Question

question 3 of 10
what did émile durkheim say about social deviance?
a. it must be ended using any means possible.
b. it helps clarify moral boundaries.
c. it only occurs among the adolescents of a society.
d. it only has negative consequences.

Explanation:

Émile Durkheim, a key sociologist, proposed that social deviance serves a functional purpose in society. One of his main ideas was that deviance helps clarify moral boundaries. When society reacts to deviant behavior (e.g., through laws, social ostracism), it reinforces what is considered acceptable and unacceptable. This process makes the moral and social norms of a society more distinct.

• Option A is incorrect. Durkheim did not advocate ending deviance by any means. He saw some positive functions of deviance.
• Option C is wrong. Deviance is not limited to adolescents. It occurs across different age groups in society.
• Option D is false. Durkheim's work (e.g., in Suicide) showed that deviance (in the case of suicide as a form of deviance in some contexts) could have complex implications, not just negative ones. For example, understanding deviant acts like suicide could lead to social reforms.

Answer:

B. It helps clarify moral boundaries.