An Act Of Deviance In A Society

Deviant behavior is socially constructed with the people in power defining what is expectable and what is deviant.

Deviance is an act that goes against the social norms such as rules or expectations. It can be something small such as running through the stop signs or it can be something big such as hijacking an airplane. Deciding if the act is deviant or not depends on the context (society, environment, etc.). According to Howard S. Becker, it is not the act itself, but the reactions to the act that, makes something deviant. Deviance is not a word that is used for judging people, but it is used to refer to an act to which people respond negatively. Norms vary among different cultural groups, therefore, one deviant act in one group might not be deviant to another. For example, it will be considered deviant or going against the norm if someone decided to

Deviance is an action or behavior that violates social norms, including a formally enacted rule, as well as informal violations of social norms. Deviant behavior is any behavior that is contrary to the dominant norms of society. Norms are rules and expectation by which members of society are conventionally guided. Social norms differ from culture to culture. Deviance can be criminal or non-criminal.

Deviance as a word refers to any behavior regarded as odd or unacceptable. However, from a sociological point of view, deviance refers to any action or behavior that runs contrary to social norms (Macionis and Gerber 200). This includes crimes, which are violations of formally enacted rules, as well as violation of the socially accepted norms. Norms refer to the rules as well as the expectations that guide the conventional behavior of human beings (Macionis and Gerber 204). Thus, deviant acts arise from non-conformance with these norms. Deviance is relative, to both the time and the place. This is because an act that may appear deviant in a particular context may not be deviant in another. For example, fighting at school is a deviant behavior,

In sociology, the term deviance refers to all violations of social rules, regardless of their seriousness (Essentials of Sociology 136). Deviance is an individual or organizational behavior that violates societal norms and is usually accompanied by negative reactions from others. According to a sociologist S. Becker, he stated that it is not the act itself that makes an action deviant, but rather how society reacts to it.

As we all have observed, throughout history each culture or society has unique norms that are acceptable to that group of people. Therefore, to establish and come to the acceptance of these basic norms, each society must develop its’ own strategies and techniques to encourage the fundamentals of behavior, which is clear in our modern society. Most do assume that everyone in a society will follow and respect such norms. However, some tend to deviate from the adequate norms and demonstrate deviant behavior. Nevertheless, we are inclined to ask ourselves, why do people decide to violate such important standards of living?

Deviance can be defined as an absence of conformity to the social norm. Not all deviant behavior is necessarily illegal or harmful to individuals, these behaviors can range from standing in another’s personal space to murdering another individual. In some cases, it can be looked upon as a positive change or a unique and favorable act. Although, considered deviant because it is not the social norm, it still can have a very positive social aspect or lead to social change. Culture and the societies within these cultures have a significant impact on what is considered deviant and what is acceptable or even lawful behavior. The degree of deviance is measured by society’s reaction towards the action and the lawful sanctions that may take

Deviance is a word that has instinctively bad connotations around it, to know someone that is deviant is to know someone who has acted

The root word of deviance is deviant. A deviant is someone who departs from the usual or accepted standards, in social or sexual behavior. My journey into deviance was an intriguing experience. Its shocking how peoples perspective of you can change so quickly. One can easily be branded as an outcast for doing something out of the ordinary.

Deviance is an assigned meaning that can vary depending on what social group you are affiliated with. The meaning of deviance can be expressed through several different definitions;

Imagine someone rich or powerful committing crimes without the fear of serving consequences. The crime may include murder, robbery, or stealing. Deviance is a label for an action or behavior that violates social norms. Social norms are rules or expectations which usually guide members of society. Deviance is nonconformity to these norms. Social norms can vary from culture to culture and is defined in numerous ways. Many researchers believe that deviance is a violation of social norms. Some believe deviant behavior is breaking the law or acting in a negative manner. Sociologists use specific words to classify deviant actions from a sociological perspective. There are crimes that are deviant actions and not deviant acts. For example; this

Deviance is the behavior and the standards of expectations of a group or society. It is also behavior that is considered dangerous, threatening or offensive. The people that are deviant are often labeled to be weirdos, oddballs, or creeps. In the United States, people with tattoos, drug addicts, alcoholics, and compulsive gamblers are all considered deviant. Sociologists believe that everybody is deviant from time to time. They believe each person will violate a social norm in certain situations. People are considered deviant if they don't stand for the national anthem at a sports event, dress casually to a fancy restaurant, or skip classes. One category of deviance is Crime. Crime is a violation of norms

The article further explains that deviance was always seen as a behavior that is contrary to a norm, but eventually

I enjoyed reading your post. As we know Durkheim defines deviance as an essential component in creating a balance in the society. I think deviance is only difference. It's only 'wrong' if it's deemed as such. Deviance creates social change, it can be good. I mean, what is deviance? Was the civil rights movement deviant behavior? It was 'different' and against the government, certainly. All crime is deviant, but you wouldn't say all crime is inherently bad.And drugs may be deviant, but why are they bad? Because we (or someone in authority) say they are. Things only have the meanings we attribute to them, so deviant behavior is only 'wrong' because we say it is.The definitions we attribute to things depends on our interaction with each other,

Coming into this class I thought I had a clear understanding for what deviance was. I am half way through undergrad and criminology and sociology are my majors for crying out loud I should know what deviance is. But could I be anymore wrong. My definition at the beginning of the course was someone who goes against your typical norms. They don’t stick to the status quo. A deviant person relates to criminals who openly break laws, and those who break social norms such as not getting married. Now that we are in the final week of class my definition of deviance has not necessarily changed but those who I would call deviant has changed. I find it difficult to have a concrete definition when our ideas of what is right and wrong changes all the