Encyclopedia of Social Deviance
- Craig J. Forsyth - University of Louisiana-Lafayette, USA
- Heith Copes - The University of Alabama at Birmingham, USA
Social deviance—any behavior that violates a cultural norm—can involve something as major as crime or as minor as consistently and deliberately wearing lively mismatched socks. Whether a crime, a sin, or simply unique taste, what’s considered deviant at one time and place can change, as when extensive tattooing and "body art" evolved from a sideshow carnival spectacle to a nearly universal rite of passage within U.S. culture.
Drawing contributions from across the social and behavioral sciences, including sociology, anthropology, criminology, politics, psychology, and religion, the Encyclopedia of Social Deviance introduces readers to the lively field of rule-making and rebellion that strikes at the core of what it means to be an individual living in a social world.
Key Features:
- More than 300 articles authored by key figures in the field are organized A-to-Z in two volumes.
- Each article concludes with cross-references to related entries and further readings.
- A thematic “Reader’s Guide” groups related articles by broad areas (e.g., Concepts; Theories; Research Methodologies; Individual Deviance; Organizational Deviance; etc.) as one handy search feature on the e-Reference platform, which also includes a comprehensive index of search terms.
Available in both electronic and print formats, this two-volume, A-to-Z encyclopedia set is a must-have resource for students and researchers who seek to understand social deviance.
Key Themes:
- Crime, Property
- Crime, Sex
- Crime, Violent
- Crime, White-Collar/Corporate
- Defining Deviance
- Deviance in Social Institutions
- Deviant Subcultures
- Discrimination
- Drug Use and Abuse
- Marriage and Family Deviance
- Measuring Deviance
- Mental and Physical Disabilities
- Methodology for Studying Deviance
- Self-Destructive Deviance
- Sexual Deviance
- Social and Political Protest
- Social Control and Deviance
- Studying Deviant Subcultures
- Technology and Deviance
- Theories of Deviance, Macro
- Theories of Deviance, Micro
- Transitional Deviance
"The 313 entries in this “broad and comprehensive” encyclopedia cover the theory, philosophy, and methodology of social deviance, as well as “substantive topics"… Academic libraries, and some public libraries, would benefit from the information provided here."
"A masterful survey of disruptive and aberrant behaviors, this encyclopedia presents comprehensive views on deviance. ...Presentation of complex psychological issues...lists common symptoms, settings, restrains, and punishments. Broader topics...cite numerous examples and subsets as springboards for further research. ...Authors maintain objectivity toward controversial issues without shortchanging readers of full coverage. This admirable, timely set will suit the reference needs of most public and academic libraries."
"Forsyth and Copes and 200-plus contributors cover here "any behavior that violates the cultural norm."...The more than 300 entries, which are between one and five pages in length each, are wide ranging...The material is accessible and includes cross-references and suggestions for further reading. ...VERDICT:...this title will work in academic institutions, which will do well to add it to the demand-driven-acquisitions list."
