Sociological Theory Of Deviance

Deviance, social sanctions, and the control theory are other sociological concepts observed in the film. Deviance depicts an action that disobeys social norms. Every character in the film is seen as deviant by either their actions that forced them into detention, or executed actions during the detention. For example, Claire is deviant because she skips class so she can go shopping, and during detention, she instigates a relationship with John. Allison appears in detention because she was bored on a Saturday, and during detention, she steals Brian’s wallet. Andrew is deviant when he smokes since he is a varsity-lettered wrestler. John is incessantly deviant because he challenges and argues with Principal Vernon, does not partake in school clubs
According to functionalism, society is a system of interrelated parts that work together in order to tolerate a state of balance for society. The Saturday detention portrays functionalism because it serves the public both clearly and unknowingly. The way it is clearly portrayed is the act of punishing the students for disobeying rules in school, while it is unknowingly portrayed since the students become friends and unite together in order to go against Principal Vernon. The conflict theory says that social life is shaped by people who compete with one another over numerous resources and rewards, resulting in certain allocations of power, prosperity, and respect in societies. It is demonstrated in the way that the conflict between the students in the beginning of the film aids them positively at the end when they all become friends and work out their dissimilarities. They realize that even though they are all from different backgrounds, they are still similar. At the end of the movie, they are all able to share stories that ultimately help each other deal with their individual problems. It is also shown through the relationship between Principal Vernon and John. Lastly, symbolic interactionism explains how people interact with each other through symbols. It is shown in the essay Brian wrote at the end of the film. He states that they all accept that they are outcasts and want to accept each other for who he/she is and combine together as one. Allison is portrayed as “the looking glass self,” which is a concept where we envision how others see us and therefore create our own self-image according to how others treat us. Allison is known as “the basket case” at her school also known as the person who is unable to cope. Everyone thinks she is a weird girl, and so she plays it off and lies to everyone in detention to make what people