Definitions of Deviance
“When individuals fail to obey social norms and values of a particular society is called deviance”.
“Deviance can be explicated as, behaviors which are in conflict with the principles of a particular society”.
“Behaviors or actions that disrupts societal norms and are mutually disapproved by group members, is known as deviance”.
Deviance, Social Norms and Conformity
Good or bad — moral or immoral conducts are two sides of a coin, social norms decide whether, a particular conduct is moral or immoral — good or bad. Individuals are labeled on the basis of their choice of social conduct , those who conform to social norms they are considered respectable members of society however, those who violate social norms they are labeled as criminals.
Each society has its own formal norms or written rules. These formal rules are established to protect and reinforce the conducts or things which are collectively cherished by individuals within a given society. Social norms vary from society to society because individuals within different societies value distinct conducts or things. However, People are supposed to act or interact in accordance to the norms of their society. State Laws or formal norms are imperative for the survival and smooth functioning of every society. Formal rules regulate individual behavior within a society and these rules are established in order to sustain peace and order within a given society. When individuals break or violate norms of their respective society the phenomenon is called deviance in sociology.
The customary norms of each society differ from one another, normative conducts of one society might be considered deviant social behavior in other society. Polygyny is legal and considered normative behavior in many countries. However, it is considered deviant behavior in other countries and is punishable by law. For instance, men can have more than one wife in Middle Eastern countries or, in Muslim countries. On the other hand, in USA having more than one wife is considered as deviant behavior. Moreover, time and Situation is crucial to determine whether, a particular social conduct is deviant or, normative. For instance, in time of peace, taking someone life is disapproved by state law and considered as deviant behavior. Whereas, in time of war it is not considered deviant behavior. Therefore, to analyze individuals behavior whether, it’s deviant or, not. One should evaluate it on the basis of following factors, time, situation, social norms and conditions.
Punishment for deviant behavior depend upon the structure of society. In developed countries violating state laws are considered as deviant behavior and may lead to severe punishment. Whereas, in tribal or traditional societies violating religious norms and values are considered as deviant behavior. For example, In USA it is not against the law if, unmarried couple engage in intimate relationship. While, infidelity is considered as deviant behavior and could be punishable by death in Afghanistan tribal areas. In developed countries people have more regard towards state laws. On the other hand, tribal or traditional societies give more priority to their religious and cultural norms compare to state constitution, therefore, their judgment of deviant and non-deviant behavior is solely based on their religious values and norms.
