The Psychopath: The Law on the Boundary Line

TLDR: One distinguishing characteristic of a society is its rule-making process as discussed by the authors, by constantly creating, adjusting and readjusting norms, society establishes boundaries whereby some behavior falls within and is deemed acceptable, while other falls outside and is labeled deviant.

Abstract: ONE distinguishing characteristic of a society is its rule-making process.’ By constantly creating, adjusting and readjusting norms, society establishes boundaries whereby some behavior falls within and is deemed acceptable, while other falls outside and is labeled deviant. Norms are relative to their social milieu. They are made and enforced by members of society aggregated by and representative of certain traditions, interests and leaders. There are usually many such groups in a society and among them there tends to be a considerable sharing of values. It is, however, when various groups conflict that the subjectivity, prejudices and power struggles of the rule-making process become most apparent.2 2