Meso and Macro level theories of Deviance

Question

Identify and elucidate three meso- and/or macro-level theories about deviance.

Answer 1

Structural functionalist theory:

1. Anomie: Social disorganization is caused due to breakdown of norms which guide behavior.

2. Strain theory: The social strata with less resources resolve to deviant behaviors in order to attain the societally shared goals.

Conflict theory: It states that deviance in the society results from social inequality. If the inequality in the society is high in terms of class and other economic paramaters, deviance will be high.

Feminist Theory: The capitalist system is the reason for inflicting abuses on women. If any crime is done against the women, the cultural attitude towards the crime is based on the position of the women in the society.