Sociology / Unit 5 Soc 0658 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Functionalism on Deviance
Captions available
The idea
Functionalists argue deviance serves the society: it clarifies norms, strengthens group cohesion in response, and marks the boundary of the acceptable.
In practice
A public violation and the reaction to it teach everyone watching where the line sits.
Where people slip
Saying deviance performs a function does not say it is good or should continue.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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