Deviant behavior refers to actions or behaviors that violate cultural norms and expectations. Societies establish norms, or rules and standards of conduct, that guide people in how to behave appropriately. When individuals act in ways that go against these norms, their behavior may be seen as deviant.
What are some examples of deviant behavior?
There are many different types of deviant behaviors across cultures and societies. Here are some common examples:
- Crime – Criminal acts like theft, assault, and murder go against laws and norms.
- Drug and alcohol abuse – The use of illegal drugs or excessive amounts of alcohol violates social norms.
- Extreme political or religious views – Beliefs that are considered dangerous or unacceptable by the majority of society.
- Sexual deviance – Behaviors like excessive promiscuity, exhibitionism, voyeurism, and pedophilia.
- Self-harm – Cutting, burning, and other forms of self-inflicted harm that go against societal expectations.
- Academic cheating – Violating rules and ethics in school settings through cheating, plagiarism, etc.
Deviance ranges from criminal activity to simply unconventional choices, beliefs, or appearances that violate informal social norms held by most people.
What causes deviant behavior?
There are multiple theories from sociology and psychology that attempt to explain the root causes of deviance:
- Strain theory – People engage in deviance when they are unable to achieve culturally valued goals through legitimate means. Deviance allows them to attain money, power, or status.
- Control theory – Weak social bonds and low self-control lead people to violate norms. Strong social ties encourage conformity.
- Differential association theory – People learn deviant values, norms, and behaviors through interactions with close friends/family members.
- Labeling theory – Being labeled as deviant by society amplifies deviant behavior due to exclusion and stigma.
- Anomie theory – Rapid social change causes a breakdown of norms, leading some to deviate from unclear standards.
Deviance can also be influenced by biological factors like genetics, neurological issues, and mental illnesses that affect behavior and decision-making.
How is deviance defined and judged in society?
Judgments about what constitutes deviant behavior are subjective and situational. There are no universal standards for deviance – each society develops its own definitions based on cultural values and social contexts. Still, there are some general patterns in how deviance gets defined:
- Behaviors that are seen as dangerous, destructive, or harmful are likely to be defined as deviant. For example, violent crimes like murder and assault.
- Statistical deviance – Actions that only a small minority of people engage in may be labeled deviant. Extreme political views often fall into this category.
- Behaviors that violate powerful social norms tend to elicit stronger reactions. For instance, violations of gender norms often provoke pushback.
- Acts defined as deviant by those in power, like government and religious leaders, gain broader acceptance as deviant.
- Deviance is fluid – norms change over time, so definitions of deviance also evolve. What was once deviant may become normalized.
In summary, societies construct conceptual boundaries between what is considered normal/acceptable versus deviant based on shifting cultural values, social contexts, and power dynamics. There are no universal standards.
What are the positive and negative effects of deviance?
Deviance can have both positive and negative impacts on society:
Potential negative effects of deviance:
- Criminal deviance threatens public safety and property.
- It may erode social order, stability, and group solidarity.
- Non-criminal deviance may still harm health/wellbeing of individuals and communities.
- It may provoke majority outrage, backlash, and overreaction that harms social progress.
- The stigma of being labeled deviant can marginalize people.
Potential positive effects:
- Non-dangerous rule breaking allows creativity, diversity, and cultural evolution.
- Deviance challenges repressive norms and spurs social change movements.
- It can enhance freedom of choice, expression, and individuality.
- Rule-breaking deviance helps define boundaries and clarify norms/values.
- It may lower group conformity and enhance independent thinking.
In moderation, non-threatening forms of deviance can provide benefits to society by pushing social boundaries. But dangerous, destructive acts can clearly damage communities.
What are some theories explaining the role of deviance in society?
Sociologists have proposed different theories about the role deviance plays in society:
Structural functionalism
Deviance serves important functions for society, like clarifying norms, uniting society against a shared threat, and promoting social change over time.
Conflict theory
Deviance results from societal inequalities and power imbalances. Definitions of deviance are imposed on less powerful groups by elites.
Symbolic interactionism
Meanings and definitions of deviance emerge from ongoing social interactions and interpretations rather than inherent qualities of acts.
Labeling theory
Being labeled as deviant by society pushes people into further deviance. Control rests with those who impose labels.
Anomie theory
Breakdown of social norms/controls during periods of crisis or rapid change cause some to engage in deviant behavior.
Overall, sociologists see deviance as an expected, patterned part of social life that may uphold social order or highlight social problems depending on the context.
What are some examples of famous deviant personalities?
Many famous figures throughout history have engaged in behavior that was widely seen as deviant in their societies. Some examples include:
- Joan of Arc – 15th century French heroine who cross-dressed and took on masculine warrior roles.
- Galileo – Astronomer persecuted by church authorities for promoting heliocentrism.
- Mahatma Gandhi – Leading dissident against British rule in India whose acts of civil disobedience were deemed unlawful.
- Emily Dickinson – 19th century American poet who often flouted gender norms.
- Oscar Wilde – 19th century writer who faced imprisonment for homosexual acts.
- Ernesto “Che” Guevara – Argentine Marxist revolutionary involved in guerilla warfare.
- Rosa Parks – American civil rights activist who violated segregation laws.
While initially labeled as deviants, many of these iconic figures are now admired for their defiance of oppressive norms and conventions.
What are some historical and cultural examples of acceptable deviance?
The line between acceptable and unacceptable deviance has shifted dramatically throughout various eras and cultures:
- Ancient Greek pederasty norms allowing mentorship bonds between older men and adolescent boys.
- Spartan women wielding power and influence in contrast to strict Athenian gender norms.
- Aztec human sacrifices and violent religious rituals appalling outside observers.
- Sati practice of widow self-immolation in pre-colonial India, now criminalized.
- Brutal violence and exploitation of slaves accepted in the antebellum Southern US.
- Ritual circumcision, tattooing, or scarring in various indigenous cultures.
- Psychotropic substance use in spiritual contexts now criminalized as drug offenses.
Deviance cannot be defined in absolute terms – definitions depend heavily on specific cultural contexts, social power dynamics, and historical time periods.
What are some examples of cyber deviance?
New forms of deviance have emerged in the digital era and online spaces:
- Piracy – Illegal downloading/distribution of copyrighted content.
- Hacking – Unauthorized system intrusion and cyber theft.
- Cyberbullying – Harassing, threatening or humiliating others online.
- Revenge porn – Sharing intimate images without consent.
- Online predation – Using the internet to groom or exploit children.
- Hate speech – Spreading racist/discriminatory content online.
- Digital piracy – Selling or sharing fake digital goods.
Anonymity and lack of physical interaction facilitate disinhibition online, allowing deviant acts that may be difficult face-to-face. But cyber deviance also presents new challenges in regulation and enforcement for legal systems.
Conclusion
Deviance represents behavior that violates social norms and expectations within a culture. It is complex and contingent on shifting societal definitions – there are no universal standards. While extreme deviance like violent crime has predominantly negative effects, moderate non-conformity allows diversity and cultural evolution. Sociologists recognize deviance as an expected aspect of social life that can uphold or challenge stability based on circumstances. Definitions of acceptable versus unacceptable deviance depend heavily on cultural values and vary across time and place.