Deviance/Breaking the LAW?

In the USA we have the largest prison population in the world. There is a disporportionally large number of people from urban minorities. People from urban minorities are also over-represented in the criminal system as victims. Some people claim that there is a criminal culture in the poorer urban communities. What are other possible explanations? How might the culture of the inner city contribute to the crime rate of that population?

Medicalization

We find that many difficulties in life have been deemed medical problems when previously they have not been considered real problems at all or at least not medical problems. Our text (module 6.6) notes a number of examples such as ADHD (unruly children), alcoholism (used to be considered immoral behavior), depression (sadness) etc. There is currently an effort to make the infrequency of women experiencing orgasm as a medical disorder (female sexual dysfunction). What would be the benefits and disadvantages of making this a medical diagnosis? Who would benefit from such a change in label/perspective (professional and common people)? How would such a new diagnosis harm people or organizations?

dramaturgical sociology

Dramaturgical sociology is a sociological perspective that studies social interactions, emphasizing the ways in which those involved work to create, maintain, dismantle, and present a shared understanding of reality. It takes the name "drama"turgical sociology because it posits that people will present themselves differently depending upon where they are and in front of whom they are. If you are "on-stage" that means that you are in front of the public and for all to see. In this situation you are highly involved in "impression management." You act in ways that you believe will reflect upon yourself in a positive or useful manner. At other times you may be "backstage". This is when you are in the company of other "actors" or people with whom you have regular contact with. Here there is a different level of impression management. You still need to be careful about how you present yourself, but you are a bit more open. Off stage people act with complete abandon. No holes barred. Here is a short video with clear examples.

I have here a short lecture on attribution theory, which is also in this unit.

Please choose a situation that you have in your life and give examples of how you act differently when on-stage, back stage, and off stage. Give clear examples. Also, try to comment on other people's postings.