Dota 2 role explanations of deviance

Sociological Explanations of Deviant Behavior

A Look at Four Different Theories

Deviant behavior is any behavior that is contrary to the dominant norms of society. There are many different theories that explain how behavior comes to be classified as deviant and why people engage in it, including biological explanations, psychological explanations, and sociological explanations. Here, we review four of the major sociological explanations for deviant behavior.

Structural Strain Theory

American sociologist Robert K. Merton developed structural strain theory as an extension of the functionalist perspective on deviance. This theory traces the origins of deviance to the tensions caused by the gap between cultural goals and the means people have available to achieve those goals.

According to this theory, societies are composed of both culture and social structure. Culture establishes goals for people in society while social structure provides (or fails to provide) the means for people to achieve those goals. In a well-integrated society, people use accepted and appropriate means to achieve the goals that society establishes. In this case, the goals and the means of the society are in balance. It is when the goals and means are not in balance with each other that deviance is likely to occur. This imbalance between cultural goals and structurally available means can actually encourage deviance.

Labeling Theory

Labeling theory is one of the most important approaches to understanding deviant and criminal behavior within sociology. It begins with the assumption that no act is intrinsically criminal. Instead, definitions of criminality are established by those in power through the formulation of laws and the interpretation of those laws by police, courts, and correctional institutions. Deviance is therefore not a set of characteristics of individuals or groups, but rather a process of interaction between deviants and non-deviants and the context in which criminality is defined.

Those who represent forces of law and order and those who enforce the boundaries of proper behavior, such as the police, court officials, experts, and school authorities, provide the main source of labeling. By applying labels to people, and in the process creating categories of deviance, these people reinforce the power structure and hierarchies of society. Typically it is those who hold more power over others, on the basis of race, class, gender, or overall social status, who impose rules and labels on others in society.

Social Control Theory

Social control theory, developed by Travis Hirschi, is a type of functionalist theory that suggests deviance occurs when a person’s or group’s attachment to social bonds is weakened. According to this view, people care about what others think of them and conform to social expectations because of their attachments to others and what others expect of them. Socialization is important in producing conformity to social rules, and it is when this conformity is broken that deviance occurs.

Social control theory focuses on how deviants are attached, or not, to common value systems and what situations break people’s commitment to these values. This theory also suggests that most people probably feel some impulse toward deviant behavior at some time, but their attachment to social norms prevents them from actually participating in deviant behavior.​

Theory of Differential Association

The theory of differential association is a learning theory that focuses on the processes by which individuals come to commit deviant or criminal acts. According to the theory, created by Edwin H. Sutherland, criminal behavior is learned through interactions with other people. Through this interaction and communication, people learn the values, attitudes, techniques, and motives for criminal behavior.

Differential association theory emphasizes the interaction people have with their peers and others in their environment. Those who associate with delinquents, deviants, or criminals learn to value deviance. The greater the frequency, duration, and intensity of their immersion in deviant environments, the more likely it is that they will become deviant.

Merlini and LD are both taking a step back from commentary and analysis

Two of the most prominent figures in the Dota 2 scene are hanging up their headsets.

Two legends in the realm of Dota 2 commentary have decided to call it quits.

Yesterday, Ben “Merlini” Wu and David “LD” Gorman officially announced their retirement from commentating and evaluating games. This marks the end of a five-year career in esports broadcasting for Merlini, which first started with a panelist spot at The International 2013. LD, on the other hand, will end his career with six years to his name.

Merlini announced his decision on Twitter, which he then followed up with a long, detailed explanation on Reddit. For the most part, he pointed towards feelings of uncertainty with regards to his future in esports, in terms of financial security and personal goals.

Prior to taking up casting full time, Merlini was one of the most innovative and mechanically-skilled professional players from America—especially in the DotA Allstars era when the game was still a custom map for WarCraft III: The Frozen Throne.

Known for his astoundingly good Zeus play and for his incredible foresight and attention to detail, it was said that Merlini was way ahead of his time in terms of understanding DotA. He was one of the first pro players to realize the value and importance of Observer Wards, long before anyone ever took the risk of spending what little passive gold was provided by the map to each hero on consumable items.

The most famous highlight from his heyday as a pro shows him against an aggressive trilane as a solo safelane Zeus. Despite being at a significant laning disadvantage, Merlini kills all three of his opponents by juking them in the trees.

After his competitive years had passed, Merlini moved on to working as a color commentator and analyst, bringing with him his vast knowledge and understanding of the game.

As for LD, he posted his own announcement on his Facebook page, citing his newfound role behind the scenes as producer of casting studio, talent agency, and tournament organizer Beyond the Summit as the reason for his long absence from the desk.

Founded in 2012, Beyond the Summit has gone from being a one-man casting show in LD’s room, to a full-fledged esports production company serving several different titles and their respective communities. Since then, LD has had noticeably less and less time to sit down and cast Dota 2 games.

LD’s resume as a commentator is impressive, to say the least. Not only did he cast two separate TI grand finals (2012 and 2013) as well as numerous premier tournaments, but he was the voice behind the most iconic play in Dota 2 history—known only as “The Play.”

Despite stepping back in order to work on his company and its growth, the community will no doubt remember LD as one of the best Dota 2 casters of all time.

As of now, neither Merlini nor LD have said that returning to the desk is in the cards for them.