This document discusses deviant behavior and provides definitions and context. It explains that deviant behavior violates social norms and expectations. Children learn norms from the groups they are born into. The document then examines why illicit drug use is considered deviant and evaluates three theories - labeling theory, conflict theory, and learning theory - to analyze deviant behaviors. Labeling theory proposes that deviance is defined by social norms, not inherent to acts or people. The document focuses on applying these theories to understand why certain behaviors are deemed deviant.

1. Deviant Behavior Essay
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––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Mid Term Exam SOC323 – Deviant
Behavior Week 4 Daniel Frey March 31, 2012 Patricia Case
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––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– The Midterm Exam consists of 5 essay
questions taken from Modules...show more content...
Becker criticizes other theories of deviance for accepting the existence of deviance and by doing
so, accept the values of the majority within the social group. According to Becker, studying the
act of the individual is unimportant because deviance is simply rule breaking behavior that is
labeled deviant by persons in positions of power. The rule breaking behavior is constant; the
labeling of the behavior varies. Becker describes rules as the reflection of certain social norms held
by the majority of a society, whether formal or informal. Enforced rules, the focus of Becker's
approach, are applied differentially and usually facilitate certain favorable consequences for those
who apply the label. In short, members of the rule–making society may label rule breaking behavior
deviant depending on the degree of reaction over time. (FSU, n.d.) Becker views those people that
are likely to engage in rule breaking behavior as essentially different than members of the
rule–making or rule–abiding society. Those persons who are prone to rule–breaking behavior see
themselves as morally at odds with those members of the rule–abiding society. Becker uses the term
"outsider" to describe a labeled rule–breaker or deviant that accepts the label attached to them and
view
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2. What is Deviance? Essay
Deviance can be defined as an absence of conformity to the social norm. Not all deviant behavior
is necessarily illegal or harmful to individuals, these behaviors can range from standing in
another's personal space to murdering another individual. In some cases, it can be looked upon as
a positive change or a unique and favorable act. Although, considered deviant because it is not the
social norm, it still can have a very positive social aspect or lead to social change. Culture and the
societies within these cultures have a significant impact on what is considered deviant and what is
acceptable or even lawful behavior. The degree of deviance is measured by society's reaction
towards the action and the lawful sanctions that may take...show more content...
Abnormal behavior in one society appears normal in the other society (Nairne, 426). Deviance is
weighed by the society's reactions to the particular behavior, also it is measured by the society's
way of life so that it defines the unwelcoming behavior. It ignores the social order and some
organizations believe, the reality in society. The violation of the social norm can be meant to be
utilized as a way of sustaining power, position, and influence of a specific group of people or
organizations. In most cultures, the idea of deviance is based on the values, deeds, and beliefs that
are achieved through interaction among people that have influence in the society and from the
understanding that culture is passed on from member to member. Societies are also comprised of the
subculture and the culture itself. The huge cultural forces depict what deeds are appreciated and
which are unaccepted or discouraged. On the other hand, the subculture in a certain setting creates a
resistance to the dominating culture and in doing so, they give a hand in the behavior that violates
the large culture social norms. Therefore, the deviation from the cultural norms can be attributed to
the social classes and financial classes. For example, prostitution in regions of the developing world
is deviant in most cultures, however poverty pressure pushes young girls toward it for survival.
Another reason deviant people take a
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3. Deviant Behavior Essay
Deviance is described as being behaviour that is not part of the norms in your particular society.
This can be different throughout the world because some cultures have very different norms
(Stephens and Leach, 1998:17). Most deviant behaviour will attract disapproval from others in the
society or punishment from authorities. There are many different types of deviance such as
addiction, mental illness, alcoholism, criminality and homosexuality. Throughout this essay six
types of theories will be discussed about how and why people are deviant. Four of these theories
support the idea of deviance being biological and three support the idea of it being caused by your
social construction. Also the essay will talk about the differences between...show more content...
Cesare Lombroso was born in 1835. His view on deviance was that it can be biologically
explained. He refers to the criminality part of deviance. He was very well known for his theories
and studies about the relation between mental and physical characteristics of people. He became
famous because he claimed to have found the reason that people were committing crimes.
Lombroso believed that different physical appearances were an indication to if you were a deviant
or not. Lombroso called these differences "stigma" and said that they showed if you were a criminal
or a non–criminal (Sabbatini 1997:1). Lombroso described stigma as things like large jaws and
cheekbones, long arms, abnormally big or small ears, weird looking teeth and a general hairiness
of the body (Burfeind and Bartusch 2011:119). His ideas came from a man called Franz Gall who
created Phrenology, a study that said you were a criminal if you had a large head. Lombroso's
thesis was that you could tell the difference between a criminal and a non–criminal by his physical
appearance, that criminals were a different physical type. He used the term "atavism" to describe
these people, and said that they were not fully evolved (Burfeind and Bartusch 2011:119).
Nowadays, Lombroso's theories have been scientifically discredited with good reason. Lombroso's
studies did have a positive
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4. Deviant Behavior Essay
Deviant behavior refers to behavior that does not conform to norms, does not meet the
expectations of a group of a society as a whole. After birth, children begin to experience situations
with others. They are taught what he or she should and should not do, what is good or bad and
what is right or wrong. Learning habits that conform to the customs and traditions of the groups
into which the child is born develops a system of values. These values provide justification and
motivation or for wanting to refrain from behavior that is disapproved. After reading this, one can
see how a behavior is considered deviant, but the question is, "Why is a certain type of behavior
considered deviant?" This paper will take a particular deviant...show more content...
This common belief holds that people using drugs necessarily have personal problems and lack
social skills, which then in turn, threatens personal health and morality to societies well being.
Also, medically, reference to elicit drug use is considered drug abuse. This portrays an image that
is unrealistic. It tells society that drugs are a huge problem and that anyone who is associated
with drugs has a problem. These common stereotypes about drug users in turn helped create new
societal norms. Drug use leads society to believe only certain (bad) people involve themselves
with drugs and the only to way to handle this problem is to make the public aware. Hence,
creating new laws and stricter enforcement only helps to inform the public of how serious a
problem drug use is and in turn, is labeled as deviant behavior. Now knowing why society believes
illicit drug use is considered a deviant act, what type of theories can be best used to evaluate
them? First, one has to know a brief explanation of each theory and the reasoning behind each
theory. These theories care designed to address a problem area and gain insight into why these
problems exist. There are many different types of theories, but this paper will focus on three. The
first being the labeling theory. The second being the conflict theory and the last being the learning
theory. All these theories will be explained along with what part of each theory will be evaluated.
The labeling
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5. Youth Deviance Essay
Deviance is defined as the recognized violation of cultural norms. This is an extremely broad
definition, and depending on who is explaining it, the above definition can mean a variety of
different things. Critically examine the theory of deviance with reference to young people and their
membership in deviant subcultures or gangs. Deviance is associated with young people today and is
rapidly on the increase within the street and school environment. Young deviants are engaging in
gang membership and subcultures with a means of social belonging, social interest and ethnic
identity. There are several sociological and subcultural theories which deem to explain deviance.
Some of the theories are functionalist pretentious that criminal...show more content...
The Chicago school on gangs urbanized the school into a set of theories arguing that certain groups
or subcultures in society have values and attitudes that contribute to crime and deviance. The key
focus is on juvenile delinquency. Juvenile delinquency refers to criminal acts performed by
juveniles, a juvenile is a young person. Theorists deem that if this precedent of criminal behaviour
can be understood and controlled, it will break the transition from teenage offender into habitual
criminal. Subcultural theorists argue that certain groups develop norms and values which are
diverse from those held by other affiliates of society. Subcultural theories argue that deviance is the
result of individuals conforming to the values and norms of the social group to which they belong.
Their subculture allows them to commit certain acts which are seen as deviant. Albert K. Cohen
agreed with this subcultural theory on deviance, where he believed that the development of
subcultures is explained in terms of the position of groups or individuals in the social structure.
Sociological theories on deviance diverge from biological and psychological theories that elucidate
norm violation in terms of social notion, the development of theories of deviance reflect the social
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6. Deviant Behavior
Deviance is a functional element of society because it adjusts people to social change. It is as if
though deviance is automatically transmitted to others. For example when violating rules such as
not using a car seat, forgetting to put on the seat belt, or driving above speed limit. We get used to
these violations because we see them in our daily basis. Deviant acts start to become more
acceptable to society and that's how these things don't seem unusual anymore to the public. It is
deviant behavior that shows us what is right from wrong and determines who we choose to be.
Something that is still considered to be unacceptable or criminal is human trafficking. Human
trafficking in many cases involves violence, exploitation, and sexual assault.
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7. Deviant Behavior
I enjoyed reading your post. Deviant behavior is any type of behavior that violates expectations
that is considered acceptable in society. These expectations follow a set of understandings and
rules ("Deviant Behavior," 1968). With that said, I agree with you that the athletes in the article
Interpretations and Explanations of Deviance Among College Athletes: A Case Study (1994),
displayed deviant behavior(s) (Snyder, 1994). Grand larceny, conspiracy, and even the knowledge
of such deviant acts is wrong. To answer your question, yes, I do feel as if some put athletes on a
pedestal. This and maybe the pressures of being an athlete might cause them partake in deviant acts.
Personally, I believe that some feel that they are above the law
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8. Deviance Definition Essay
Quit often in our day–to–day lives we hear the word "deviance", but never truly know the concepts
behind it. ... An important sociological concept states that people conform, or perform to societal
expectation or norms (Brown, 1965).The term deviance can be defined as the absence of
conformity. Deviant acts are acts that violate the social norm. All deviant acts are mala prohibited
or evil because laws prohibit it. (Anderson 2014) For example, speeding on your way to work
would be considered deviant because it is against the law, not only because it is looked down upon
and goes against societies set of norms. Deviant acts can vary by time, place, content, and person
(Anderson 2014). This means that something that is considered deviant in America
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9. Deviant Behavior Essay
Deviant Behavior
Deviant behavior refers to behavior that does not conform to norms, does not meet the expectations
of a group of a society as a whole. After birth, children begin to experience situations with others.
They are taught what he or she should and should not do, what is good or bad and what is right or
wrong. Learning habits that conform to the customs and traditions of the groups into which the child
is born develops a system of values. These values provide justification and motivation or for wanting
to refrain from behavior that is disapproved.
After reading this, one can see how a behavior is considered deviant, but the question is, "Why is a
certain type of behavior considered deviant?" This paper will take a...show more content...
These common stereotypes about drug users in turn helped create new societal norms. Drug use
leads society to believe only certain (bad) people involve themselves with drugs and the only to
way to handle this problem is to make the public aware. Hence, creating new laws and stricter
enforcement only helps to inform the public of how serious a problem drug use is and in turn, is
labeled as deviant behavior.
Now knowing why society believes illicit drug use is considered a deviant act, what type of
theories can be best used to evaluate them? First, one has to know a brief explanation of each theory
and the reasoning behind each theory. These theories care designed to address a problem area and
gain insight into why these problems exist.
There are many different types of theories, but this paper will focus on three. The first being the
labeling theory. The second being the conflict theory and the last being the learning theory. All
these theories will be explained along with what part of each theory will be evaluated. The labeling
theory starts off with the basic assumption that deviance is relative too social or group norms and
not inherently characteristic of certain human acts or people. Becker states, "Social groups create
deviance by making the rules whose infraction constitutes deviance. Deviance is not a quality of the
act the person commits, but rather a consequence of the application by others of rules and
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