This anthology investigates the social construction of deviance and the mechanisms by which societies define, label, and respond to behaviors that deviate from established norms. George S. Bridges, a sociologist specializing in crime and social control, compiles a selection of foundational and contemporary readings to examine how power dynamics, institutional structures, and social interactions shape the perception of non-conformity. The text provides a theoretical framework for understanding deviance not as an inherent quality of an act, but as a consequence of social judgment and enforcement.

Experts frequently cite this collection as a standard pedagogical tool for undergraduate sociology and criminology courses. Readers note the academic density of the prose, which requires a foundational understanding of sociological theory to fully synthesize the arguments presented.