Matthew Thieret (Edison Inro to Soc.) The Five Stages of a Deviant Group Part 4: Depression

Eventually, a deviant will realize (if the social sturctures are in place that can allow them too i.e. not getting killed) that bargaining for social status is not working. A nerd has emulated the people around him to no avail. Something does not feel right. I still can’t break into socializing with everybody else. When will it be my turn to get some of that acceptance? Will i ever get any? That question starts the depression. This normally occurs in the high school years when socializing is near its peak.

But social depression is different than the clinical definition. Social depression is a loss of hope of ever fitting in with the general populace. At this point, the deviant has been trying for years with little results or comradarie. I never will fit in. So the deviant withdraws. They become quite and don’t make an effort to socialize or emulate the ones around them. What point is there? My veiws are lightyears away from their down to earth personalities. I can’t be myself. I can’t share any of my joys and experiances with those around me for fear of the dreaded dirty look. So a nerd shuts off from the ones around them and focuses on living happy in their own space. They might read their comic in the corner of the cafeteria or play their gameboy on the bus. Why should I care if they see me being me? That is the spark. That is the question that leads to the final glorious step, acceptance.

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