A very scholarly, upper-level text examining deviance and social control using nine major theoretical perspectives.
For each perspective, Pfohl describes the basic theoretical images of deviance; discusses dominant research strategies
and social control policies; locates the perspective within a general sociohistorical framework; discusses its
status today; and assesses its strengths and weaknesses. While primarily sociological, it spans the concerns of
a variety of disciplines (criminology/CJ, anthropology, religion, psychology, medicine, political science), integrating
references to literature, film, music, and painting to show parallels between images of deviance produced by scientists
and those produced by artists. A persuasive theme is that power relations, which are socially organized, shape
a person's perception, definition, and reaction to deviance; thus, the study of deviance and social control is
decidedly political. In the second edition, in addition to general updating, Pfohl enhances material on race and
gender in the hierarchical/patriarchal power structure. He also expands and elaborates upon the critical perspective,
devoting the two final chapters to it.
Table of Contents
Images of Deviance and Social Control : An Introduction.
The Demonic Perspective : Other Worldly Interpretations of Deviance.
The Classical Perspective : Deviance as Rational Hedonism.
The Pathological Perspective : Deviance as Sickness.
The Social Disorganization Perspective : Rapid Change and Normative Breakdown in the Slums of Chicago.
The Functionalist Perspective : Cybernetics, Negative Feedback, and the Benefits of Deviance.
The Anomie Perspective : Normlessness, Inequality, and Deviant Aspirations.
The Learning Perspective : Acquiring Deviance in Association with Others.
The Societal Reaction Perspective : Labeling and the Social Construction of Deviance.
Critical Perspectives : Toward a Power-Reflexive Deconstruction of Deviance and Difference.
Critical Perspectives : Social Theory and Social Change.
