Conceptualizing Deviance

A Cross-Cultural Social Network Approach to Comparing Relational and Attribute Data

Deviance is both socially defined and influenced. While it is widely accepted that deviance is a social construction, this research revisits the conceptualization of deviance and advances the methods used to study deviance and social construction. This book presents and compares three methods for conceptualizing deviance within and across cultures. Comparing the United States to South Korea, perceptions of deviance are presented as how individuals define deviance and what acts are cited as deviant. Next, attribute data are used to assess differences in of conceptualizations of deviance by demographic factors. Finally, social network analysis is used to understand the social influences at work in how one perceives deviance. This book is unique in its reconceptualization of deviance and the application of social network analysis as a new tool for studying social influence and perceptions.