Social Pathology – Edwin Lemert – 1951
Social Pathology by Edwin Lemert
Edwin Lemert’s Social Pathology, first published in 1951, presents a foundational exploration into the sociological understanding of deviance. This work diverges from earlier perspectives that primarily focused on individual pathologies as the root cause of aberrant behavior. Instead, Lemert proposes a framework centered on societal structures and processes as critical determinants of both conformity and deviance.
What the Book Explores
Lemert’s central argument revolves around the distinction between primary and secondary deviance. Primary deviance, he argues, represents rule-breaking behavior that is often seen as relatively minor, easily explained, and doesn’t significantly alter an individual’s self-concept. It is often handled informally and may not lead to further deviance. Secondary deviance, however, emerges as a response to societal reaction to primary deviance. This reaction – labeling, stigmatization, and exclusion – can lead to the internalization of a deviant self-identity, and a subsequent pattern of more serious and persistent rule-breaking.
The book examines how social institutions—such as the legal system, the medical establishment, and the family—contribute to the creation and maintenance of deviance. Lemert emphasizes the role of social control mechanisms in shaping deviant careers, and the ways in which these mechanisms can inadvertently exacerbate the very behaviors they are intended to prevent. He explores themes of social stigma, the self-fulfilling prophecy, and the power dynamics inherent in defining deviance.
Historical / Cultural Context
Social Pathology emerged in a post-World War II intellectual climate heavily influenced by the rise of sociological thought and a growing critique of traditional psychological explanations for social problems. It represented a shift away from earlier biological and psychological determinism towards a more socially-constructed understanding of deviance. The book’s publication coincided with the development of labeling theory, which further emphasized the role of societal reaction in shaping deviant behavior.
The work also reflects the anxieties of the Cold War era, where concerns about social order and conformity were prominent. Lemert’s emphasis on the unintended consequences of social control resonated with critiques of bureaucratic power and the potential for societal systems to create their own problems. The book’s enduring influence stems from its challenge to conventional understandings of crime and deviance, and its focus on the social forces that shape human behavior.
Who This Book Is For
This book is primarily geared towards students and scholars in sociology, criminology, and related fields. However, its accessible writing style and thought-provoking arguments make it relevant to anyone interested in understanding the social construction of deviance, the dynamics of social control, and the impact of societal labeling on individual lives. It is useful for readers interested in the psychology of belief as it explores how individuals internalize societal judgements.
Further Reading
- Howard Becker, Outsiders: Studies in the Sociology of Deviance (1963): A key work in labeling theory, expanding on Lemert’s ideas.
- Erving Goffman, Stigma: The Identity of Spoiled (1963): Explores the social consequences of being labeled as deviant.
- Émile Durkheim, The Division of Labor in Society (1893): Provides foundational sociological context for understanding social order and deviance.
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