Module 24 “What Is Deviance?”

Deviance

Behavior that violates the standards of conduct or expectations of a group or society.

Beauty Myth

An exaggerated ideal of beauty that is beyond the reach of most females, leading to negative consequences.

Anomie

A state of normlessness that occurs during periods of profound social change, leading to confusion about acceptable behavior.

Stigma

The labels society uses to devalue members of certain social groups.

Differential Association

The process through which exposure to attitudes favorable to criminal acts leads to the violation of rules.

Social Disorganization Theory

A theory that attributes increases in crime and deviance to the absence or breakdown of communal relationships and social institutions.

Labeling Theory

A theory that focuses on how a person comes to be labeled as deviant based on societal reactions to their behavior.

Conflict Perspective

A sociological perspective that highlights how laws and norms are shaped by those in power to protect their interests.

Merton's Theory of Deviance

A framework that categorizes individual adaptation to societal goals and means into five types: conformists, innovators, ritualists, retreatists, and rebels.

Cultural Transmission Theory

The concept that criminal behavior is learned through interaction with others.