This text investigates the social structures and organizational patterns that define deviant behavior within society. Authors David F. Luckenbill and Joel Best utilize a sociological framework to examine how deviant acts are not merely individual choices but are often shaped by collective organization, social networks, and institutional responses. The book provides a systematic analysis of the ways in which deviance is managed, sustained, and categorized by both the participants and the broader social order.

The text serves as a specialized academic resource, providing a structured approach to the study of deviance for undergraduate students and researchers. Its focus on the organizational aspects of non-normative behavior offers a distinct sociological lens that differentiates it from purely psychological or criminal justice-oriented perspectives.