Theories to Opposing Griner's Release:

Read the article (attached below) entitled “The scientific theory of why some Americans don’t want
Brittney Griner to come home from a Russian prison.” Explain the theory or theories that the author, Dani
Gilbert lays out. Based on the definitions of deviant behavior and criminal behavior, do people who
oppose Griner’s release consider her behavior deviant or criminal. Are there any other factors operating
in this theory, such as race, gender, etc.?

Theories to Opposing Griner’s Release:

Theories laid Out

The author offers a principal theory to explain the public’s resentment against Griner’s release. The theory outlined is the deservingness heuristic , which suggests that the society does not consider all benefits of society equally. In the context of the article Griner’s perception by the public of her merits for United States government assistance is dependent on a variety of aspects. A few of them are such as gender conformity, race and Griner’s view of significant issues like the national song. The main problem concerns that the American public’s attention is focused on the motive for Griner’s arrest. It was a suspected possession of drugs (Cash 3). This impacts the opinion of whether she should be returned home, as people are not focused on the specifics of the situation, like the illegality of her arrest. In Russia there is a high probability that the cause of Griner’s detention was more politically motivated and had nothing to do with deal with drug smuggling. This is why the Biden administration’s attempts to reach an agreement on prisoner exchange with the Kremlin have not received the anticipated public support because of the heuristic of deservingness. Deviant behavior refers to any act that is in the breach of accepted social norms like informal social norms and the normal expectations of society. In contrast criminal behavior is a conduct which is considered to be unlawful. Based on two notions of criminal and deviant conduct, those who are against Griner’s release consider her actions criminal or deviant. The reason for this is that, even while Brittney did not commit any violence Smuggling drugs is deemed illegal. When being detained the person arrested is considered to be a criminal.