AFVIGELSE OG PERSONOPFATTELSER

Resumé

The article offers an analytical framework for studying deviance. Research in

deviance is relatively sparse in anthropology, by linking up with analysis of different

societies’ perceptions of the person, however, it is possible to develop a model

for understanding different ideal typical responses to deviant acts. On the one

hand we have an idea of the person, which strongly relates acts to the individual,

and with a high focus on individual responsibility, on the other end of the continuum

act are interpreted as reflections and statements of social relations beyond the

single individual. As a consequence of these differences the nature of deviance

is perceived in dissimilar ways. In short, one the one hand, deviance is explained

by reference to the individual person and strategies of normalisation and integration

is pursued. On the other hand deviance is explained extra-personally and strategies

of re-categorisation or elimination are developed. The article offers contemporary

examples from the author’s studies of respectively punishment and substance

abuse treatment.