Émile Durkheim argues that deviance is necessary for a society, as it has an adaptive function. In suggesting this, Durkheim felt that society should respond to deviance in what way?
A) Allow deviance to flourish, and it will burn itself out.
B) Eliminate all deviance through social cohesion.
C) Keep deviance within acceptable boundaries.
D) Eliminate anomie through the imposition of clear standards of behavior.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Durkheim argued that deviance is necessary for society as it has an adaptive function. However, he also believed that it should be kept within acceptable boundaries. This means that society should respond to deviance by establishing clear moral standards and social norms that define the limits of acceptable behavior. By doing so, society can maintain social cohesion and prevent deviance from becoming a threat to the stability of the social order. Eliminating all deviance or allowing it to flourish unchecked would be detrimental to society according to Durkheim's theory. Similarly, while eliminating anomie through clear standards of behavior may be part of the solution, it is not the same as responding to deviance itself.

ÉMile Durkheim Argues That Deviance Is Necessary for a Society