Sociology and Deviant Behavior - Essay Example

            When examining deviance from the deviant’s perspective one of the significant theories is the control theory. Control theory indicates that an individual is motivated to follow social norms out of his or her strong ties to society (Macionis, p. 204). For instance, an individual with a full-time job and a family would be less willing to commit a crime than an individual that is struggling to find gainful employment. Rather than operating as a deliberate form of unethical or immoral behavior, for some people deviance may simply be a means of survival. One considers the significant disparity in crime and incarceration rates between African Americans and some other ethnic groups. While it is easy for individuals to make racist assumptions about these arrest rates, one can also consider that some African Americans may resort to deviant behavior because they find greater challenges in procuring gainful employment than other individuals.

            While control theory examines instances of deviant behavior in terms of an individual’s weak or strong social ties, other perspectives consider it in relation to broader-ranging responses to social constraints. This perspective recognizes that laws and regulations may be structured by people in society as a means of maintaining their social control (Goode, p. 110). For instance, one considers that powerful oil companies may be able to leverage their significant financial resources to enact laws that support corrupt practices. One considers the recent deviant behavior by Internet activist Aaron Swartz as potentially embodying this form of behavior. Swartz faced significant jail time for accessing the JSTOR academic journal database and releasing hundreds of thousands of documents to the public (Schwartz). While Swartz's behavior is recognized as deviant, there is also the consideration that making this material open to the public makes society fairer and just. Ultimately, Swartz may have been motivated out of deep ethical purpose.

            In conclusion, this essay has examined whether it is possible to understand deviant behavior from the deviant’s perspective. Within this spectrum of investigation, the essay argues that, through control theory and viewing deviance as a resistance to the dominant ideology, it is possible to understand it in terms of the deviant’s perspective. These theories have been considered in relation to the high crime rates in African American communities, as well as the recent actions of Internet activist Aaron Swartz. Ultimately, it is clear that understanding deviant behavior is more complex than simply understanding good vs. evil.