Deviance Definition Essay

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.

Index Crimes-the FBI 's tallying of violent crimes of murder, manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, plus property crimes

In our everyday society, we see things but pretend to be blind, we hear things but pretend to be deaf, we taste freedom but pretend to live in hell, we smell corruption but pretend to live in heaven, and we touch others sorrow but pretend to be emotionless. What is becoming of our society you ask? We are becoming more lenient towards deviancy as time progresses, meaning that we are departing from the norm.

After reading the article “Defining Deviancy Down”, Daniel Patrick Moynihan was able to portray that certain acts that were deviant have eventually become “normal” over time. There has been many things that were seen as deviant when I was child, but has now become less deviant. With that in mind, it does not always mean that it will always benefit society as a whole.

“Deviance in sociological context describes actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms including formally-enacted rules (e.g., crime) as well as informal violations of social norms.”

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

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.

The four theories of deviance are The Learning Theory, The Strain Theory, The Social-Bond Theory and the Labeling Theory. These theories alone can explain the reasoning behind someone’s deviant behavior. But, in There Are No Children Here we see all of these theories being demonstrated. This lets us have an understanding of exactly why we are seeing the deviant behavior that we are.

Deviance is described as being behaviour that is not part of the norms in your particular society. This can be different throughout the world because some cultures have very different norms (Stephens and Leach, 1998:17). Most deviant behaviour will attract disapproval from others in the society or punishment from authorities. There are many different types of deviance such as addiction, mental illness, alcoholism, criminality and homosexuality. Throughout this essay six types of theories will be discussed about how and why people are deviant. Four of these theories support the idea of deviance being biological and three support the idea of it being caused by your social construction. Also the essay will talk about the differences between

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 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

Acceptance and comprehension of behaviors, not only in the United States, but also in many different countries has come to be an argument that does not have a clear end. Sociologists and even politicians have been discussing how something that in the past was unacceptable, in the modern world is seen as normal and beneficial for society. For example, marriage in couples of the same sex, people and even the Supreme Court have been discussing the idea of giving these people the right to be married and have the same benefits as a “normal” couple. Daniel Patrick Moynihan, who was an American politician and sociologist wrote a whole essay on these topics, entitled: “Defining Deviancy Down” written in 1993. He presented to the United States and

According to Craig J. Forsyth and Rhonda D. Evans, the term dogmen can be used to define an individual who “fights their pit-bulls in matches against other pit-bulls” (Forsyth and Evans 1998). Forsyth and Evans conducted research on those who were considered to be dogmen and those who actively opposed dog fighting. This research was conducted through formal and informal interviews along with additional data from other sources. The location of the observation of this research took place in what is considered the center of dogfighting in the United States, Louisiana( ). The purpose of the research was to “examine the neautrializeation techniques dogmen use as they attempt to counter stigma, criminal, identity and criticism”(205). This paper will analyze the article Dogmen: The Rationalization of Deviance by Forsyth and Evans on it’s connection to law and social control.

In the 1998 film American History X, Derek Vineyard is paroled after serving 3 years in prison for brutally murdering two black men who were breaking into his truck. Through his Brother Danny’s narration of a paper he is writing, it is learned that Derek was the leader of a large Neo-Nazi group known as D.O.C., or Disciples of Christ, that committed many acts of racial crime throughout Los Angeles. During his time in prison Derek decides that hate is a waste of time after being violently raped by fellow white supremacists, and his only friend being a black man, who was only in prison for a misunderstanding. After getting out on parole, Derek learns that Danny is headed down the same racist path as him, and decided that he must put a stop to it. Throughout this film there are many examples of the five theories of deviance; Functional, Conflict, Labeling, Broken Windows, and Differential Association. From Derek’s initial exposure to racism, all the way to him deciding to change, all five theories are exemplified through Derek, Danny, their Father, Cameron, or the D.O.C. as a whole.

Each theory may aid in predicting and preventing teacher sex scandals. With female teachers and considering the rational choice and labeling theories, there are some links within. For the labeling theory, as mentioned above, there are two parts: the primary deviance and secondary deviance. Primary deviance where one labels within self, secondary, where ones position is labeled by the public. Many people here of female teacher, male student sex scandals in the media; while these events, although tragic, can be used as prediction. It is important to identify the reasoning behind the scandal and watch for potential contributing factors.