AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

At the end of the research, the researcher aims to develop a greater understanding
of the deviance in Ewarton high school of Ewarton.
To achieve the aim stated above, the researcher has the following objectives:
To analyse assumptions of the sociology perspectives on deviance.
To examine the factors why deviant acts are committed.
To find out the causes and effects of deviant acts in Ewarton high school.
To find out the reasons why students of Ewarton high have been carrying out
deviant acts.
To discover the measures that can be put in place to alleviate this problem
and counsel students who have been committing deviant acts.

Statement of problem
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Deviant acts have been taking place in many schools in the country of Jamaica.
Well the Ewarton high school is no exception. This school have been affected by
deviant behaviours over the past years. (Bowlby 1946, 1953) believed, deviance
was inherited; rather he explained it in terms of a childs early socialization.
Deviants behaviour is different from normal behaviours, therefore deviants are
different from normal people. Deviant behaviours is a social problem this is so
because it harms individuals and can have a disruptive are a social problem.
(Haralambos & Holborn), Durkheim (1983) believed that deviance is a necessary
part of a successful society.
This specified topic (deviance) at Ewarton high school of Ewarton situated in the
parish of St. Catherine will be investigated and evaluated to examine to the reasons
causes and effects of deviance and why deviant acts are carried out. Also
discovering ways to alleviate this problem in this context.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This School Based Assessment couldnt be a success without the help of the
Almighty God. He gave me the knowledge and strength to complete this sociology
assessment. Thanks also to my Sociology teacher, Mrs Scott-Jackson who was
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there every step of the way and make sure I did the right thing for completing this
project. Also with the help of the internet and the books that I read and the big of
my literature review.

Introduction
In everyday language to deviate means to stray from an accepted path, and many
sociological definitions of deviance simply elaborate upon this idea. In other words
deviance consists of those acts which do not follow the norms and expectations of
a particular social group. Deviance can either be positively sanctioned (rewarded),
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negatively sanctioned (punished) or simply accepted without reward or

punishment. The term deviance should be reserved for behaviour which is so
much disapproved of that students of Ewarton high who are not deviant finds it
impossible to tolerate (Clinard, 1974).
Deviant behaviour is different from normal behaviour, therefore to be a deviant is
to be different from normal people. Society itself generates deviance for its own
well-being (Durkheim, Cohen). Certain forms of deviance are natural and normal
response to particular circumstances (Cohen 1996). Deviant acts are a useful
warning device to indicate that an aspect of society is malfunctioning.
Many studies have been carried out to discover why deviant acts have been
happening and why this problem as taken students in the society. Sociologists have
also seen an interest on this topic, since it is focusing on how human behaves.
The current investigation focuses on DEVIANCE at Ewarton high school, situated
in the parish of St. Catherine in the country of Jamaica, with the school having a
population of (1300) students. A survey will be conducted to investigate the causes
and effects that led to deviance, in the school. The researcher hopes to get to the
bottom of this problem once and for all.

Literature review
Numerous studies have been conducted to investigate the term known as deviance.
Many schools in Jamaica have been affected by deviants while Ewarton high
school of ewarton is no exception.

Merton (1968) argued that deviance results from pathological personalities but
from the culture and structure of society itself. Many people who have turn to
deviant behaviour have been struggling from challenges at home or at work and
they take out this problem out in the act of committing deviant behaviours.
Traunts from schools, deserters from the army, or runaways from young-offender
institutions, may reveal unsuspected causes of discontent, and lead to changeo that
enhance efficiency and morale (Cohen 1996).
Deviance is relative; there is no absolute way of defining a deviant act. Durkheim
imagined a society of saints populated by perfect individuals. In such a society
there might be no murder or robbery, but there would still be deviance.
Deviants acts affects a society and the norms of that society as a whole. The
source of deviance in the nature of society rather than in the biological or
psychological nature of the individual. After all deviance breaks social norms and
values, if someone is deviant, they are a threat to order and therefore be seen as a
threat to society.
*Merton (1968) stated that the social and cultural structure generates pressure for
socially deviant behaviour upon people variously located in that structure. Merton
stressed that membership of the lower strata is not, in itself, sufficient to produce
deviance. Deviance can be described as a subculture, in the society. Merton
claimed that his analysis showed how the culture and structure of society generate
deviance. Social norms are codes of conduct that are considered normal by a
particular culture. It is also socially constructed, culturally relative that is different
cultures have different ideas about norms.
Becker (1963) argued that social groups create deviance by making the rules
whose infraction constitutes deviance, and by applying those rules to particular
people and labelling them as outsiders. Becker* also saw deviant as passing
through a series of stages in his or her deviant career. He also suggest that in one
sense there is no such thing as a deviant act. An act only becomes deviant when
others perceive and define it as such.
Lermerts claimed that it was not necessary to explain primary deviance, since it is
very common and it has no impact on a persons self-concept. Furthermore, it is
clear that many deviants realise they are breaking the norms of society, whether or
not they are caught labelled. As Taylor et al (1973) argue that while marijuana
smokers might regard their smoking as acceptable normal behaviour in the
company they move in, they are fully aware that this behaviour is regarded as
deviant in the wider society.
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Karl Max does not believe that deviance is a working-class phenomenon.

Deviance occurs at every level in society but work-class groups are most often
cited as the main perpetrators.
The present investigation on the issue of deviance in the community of Linstead is
very important and is a very critical issue. At the end of this research that will be
conducted and effects of deviance in the community and why deviance in the taken
a place in the society.

Data collection sources

Research Design
The investigation in question will be carried out at Ewarton high school, St.
Catherine Jamaica. In order for the researcher to collect data that will be needed,
the researcher will take in consideration the use of two types of research methods;
qualitative and quantitative research methods. The use of the questionnaire will be
the main data collection tool, the researcher will also depend on secondary data
6

sources to carry out the investigation in question. The questionnaire is cost

effective and can be done at the persons leisure and the respondent will be
anonymous.
The researcher will issue (20) questionnaires to student at Ewarton high school
who are not affected by violence and also to police officers to get their side of this
issue of deviance at Ewarton high school in the area and how it has affected the
non violent student . Students from Ewarton high ranging from ages 16 and over
will be able to take part in this survey. The sample will be advised or argued to
return the questionnaires two weeks later after being issued. The researcher hopes
to collect all 20 questionnaires at the stated time.
Sample Selection
The aim of this research on DEVIANCE at ewarton high school is to investigate
the causes and effects of the stated issue. In this research, the researcher had to
create a sample selection, which would be necessary in this case.
Questionnaires will be distributed to students ages 16 and over, which have been
affected by deviant acts carried out by deviant students. Police officers will also
take part in this research. Equal number of males and females will also be selected.
The sample will therefore consist of respondents who have been affected by
different acts in the school. The researcher hopes to have all the 20 questionnaires
returned.

Data Collection Tool

In order to collect data from this survey, the researcher will use printed
questionnaires. The reason for using the questionnaire as the data collection tool is
because it can be done at the persons leisure and it can be completed in a short
space of time. The researcher also has taken into consideration the students when
carrying out this research.
The copy of the questionnaire to be distributed is enclosed below:
COPY OF QUESTIONNAIRE
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DEVIANCE AT EWARTON HIGH SCHOOL: A Survey

Dear students,
My name is Joel Davis a member of the 6th form program at the Ewarton High
School. One of subject I do is Sociology in CAPE, and CXC require I do a School
Based Assessment for this particular subject.
Violent acts have been occurring at ewarton high school of ewarton over the past
years. The questionnaire aims to investigate the causes and effects that have led to
violent acts` in the school. The gathering of this information will play an important
role in the completion of this research.
Please complete this questionnaire and answer each question objectively and
honestly. Your names are not required. The questionnaire should be returned in two
weeks time. l
Thanks for your valid time and cooperation.
Yours sincerely,
_____________
Joel Davis

Questionnaire
Place a Tick in box to respond to a question.
For Questions that need a reasoning, answer objectively and honestly.

1. What gender are you?

Male

Female

2. What age are you?

16- 20 years
27- 32 years

21- 26 years
33 and over

3. What do you thing about deviant students? ________________________

4. How long have you been a student at Ewarton high?
Under 6 months

xd

over 1 year- 3yrs

over 6months -1year

over 3 years- 6years

6 years and over

5. Are criminal acts been carried out at Ewarton high school?
Yes
No
6. In what ways are violent acts being carried out?
In the form of drug offences
Sexual offences
Fraud and forgery
Robbery & Burggerly
Offences against vehicles
Other offences
7. Have you been affected by criminal acts that are being carried out at your
school?
Yes
No
8. Among what age group are criminal acts being committed?
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13- 15 years

17- 18 years

15- 17 years

18 and over

9. What are the causes of students committing criminal acts?

Child abuse
Peer Pressure
Depression
If others specify ______________________________
10.What are some of the effects resulting from deviant behaviours in the ewarton
high school?
Unwanted and teenage pregnancy
Broken homes
Gang Violence
Child abuse
If other, specify _______________________
11.In what ways can police officers assists in stemming the tide of delinquent
behaviours at ewarton high school
By establishing a Police Youth Club
Offering concealing sessions
Setting a good example so that deviants can learn from them
If other, specify __________________________
12. What do you think can be done to alleviate this issue of violence in Ewarton
high school?
Holding concealing sessions with residents especially the youths
Establishing a Police Youth Club and having educational sessions
with youths of the community
Teaching people about having stable family homes
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Residents of the community becoming more caring for one another

and helping each other

Presentation of data
Title: Pie chart showing the percentage of students influence by violence to the
ones not influenced.

11

Chart Title
yes

No

30%

70%

Figure 1.
The pie chart above illustrates that of 30 percent of the student at ewarton high out
of 100 percent are influence by violence and of 70 percent of the students at
ewarton high out of 100 percent are not influenced by violence.

Title: Table showing the ways in which violent acts are carried out at ewarton high
school.

OPTIONS
Drug Offences
Sexual Offences
Fraud and Forgery
Robbery and Burglary
Smoking

NUMBER OF RESPONDENTS
4
2
1
2
6
12

Other

Table 1.
The table above shows 4 respondents who believed that deviant acts are carried out
in the form of drug offences. While on the other hand 2 respondents believed that
sexual offences were committed more in the community. 1 respondents think that it
was fraud and forgery. 2 respondents believed it was robbery and burglary. Four (4)
respondents believed that deviant acts are carried out in the form of offences
against vehicles. Six (6) respondents believed it was in the form of smoking, while
on the other hand only 1 respondent believed it was other offences.

Title: Pie chart showing the causes of student at ewarton high school committing
violent acts, in the community of ewarton.

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Chart Title
25%
child abuse

Peer pressure

Depression

Unstable family situation

50%
15%

10%

Figure 2.
The pie chart above illustrates the causes of ewarton high students committing
deviants acts in the community of ewarton. Twenty percent (25%) of the
respondents believed that child abuse cause students to commit deviants acts. Peer
pressure which was one of the causes was represented by (15%) of the
respondents. Ten percent (10%) of the respondents believed that depression was
the cause. While on the other hand majority of the respondents which was (50%)
believed that unstable family situations caused ewarton high student to act in a
deviant way.

Title: Bar graph showing effects resulting from the deviant behaviour at ewarton
high school?

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Chart Title
expelled from school

Broken homes

Gang Violence

Unwanted & Teenage pregnancy

3
0

Figure 3.
The bar graph above shows three (3) respondents believed that an effect resulting
from deviant behaviour was unwanted and teenage pregnancy. Four (4)
respondents believed it was gang violence. Six (6) respondents thought that an
effect of this results in broken homes. Majority of the respondents which was
represented by( 7) believed that deviant behaviour results in expelled from school.

Analysis of data
Deviance in the school of Ewarton high is a very serious issue when asked if there
was deviance. Seventy percent (70%) of the student at ewarton high were not
15

involved in violent activity at ewarton high school. On the other hand only (30%)
of the students at ewarton high were involved in deviant acts. This was shown in
figure 1.
When respondents were asked the ways in which deviant acts were carried out in
ewarton high school. Majority of the respondents believe that drug offences is a
way in which deviance acts are carried out. Only 2 respondents shared the view
that sexual offences were the way in which deviant acts are carried out at ewarton
high school. A minority 1 of the respondents believed that it was in the form of
fraud and forgery. Only (2) respondents believed that it was robbery and burglary.
Four (4) respondents believed the deviant acts where carried out in the form of
offences against vehicles. A great majority of the respondents which was 6 shared
the concern that the way in which deviant acts are carried out at ewarton high
school was in the form of smoking. While on the other hand only 1 respondent
believe that it was other offences. These results were depicted in table 1.
Deviant behaviours at ewarton high school brought along with it cause and effects.
Figure 2 showed that (25%) of the respondents believed that the cause of these
deviant acts performed by ewarton high students was because of child abuse. When
children are abuse frequently they thought of them self as nothing so they take part
in deviant acts. Only (15%) of the respondents believed that the cause of deviant
among ewarton high student was peer pressure. Ten percent (10%) believed or was
convinced that the cause was because of depression. While in the other hand
majority (50%) of the respondents believed that the cause of deviant acts that were
committed by students of ewarton high was in the interest of unstable family
situations.
In figure 3 only (3) of the respondents believed that on effect resulting from
deviant behaviour among ewarton student was in the form of unwanted and
teenage pregnancy. While on the other hand only (4) respondents believed it was
gang violence. Six (6) respondents believed that the effect of this resulted in
broken homes in the community. A majority 7 of the respondents were convinced
that effects resulting from deviant behaviour at ewarton high school was that
delinquent students would be expelled was drug addiction.
The respondents did not ignore any of the questions asked in the questionnaire,
they answered honestly and objectively.

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Findings

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 Deviants act are carry out mostly in the way of smoking at ewarton high
school of ewarton (see table 1).
Researcher also found out that the major cause of students of ewarton high
committing deviant acts in the community is because of unstable family
situation that is present in the homes of deviant (see figure 2)
Residents in the community of ewarton also believe major effect resulting
from deviant behaviour at ewarton high school was drug addiction (see
figure 3)
Students believe that the way in which deviant activities at ewarton high
school can be alleviated was to provide counselling sessions for deviant
students (quest 12).

Discussion of findings

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The research which was carried out at ewarton high school in ewarton on the topic
of deviant activities affecting ewarton high students and it revealed many things.
The researcher also got a greater understanding of the causes and effects of
deviance.
Deviance acts are use of warning to indicate that an aspect of society is
malfunction. Majority of the respondents believed that deviants were representing
in ewarton high school, and that this deviant behaviour was brought forward in the
way of smoking. Many of these students believe that the cause of this was because
there was evident that person committed deviants acts are having unstable family
situation and they take out this stressed by behaving like deviant.
According to Lemerts it is necessary to explain primary deviance since it is very
common and it has no impact on a person self-concepts. Taylor et al (1973) argue
that while marijuana smokers might regarded their smoking as acceptable normal
behaviour in the company they move in, they are fully aware that this behaviour is
regard as deviant in the wider society.
Majority of the student believed that the major effect resulting from deviant
behaviour is drug addiction. Many deviants are all trying to find out a way out of
their problems and they take this out on the society by committing deviants
behaviour.
Majority of the students believed the way to deviate this problem of deviant in
their school is to provide counselling for deviant students since they thought that
the youth are the one who are portrait deviant behaviour.

Conclusion

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From the investigation the researcher found out his aim stated. deviant was present
among Ewarton high some Ewarton high students and senior students are mostly
the one involved.
Causes and effects were brought out at the end of research and solution were also
stated to alleviate this growing problem. Students who committed deviant
behaviours usually act this way because their having problem at home and dont
known how to deal with it.
According to Merton (1968), he believed many people who have turn to deviant
behaviour has been struggling from challenge at home or at work and they take
this problem out in the act of committing deviants behaviour this was evidence in
the research when carried out. To conclude this research the researcher also found
out that smoking is one way in which deviants portray deviant behaviour. I
believed that students of ewarton high should become more caring for each other
and helping each other in any way possible and help deviant to deviate from this
behaviour, then ewarton high school of ewarton would be deviant free.

Bibliography
Books
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 Becker, H. (1963). Outsiders Studies in the Sociology of Deviance. New

York: Free Press.
Durkheim, E. 1997 (1893). The Division of Labour in Society. New York
NY: Free Press.
Haralambos, M, Holborn, M, Chapman, S & Moore, S. (1973). Haralambos
& Holborn Sociology Themes and Perspectives (8th ed.) (2001) Collins
Publisher.
Haralambos, M, Holborn, M & Robin, H. (2000). Haralambos & Holborn

Sociology Themes and Perspectives (5th ed.). (2000) Collins Publisher

Mustapha, N. (2009). Sociology for Caribbean Students. Ian Randle
Publisher

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