Response Paper 1 In the book Wayward Puritans, Kai Erikson argues that deviance and the consequences and punishments of that deviance form an important mechanism of social regulation. In fact, the main purpose of “Wayward Puritans” is to argue that deviant forms of behavior are often overlooked as a valuable resource in society. These forms of deviance constitute a point of contrast essential to the maintenance of a rational social order. As a sociologist, Kai Erikson views our history as a replication of changes in societal norms and expectations. In this book, Erikson revisits the society of the Puritans. By exploring and investigating several "crime waves" throughout history, Erikson notes several forms in which we, as a society, have seen deviance throughout history. Erikson begins discussing his research into the Puritan lifestyle and the influences of deviance; Erikson investigates the Antinomian controversy, the Quaker invasion, and the witches of Salem Village. In the first chapter, Erikson salutes the work of Emile Durkheim. Erikson notes Durkheim's assertion that crime is actually a natural form of social activity. I began to think that perhaps Erikson was trying to argue that if crime is a natural part of society, there is some indication that it is necessary. Erikson asserts that non-deviants come together and agree in remarkable ways to express outrage at deviants and deviance, thereby solidifying a bond between members of society. Erikson continues to argue that this sense of mutuality increases the individual's awareness of the common goals of society. In my opinion, Erikson offers the most original and influential application of the functionalist view of deviance. He states: “Human behavior...in the middle of the article...reinforced by Erikson's arguments. It’s not often that I hear a sociological theory and think “AH HA!” I understand ". But in this case, I felt like I could understand very clearly what he was trying to say. However, even though the evidence of deviance throughout our history as humans actually shows that deviance brings us together in a common force for. what we believe to be the common good and morality. Erikson's evidence, primarily from court records, does not provide an adequate basis for determining a theory explaining the nature of society and its relationship to deviance, I think that if he had a true story of how communities. His studies responded to deviance at all levels. So far, his study does not contain official statistics. However, I think that this study could be more precise if data collected on the processes made it possible to provide alternative data..