Deviance And Its Effect On Society

One cause of deviance can be viewed through the labeling theory which attempts to explain why people are viewed as deviants, delinquents, bad kids, losers, and criminals, while others whose behavior is similar are not seen in such harsh terms. It looks at how people become labeled as deviant or accept that label. In theory, though everyone may be doing things that appear

It is no secret that the socially constructed concept of deviance is a label that is able to form a certain stigma to those who the label has been applied. Deviance is simply a violation of any societal norm. Any behavior that is deemed odd or irregular by the majority may be considered deviant. These behaviors and actions may produce different reactions from outsiders, or possibly none at all, depending on the audience or norm that had been broken. Anyone who decides to go against these norms will not only receive such a label, but will most likely be casted out or punished in some way by the public.

Deviance is “any behavior that does not conform to social expectations.” The statement, “Deviance is socially constructed” means that because individuals that rebel against the norms of social group, and use deviant behavior, others will join in and this creates a whole new social group. For instance, gay marriage. This has always been considered something wrong and people shouldn’t do it. Although, people started to become deviant and say that it isn’t wrong and that people should be able to love who they so please. Now, since the summer of 2015, gay marriage has been legalized all across the nation and all of these people fit under one social group. Deviance is relative because the rules for each group vary, so in that case it is relative

Deviance is defined as the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social or sexual behavior. There are many different forms of deviance in today 's society. Something that is viewed as being deviant in one culture might be seen as normal in another. There are many different types and theories in which define deviance, however their are 3 broad categories, these 3 categories are positivist, relativist, and critical conceptions of deviance. These 3 categories are important in defining deviance because they break down deviance as a whole and better help understand the different acts in which we label as being deviant. Deviance as a whole is important to study especially in today 's society with their

1) What do sociologists mean when they describe deviance as being relative? Provide an example of a deviant behavior and identify how it is relative.

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

What defines deviance in today’s society? Is it the abnormal things that people don’t usually do or is it just criminal behavior? Deviance has brought up many questions on what could be defined as it. Deviance is usually shaped by society. It can be defined as the violation of established contextual, cultural, or social norms, whether folkways, mores, or codified law (OpenStax 142). Sociologist want to see why deviance has so many different areas and how it effects a group in a society. For example, deviance can be a male cross dressing as a female or female making a scene on public transportation. It all goes about on how people see things that is not acceptable to society. In a sense, it’s like social control. Social control can be defined as the regulation and enforcement of norms (OpenStax 144). Social Control lies under social order to make sure everything is maintained. For example, when you have a job and you violate the guidelines, the boss usually steps in to enforce them. Deviance can be viewed in three different theoretical views. These views are functionalism, conflict theory, and symbolic interactionism. Whether an act is labeled deviant or not depends on many factors, including location, audience, and the individual committing the act (Becker 1963) (OpenStax 143).

Deviance is defined as the violation of social norms. Someone who is deviant usually breaks a rule and is engaged even in a small negative act such as a fistfight. Deviant acts can be considered serious offenses in our society, but may be tolerated in another. Let’s say for example, an earthquake hits the United States and the victims steal bread, water, clothes or any such thing to feed their families, this act is deviant but understandable. Different groups of people define deviant acts differently from one another. For example, a parent may define their 16 year old as deviant for smoking, meanwhile their son defines his best friend as deviant for not smoking. “Deviance is socially constructed and dependent on the time and social context.” (Page 147. Ballatine,Roberts,Korgen)

The two sociological theories of deviance I chose to study are the functional theories and the interactionist theories. The functional theories views crime and deviance as a result of structural tensions and a lack of moral regulation (Giddens, Duneier and Appelbaum 172). A important concept of the functionalist view is that of anomie, this idea suggests that there are “…situation[s] in which social norms lose their hold over individual behavior” (Giddens, Duneier and Appelbaum 172). This view also suggests that deviance is necessary in modern society because it “…brings about change…” and sets boundaries “…between good and bad behaviors (Giddens, Duneier and Appelbaum 172)

What is deviance? Deviance is the perpetual nature of behavior that strays from the societal norms based on psychological, social and sociological aspect of a human being. Deviant behavior is known to contribute an aspect of criminal behavior and actions. Based on the written literature of Max Weber, there are three different types of regularities in sociology; charismatic, traditional and legal rational. Each of these types of regularities capture the contemporary aspect of society. It is believed that deviant behavior makes a vital contribution to the fabric of society because it allows different forms of society to work together and conceive a consensus. There are many different examples of regularities, such as; people tend to marry within their own class, people who are 18 and over can vote and only people with licenses can drive.the consequences of not conforming to different types of regularities differ from imprisonment to legal fines. The difference between customary norms and obligatory norms are the severity of social backlash and federal consequences. Customary norms are generally things like, tipping waiters above 15% or wearing seatbelts when driving; whereas, obligatory norms follow the example of obeying the law. The two different types of legitimate orders are based upon who they come from, one example would be from a police officer and another example would be from a parent. The first has a legal obligation and the second has a social hierarchy.

In our society, we have constructed an abundance of concepts such as gender, time, race, and the meaning of animals. Another concept that we have constructed is deviance. The formal definition of deviance is the fact or state of departing from usual or accepted standards, especially in social behavior. This is constructed because by defining what is normal or what the accepted standards are, society defines what is deviant. This also means that deviants are constructed. This concept was originally used by sociologists to encompass crime, mental illness, drug use, and sexual misbehavior. This is an important concept to understand because of how prominent in our society it is. It is also important because it varies from society to society.

Every day we turn on our televisions, radios, and read the morning paper; they bring us news on events that are happening; that may have happened over night, maybe two years ago, or right now. These include murders, kidnappings, rapes, and hijacking of planes, hold-ups, assaults and drugs. Humans on this earth label these people as head cases, weirdos, hooligans, drop-outs, Bogans and also perverts; many of these people have or are currently under the consumption of alcohol and drugs. Majority of the time these people don’t know any better, they defy the law every day instead of conforming to it. When individuals conform to something they are complying with all rules, standards and laws; they are behaving in a socially acceptable manner. Instead these defiant individuals are known as the non-conformists who not only break the rules and law but they then are condemned by the standard of society. Deviance is believed to be defined as a normal behaviour, however also a rule breaking behaviour; this can then be focused to negative social sanctions.

In the United States of America, societal deviance changes nearly on a daily basis. Depending on the current culture, deviance is modified to make societal heroes like celebrities, political figures, and sport players look less deviant and more like role models for the public. The change in what is considered “normal” is customarily a result of society in general. By using a reference group of people, individuals tend to identify with those who are in the lime light. Then when that role model does something appalling, the public becomes desensitized to this behavior and its abnormality and becomes less distinct thus adding to the change in social deviances.

In studying crimes and deviance, sociologists look to explain what types of behavior are defined as deviant as opposed to criminal, who defines deviant behaviors, why people become deviant, and how society deals with deviant behavior. Deviance is defined by sociologists are behavior that significantly goes against expected rules and norms. Criminal behavior is behavior that violates the law. Sociology studies groups as opposed to individuals, so when studying crime and deviance, sociologists are looking at the factors that influence groups as a whole to engage in crime and deviant behavior. In defining deviant behavior, the definition may vary throughout different groups. Not all groups of people will consider the same behaviors