Deviance (sociology)

Deviance in sociology refers to behaviors or actions that violate social norms, including formally-enacted rules (e.g., crime) as well as informal violations of social norms (e.g., rejecting folkways and mores). It is an integral part of the study of sociology, as it plays a key role in enforcing social standards, norms, and values.

Definition

Deviance is any behavior that violates social norms, and is usually of sufficient severity to warrant disapproval from the majority of society. Deviance can be criminal or non-criminal. The sociological discipline that deals with crime (behavior that violates laws) is criminology.

Theories of Deviance

There are several theories about how and why people commit deviant acts. These include the strain theory, the social learning theory, and the control theory among others.

Strain Theory

The strain theory posits that deviance is the result of experienced strain, either individual or structural. It was developed by Robert K. Merton.

Social Learning Theory

The social learning theory suggests that people learn from observing the behavior of others and the outcomes of those behaviors.

Control Theory

The control theory proposes that people will conform when they perceive the benefits of conformity to outweigh the costs of non-conformity.

Social and Cultural Norms

Social norms are rules developed by a group of people that specify how people must, should, may, should not, and must not behave in various situations. Some norms are defined by individual and societal rights (right norms), while others are defined by authorities within the society (authority norms).

Deviance and Social Stigma

Social stigma is the extreme disapproval of a person or group on socially characteristic grounds that are perceived, and serve to distinguish them, from other members of a society. Stigma can then also become a means of categorizing.

See Also

• Anomie
• Labeling theory
• Social exclusion
• Social order
• Societal collapse