Explaining Social Deviance

by Paul Root Wolpe

5 Audio Cassettes - Includes Course Guidebook

Course Lecture Titles

10 Lectures
45 minutes / lecture

1- The First Step—Asking the Right Questions.

2- Demonism—The Devil's Children and Evil Empires.

3- Deviance as Pathology—I'm OK, You Are Twisted.

4- Social Disorganization—Deviance in the Urban Landscape.

5- Functionalism and Anomie—Why Can't We All Just Get Along?.

6- Learning Theory—You Have to be Carefully Taught.

7- Control Theory—Spare the Rod, Spoil the Child.

8- Labeling Theory—Is Deviance in the Eye of the Beholder?.

9- Conflict and Constructionism—Every Step You Take, I'll Be Watching You.
10- Case Studies—Sex and Science.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Sociology, Audiobook, Science, Philosophy, Medical

Audiobook

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[J.D. Steens · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this excellent set of lectures, Wolpe argues that deviance is a highly subjective term (who is in and who is out, intolerance and and disrespect, labeling and demonizing, normal and abnormal)that translates into troubling and horrfic actions (prejudice, witchcraft, eugenics, genocide) with minorities and the poor bearing the brunt. In asking, "What is deviant," Wolpe advises us to ask WHY is something deviant and whose interest is being protected or served. To provide perspective, Wolpe notes that the Buddha and Jesus were seen as deviants.

Wolpe is inclined to see deviance labeling in terms of power relationships. Those with power define what is deviant and therefore the punishment. An added, if not a more powerful dynamic, might be that deviance goes hand in hand with our tribalism. We need to be a member of a group. We make distinctions about in and out group, and we enforce conformity to group norms because group solidarity is how, evolutionarily, we have survived. Those who are out group or didn't conform to the in group are regarded as deviant.

This is not to say that there are no "absolute" standards to define deviancy. Murder, theft and so forth fall into that category because they cross that line of respect for the freedom of others. Beyond some obvious examples such as this, the problem is defining when that line is crossed.

[Gerry Lynch · Rating 1 out of 5]

First, a disclaimer, I am a graduate of Mathematics and Economics with post graduate Psychology. I was always sceptical of Sociology. This set of lectures confirmed my assumption. The worst was the final lecture when equating astronomy with astrology and creationism with evolution. The level of confirmation bias used was shocking. For example, Einstein's theories was not a revolution of Newton's, it was an extension.

[Chuck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Roote Wolpe's "Explaining Social Deviance" is an audio lecture introduction to the concept of Social Deviance as viewed through the filter of the field of Sociology. The series consists of 10 lectures, with each lecture about 45 minutes in length. The lectures appear to be from the 1990's.

I generally listen to this style of courses while driving. I found the course quite worthwhile and engaging way to spend what would otherwise be wasted time sitting in local traffic jams.

Dr Wolpe's style was engaging and straightforward. The material was new to me and presented in a well thought out and interesting manner. As always, I found a few minor things to quibble about. But the course was overwhelmingly worthwhile.

When selecting this course, having not studied Sociology in college, I did not know what to expect. However, I was won over in the first lecture when Dr Wolpe defined "Social Deviance" as something defined by society. That it could be something you do, something that you are, something that you believe, or even something that others believe about you.

I would certainly recommend this course anyone unfamiliar with the Sociology of Deviance at a college introductory course level. I found it interesting, helpful and worthwhile

[Troy Blackford · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting introduction to the sociological concept of deviance. These lectures were recorded near the end of 1994, and end with the rise of what became the all-encompassing 'postmodern' movement to foist the tools of literary criticism onto science. This part made me sad, but the rest was interesting.

[Matt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fascinating set of lectures.They win the prize for most notes taken while listening to a great course. Though it focuses soecifically on the topic of deviant behavior, this becomes a lens for a pretty in depth introduction to sociology. The instructor is a little tendentious, but if you can look past that the content is excellent.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent lecture series. I definitely recommend listening to the audio version because you get to hear Prof. Root Wolpe talk. These theories changed the way I view social deviance. I love how objective these lectures were. These theories and facts below are not necessarily Wolpe’s personal beliefs. He uses several fascinating examples within each theory.

Personal notes for myself on the lectures (theories of social deviance):

•Theory 1: Deviance that is motivated by evil, particularly religious and moral deviation. (examples of “demonism” as a motivation do deviate, do evil, or harm. This was a comforting diagnosis for society and law enforcement in legal cases.)
•Theory 2: deviance as pathology. (i. e. “I’m ok, you are not”) deviance is representative of a fundamental difference (e.g. mental illness) between the deviant from the majority of society.
Craineometry= the “scientific” belief (of an older timer period) that the size and shape of a skull determined and individuals intelligence (father of criminology and the racial hierarchy Dr Lombroso.)
•Theory 3: social deviance as a dependent of geography and it’s structures (e.g. urban versus rural.) We define deviance differently depending on the structures. Additionally, deviance is perceived as more rampant in urban areas.
•Theory 4: deviance serves as a critical function in every society. Deviance teaches and reaffirms moral boundaries.
Merton said that anomie creates deviance. Durkheim said deviance prevents anomie.
(Expectations and goals are put in place for the common human, and when those are goals are not possible for someone to meet, it causes deviance.)
•Theory 5: Learning theory. You are largely limited to the social structures you adopt by your social class. (e.g. there is no fundamental difference between a young man in the upper class learning to join the Boy Scouts and a young boy in the lower class learning to join a gang. It’s the process of learning a set of beliefs, rules, problem solving, social surroundings, lingo, etc.)
Those who engage in lawfully deviant behavior must neutralize their deviant acts in order to nuance their deviance and moral values. They do this through the following techniques:
-denial of responsibility (the abuse excuse)
-denial of injury (I or it didn’t hurt anyone)
-denial of the victim (there wasn’t a victim)
-condemnation of the condemners (neutralize deviance by calling them out on their deviance)
-appeal to higher authority (protection or defending of others one is responsible for.)
•Theory 6: control theory (the idea that deviance is not learned, it is the default. Instead, conformity is learned.) what stops the deviant from being deviant? What motivates people to conform? Sense of responsibility to social groups, beliefs, fear of punishment.
Lord of the Flies is a control theory book. What happens when all social structures are removed? Does conformity or savagery win? (Savagery wins.) control theory cannot stand because humans have an innate tendency to conform. Deviance is not necessarily the default
Meg’s Question: how does religion serve as an agent of control theory? How successful can it be?
•Theory 7: labeling: deviance is in the eye of the beholder. There is no action that is inherently deviant, it is the reaction to, perception, and labeling of that action that makes it so. Deviance is a consequence
•Theory 8: conflict and constructionism. Marxism taught the concept that the bourgeoise maintained power by creating a social belief that if you were poor, it was because of your lack of effort. After all, If you really wanted power and riches, you’d achieve it. (Exploited the American Dream.) White collar crime causes 11 bill in losses each year and street crime costs 1.5 billion each year. White collar causes 10x the deaths than street crime.
•Final lecture was composed of case studies with applied theories listed above

[Shana Yates · Rating 2 out of 5]

The majority of these lectures would have warranted a 3-4 star rating. However, the final lecture is so unsubstantiated, so poorly reasoned, and so utterly misleading and outright incorrect that it sullies the entire set of lectures and makes me doubt Professor Wolpe's bona fides and underlying knowledge. He has undermined his own credibility by equating scientific theories (such as evolution) with creationism, astrology, parapsychology, and the like. He attempts to validate his interpretation by claiming (falsely) that the main thrust of the scientific method and thus of what can be considered scientific is that it be falsifiable. He goes on to claim that some "true" theories have been falsified in the past and later come to be believed, and that some currently "true" theories are falsifiable. In the former camp he brings up the theory of plate tectonics, as something that was originally dismissed and later shown to be accurate. In the latter camp he claims that evolution has been falsified because it predicts that organisms evolve from simplicity to complexity, but we have seen evidence of some species becoming less complex. Never mind that he has completely mischaracterized evolution and its predictions, or that he never takes the trouble to explain what the scientific method is or how it works (namely that it isn't merely that things must be falsifiable, but that there must be predictions made that can be verified via measurement and observation, and that such predictions and results be repeatable by others). He instead argues that all of this is a matter of construction, and that science is seen as true and whatever we label as pseudoscience is only considered that because we've decided it is deviant (as opposed to it not making predictions that can be born out by experimentation). It might be the most disappointing lecture I've ever listened to from The Great Courses. Shame on Professor Wolpe.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this, though it's obviously a bit dated (1994). I'd love to get an update on where this school of thought has gone in the last 30 years. I would've loved a more in depth look at specific "deviances", such as the homosexuality lecture, with a wider variety if topics, but I understand that wasn't really the goal of this course.

[Niniane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lectures about why some behaviors are socially punished.

E.g. the modern ruling class is exploiting workers. Workers may awaken at any time to their exploitation. Thus the ruling class endeavors to ensure the workers stay compliant.

[Viking · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to version by The Great Courses.

[Mitch Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most fascinating listen this year. A profound and riveting intro to sociology and its theories with powerful practical implications and case studies explored.

[Abdulaziz Fagih · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent and thought provoking

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

sure helps me understand myself... and everybody else

[Outmind · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5

Great lecturer, great overview of an interesting subject

[Doug Rosales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having being recorded in 1994, perhaps it's a little out of date with respect to current societal standards/practices, but an interesting and rich discussion on the topic nonetheless.

[Angello Ioakimides · Rating 5 out of 5]

Social psychology if you ask me. Nice historical overview, good presentation of the basics of useful and almost applied sociology, well versed, and clear in meaning. I liked it.