In the article “Gagnon and Simon on Explaining Deviance”, authors Alan A. Block and John Hagan discuss how Gagnon and Simon tackled the problem of why people deviate from social norms. Gagnon and Simon proposed two distinct approaches to addressing this issue: a psychodynamic theory which focused on understanding individual motivations for non-conformity; and an institutional approach which aimed to explore how societal forces shape our behavior (Block & Hagan).

According to the psychodynamic theory, individuals decide to engage in deviant activities due to unconscious needs or desires. In other words, by breaking rules we are often trying to satisfy inner drives that are not being met in more traditional ways. For example someone may commit a crime because they feel neglected at home or require money for a necessary purchase (Block & Hagan).

In contrast, Gagnon and Simon’s institutional approach examines larger societal patterns such as poverty or racism which lead people into situations where they are more likely to act outside what is considered socially acceptable behavior. This model acknowledges that while some individuals may be predisposed towards deviancy due to personal factors—such as their upbringing—others may have been pushed into it through external pressures like economic inequality (Block &Hagan).

Ultimately, both theories provide valuable insight into why people choose different paths than those expected by society. However, each approach has its own merits when it comes to understanding why certain individuals become involved in criminal activity whilst others remain law abiding citizens.