DEVIANT BEHAVIOR AND CONTROL STRATEGIES.

By Arthur Lewis Wood '34.D.C. Heath and Company, 1974. 209 pp. $14.

This book analyzes "some selected issues in deviant behavior and its control from a broad sociological perspective." Perhaps because of the many existing definitions, approaches, and theories, Professor Wood approaches the subject of deviant behavior neither by defining it nor presenting his own theory. Rather, outlining "the distinguishing characteristics of several different approaches," he is more concerned with making sense out of the present proliferation of theories of deviance by "analytically useful classification" than contributing to it by presenting another theory. He assumes that most persons agree that deviance is an act or behavior that violates social norms.

Wood's real contribution is his analysis of social control, the mechanism through which sanctions are imposed to curb deviance. He makes the critical point, however, that since social control involves directing the behavior of others, the concept of power should be a basic component. Hence, he defines social control as "the use of power with the intention of influencing the behavior of others." He pays little attention to "informal" social control, usually exercised through personal-social relationships. He is mostly concerned with "formal" social control, which "derives from the application of power authorized for use by incumbents of official positions in groups or society."

Because Wood devotes over half the book to social control and pays particular attention to the legal system, it could benefit lay persons concerned with the legal complexities of social control. Too late for some, it could also provide beneficial reading for important personages in Washington.

Assistant Professor of Sociology at Dartmouth,Mr. Hall teaches courses in SocialMovements/Collective Behavior, PoliticalSociology, and Urban Sociology. This term heis Visiting Scholar at the Social ScienceResearch Council in New York City.