The work expands on sociology and the traditional study of deviance. It complements scientific inferences that attempt to explain human nature by adding more knowledge about pseudoscience. It also offers ideas regarding how an individual develops their sense of self. As a result, the book establishes a connection between behavior, social deviation, and thought, leading to a clear comprehension of both individuals and societies.
Howard's contributions to the field of sociology include Backer's critical analysis of prevalent theories like the labeling theory and his encouragement of colleagues to create empirical studies to support their theories. The writer supports experiments and research to be conducted in areas that have been neglected, and his book provides a concrete explanation of some of the deviant group such as people of the same sex gender and marihuana users. In addition to the contributions on deviance, Edwin Lambert, a sociologist who is accredited to being the first person to analyze and discuss the theory of “societal reactions,” in his book, “Social pathologist” he discusses the Labelling theory. Becker later builds on the research done by Lambert of on labeling theory and uses deviance as a practical example that explains in details the labeling theory. Therefore, Howard further builds on the research in his book. There are similarities between the work of Howard and Lambert especially in the analysis of social deviance and labeling of individuals. According to Howard, deviance is an act that is in direct opposition to the rules set by a specific social group while Lambert uses his theory of societal reaction to define deviance. He emphasizes on the social construction of deviance and concludes that deviance is as a result of labeling an individual and societies negative reaction to the individual’s actions. The two writers also have a similar explanation to the meaning of primary and secondary deviance. But Howard’s explanation is more detailed and superior which further illustrates Howard contribution to the field of sociology. While Lambert gives a general explanation of primary deviance as a situation where the labeled person accepts the title and welcomes the role he is given in society, Howard goes further to explain the meaning of primary deviance. He uses the example of marihuana users who are primary users as long as the individual does not repeatedly use the substance to gain pleasure. Becker advises his fellow sociologist to venture into the practical application of their theories by doing experiments. He, therefore, sets a threshold which has to be maintained by other researchers.
Explanation of deviance
According to Howard, social groups formulate in house rules that they adhere to which are deviant in the eyes of the public. The social groups then try to enforce their rules on others, and those who do not follow them are labeled as outsiders. Also, Becker points out that people in different societies may have varying views on what constitutes deviant behavior. The rules enforced by these groups act as their Bible and people who break these rules are regarded as a special group which cannot be relied upon to abide by the rules of the group and therefore they cannot be trusted by the members of the social group. Also, each social group or society can be regarded as deviant by one or more group depending on the rules set by each society. Becker states that “the person who is thus labeled an outsider may have a different view of the matter.” He further argues that no particular society has legitimate rights to label others according to their rules and therefore the people who don’t abide by their rules also consider such groups as outsiders from their point of view. Deviance has been shaped by different social groups which make their own rules and try to enforce them to the rest of the people and those that do not agree with the group’s ways are labeled “outsiders.” Thus deviance is a combination of varying views from different societies, and there is a likelihood of each being considered deviant if all the views of different social groups are integrated to define deviant behavior.
People who are considered deviant tend to remain that way because they accept this label and it becomes hard to do away with it. They, therefore, continue to lead a life of “deviant behavior.” Sometimes individuals are unaware that their acts constitute a deviant behavior and it is therefore not their intention to portray a deviant behavior. The author further emphasizes that currently being deviant does not mean that one was also deviant in the past. After accepting the label, it becomes the defining factor, and the society becomes accustomed to your deviant act, and the label becomes permanent. Also, a person can be labeled as a deviant because of their class and status.
How the book improves the understanding of social deviance
Howard observes that deviance has a primary and secondary component. He attributes primary deviance to the process whereby an individual interprets his own physical experience. The book gives a detailed process through which a deviant behavior is developed which is through social experiences that occur sequentially. He provides examples that explain each theory that he criticizes or supports and he outlines his views through typical behaviors witnessed in the society. For instance, using marihuana is due to social experiences that occur sequentially where the person develops a deeper understanding of his behavior. He observes that using marijuana requires a gradual learning process to be able to obtain pleasure from smoking the substance. Becker describes it has the initial or primary act of deviance while the continued use of the marihuana for pleasure is a secondary act of defiance.
How I would have made the book better
The book is written in the 60s, and therefore some of the theories and ideas cannot be applied in the current society although the majority of the ideas are still valid. The use of Negros is in bad taste and alienates the black community. He should have used African-American even though in the 60s, the black community was still struggling to fit into the American society. Also, the writer puts homosexuality in the same category as drug addicts, gamblers, and alcoholics. He should have explicitly explained homosexuality as a deviant group in its class and classify addicts, gamblers among others in a different class. Individuals such as addicts do not undergo the same thought process as the homosexuals and ranking them together gives a wrong conclusion on of their different characteristics.
Conclusion
The act of labeling someone as deviant is not an objective process, and we should not take someone’s deviance for granted because we cannot assume that he who brakes the rules set by social groups is deviant. Therefore, the process of labeling people as deviant is not water- tight. Sometimes individuals are unaware that their acts constitute a deviant behavior and it is therefore not their intention to portray a deviant behavior.
Works Cited
Becker , Howard. Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of deviance. London: Free Press of Glencoe, 1963.
Cliff Notes. "Theoris of Deviance." 2016. Cliff Notes. Document. 14 July 2017.
Clinard, Marshall and Robert F Meier. Sociology of Deviant behavior. Belmont: Wadsworth Cengage Learning, 2011.
Crossman, Ashley. "Sociological Explanations of Deviant Behavior." 2 March 2017. ThoughtCo. Document. 14 July 2017.
