common phenomenon that perceived and that conventional wisdom that social deviants are pathological is incorrect. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Becker, american sociologist known for his studies of occupations, education, deviance, and art. Im using this book as material for my dissertation in cultural studies. Becker opens his book outsiders with this statement that can provide the foundation for his theories on deviance 1.
The perspective of the criminalization of social groups clearly distinguishes itself from the 1963 predominant idea of a pathological type of criminal, whose. Studies in the sociology of deviance howard saul becker snippet view 1963. Becker the free press new york wikipedia citation please see wikipedias template documentation for further citation fields that may be required. Another contribution becker made to the sociology of deviance were his studies on deviant cultures. Studies in the sociology of deviance paperback published february 1st 1966 by free press. File history click on a datetime to view the file as it appeared at that time. Its current appearance as a paperback is a testimonial both to the quality of the work and to the prominence.
Becker explored the theory in which deviance is simply a social construction used to persuade the public to fear and criminalized certain groups. It represented a major turning point in the sociology of deviance. Beckers seminal study remains the most piercing exploration about unconventional individuals and their position in normal society. Beckers outsiders is a thorough exploration of social deviance and how it can be addressed in an understanding and helpful manner. A compulsively readable and thoroughly researched exploration of social deviance and the application of what is known as labeling theory to the studies of. He was interested in the idea of deviance, not so much as a social problem that needed to be solved, but as an idea. Becker begins this work by defining deviance, how others. Studies in sociology of deviance kindle edition published june 30th 2008 by free press kindle edition, 224 pages. Which type of deviance did becker study in his 1963 work, outsiders. Buy outsiders studies in the sociology of deviance by becker, h s. I learned a great deal about anomie and deviance in this book. Outsiders becker studies in the sociology of deviance. A compulsively readable and thoroughly researched exploration of social deviance and the application of what is known as labeling theory to the studies of deviance.
Any person who wishes to become better acquainted with the major trends in contemporary sociology will profit from studying this new book by howard s. Studies in the sociology of deviance for the online. Outsiders is an excellent introduction to the study of deviance, and i would especially recommend it to all sociology undergraduate students. And while the book is now rather old, the material is as relevant as ever. The author defines a deviant as one who deviates from the rules of some social group and who therefore is an outsider to that group. Outsiders becker studies in the sociology of deviance free. Beckers 1963 book outsiders is credited as one of the first books on labeling theory and its application to studies of deviance. In his most famous book, outsiders 1963, he argued that deviance was the cultural product of interactions between people whose occupations involved either committing crimes or catching criminals. Becker this sociological text on deviance and difference provides an exploration into unconventional individuals and their place in normal society. One of the most groundbreaking sociology texts of the mid20th century, howard s. Howard becker, drug use and the sociology of deviance. Beverly yuen thompson covers howard beckers book the outsiders.
It is such a broad concept that it is in all human activities. Beckers 1963 book outsiders provided the foundations for labeling theory. Outsiders studies in the sociology of deviance howard s. A sociological model of deviant behavior is proposed. This should alert us to the possibility that the person making the judgment of deviance, the process. All social groups make rules and attempt to enforce them, howard s.
Studies in the sociology of deviance becker, howard s. Of the nearly 40,000 citations to howard becker s work in harzing s. Of all his many writings, outsiders, which was written in 1963, is one of his most imperative and prominent works, regarded as critical classical study within the discipline of sociology and deviance. In his 1963 study on outsiders, becker takes a sociological and. Becker due to the lack of satisfactory data and empirical research, evaluating the adequacy of labeling theory has been difficult.
A compulsively readable and thoroughly researched exploration of social deviance and the application. Beckers most famous book, outsiders 1963, viewed deviance as the cultural product of interactions between people whose occupations involved either committing crimes or catching criminals. Studies of juvenile delinquency make the point clearly. Labelling theory sociology bibliographies cite this for me. Becker, born april 18th 1928, is a well known renowned american sociologist. Labelling theory sociology bibliographies in harvard style. Beckers study of deviance, is mostly an insiders view. Deviance richard bernal intro to sociology professor mondoga mokoli 37 what is deviance. The outsiders, by howard becker, reprinted from the outsiders. Although written long ago first ed in 1963 the material is still revlevant to todays social world. The sociological view i have just discussed defines deviance as the infraction of some.
Refers specifically to studies of marijuana smokers and dance band musicians. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Studies in the sociology of deviance, it is this labelling theory that is perhaps his most important influential contribution to sociological and. Outsiders reconceptualised the sociology of deviance. Its a terrific view into one of the major sociological theories. Although there had been prior research into deviant labels, howard becker is hailed as the found of the modern labelling theory. An outsider is also defined from the point of view of the deviant as those from the social group who act as judges and arbiters of the rules the author explores deviant behaviour as a phenomenon of definition, as opposed to one of characteristics. In so doing, they accept the values of the group making the judgment it is easily observable that different groups judge different thmgs to be deviant. Howard saul becker born april 18, 1928 is an american sociologist who has made major contributions to the sociology of deviance.
1175 1567 28 1221 1070 496 161 387 676 551 395 699 1306 767 921 811 475 440 1304 1272 1558 855 453 1073 1497 308 1255 310 231 567 274 994 1026 1409 719 656 743 1227 965 1224 804 415 424