Strain Theory

While sociologists do not agree on one concrete definition of deviance, the working definition of deviance comes from the constructionist perspective and includes any behavior that is outside the socially constructed norm (Thio pg 7). Using that concept of deviance it extends to behaviors that are illegal as well as perfectly legal forms of expression, such as tattoos and piercings. Sociologists have many different theories to explain why an individual might deviate from the norm, to include strain theory, control theory, differential association theory, and conflict theory. Strain theory best explains deviance like human experimentation and prostitution. Strain theory explains deviance as occurring due to a lack of means available to achieve

This is because strain theory discusses the pressures that these people are under to make progress and the limitations that are placed on them by outside forces. Control theory suggests that deviance comes from a lack of social control, yet prostitution and human experimentation both occur despite the laws, rules, and regulations that prohibit these behaviors. Conflict theory suggests that deviance occurs due to cultural conflict, and indeed that may be the case. However, there will always be conflict of some sort as long as humans are involved and so the idea that conflict causes deviance is a moot point as there is no acceptable way to eliminate conflict completely from a society. Finally, differential association theory does not provide a satisfactory explanation for deviance due to the fact that an association with deviant ideas does not necessarily lead to an individual committing deviant acts. A child growing up as the child of a prostitute will not necessarily turn to prostitution as a profession just as the children of Nazi scientists did not all grow up to perform painful experiments on other humans. Strain theory best explains why deviance such as human experimentation and prostitution occur because it takes the goals, pressures, and available means provided by society into account when studying