Deviance Today introduces students to the dynamic and evolving field of the sociology of deviance through a collection of original, accessible chapters written specifically for this volume by leading scholars. Organized around contemporary themes rather than simply traditional categories, the book examines how societies define, contest, and regulate deviance across a range of topics. The third edition includes 30 new and substantially revised chapters that reflect the current trends in the sociology of deviance, covering crime, drugs, disability, stigma, body modification, conspiracy beliefs, online communities, artificial intelligence, and gun violence.
Designed for undergraduate courses in sociology, criminology, criminal justice, and related disciplines, this book encourages students to think critically about how norms are created, challenged, and enforced in an increasingly complex world. Each chapter synthesizes current scholarship in a clear, engaging style while highlighting contemporary debates, real-world examples, and the continuing relevance of sociological theory. This reader helps students develop a broad sociological imagination, recognize the role of power and inequality in defining deviance, and better understand the social processes that shape inclusion, exclusion, stigma, and social control in everyday life.