"In the sociology of deviance, no single theory has emerged as dominant." Discuss.

Deviance refers to going agaist the norms & values of society

No single theory emerged as dominant

⊙ Biological theory :- Earlier race given as basis of deviance. However, this is not accepted today.

⊙ Psychological theory :- Freud considered people with larger portion of 'Id' to be deviant.

⊙ Labelling theory :- Howard Becker argued that a person becomes deviant, when society labells them so, creating a self fulfilling prophecy.

◎ Sociological theories

i) Durkheim :- He argued that deviance goes aginst collective conscience & is pathological if in excess. It is restored via punishment.

ii) Merton :- Discrepancy between culturally defined goals & structurally available means leads to situation of anomie. Reaction is in form of 5 responses:-

Deviance remain a major socio-logical concept, continued to be studied.