Discuss the different functions of deviance in society in mundane situations, such as the weekend or vacation.

Humanities

Discuss the different functions of deviance in society in mundane situations, such as the weekend or a football game, or vacation.

  1. Pick a deviant act and proceed through Merton’s defining of a deviant act.
  2. Think of your group of friends, is there a person that bothers everyone, and yet remains a part of the group? Why?
  3. Would you agree with Erikson’s claim that “society channels certain of its members into relatively fixed careers in deviance”?
  4. Pick a deviant act and discuss the latent functions of the act.
  5. Of the three critiques of the functionalist perspective, which one do you find the most problematic? Why?