Easy A

The aim of this essay is to compare, contrast and evaluate two sociological theories of crime causation and two psychological theories of crime causation.

There exists conflicting theories among sociologists in the area of determining why a person is considered to be a deviant, and the reasons behind why he or she has committed a deviant act. From a positivistic perspective, deviance is based on biological or social determinism. Alternatively, from a constructionist perspective, deviance is created and assigned by society. Both perspectives seek to give a theory for why a person may become known as deviant. Although they both view similar acts as deviant, the basic differences between positivists and constructionists theories are clear.

The research done in this paper provides a better understanding of deviance and social control. There are various factors to research on the topic to develop a complete understanding of the two ideas. Specifically, the goal is to identify factors that directly impact deviance and social control and if one can exist without the other. These topics provide a better understanding of the human behavior and actions because of social control and societal norms. The focus of this discussion is to provide a detailed analysis of societal norms, deviance, and social control. I have used supporting research and my own personal ideas to develop the findings in this paper. It has become evident that without societal norms there would be no social

The movie chosen to be written about was “Easy A” where the director, Will Gluck, directs a film about a student, Olive Penderghast, who feels bad for those who do not necessarily fit in. Therefore, she allows them to spread rumors about her and certain sexual exploitations. In doing so she becomes the school’s most talked about student, while jeopardizing her reputation, while at the same time making some financial gains. She first pretends to lose her virginity to a friend who is too afraid to come out and say he is gay, causing praise for him and humiliation for her. This rendezvous begins a whirlwind of endeavors and a chain reaction of situation she would soon regret. Luckily, in this movie, there is also a

In any and every society, there is a level of deviance or crime, no matter how big or small. Deviance is when the norms of a society are disregarded, while crime is when there is a defiance of laws within a society. Individuals who are deviant tend to be nonconforming to the society in which they live, challenging social expectations and deviating from what is considered the norm. Meanwhile, crime is a form of deviance that also discards norms, but in a way that breaks the laws of a certain society or community. When looking at deviance and crime in a micro-level perspective, there are three different theories often used to analyze the reasoning for both in a society. These theories include the Differential Association Theory, the Control Theory and the Labeling Theory. In further dissecting these theories, one can gain a greater insight into the workings of society.

Abnormal behavior in one society appears normal in the other society (Nairne, 426). Deviance is weighed by the society’s reactions to the particular behavior, also it is measured by the society’s way of life so that it defines the unwelcoming behavior. It ignores the social order and some organizations believe, the reality in society.

Within any culture lies an array of definitive demeanors and actions that are deemed socially adequate and inadequate. Depending on the distinguishing behavior of a given individual and the society that they live in, there are invisible “laws” that prevent people from acting a certain way. If the individual’s behavior is adverse to the superior, predominant norms of their society, the actions of that individual are considered to be deviant. Social deviance in shown in a variety of dissimilar faces: within physical appearance, actions done to oneself and others, and religious groups.

After Margot finished reading her poem, the kids accused her of not writing her poem and they forced her into the closet. The students all were jealous of her experience with the

Deviance and crime are wide-ranging terms used by sociologists to refer to behavior that varies, in some way, from a social norm. Cultural Norms are society's propensity towards certain ideals; their aversion from others; and their standard, ritualistic practices. Essentially the 'norm' is a summation of typical activities and beliefs of group of people. This essay will evaluate the sociological theories associated with crime and deviance and to compare and contrast these main theories. And find links between these theories to today’s society. There are various Sociological deviance theories, including Structuralist: why do some people break the rules? ,

Lilly discovers that she has an erotic and emotional connection to women as opposed to men. However, she does not want to reveal her sexual orientation to the society, rather makes it a secret affair. In school, she continues to study like a normal student leaving her nightlife out of the public limelight. She opts to live two lives; one that is known to the majority of the society and another that is a secret to her and friends. She is not willing to make her sexual orientation known to the people for fear of victimization by the society members.

Moreover, Mary evolves that story and explains to her grandmother, Mrs. Tilford, that she saw the two women kissing through the keyhole in the door. Mary knew the power that her grandmother had over the school. Mrs. Tilford is one of the main financial contributors to the school. She is also a wealthy, influential older woman who is well respected throughout the town. But, because of her adolescence, Mary did not know the underlying effects of telling the lie to such a powerful person within the community. Mary does not realize that her actions have given Mrs. Tilford the power to ruin the school, the women’s reputations, and most importantly their lives. Although Karen and Martha never committed the act they were accused of, the lie spreads all over the town and ultimately results in the closing of the school and ruining their lives.

The day has finally come for Elena to tell her mother she likes females and Penelope was in for a surprise because she thought she was going to talk about Josh and Elena having sex. Instead the talk was about Elena seeing Kristen Stewart more attractive than Josh. Penelope had put on a fake smile and told Elena she was happy for her, but Penelope lied and was scared for Elena just for the simple fact she knows how the world thinks and she doesn’t want her daughter to get hurt. So, Penelope calls her lesbian friend and they went to a gay bar. Penelope’s friend told Penelope all she needs to do is be supportive, caring, loving, and understanding. Socrates once said, “Perfection is constant change.” We live in a world that is constantly changing from the economy to the technology to even pop culture. Society is ever changing yet certain norms and attitudes have remained the same. Over the decades, the lesbian gay bisexual and transgender community has faced the same criticism and backlash it faced back in the olden times. The times and some attitudes towards this community might have changes but most of society remains to hold onto its strong

‘social groups create deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular people and labelling them as outsiders. From this point of vie, deviance is not a quality of the act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of the rules and sanctions to an ‘offender’. The deviant is one to whom the label has successfully been applied, deviant behaviour is behaviour that people so label. (Becker 1963, pg 9)

Marginalization may also be the explanation for the high risk of self-harm in gay, bisexual, transsexual teenagers who are 2 to 3 times more likely to self-harm than heterosexual young people, this groups results in regular absenteeism at school due to homophobic harassment. 50% of those reported bullied at school had contemplated self-harm, 40% of those had self-harmed at least once. A survey in 2000 to 2002 interviewed 2,430 lesbian women, gay men and bisexual men and women in England and Wales and concluded that there is a greater link between discrimination and mental health issues. (Truth Hurts, Mental Health Foundation 2006).

In the United States of America, societal deviance changes nearly on a daily basis. Depending on the current culture, deviance is modified to make societal heroes like celebrities, political figures, and sport players look less deviant and more like role models for the public. The change in what is considered “normal” is customarily a result of society in general. By using a reference group of people, individuals tend to identify with those who are in the lime light. Then when that role model does something appalling, the public becomes desensitized to this behavior and its abnormality and becomes less distinct thus adding to the change in social deviances.