The Positivist Theory

Phenomological theory is defined as, “a new version of symbolic interactionism. Determined or caused by various forces in the environment, and how deviant view their own deviant experiences” (Thio, 2013). This theory is when those that are acting in a deviant way do not believe that their own actions are deviant. The theory also identifies that those that are acting in a deviant way do so to accomplish trust, relationships, and fulfillment of needs being meet through the displayed behavior. This ties to BDSM because of the relationship that is built between the participants’. The theory itself is constructed by a stable group and through the acts of those that are in the subculture. Trust is a key aspect in BDSM because one must trust the
other to respect boundaries. BDSM is a personal act between people, but there are hard limits. One must trust the other to not go as far as death by strangulation when practicing BDSM. Lastly, needs are being meet that may not be meet in any other way. Acts that are expressed in BDSM fulfill fantasy and a release that cannot be meet another way. Then there is the other theory, labeling. Labeling theory is described in the e-text as, “labeling a person deviant by his or her actions” (Thio,2013). Those in society that see an act as deviant, will label those that participate in the act as deviant. When those that participate in BDSM dress or publicly partake in the subculture they are labeled, the labels given may not be directly. However, the label’s given will most likely be in a sexual nature. Therefore, the constructionist theories; phenomological and labeling theory are in relations to BDSM.
The subculture of BDSM is organized into different groups.
These groups can be identified by the role that is played during the act; as-well-as, the act that is being done. In the article, Perks, problems, and the people who play: A qualitative exploration of dominant and submissive BDSM roles there was a qualitative study completed. Within the study it was found that individuals that participated in the subculture wanted to be identified according to their role in within the deviant
act.
“Some participants preferred and identified with specific terms, which were not only dominant or submissive or even only dominant, submissive, top, bottom, sadist, or masochist. A host of different terms were used to describe their preferred roles, each of which means something specific and complex in the BDSM community and/or to the individual.” (Hébert & Weaver, 2015). Those that participated in the study were compensated not bias of the answers provided. There is also those that participate in only a part of the BDSM Such as, BD, DS, and SM. The group differentiates itself using cultural concepts, such as the language used in identifying roles.
One of the sociological theories of deviance is the Positivist theory.
There are three concepts of the positivist theory that are followed in the subculture of BDSM. The three concepts are; strain theory, differential association theory, and shaming theory. According to the e-text, “when one is unable to meet goals, one may find themselves engaging in deviant behaviors” (Thio,2013). The strain that comes with BDSM is stresses of daily life impacting the sexual desires that need to be meet. Furthermore, when one participants in BDSM it is strenuous to act one way during the work day, then different when participation in the subculture after affaires are in order. The pressure of obtaining one’s goals influences the act in which one partakes, the deviant behavior. Secondly, differential theory plays its part in BDSM by a learned response. The way this theory is used in BDSM is by learning the technique of the act. Those that are involved do not start out as masters of the subculture. Furthermore, there are new and different acts constantly being done. Lastly, the shaming theory. Shaming and labeling are similar. The difference between the two are; shaming is when the act and person are deviant. Furthermore, labeling is when the act is labeled as deviant, but not the
individual.