The relativity of deviance / John Curra.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

This short, clearly-written primer by award-winning expert in sociology and criminology, John Curra, offers a high-level analysis of the relativity of deviance—perfect for use in conjunction with any of the core deviance textbooks on the market. As Curra explores the meanings of social deviance and public reaction to it, he answers such questions as: What is deviance? What comprises deviant behavior? How are deviants treated? Why is the same act sometimes praised and sometimes condemned as deviant behavior? Through insightful and thought-provoking examples such as the blue people of Kentucky, a woman who believes she is a vampire, autoerotic asphyxiates, and others, Curra illustrates that deviance cannot be explained in terms of absolutes nor can it be understood apart from its social setting. This book approaches issues of sex, violence, theft, drugs, and mental disorders in a way that makes definitive or objective judgments impossible.