Abstract
Colin Sumner (1994) argued that the sociology of deviance “died” in 1975. This paper critically examines Sumner’s argument and finds that it does not mean what it he claims it means. In fact, it is about a decline in the supposed ideological function of the field for the ruling elite and not its declining intellectual vitality. Miller, Wright, and Dannels (2001 ) claim to test Sumner’s argument and find some empirical support for it. This paper finds Wright et al.’ s tests flawed and suggests alternative explanations for their findings. Some implications of this issue for the current state of the field are discussed. While the sociology of deviance has declined in theoretical vitality since the 1960s and 1970s, it leaves a legacy of influence in other fields, it remains an ongoing academic enterprise, it still attracts a fair number of students, and its textbooks ate cited in the field of sociology.
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I would like to thank Barbara Weinstein, Nachman Ben-Yehuda, William J. Goode, Alex Thio, Craig Forsyth, Carolyn Henderson Meier, Sabra Horne, Robert K. Merton, Alphonse Sallett, and the office of the American Sociological Association for their comments and assistance. Joel Best generously made available to me the manuscript of his forthcoming book on the topic of this paper. We don’t agree on all points, but my reading of his book strengthened this paper’s arguments.
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Goode, E. Does the death of the sociology of deviance claim make sense?. Am Soc 33, 107–118 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-002-1014-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12108-002-1014-2