Social Deviance

This book is one of a series now being placed upon the market, dealing with b"1 psychiatric ill health and delinquent behaviour as part of a general social disor^ The author, Mr. Wilkins, from his recent position in the Home Office Research U1" was in a unique position to survey both fields. This book contains the product of ̂ fertile brain, whilst visiting the United States recently as a visiting professor. The first few chapters sketch in the general social background to a statement1 chapter four, of a general theory of deviation applicable to Western states. ^ Wilkins makes it clear that different societies require different patterns of behaviou and that he is talking in general of Western societies, and of certain variations witf" them. With a wealth of interesting anecdotes, he describes applications of his genef' theory of practice in the community, and carries this forward to a consideration 1 targets at which a society might aim, whilst allowing the individual a certain amo^ of freedom, and yet requiring group standards as a whole. In the final chapters discusses the implications of his theory, and society targets for administrators in P3 ticular. He does not make it clear how far the logical corollary of his work led hirrj leave Whitehall for the University of Strathclyde, but one must hope that the requ^ ments left behind with the Official Secrets Act will now allow his energies yet free