What is the sociological explination of deviance?

Question

What is the sociological explination of deviance?

Answer 1

there's more than one theory on deviance.  Social theories usually encompass an idea that outside factors, social factors, like class and poverty, etc, effect the rate of deviance.  I studied both psychology and sociology in college and tend to think that the reason for deviance differ from case to case.  It is too simple to say, "there is more crime here b/c these people are poor and that forces their hand", but you can not always attribute crime to some mental defect or predisposition.  In my opinion, it is often a combination of both, similar to the nature vs. nurture argument.

Answer 2

there are so many theories of deviance ... here is a website that can get you started.  you can pick and choose from here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deviant_beh...

Answer 3

there are a lot of different sociological explanations for deviance but i believe that the fact that people are hedonistic is the best explanation.  yes environment and social factors are involved but the root cause of it is that people look for pleasure and avoid pain.  for example if someone gets a thrill out of stealing and obtaining easy money; if the other factors such as social factors that teach him not to do it don't exist or were not implemented correctly they would do it.