Discuss the different functions of deviance in society in mundane situations, such
as the weekend or a football game, or vacation.
1. Pick a deviant act and proceed through Merton’s defining of a deviant act. 2. Think of your group of friends, is there a person that bothers everyone,
and yet remains a part of the group? Why? 3. Would you agree with Erikson’s claim that “society channels certain of its
members into relatively fixed careers in deviance”? 4.
5. Pick a deviant act and discuss the latent functions of the act.
Of the three critiques of the functionalist perspective, which one do you
find the most problematic? Why?
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