Year: 1972 Source: Social Science and Medicine, v.6, no.5, (1972), p.593-617 SIEC No: 19841743

The outline of a general theory of psychosocial deviance is described. The core of the theory consists of 2 propositions. First, antecedent self-derogation increases the probability of subsequent adoption of modes of psychosocial deviance. Second, adoption of deviant patterns tends to decrease the degree of preexisting self-derogation. The emerging theoretical model is discussed with reference to studies relating to several specific modes of deviant behavior.