Sociology Deviance

deviance

refers to actions considered to be outside a society's understood and accepted standards of behaviour, or, more formally, the violation of social norms.

Social Factors

important factors to consider when attempting to explain why a person might engage in deviant acts.

(Emil Durkheim) Affirmation of society's cultural norms and values

Refers to the reinforcement of behaviour that is acceptable or unacceptable; deviant behaviour is used to confirm and clarify social norms.

(Emil Durkheim) Clarification of society's moral boundaries

Clarification of society's moral boundaries

Refers to the limits and consequences used to indicate what is acceptable or unacceptable behaviour; these define the boundary between conformity and deviance

(Emil Durkheim) The unification of others in society

Refers to the sense of solidarity and mutual support experienced when people unite in response to a deviant act that has caused harm or distress

(Emil Durkheim) Promoting social change.

Refers to deviance challenging and at times changing existing social norms

Functionalism

Sociological Theoretical Perspective invented by Emile Durkheim (1858 - 1917) that believes that every institution in society contributes to the smooth running of society.

Social Control Theory

explaining how deviant behaviour can be prevented. They do this by identifying and exploring the factors that increase the risk of a person breaching social norms.

Core factor to reduce deviancy: Attachment

Attachment refers to bonds between people, encouraging conformity to shared social norms.

Core factor to reduce deviancy: Commitment

Commitment refers to an individual's investment of time and energy in conventional behaviours.

Core factor to reduce deviancy: Involvement

Refers to the fact that someone who is intensively involved in socially approved activities has less time and opportunities to deviate.

Core factor to reduce deviancy: Belief in Social Values

Refers to holding shared values about what is important in life, resulting in agreement and the reduction of deviancy.

Self fulfilling prophecy

Refers to when a person behaves in a way that matches a label they have been given, thus reinforcing that label.

Labelling

Refers to a sociological theory which suggests that no status or behaviour is inherently deviant until other people have judged it and categorised it as so.

(Labelling) Step 1 - identification of the person or group

Various factors can influence this classification, such as the person's social and economic status, stereotypes, cultural norms and an individual's lived experience.

(Labelling) Step 2 - behaviours

the actions of which that are deviant

Positive Deviance

is any action that deviates from social norms but has beneficial effects or outcomes for the individual and/or society

Altruism

refers to an action that is performed to help a person or group without reward or acknowledgement

Charisma

refers to a compelling attractiveness or personal charm that sets an individual apart from others. They tend to be natural leaders who are highly regarded by their supporters or followers

Innovation

is the process of introducing new ideas or methods that deviate from established norms or traditions. Positive deviants bring about social change through their creation or modification of important ideas

Supraconformity

refers to an individual's capacity to perform at a level beyond the normal expectations set by a society