Deviance Theory

1. Read the following story:
Bob and Mary Smith have three children: Joe 16, Jenny 13, and Melissa 9. Bob is a construction worker who stops off most days at Ernie’s tavern with his friends on the way home from work. Mary is a part-time home day-care worker. Bob’s brother Frank always has extra money that he apparently earns as a low-level numbers runner and drug dealer with the local crime organization. Mary is deeply religious and very much involved with the Baptist church.
Joe has recently begun having problems at school and now has been arrested for stealing a car. Jenny has begun staying our past curfew and came home last week with a tattoo on her stomach. Melissa gets much of Mary’s attention and focus in her ballet pursuits. In fact, Mary calls her “my little ballerina.” Finally, just yesterday Mary discovered a shoe box full of money in Bob’s part of the closet. When she asked Bob about the money, an argument ensued which culminated in Bob growing angry and striking Mary.
2. Write a paper about this family using the perspective of Differential Association. How might you use your perspective to think about this family’s situation? What types of research questions might you ask? What areas of this family’s lives might you want to investigate? How would you go about developing a research plan for this family to help you understand them from your theoretical perspective?
For example, if you were working from the perspective of Differential Association, you might want to investigate Joe and Jenny’s behavior by examining their social circles (or home lives).
3. Your paper should be no fewer than 2 pages but do your best to keep it under 3.
4. Watch your assumptions. The story lulls you into a false sense about things that have happened or are happening. Don’t fall into the trap. Only what the story directly tells you is true. Everything else is speculation. The speculation forms the basis for your investigation.