30th Annual Student Research Conference
The Impact of a Name: A Study of Amish Deviance
Taylor M. McLeod
Dr. Cory Anderson, Faculty Mentor
This exploratory study of Amish deviance uses deviance theories to examine patterns of Amish deviance particularly in terms of labeling theory. In past research, labeling theory has been used to test whether or not an individual labeled as deviant leads to behavior that is deviant. In our study we use labeling theory to examine names. Specifically, we examine whether naming practices affect, particularly increasing, the likelihood of deviant behavior, namely premarital sex and defection, among the members of an Amish community with non-traditional or progressive names. Data about members’ names, birth dates, and whether or not they defected from the community was taken from the 2015 Holmes County Amish directory. No statistically significant correlations were found in terms of whether those with less-frequent names participated in premarital sex or left the Amish at higher rates than those with more common names.
Keywords: Labeling Theory, Amish Deviance, Names, Uncommon Names
Topic(s):Sociology
Presentation Type: Oral Paper
Session: 311-2
Location: VH 1236
Time: 1:15