Social construction of deviance: bridging the gap between structure and agency

The Western worldview of deviance is supplemented by the expanding jurisdiction of the expert reliant on specific forms of technical, objective, positivistic knowledge. While the structural analysis of positivism is necessary, as well as the discussion of the supporting social policy and social control, the consequences of socially-constructed deviance and social control would not be complete without looking at the gaps and inconsistencies in knowledge. An analysis of agency and constraint and the role of the subject as an active agent is also necessary when examining deviance. The positivistic objective framework has had the intended effect of curing disease, controlling behaviour, and improving health. However, as knowledge accumulates, it may also become separated from human experience and practice (agency). This major paper will examine selected works of Marx, Foucault, Gadamer, and Giddens that focus on the relationship of structure and agency in order to lessen the gap between those who socially construct knowledge and those who are deemed deviant.