An example of deviance act: Excessive Gambling
An example of deviance act that I have witnessed in my life is excessive gambling. The result of excessive gambling can be devastating for both the gamblers and their family members, and it can lead to a broad range of other adverse effects, such as severe debts, loss of jobs, fraud, forced property sales, and failed relationships. Excessive gambling is also associated with increased substance abuse and various mental problems, such as mood disorders, depression, as well as anti-social personality disorders.
Theory that explains excessive gambling as an act of deviance: Control Theory
The theory that best explains excessive gambling as an act of deviance is control theory. According to Walter Reckless' control theory, both the outer and inner controls help in managing people's deviant behaviors or tendencies. Most people usually get tempted to act in deviant ways, but they do not engage in such acts due to various internal and external controls or restraints. Internal controls may include values, conscience, morality, integrity, and the desire to remain a respected or good person. On the other hand, the external controls may include the family, police, friends, and religious authorities. Such internal and external restraints form an individual's self-control, which prevents an individual from acting against various social norms.
In the case of excessive gambling, self-control can play a pivotal role in preventing an individual from experiencing gambling addiction problems. Gamblers who lack self-control have a high likelihood of suffering from gambling addiction or excessive gambling, which may expose them to other socio-economic issues, including mental illnesses and financial problems. Excessive gambling is, therefore, an act of deviance that can best be explained by the control theory since it is a behavior that integrates the relationships between people's social behavior and social control.
