Sociology

Course_Content_2016/lesson07/Deviance.html

5: Deviance

Deviance

Are we all deviant or is it just a matter of definition? Is deviance, like beauty, in the eye of the beholder?

Society defines deviance. Definitions of deviance can vary among groups, subcultures or communities within a society. Deviance is relative to the cultural or social context in which it occurs. What may be defined as deviant for one culture or social group may not be defined as deviant for another. This is considered cross-cultural variation of deviance. For example, wife beating is defined as deviant in our society or culture but is considered normal, everyday practice in other cultures or societies where women are deemed either as property or low status in which physical force is used to keep them under control. Also, what may be considered deviant in earlier times may not be defined as deviant in modern times. This is considered historical variation of deviance. For example, in earlier times, divorce was defined as deviant by some social groups, subcultures and the wider society. However, in modern times, divorce has been commonly accepted as acceptable practice by the dominant culture of society.

How we react to a behavior defines whether or not that act will be characterized as deviant. Deviance refers to the violation of the norms as defined by a group, subculture or society. These violation of norms can be formal or informal and subject to interpretation. For example, you have committed deviance if you have ever exceeded the speed limit, consumed alcohol when underage, or disrupted any of society's norms. However, not all acts of deviance incur a label of criminal behavior. For example, if a person litters, they commit an act of deviance, but are not considered a criminal.   

The Sociology of Crime and Deviance