The Seductive Claim: Constructing Deviance, Attraction and Social Problems

Abstract

<p> This dissertation is composed of three essays that employ a social constructionist perspective to critically examine the way in which sociologists, criminologists and laypeople alike construct their subjects of study. Specifically, each essay examines how claimsmakers establish the "facts of the matter" and construct the frames within which social actors can experience their social realities. In doing so, the essays demonstrate that those who are engaged in analyzing and addressing social problems, crime and deviance act as claims makers engaged in constructing the realities they study.</p> <p> The first of the essays examines the way in which sociologists and criminologists construct deviance and crime through the popular concept of "techniques of neutralization." The author demonstrates how the neutralization concept requires analysts to frame the speech of their subjects in a way that reinforces the deviant label. In doing so, analysts' claims about neutralizing behavior are made sensible.</p> <p> The second essay focuses on a subculture of male pickup artists. It examines how members of the subculture use evolutionary psychology in their claims about how to attract and seduce women. How these men construct their reality using evolutionary science provides further insights into the processes by which people are constructed and how science is employed in the construction of social problems.</p> <p>The third essay offers a commentary on the social constructionist approach itself. The author considers the process by which social constructionists themselves define constructionist theories and construct the boundaries of what constitutes legitimate constructionist research.</p>