For This Activity Students Are To Test The Concept Of Devian ✓ Solved

For This Activity Students Are To Test The Concept Of Deviance And T

For this activity, students are to test the concept of deviance, and to understand how deviance is socially determined. Deviance is socially constructed in that it exists with sensitivity to time and place. What was once deviant may no longer be, what is deviant in one place may be completely acceptable in another.

Students are to commit an act of deviance (within state law and university/public policy) which causes some sort of reaction. Examples include walking backwards to class, wearing clothes inside out or backwards, wearing different shoes on each foot, calling relatives by their first names, closing doors behind themselves in shared spaces, or pressing every elevator button. These are examples discussed in class to illustrate acts that may be considered deviant.

Students should then write a two-page (single spaced, 12-point font) reflection describing their deviant activity. Their reflection should analyze the reactions of others, considering whether the act would be acceptable in other contexts, what factors contribute to its perception as deviant, and how societal reactions influenced their experience. They should also reflect on how perceptions of deviance have changed over time and why reactions vary in different settings.

This exercise aims to deepen understanding of the social construction of deviance and how societal norms influence perceptions of acceptable behavior.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Engaging in an act of deviance provides a unique lens through which to examine societal norms and reactions. For this activity, I chose to wear my clothes backwards during a routine visit to campus. It was a simple act, but it invoked immediate reactions from students, faculty, and staff, which highlighted how sensitive societal norms are to visual cues of 'normal' behavior. This reflection explores my experience, the societal reactions, and what this indicates about the social construction of deviance.

Wearing clothes backwards in a public setting is generally not considered illegal, yet it clearly diverges from expected social norms of dressing appropriately for everyday activities. In many societies, clothing choices are governed by unspoken rules about decency and appropriateness, which are reinforced through social sanctions. When I appeared on campus with my shirt and pants reversed, the immediate reactions ranged from surprised looks and giggles to outright comments. Some individuals seemed amused, while others appeared confused or even mildly irritated. The reactions were visceral and largely nonverbal, indicating that people’s perceptions of normal behavior are deeply embedded in shared social expectations.

What makes this act deviant from a sociological perspective is precisely this breach of normative expectations. According to the social constructivist view of deviance, behavior only becomes deviant when society labels it as such, often through reactions and social sanctions. Wearing clothes backwards is an unusual act but not inherently wrong or illegal. Over time, social norms evolve, and what is considered deviant may change. For example, in some cultures or contexts, unconventional clothing or attire might be accepted or even celebrated, illustrating the fluidity of deviance as a social construct.

The reactions of others played a significant role in shaping my experience. The surprise and curiosity I received demonstrate societal boundary enforcement—an attempt to reaffirm what is deemed normal by reacting to the deviation. Interestingly, the reactions influenced my behavior during the activity. For instance, some individuals pointed and laughed, which heightened my awareness of the social implications of my act. This immediate social feedback functioned as a form of social control—reinforcing societal norms and discouraging deviant behavior in everyday settings.

This activity underscored a key insight into the concept of deviance: it is inherently relational and context-dependent. An act deemed deviant in one setting or time period may be acceptable in another. For instance, at a costume party, dressing backwards would blend in as part of a costume, thus losing its deviant label. Conversely, in a formal academic setting, it might provoke discomfort or social sanctions. The reactions are shaped by shared beliefs about what behavior aligns with societal expectations and how those expectations are maintained through social interactions.

Furthermore, the activity revealed how societal reactions serve to maintain social order. In my case, the responses from others reinforced the expectations of proper dress and behavior. The reactions also demonstrate that perceptions of deviance are influenced by cultural, historical, and situational factors. As norms evolve over time due to changing social attitudes, what was once considered deviant, such as women wearing pants or men sporting long hair, is now largely accepted. Thus, deviance is not an objective property of an act but a social designation that can shift over time and across different societies.

In conclusion, this experiment was a powerful illustration of the social construction of deviance. It highlighted how societal reactions contribute to defining what is considered normal or abnormal behavior. The responses from others reinforce social norms, and deviations from these norms serve to uphold or challenge societal boundaries. Understanding that deviance is context-dependent and socially constructed helps in appreciating the fluidity of social norms and the importance of societal reactions in shaping behavior.

References

• Becker, H. S. (1963). Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. Free Press.
• Goffman, E. (1963). Stigma: Notes on the Management of Spoiled Identity. Prentice-Hall.
• Hagan, J., & Pallone, N. (2021). Sociology in Our Times. Pearson.
• Lemert, E. M. (1951). Social Pathology. McGraw-Hill.
• Lynch, M. (2012). The Social Construction of Deviance. Wadsworth.
• Messner, S. F., & Rosenfeld, R. (2001). Crime and the American Dream. Westview Press.
• Shilling, C. (2003). The Sociology of the Body. Sage Publications.
• Taylor, S. (2008). Sociology: The Key Concepts. Routledge.
• Turner, J. H. (2010). The Structure of Sociological Theory. Wadsworth.
• Young, J. (2011). Society, Deviance, and Social Control. Open University Press.