Theories and concepts are intended to help explain, generate insight, and contribute to description. In your answers, make sure to summarize the theories you’ve chosen by stating how each explains deviance and identifying any key concepts that are important to the theory. When you apply the theory, use the ideas to show why the theory is a good fit to explain why a particular action is deviant. Think about answering the following questions: what norm or norms are in violation that make this deviant? What is the purpose of the norm or norms? Why does its violation constitute deviance? What are the associated sanctions for violation? How does the theory you’ve chosen relate to the case of deviance? Why is it a good fit?
Theories: labeling theory, differential association theory, conflict theory, functionalism, control theory
Concepts: social norms, positive and negative deviance, sanctions (especially informal), conformity, normality, power
