Constructions of Deviance: Social Power, Context, and Interaction

This text is the industry standard for publishing the most recent and relevant articles in the field of deviance, by demonstrating to students how the concepts and theories of deviance can be applied to the world around them. The authors include both theoretical analyses and ethnographic illustrations of how deviance is socially constructed, organized, and managed. The Adlers challenge the reader to see the diversity and pervasiveness of deviance in society by covering a wide variety of deviant acts represented throughout the text. Most importantly, the Adler and Adler present deviance as a component of society and examine the construction of deviance in terms of differential social power. The book takes an "interactionist" or "constructionist" perspective on deviance, looking at the processes in society that create deviance. The authors have selected studies that are ethnographic in character, focusing on the experiences of deviants, the deviant-making process, and the ways in which people labeled as deviant in society react to that label. Students enjoy the Adler's balanced selection of readings, as they are timely and engaging. In depth introduction, explanation of theory, and discussion questions after each reading help guide students through the material.

Patricia A. Adler (Ph.D., University of California, San Diego) is Professor Emerita of Sociology at the University of Colorado. She has written and taught in the area of deviance, qualitative methods, and the sociology of children. A second edition of her book, WHEELING AND DEALING (Columbia University Press), a study of upper-level drug traffickers, was published in 1993. She has received many honors, including the Outstanding Teacher in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, and the Outstanding Researcher Award from the University of Colorado. In addition, she was awarded the Mentor Excellence Award in 2004 from the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction (SSSI).

Peter Adler (Ph.D., University of California, San Diego) is Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Criminology at the University of Denver. His research interests include social psychology, drugs and society, and sociology of work, sport, and leisure. His first book, MOMENTUM, was published in 1981 by Sage. Peter has been honored with the University Lecturer Award and as the Outstanding Scholar/Teacher at the University of Denver, as well as being named by the Society for the Study of Symbolic Interaction (SSSI) as Mentor of the Year in 2005.